Galapagos diving - Wet or Dry

[DiverLS]

I'm leaving to dive the Galapagos Islands the end of September, 1 month before the "cold" season ends.. The trip coordinator says dive dry - that way can do more diving. Two of my divemaster friends say dive wet - too much drag if you dive dry. I have both wet & dry, the wet suit is about 6 years old but not used much, 6mil w/hood. I am fine all summer diving boats off S. Cal in the late summer and fall with the wet suit. About three years ago I dived Catalina then Santa Barbara then Anacapa in mid April. Catalina and Santa Barbara were fine with the wet suit but when we got to Anacapa, I did the giant stride and got so cold shocked I immediately swam to the back and re-boarded the boat. Since that I dive mostly dry. So I can dive wet to the mid to upper 60s.

Please - any recomendations from anyone that has been there?

 

[Nay]

I assume that you don't want to take both for luggage restrictions?

Sorry I can't help, I haven't been there, yet....

 

[Doc]

Did you want water temps?

If you are okay in a wetsuit to the mid 60's as you say, you'll be fine.

Your trip leader's comments in reference to "drag". I fear that he thinks it will inhibit your forward motion. Quite the contrary, it will act as a sail in the current. Win win.

Yor profile pic: In the Galloping Pogos, lose the snorkel or you will.

 

[reefman]

dove the galapagos last week from 6/25 untill 7/2 on the sky dancer. water temps ranged from 71-73f at the southern sites(cousins and gordon rocks, seymore island) to 74-75f at wolf and darwin islands. our group wore 5mm-7mm full suits with a 3/5mm hooded vest. air temp ranged from 74-78f during the day to 65-68f at nite.

reefman
key largo

 

[Nay]

oo! Please do a full dive report reefman! I would love more details!

thanks

 

[riguerin]

Bring both if you have room. Even if planning on diving dry, I'd still consider bring a wetsuit as a back up ... just in case.

 

[tedwhiteva]

Dove it last September, in a 7mm with hood and 5mm gloves - perfect. Dry suit (I have one but didn't bring it) may be a bit cumbersome since you dive out of pangas (RHIs) and getting back in them can be an effort with a dry suit.

But a great trip - 16 whale sharks in 17 dives! Mainly at Darwin and Wolf.