Scuba & Snorkling in the Bahamas...

[Taj]

Hello, I will be spending this January, February and the beginning of March in the Bahamas on Andros Island. We're there learning about sailing, dinghy operation, scuba diving, subtropical ecology.. . lots of fun stuff for college. It sounds like a good amount of time will be spent out in (or at least, on) the water. One of the classes is Recreational Scuba Diving with a certification course from PADI. Unfortuantly from reading their medical stuff, and my subsequent search online for more info, it sounds like I won't be able to actually dive... however, after speaking to my teachers it sounds as though I'll be snorkeling around the reef instead. Which means that I'll still need a good snorkel, goggles, fins and wetsuit...

Which leads me to my actual question: What would be a good, suitable wetsuit for Jan/Feb/March in the Bahamas? Also, any recommendations on good goggles/snorkels/fins would be welcome and greatly appreciated aswell.

Thanks!

~~Emily

 

[DandyDon]

Before I start - why introduce yourself in Intros Forum, so we can welcome you properly. Click: http://www.scubaboard.com/f19/s

I think most would say that a 3mil long wet suit will probably be good in the Bahamas in winter. The air could get cold if a bad norther hits, but the Gulf Stream circulates through there well, I think. They're not actually in the Caribbean, but that's where they're discussed frequently. Click: http://www.scubaboard.com/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=23

We do not use goggles in Scuba; we use masks so we can equalize as we descend. For masks, snokels, and fins, click: http://www.scubaboard.com/f31/s

good reading... don

 

[CAPT HOOK]

You are just going to be snorkling you can more than likely get by without a wetsuit. We spent the winter there in 2001 and never put on a suit for snorkling and we were in the water almost every day. Have a ball.

 

[DandyDon]

I replied directly to the title of the thread - missing that you will not be allowed to Scuba.

Capt Hook is right, you probably won't need to spend money on a wetsuit. I snokeled and free dived for years before I got hooked on Self Containted Underwater Breathing Apparatus - which I did with the cheapest equipment I could find.

I did wear a inflatable snorkel vest, though. Many people will say that they didn't, and don't see the need, but we never get direct reports from those who drown.

don

 

[Soggy]

Unless you are diving, you won't need a wetsuit at all. I snorkeled for over two hours one sunny day without getting chilled very much at all. My girlfriend did the same in just a bikini and she gets cold wicked easily.

In February, the water temperatures were in the mid-high 70s...probably warmer on the surface.

If you don't feel comfortable in the water, you can use a snorkeling vest....some do, some don't.

 

[RICHinNC]

Great shades of Vahalla.....DONT FORGET THE SUN....

If you burn easily it would be well worth your time to take a set of skins along. I cant tell you the number of times I have seen people snorkle all day....and spend the next few days moaning and spreading some kind of goop all over their back to sooth the burn.

Take lots of Nuke 200,000 and youll be fine.

 

[Soggy]

RICHinNC once bubbled...
Great shades of Vahalla.....DONT FORGET THE SUN....

True...some waterproof spf 45 should take care of that for you or get a skin. The sun in the winter isn't too bad, though.