ScuBaddicted,
First thing first, here is a link of the temp (water and air) Blackbeards experiences throughout the year and what they recommend in terms of thermal protection
Bahamas Seasonal Water & Air Temperatures on Blackbeard's Cruises
More specifically:
January-February
| 72-77f/22-24c
| (water) 70-80f/21-27c
| (Air) Full Wetsuit 5mm or thicker (Thermal Protection)
|
Secondly, I dove with them (Morning Star) 26 Feb - 03 Mar 2011. I did 20 dives (out of a possible 21) over 5.5 days of diving ranging from 21 to 102 ft. Consulting my dive planner, water temp was 73F throughout and air temperature was 75 - 81F. Average number of dives was 4/day. I went there as part of a group (five of them were repeat offenders) and nobody had anything thinner than a 5mm (full length), the norm being full length 7mm. Some folks even dove with a beanie/hood.
Particularity of Blackbeard is you spend most of your non-diving time topside, in relatively windy conditions and variable cloudiness(at that time of the year) and after a while, the combination of number of dives and living conditions, do take a toll on your body. More so, the only time you will experience a dry wetsuit is when you first put it on for the first dive of your adventure. After that you will always be greeted by some form of wetness ....ah the joy of repetitive diving.
I personally use a 7mm and I can assure you that in those conditions, I am glad I did. For your info, I am far from being a frigid/cold person as I will do, locally two repetitive dives in 75F water in the summer time wearing only a 3mm. Just came back from Cozumel where I did 21 dives over 5.5 days of diving with four successive days of four dives each. The water (81F), air (81 - 86F) and a resort like environment made it possible to just use a 3mm full length but my GF was glad to have brought her 5mm (and she only dove eight times).
Hope this helps. Do not hesitate to PM me for additional info. In the photo section you will also find a folder of underwater pics I took during my trip. Have a great one.
P.S. I would also highly recommend bringing Gravol. In addition to what I previously described, between 1/4 and 1/3 of the group (very experienced divers BTW) spent their first full day at sea, on all four, among wetsuits hung to dry, being seasick. Some folks had to include Gravol as part of their daily diet. That aspect will also affect your body in some ways or form.