SCUBA QUESTION: What thickness of a wetsuit do I need for the Bahamas?
Posted on Feb 28, 2010 under Scuba Wetsuits | 7 CommentsI am going to the Bahamas in November and I need a new wetsuit…what thickness (in mm) do I need?
I need a wetsuit because I will be scuba diving to 100 feet.
You won’t need a thick wet suit, just a reef skin or a 3mm shortie. Lol, we ice dive here in 7mm and you’re thinking you’ll be cold there? Nah. By the way, don’t bother going to 100 ft, not only is there less to see, I doubt that you’ll be allowed to. An AOW diver would know what thickness of suit they need, it seems you’re not AOW.
This cracks me up a bit, sorry.
Edit: WreckTek, yeah, there are a few good wrecks, but it sounds to me like this is a resort course this person may be taking or they are a recently graduated OW. An AOW would know their cold tolerance and thermal protection. Additionaly, I don’t know of any dive ops that will schedule more than 2 dives on a charter. If they’re properly hydrated on the SI, getting cold on the last dive shouldn’t be an issue.
Do you need different equipment if you want to go cold-water scuba diving?
February 28th, 2010 at 6:15 pm
bhamas, and a wet suit that too thick ness Y should you wear a wet suit there either wear a wet suit and go some where else or go to bhamas and ???????????????
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February 28th, 2010 at 6:24 pm
I dive in the Maldives and never wear a wetsuit, water always warm, but if needed wear a 3mm shortie and long one if going on a strong current dive and you need to hold on (maybe to see sharks) contact the dive resort before you go they should advise you on what to wear and are always very helpful. Enjoy your diving
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February 28th, 2010 at 7:11 pm
You won’t need a thick wet suit, just a reef skin or a 3mm shortie. Lol, we ice dive here in 7mm and you’re thinking you’ll be cold there? Nah. By the way, don’t bother going to 100 ft, not only is there less to see, I doubt that you’ll be allowed to. An AOW diver would know what thickness of suit they need, it seems you’re not AOW.
This cracks me up a bit, sorry.
Edit: WreckTek, yeah, there are a few good wrecks, but it sounds to me like this is a resort course this person may be taking or they are a recently graduated OW. An AOW would know their cold tolerance and thermal protection. Additionaly, I don’t know of any dive ops that will schedule more than 2 dives on a charter. If they’re properly hydrated on the SI, getting cold on the last dive shouldn’t be an issue.
References :
unrestricted surface supplied commercial diver, IANTD tech diver, chamber op, gas blender
February 28th, 2010 at 7:56 pm
The Bahamas is tropical and is hot all year around. A 3mm full suit will be fine but if added protection is required, use a hood and a vest over your wet suit and you’ll be fine.
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February 28th, 2010 at 8:09 pm
The water temperature around the Bahama Islands in November usually averages from the mid to upper 70’sF. Air temp. around 80F. Alot will depend on how many dives you wish to do, and how susceptible you are to the cold. If you are only going to be doing a few dives, than a 3mil suit should be fine. But if you plan to be diving every day, for say a week, you may need a 5mil, or even the jacket part of a 7mil suit. Extended exposure to below body temp. atmospheres, such as water, may drop your body’s core temperature. Not sure what island you are going to, but there are a few good 100′ ft. dives, mostly shipwrecks. One item Bahama Dive Operators demand is for you to have, and be able to us a dive computer if diving to 100 feet.
Hope you have fun!!!
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February 28th, 2010 at 8:39 pm
Call the dive shop. Tell them when you’ll be there and how many dives per day you think you’ll be doing – and how succeptible to cold you are. No one knows the conditions better than they do. Most folks don’t need suits in the bahamas, and at 100′ you won’t be down there for very long. But if you get cold easily – then be comfortable.
Dive shops typically have wetsuits to rent – depends on the quality of the shop. If you need to buy one, get a shorty for comfort in warm weather diving. What you buy should also accommodate your dive habits. Do you dive in warm weather often? If so a 2mm or 3mm suit should be fine.
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NAUI Instructor
February 28th, 2010 at 9:29 pm
You shouldn’t need a wetsuit in the Bahamas, even at 100 ft.
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My chicken skin.