Wetsuit for Jupiter waters?

[CAPTAIN SINBAD]

Hello -

I was thinking of coming down to Jupiter on new years eve for a couple of days of diving. What kind of exposure protection would be wise to bring along? Weather all over the world is getting more and more unpredictable. The best thing is always to ask the locals

Thanks in advance -

 

[Lee Taylor]

There are lots of good sources of information. I have used these guys many times for info and diving. They are very friendly, informative, and helpful.

Jupiter Dive Center

 

[danvolker]

Hello -

I was thinking of coming down to Jupiter on new years eve for a couple of days of diving. What kind of exposure protection would be wise to bring along? Weather all over the world is getting more and more unpredictable. The best thing is always to ask the locals

Thanks in advance -

This week the only comfortable divers are in Dry suits, but most weeks in winter you would be fine with a 7 mil wetsuit, or even one 3mm suit on top of another one
I used a 3 mm suit yesterday, and survived it, but if the air is colder than 50 degrees, you can't warm up after your first dive...even with a warm wind on.
Today it is in the 30's in Palm Beach. Hopefully this huge front will be gone before you get here, and we will be back above 70 degrees ( where pretty much any real wet suit will work).

 

[Chuckitall]

I live here and would not do any less than a good 5mm and a hooded vest. This weekend is to be warmer.

 

[sheeper]

i'm just a bit north of Jupiter and i'm going in a 7mm. it's darn chilly here now! (for Florida that is).

 

[sportxlh]

water temp was in the very low 70's eight days ago. I was modestly comfortable at depth in a 3MM full with a 2MM shorty under it and a hood. It was a relatively warm day with a fleece wind breaker on I was fairly comfortable sitting in the sun on the JDC boat between dives. I did change into street cloths after the second dive on the way back into the dock though.

I am about to break my 7MM out and start using it

 

[gnominic]

We dive off Yaks out of Lauderdale and most of the guys in our pack are wearing 5 mils. I dove two weeks ago in 3, bottom temps around 73F. It was ok, but I don't get cold easily.

I'm diving Thursday and I may bring out the dry suit, but mostly because I haven't dove in it much yet and I want to get it worked out.

The surface temps will matter. If it's cold you want to wear more because the air will keep the heat loss going on the surface. Dry off as soon as possible and completely.

Good luck.

-dennis

 

[gnominic]

We dive off Yaks out of Lauderdale and most of the guys in our pack are wearing 5 mils. I dove two weeks ago in 3, bottom temps around 73F. It was ok, but I don't get cold easily.

I'm diving Thursday and I may bring out the dry suit, but mostly because I haven't dove in it much yet and I want to get it worked out.

The surface temps will matter. If it's cold you want to wear more because the air will keep the heat loss going on the surface. Dry off as soon as possible and completely.

Good luck.

-dennis

 

[Jupiter31]

Nothing beats local knowledge - from an e mail sent today from my friend Ham Mason, an instructor at Jupiter Dive Center:

"Water temperature at the bridge today 68! Air temperature in a stiff north wind 48! In my drysuit I was very comfortable, but my student and a friend who joined us were quite cold after an hour. Getting out of the water for them was BRUTAL! I love my drysuit. We'll get together soon. Ham"

If its 68 at the Blue Heron Bridge in 12' of water, its likely the same or even cooler offshore - If you have a dry suit - bring it!