Question First trip to Red Sea for a experienced diver

[Parlem]

Heading to do my first Red Sea LOB in April. Will be diving from the Aggressor II doing the Northern route. I just purchased a Bare 5mm Velocity for the trip. Is that enough thermal protection for April? Or should I consider a hooded vest underneath? I was looking at perhaps the Sharks Skin they have a few cool items and claim to be neutrally buoyant.
Years ago when I first began diving I dove the waters by NY and NJ wearing a farmer John complete with hood and gloves but gave up cold water years ago. While I am aware that cold tolerance is an individual thing I was wondering what some of those with Red Sea experience thought would be appropriate thermal protection for a LOB in April.
Additionally I would welcome any feed back on Shark Skin gear
Thank You

I've dived the Red Sea in April wearing a 5mm Bare velocity full suit and was fine. I love how stretchy this particular suit it. I think you've made an excellent choice.

However, I would also take a hood, if I were you. You tend to get cold on the ride back to the boat in the zodiac. These days, as an older diver, I take two suits on any given Red Sea LOB in winter or early spring: the 5mm velocity and a 7mm reactive and alternate them when the suit I've first dived in is still wet or I'll wear the 7mm when I'm feeling a little cold ahead of the day's last dive.

It's not entirely unusual to see guides/instructors wearing a dry suit in early April.

I hope this helps.

 

[ConeyIslander]

Thank you for those detailed responses!!! I will certainly get a hood and a layer to wear under the 5mm either Lavacore or Sharkskin
Again Thank you

 

[Strombo]

I'm planning a LOB in the North in mid October (RasMo, etc). I wouldn't say I get chilled too easily, wondering if a 3 mil shorty would be enough. Thanks, everyone!

 

[Parlem]

I'm planning a LOB in the North in mid October (RasMo, etc). I wouldn't say I get chilled too easily, wondering if a 3 mil shorty would be enough. Thanks, everyone!

Hi!
Everyone feels the cold differently and it varies with gender, age, build, etc. But if I had to take a guess, I'd say you'd be cold. Possibly not on your first day or first dive of the day, but you'd be cold by the end of the day/week. Personally, I'd go with a 5mm full-body jumpsuit , but you'd probably be ok with 3mm.

Enjoy your trip.

 

[passeparici]

I'd say you'd be cold but you'd probably be ok with 3mm.

Enjoy your trip.

So he will be cold or he will be ok ? Not very clear all that hehe

 

[ConeyIslander]

So I dove the Red Sea April 18 -24th. We did the northern route. It was an excellent trip. We planed to dive off the Aggressor but were switched to the Tranquility with the Aggressor crew. The boat was awesome and the dive crew exceptional. The highlight for me was the Thistlegorm, fantastic wreck dive.

As for thermal protection I wore a brand new 5 mil Bare Reactive wetsuit with a Sharkskin Titanium 2 zip vest underneath and a Waterproof hood. I also took along a Lavacore hooded vest to see which set up I preferred under my wet suit. The clear winner was the Sharkskin. It fit better both length and by the armpits. The connected hood on the Lavacore allowed a lot more water into my suit as opposed to the separate hood. Using a separate also provided the flexibility of wearing it untucked in your wet suit. One additional benefit of the Sharkskin was that it was noticeably more wind proof. The water was between 71 and 73 degrees on every dive. Although the air temperature was warm it was very windy. I really appreciated the Titanium 2 vest on the Zodiac as it blocked the wind beautifully. I would also recommend taking along a sweatshirt and sweatpants for the boat in between dives. I am fairly cold tolerant but do get a chill after repetitive diving, and the aforementioned set up was perfect for me. I hope this info is helpful to anyone planning their first Red Sea adventure.