Suit recommendations for Curacao, St. Maarten & Saba

[DivingDreamer]

I've spent a lot of time reading posts over the last few months off and on in preparation of our trip to Curacao, Saba and St. Maarten and I don't believe I've seen this covered. The different dive operator sites in this area say that they rent wetsuits such as 3mm shortie, would dive skin okay instead? My husband's mother's boss said that he only uses a dive skin in Curacao, but since I don't know anything him and as I don't have the opportunity to grill him directly I'm hesitant to take his advice.

We live near Monterey, CA and I'm used to diving in 51-52F degree water (in a 7MM farmer john and shortie) and I wouldn't consider myself a cold person. II rented a 3mm shorty in Cozumel a few years though I can't remember how I felt comfort-wise. We'll be there the last week in June and that first week in July.

Any recommendations based on your experience?

[CSD1129]

Hey!
I'll be down in SXM rather soon. This will be my third year diving there. I usually wear a 3mm full with reef gloves and a skin regardless of where I am in the caribbean. I was on a cruise and went diving in Curcao. The water was warm, but I still wore a 3mm and I was quite comfortable.

Never made it over to saba yet, but I'm thinking about it this year.
I only dive at home in a drysuit...it's MUCH too chilly for me.
Then again, I'm on the smaller side...so this could just be me being a wimp!

Hope this helps a bit...
Are you going to be in SXM in August?

[El Orans]

I'll recommend a 3mm full. Better protection and you'll be less cold on longer dives.

[DivingDreamer]

El Orans - is this recommendations based on your experience? I think I will be little warm with a 3mm full - I think this is what I rented when I was in Catalina Island a while back, though it may have been a 5mm (my log book is at home - and I'm writing in from work).

I also received a personal message which I've snipped below:

"While I've never been to the later, I have been to Saba & SXM. Have always used just a fleece lined skin & never been cold or even chilled. Checked log book - found a couple dives in Saba - at 90 feet temps were 82 degrees (in September). SXM usually high 70's to 80."

[Damselfish]

I've never worn more than a lycra or 1mm skin anywhere in the Carribean. Since you're used to diving colder water you may be fine with that. Full coverage instead of a shorty is always a good idea though, whatever the thickness.

[El Orans]

El Orans - is this recommendations based on your experience?

Yep, used it on Bonaire (september) last year.

However, do keep in mind that feeling cold is relative. On my liveaboard trip to the Red Sea 3 months ago, the guides wore drysuits, me and the mrs. 7mm wetsuits, others used a 3mm shorty. Go figure.

[CSD1129]

I've used a 3mm full in:
Aruba
Curacao
St.barts
ST.Thomas
St.Maarten.

I did get a little chilly on a night dive in st.thomas in november. I'm normally not one who gets cold easily in most cases.

[teknitroxdiver]

I usually wear a 3mm full with a Core Warmer unless the water is quite warm, then I just wear the 3mm. Then again I have 0% body fat, so I can tend to get a bit cool.

The full 3mm should be fine.

[CSD1129]

I would consider wearing a 3mm full for longer dives.
I'd rather be nice and toasty than shaking!
I've noticed a lot of people wearing shorties. I'm pretty small (around 5'4 and 102 pounds). So I probably get colder sooner than most.

[Scott101]

I was in St Maarten in late April and the temp was a consistant 82-84 deg. I took a 5 mil but never unpacked it. The 3 mil was more than enough. I will say that the water was really warm in my opinion for that time of the year though. I have been there at the same time of the year and ended up freezing by the middle of the week.