Gulf water temps?

[brycew]

What are the water temps around the Flower Gardens this time of year? I'm from Kansas and will be doing a Flower Garden trip next weekend and have to figure out which wetsuit(s) to pack.

Thanks

 

[cyklon_300]

it was 76F at the surface and 70F at 100'...a 3mm two-piece with hood and gloves was adequate thermal protection (for me).

The NOAA buoy 60 mi offshore is showing 80F surface today.

http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/station_page.phtml?$station=42019

 

[brycew]

Thanks for the info & link... I would've guessed it would be a bit warmer so I'm glad I asked...

b

 

[archman]

Cool water temps are the primary reason Stetson Bank has far less coral than the East and West Banks. The latter two lie at the ragged edge for healthy hermatypic coral growth, Stetson falls just outside that.

Your water temps are a good deal warmer further offshore, overlying the continental slope and the abyssal plain. I find it confusing too when I look up water temps for "Gulf of Mexico; offshore". Have to isolate the sampling location. Thank the heavens for that handy NOAA buoy!