Wetsuit Layering for Cayman Islands

[Ambassador Divers]

Scubanoobi

Our water here is on the cooler side this time of year. Temps are ranging from 78-80f. While this seems warm to most, our staff are currently diving in 3mm to 7mm. These guys are making multiple dives daily and tend to get a little chilled. What a bunch of wimps right.. "warm intelligent marine persons" You might also find it on the cool side. I would definitely recommend the full 3 as well as the hooded vest.

 

[Sunny2012]

Bare 3/2mm full and hooded vest on 2nd dive if you feel chilled. I also have a light jacket and knit hat for in-between dives (gets cooler on the boat if the sun is not out). Only time I dove without a wetsuit in Cayman was August 2012 when its REALLY hot, otherwise I always wear a 3mm.

Have fun!

 

[billinwilliamston]

Personally, I've never needed exposure protection when diving in Cayman no matter what time of year. Now that I'm in KW, I do don a 3/2 full this time of year because the water's around 72 and I'm getting old. That being said, the hooded vest + the full would be warmer in theory because you lose a lot of heat through your head. Layering is a good idea, it gives you options if you find that the layers are more than you need.

 

[caymaniac]

I wear a 3/2 body suit in Cayman (also full body keep the nasties from sting you too), always take along a wet hat (not a hood) too, if it gets chilly as in 78/80 and you've made 3 (or more) dives you'll want something to help your body keep its temp up. Typically we are in Cayman in April and the temp is 82/83 so no need for a hat/hood but you never know.
Since I live in Michigan, you would understand about cold water here as it does get into the 70's in the summer but at the thermo-cline...15ft. to 30 or even 60ft. its about 43F in the summer. You need more than a 3mil and hood at depth. All this talk of cold water makes me never want to dive cold anymore (this seems to happen when you start to get older like me).

 

[scubadada]

I wear a full 3 and have a hooded vest with me if I get cool

 

[Insta-Gator]

Current water temp is 81F. When we're there I always wear a 3mm full (last time was October) for protection and it suits my buoyancy in my kit. (bp/w no extra weight)
We always dive 3 or 4 dives a day. No problem with getting cold (and I'm kinda cold natured)

 

[BettyfromToronto]

We dive 4x a year in the Caribbean (Jan, April/May, Sept & Nov) and I always wear my 3m full suit and it is fine. Most times too I wear my neoprene beanie as it just adds that bit of warmth when doing multiple dives over 5-6 days.

I also have a nice sweater and wind breaker with hood in my dry bag if required for the cooler SI times on the boat.

I'd rather be warm then cold.

Betty
I am a certified ice diver but these days I am a warm water wuss.

 

[-hh]

I almost always wear my full 3mm in the Caymans, even when I used to go down in September and the water was 85F. If I were to go down in the Feb/March timeframe, I'd take my full 3mm and my chicken vest ... and I'd toss in my beanie "just in case", since it is so small to pack.


-hh

 

[South4Scuba]

I think you will get some funny looks if you show up in Cayman with anything more than a 3mm full suit. I have been there many times from February to October and I've always been happy with a 3mm full suit. I like to pack very light so a single 3mm full suit covers a lot of bases.

I just can't dive with a hood. It's too restrictive on my movements and visibility. I was certified in 50 degree water using a 7mm hood and swore I would never wear one again! :biggrin:

 

[Scubanoobi]

I think now ill be bringing the 3/2 full and the 2mm shorty (which I'll use underneath if I get cold). I don't want to wear a hood down there. I was certified in 39 degree water, and I'm a bit of a wimp. Still trying to figure out what I need for warm water diving.