Fakarava/Rangiroa - What thickness wetsuit?

[MissDoo]

I'm going for 2 weeks at the end of June/ beginning of July. Will I be cold with a 3mm shortie plus full body lycra skins under it? Did liveaboard in Thailand in Feb and Maldives in June and Aug and was OK with that combo but I don't think I'd be OK if it was any colder. Water temperature was around 28 to 30 degrees. How cold is it in the Tuamotus that time of year? Should I invest in a 5mm full body or is it not really needed?

Thanks!

 

[kyjellyfish]

I don't think you can go wrong with erring on the conservative side and going with a thicker exposure suit (5mm). With a 5mm you'll also have the option of cooling yourself down if you feel too warm.

 

[MissDoo]

Kyjellyfish, you are definitely right and I would take it with me if I had one. However as I don't already have a 5mm wetsuit, I'm wondering if there is actually a definite need for me to get one specifically for this trip or if I could get away with my 3mm shortie plus full body lycra skins. I'm trying to save money for a dry suit and undersuit at the moment so I'm trying to establish what I can get away with in the Tuanomotus. Having said that, I most certainly don't want to spoil my holiday freezing every dive and not enjoying it....

 

[kyjellyfish]

Gotcha. I was in the same position not too long ago and opted to get a wetsuit suitable for all warm water temps. Anyway I think you can make do with what you have and stay warm by other means than using a thicker suit.

Speaking of drysuits, I think the DUI TLS350 is worth every cent and have even considered bringing it along on my next warm water trip

 

[MissDoo]

Thanks for the dry suit tip!!! I'll certainly look into it! I will also keep my eyes open for any good deals on a nice full body 5mm just in case I get lucky )

 

[stargost]

I'm going for 2 weeks at the end of June/ beginning of July. Will I be cold with a 3mm shortie plus full body lycra skins under it? Did liveaboard in Thailand in Feb and Maldives in June and Aug and was OK with that combo but I don't think I'd be OK if it was any colder. Water temperature was around 28 to 30 degrees. How cold is it in the Tuamotus that time of year? Should I invest in a 5mm full body or is it not really needed?

Thanks!

Water temp in tuamotu island is very warm, very likely >26C!
Unless you have a very specific trip organized, like deep long and deco dives or many dives/day, I would drop the 5mm idea (and certainly the drysuit)
Most of the dive op are doing 2 dives and the outside temp is very good too (in fact, a 5mm might be too much outside!)
So 3mm shorty and body skins is very good to my point of view. We were all in full 3 mm or shorty and no pb at all.

 

[MissDoo]

Stargost,

Thank you so much for the info!!!! I'm, very glad you said that cause I was leaning towards just going with my 3mm shortie so you made my mind up now!!!! Yay!

 

[Manuel Sam]

I've only been there in January and April and I dove it with a Polartec. However, since Tahiti is in the southern hemisphere, it is the start of their winter season. Suggest you contact the dive operator you're going with - if you haven't yet picked one, try emailing Top Dive or Blue Dolphin.

 

[laurenceh]

3mm is plenty for rangiroa. i would highly recommend a dive operation called six passengers, my wife and i have been with them on two separate trips in the last 8 years and found them to be the best on the atoll.

 

[stargost]

3mm is plenty for rangiroa. i would highly recommend a dive operation called six passengers, my wife and i have been with them on two separate trips in the last 8 years and found them to be the best on the atoll.

yes, 6passengers get good feedback - try the DM with a huge compass tatoo on his back, he was very good (if still there, as it was a long time ago - want to go back !!) and for Fakarava, I'd recommend Serge on Fakarava diving and not the other.

club

Fakarava diving - short trip report and dive club comments [Archive] - ScubaBoard