New to Board, Wetsuit advice

[Scuba Jerm]

I got OW certification last June prior to going to Hawaii. I live in South Florida where the sites and temperatures are great! Been out about 6 times, love it!!! Finally got my own gear as I am going back to Hawaii and looking forward to a long summer of diving in SFL.

Any advice out there on a wetsuit. Thought about a 2pc since heading out to Hawaii and also plan on doing a lot of diving in SFL. Feel more comfortable in a 3mm Full, but don't know if this is enough for Hawaii diving. Any thoughts?

Thanks!

ScubaHel,

You mention feeling more comfortable in a 3mm. Comfort is very important... you don't want to be worring about your suit while you are diving, so I'd stick with what makes you comfortable. The Water Temps in Hawaii are not too cold so a 3mm will likely be fine, however if you get cold you can always throw on a hoody, which should keep you plenty warm. Oh..... and welcome to the board

 

[DandyDon]

Howdy and welcome to SB!

I certainly prefer one piece jumpsuits. If you got a 3 mil, a 7 mil, and a skin to make them go on easily, you'd have a wide range of coverage.

Good to have you here. Click here to PM me if I can help you get started in our various forums.

:cowboy2: don

 

[cbborromeo]

Welcome to the board. I'm a new board member too and I'm really impressed by the wealth of knowledge and sense of community.

I've been diving in Hawaii in May and I was ok with a 3mm full. If you plan to dive SFL/Hawaii the most, I would suggest a 3mm full suit, boots and gloves which will get you through the summer. If you plan to do a 3xday or night diving, you should complement that with a vest/shorty (like a Henderson's combo suit) and hood. However, if you plan to do a lot of winter diving, disregard my advice because you will need much warmer stuff.

 

[ScubaHel]

Thanks to all of you for the advice and warm welcomes!!!

 

[Silvertip57]

ScubaHel.............Welcome to the board. Now to keep Chud from killing me, I have always used a 3 mil when diving in Hawaii and often just a skin in late Jul/Aug. Of course, I have a built in 3 mil that I am working on reducing. Hope this helps.