Wetsuit recommendations for diving Fiji in August-

[dph2odiver]

I was hoping someone could recommend the best wetsuit mm for diving Fiji in August. We are staying for 2 weeks on Nukubati Island located off Vanua Levu and then LikuLiku on Malolo Island.

We usually dive in the Caribbean when the water ranges from 78-85' F. On the low end I'm comfortable in a 3mm shorty, and on the high end, just a bathing suit.

Because of where we are traveling in Fiji, we have weight restrictions for our luggage (33 lb) and I am trying to slim down my suitcase.

Can anyone recommend what mm would be best suited for the Fiji climate this part of the year? I don't want to ruin a dive by getting cold and at the same time, packing very light.... for a woman!

 

[fiji_diver]

Hi
Have a look at our info page for Fiji water temp data. I was divign today and the water is currently at 26 C (78-79F).
I dive here all year in a 3mm full suit or just rash vest and shorts. Some find it chilly in the winter and go for 5mm suits. Better warmer of course.
Hope that helps
Greg

 

[dph2odiver]

Greg,
Thank you very much for the reply and info. This is our first time diving in the Pacific and I want to be prepared. My husband surprised me with a new 3/2 mm full suit for the trip but I was still concerned with the cooler water temps not knowing what they have been ranging this year. I think I am going to try it with hopes that I can rent a 5mm if needed from the resort.
Happy Diving,
Sondra

 

[bracko]

you might want to consider a sharkskin or similar thermal (1mm usually) rash vest and the 2/3?

much less space than packing 2 and more comfortable than hiring.

 

[Frosty]

Greg,
Thank you very much for the reply and info. This is our first time diving in the Pacific and I want to be prepared. My husband surprised me with a new 3/2 mm full suit for the trip but I was still concerned with the cooler water temps not knowing what they have been ranging this year. I think I am going to try it with hopes that I can rent a 5mm if needed from the resort.
Happy Diving,
Sondra

In your shoes Id NOT count on a rental 5mm being available.If you want to play it safe why not a 3mm full body suit and a 3mm thermal vest.

 

[ozzydamo]

Bula,
I would take a hooded vest as back up for your 3mm (one piece???) steamer, then if you felt cold on a dive you could put under the full suit on your next dive and have effectively 6mm including head cover which is a big loss of body heat(1/8 of your blood is in your head!). You would hate to be cold and miss a dive or two.
The alternative would be more costly like a full shark skin(slight negative buoyancy which is better) or a 4th element metalite suit.
Don't rely on them having your size, they will most like only have shorty spring suits.
Hope you have a great time, Fiji is fantastic diving.

 

[dph2odiver]

Thank you all for your replies and ideas. I had not thought of adding something to my existing suit. I was all set to go buy another one. We are really looking forward to our trip. 2 weeks and counting.

Does anyone one know how the diving is around where we will be. I haven't been able to find out much info about the dive sites. There was a local man from where I live in the states who was reported missing after a surfing lesson around Nadi last week and after some stories I have read about the current, it is making me a little nervous...

 

[fiji_diver]

re - dive conditions.
You have picked 2 very nice resorts indeed
Nukubati is small and lovely with access to the Great Sea Reef which is stunning - very few divers ever get there. I was out that way last week, on a different island, and did a couple of stunning dives. Nukubati is the only resort along that coast. Diving around Malolo is not as good, but the resort is fabulous.
As for currents, well they are rarely a problem in Fiji. The surf break where the chap was lost is a very unusual spot and only used for surfing. Conditions like that don't occur in many places in Fiji.
It is unlikely you will be diving in a drift and certainly not anywhere where there could be strong currents to cause danger, but a good idea to mention your concern to the dive staff anyway.
I hope that puts your mind at rest.
Have a great trip
Greg

p.s. I agree with all the above posts re taking an extra layer and hood just in case. 2/3mm vest, 2/3mm hood, 3mm gloves and a long sleeve rash vest would not take up much room and give you lots of options for staying warm.

 

[Frosty]

I agree 100% with what greg has to say. Except that a few dives out of malolo could maybee be called drift dives. But with ONE exception id call them "optional" drift dives. Ie the current is REALLY slow and weak so its a matter of choice if you go with or against the current-its actually a really effortless kninda dive and the current is just the water flowing along the wall
If concerned about a "real" drift dive the two dives to avoid are at a place the locals call the big W.Which is either Tavarua wall or Mamoth wall .They are both actually under the surf break between two islands and the current is fairly fast. I weouldn't say they are difficult dives but you do need situational awareness as you are arriving at the surface.
There were a couple of just wonderfull dives I did about 20 minutes "out" from mololo. The first is called castaway wall. Its a shallow dive making the fish colors etc spectacular (IMO) Given you are out there try Nuku reef as your second dive.
In fairness I must say you are better to stay at Mololo island FIRST. because in fairness it might seem bland compared to the other resorts diving.
I would also recommend for a bit of a relax taking the snorkle trip which is about 1000 yards from the resorts.Because you are in such shallow water (UP TO 2 YARDS DEEP) the fish are abundant and colorful
Incidently are you going to Mololo island resort on mololo island or are you going to little mololo ?

 

[dph2odiver]

Thank you both for your info on the dives. I do feel better about it. We do drift dives quite often in Belize off a site called the Elbow, but since we have been there several times, I know what to expect.

This was my 40th birthday present for my husband so he tried to pick some where special. Originally we were going to Australia but a travel agent recommended Nukubati for the diving. We were going to stay at Nukubati for the whole 2 wks however, one of the things on my "Bucket List" was to stay in a hut sitting over the water so he booked the last 3 days at the Likuliku Lagoon Resort on Malolo so I could cross it off my list.