Keys at Christmas

Gator Diver · Nov 17, 2004

Can anyone give me a rough idea on what water temp,
visibility, etc. may be around Christmas time in the Keys?
Would a 3mm suit be enough? Thanks.

Taupiz · Nov 17, 2004

newbie-in-fl:
Can anyone give me a rough idea on what water temp,
visibility, etc. may be around Christmas time in the Keys?
Would a 3mm suit be enough? Thanks.

Yes a 3mm suit will be plenty good enough. Water temp should be around
mid 70's I would guess. Vis vary a lot from one day to another.
40 - 60 is the norm.

Gator Diver · Nov 17, 2004

Cool. Thanks for the info.
Happy Diving.

DandyDon · Nov 17, 2004

newbie-in-fl:
Can anyone give me a rough idea on what water temp,
visibility, etc. may be around Christmas time in the Keys?
Would a 3mm suit be enough? Thanks.

Just depends on the diver. I did 8 dives off of Key Largo last weekend in a 5 mil and was glad I didn't use the 3 mil - with temps at 100-130 feet running 76-8F on a computer that has been calibrated to a dependable thermometer. {Thermometers on comoputers are often very inaccurate.} On of my dive duddies wore only a vest. :11:

The novice boat in our group stayed in shallower waters and enjoyed warmer temps, but some still were glad they wore 5 mils. All this varies so much with the diver, the depths, and the surface exposure as well. Take a 5 mil, just in case.

Oh, I'm talkling long jumpsuits. I would never wear a shorty. Use a 1 mil long even in 81F water with warm SIs.

2scubas2go · Nov 17, 2004

I'm also heading that way, just after X-mas. I am planning on a 3mm suit. Should I invest in a hood as well? Or is it not necessary?

DandyDon · Nov 17, 2004

dandydon:
Just depends on the diver.

A hood or beanie would help. :crafty:

If you find you don't have enough protection after the first day, you can pickup a thicker suit or just a beanie at the big "Water World" dive store on Key Largo until 9pm most nights, closing some earlier on Sundays.

MSilvia · Nov 17, 2004

I'll be down there around New Year's. Sounds like a nice change from even the peak summer conditions up here.

I think I'll pass on the hood though.

simbrooks · Nov 17, 2004

Thinking i might be diving there the weekend before xmas - can post up on conditions from that weekend at that time. I will see what temps i am hitting in Ft Lauderdale and such before that to determine 3 or 5mm suit. However i am intending to do 7+ dives over that weekend, so i might need a little extra to keep my core up even if its only mid-70's.

Scubaguy62 · Nov 17, 2004

I would definitely suggest a hood along with your 3mm suit. A beanie hood is sufficient. I dove in 71F water two weeks ago with an old 3mm (over 100 dives on it, so is nicely compressed), and a beanie hood and did two 45 min dives.

The keys are fun during the winter time, just don't forget to bring a parka for the boat ride and for your SI.

Capt Jim Wyatt · Nov 18, 2004

newbie-in-fl:
Can anyone give me a rough idea on what water temp,
visibility, etc. may be around Christmas time in the Keys?
Would a 3mm suit be enough? Thanks.

I run a scuba charter boat in the Keys & have done so for several years.

I see many divers coming here in the winter thinking a 3 mil suit will be just fine. I see those same divers shivering & cold after dive #2 and on the way back to the dock.

While the water temps will likely be low-mid 70's - I have experienced water temps in the mid 60's that time of year.

The boat trip back to the dock is where most people are cold. Particularly on a cloudy day with 10-15 knots of wind.

Prepare yourself by bringing warm clothes to put on after the dives and during the boat trip back to shore. Sweatshirts and long pants and a jacket may sound crazy....but you will be glad you have it.

If you come out on my boat and I am diving you will see me with a dry suit on for the diving & the trip back to the dock.

Many laugh at me as I am donning the suit for dive #1 -- usually by the end of dive #2 these same folks ask me where they can get a drysuit!!!

:11ztongue

Keys at Christmas

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