I'm planning my first trip to the Bahamas in mid January. What wetsuit should I wear? Is 3mm OK
Thanks
Thanks
What wetsuit to wear
- Thread starter DiverDuane
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Daryl Morse
Contributor
I just returned from Jamaica. The water temperature was 84-86 F according to my computer. I did one dive with a swimsuit and t-shirt. I was okay during the dive, but cool after I surfaced. I borrowed a 3 mm shorty afterwards and it was just right.
scuba_mike
Contributor
Duane, one factor to consider is how many dives you will be doing each day. In order to stay warm for dives 2, 3, etc, or throughout several days of diving, I suggest a 3mm or 5mm suit.
In January, the water temp in the Bahamas is usually between 70 and 75 degrees. This is nice but will chill you without an appropriate exposure suit.
If you already know the dive shop or resort you'll be diving with then they might also be able to give you info on the current conditions as you get closer to January.
Cheers
In January, the water temp in the Bahamas is usually between 70 and 75 degrees. This is nice but will chill you without an appropriate exposure suit.
If you already know the dive shop or resort you'll be diving with then they might also be able to give you info on the current conditions as you get closer to January.
Cheers
drl
Contributor
Duane, it depends on your cold sensitivity, but the water temp in the Bahamas in January is about 72, which can be chilly when you're immersed in it for any time. I was there in March last year; the temp was 73 and the air about the same and windy. I *froze* in my 3-mil, so much that I almost bagged the second dive. We're going next January too, and I'll be wearing a vest with my 3-mil, or maybe I'll spring for a 5-mil.
Of course, people vary a lot in cold sensitivity; I don't have a lot of bioprene and I do feel the cold. YMMV.
Deborah
Of course, people vary a lot in cold sensitivity; I don't have a lot of bioprene and I do feel the cold. YMMV.
Deborah
scubaaaronh
Contributor
my wife and i dove in Jan a couple years ago on and we dove with 3mm shorties and even with the wind we were comfty, but we are also used to doing multiple dives in cold water in michigan.
I was there in June and wore a 3 mm shorty. I only did 2 dives and was fine. This time of year you may want a full 3 mm.
Like a few others said, it depends on your cold sensitivity and how many dives you're going to do over each day. Good Luck.
Like a few others said, it depends on your cold sensitivity and how many dives you're going to do over each day. Good Luck.
tangfish
Contributor
I'd stick with at least a 3mm fullsuit. exposure protection is even more important to me over temperature control. You never know what kind of nasties there are out there in the water!
Daryl Morse
Contributor
If the water temperature was 70-75, I'd be wearing a full 5 mm wetsuit.
OP
Okay, I have a full 3 or a full 7. I dive the CA north coast in the 7, so it seems like it would be way too warm (46 - 55 degrees). Maybe I'll wear a 2mm shortie under my 3mm full. what do you all think?
peterjmaerz
Guest
... that it's hard to say!
Diver Duane,
I would need at least a full seven to survive 70 degree water, much less 55! If you're diving a 7 in that Northern California drink, I'd think you could wear a skin packed with dry ice in 70
But, seriously, the full 3-shorty arrangement ought to work for you, though the bottom line is that every person's thermal protection needs are unique.
Regards,
Diver Duane,
I would need at least a full seven to survive 70 degree water, much less 55! If you're diving a 7 in that Northern California drink, I'd think you could wear a skin packed with dry ice in 70
But, seriously, the full 3-shorty arrangement ought to work for you, though the bottom line is that every person's thermal protection needs are unique.
Regards,
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