Wetsuit needed?

[blitzpb]

My wife and I will be in Maui and Oahu in a couple of weeks and we are wondering if we will need to bring suits with us. We dive Coastal Southern California (50-55 deg) so we have 7mm suits and I think that might be slight overkill for Hawaii!

Thank you,

Nick

 

[Wildcard]

Some dive 7s here, a few even dive dry. 3s seem to do it for most though.Im moving up to a 5 myself.

 

[D_O_H]

I'm sure you'll get better answers from some of the locals, but I have been very comfortable in a 3mm full in Hawaii. I dive dry at home, but used to be pretty comfortable in SoCal in a 7mm suit.

If you're not prone to cold, you could probably get away with a 3mm shortie, if you are prone to cold, you might want to think about a 3mm + a hood. Either way you'll definitely want some kind of exposure protection and I agree the 7mm is overkill unless you're really prone to freezing.

 

[DiveMaven]

If you don't have a 3mm or 5mm suit to bring, just plan on renting one when you're here. The water will be around 77 degrees, so plan according to your own tolerance leve.

 

[Parrothead_Diver]

I am a So Cal Diver as well, and usually where a 7mm at home.

I have found that while in Hawaii I am usually OK in a 3mm shorty for most dives. But if the dive is anything longer then about 45 minutes, then I wish that I had a 3-5mm full suit.

 

[kidspot]

I dove a 3mil shorty yesterday ... brrr even with a hood on (drysuit was at home and the 5mil had an ant nest in it when I pulled it out of the truck ... yuck)

I was ok for 20 minutes, then got cold and by 45 min was shivering. btw it was 77° - wear what works for you...

Aloha, Tim

 

[justleesa]

we're getting too used to the water Tim

There was a guy on the boat the other day and he was sweating bullets in his 3mm, went with a t-shirt and board shorts for the 2nd dive.

I would say a 3mm should work just fine for you

 

[kidspot]

definitely getting used to the water

 

[GDCB]

Hey just got back from Kona, Aloha, to all of my new Hawaiian friends. It was wonderful and 75 degs. at 45 feet (saw this on another divers comp.). I was in the water for hours every day. Although I was only able to free dive (sinus issues) I was comfortable in a rash guard top (for sun burn) and board shorts. Other divers were in full suits. My girlfriend bought a 3mil. shortie and was still cold while her seven year old was fine and mad at me for making her wear a shortie. Everybody seems to be different.

Carl,

Aloha...

 

[DiveMaven]

I must be part Hawaiian then....I won't wear anything less than a 5mm full suit year around on Maui.

After our trip in April, my husband has finally agreed that he needs to have a little more warmth, so he's going with adding a vest to his 3mm full. I'm guessing he got cold for the first time since not only did we dive everyday, but we did two of Ed Robinson's 3-tank Adventure charters, and by that third dive he was feeling the 75 degree water.