What suit to wear for Cayman Brac???

[Windknot]

I'm heading to Brac for my first warm water diving experience in March.

Up until then, the warmest water I have ever dived was (Excluding the 74 deg water at Epcot's Living Seas) only in the upper 40's low 50's.

What the heck should I be looking at buying? Do I need gloves? What should I do?

Any constructive help (no fat guy jokes please) would be appreciated.

Windknot

 

[Tractor Tom]

Hey Windknot!

I was just back from the Keys a couple weeks ago, and was diving in a 3 mil shorty and plenty warm (it was in the 80's, both water and air) and have found it to be plenty of suit anytime I dive in the Caribbean. Before the trip, I picked up a pair of 'tropical' weight gloves to wear. I tend to wear a hat too. I have a 3 mil baseball style cap, made of neoprene that I wear in the water. Have NEVER been cold diving in the carib, after diving here in Michigan in water that is warm at 50.

I'll be happy to loan you the gloves if you want to borrow them and not buy a pair, they are brand new, size large. I find they protect my hands when 'hanging on the line' at 15' and protect me from what ever has been living on the line for a number of years.

Good to hear from you again!

 

[BEM]

In January we wore 3 mil wetsuits (full not shorties) and tropic hoods. The water was about 80, but the air was cool for 1/2 the week. It also depends on how many dives you will be doing. We were doing 3 / day. YMMV

Gloves are not allowed in the Caymans - we didn't miss them as there were no currents and didn't need to hang off the lines.

You're gonna love it there!

 

[twainer]

I did Little Caymen for a week in October and went with just my swimsuit and was completely comfortable. The wear on our boat ranged from swimsuits & shorts to dive skins and a few with 3mm (not necessary it's 80 degree water with no thermoclines). My only problem was the night dive- there were sea wasps, which was annoying. Now I'd go with a skin only.

 

[mattengstrom]

I use a 3 mil shorty when I'm down there, year-round.