Night Dives in November

[horn34]

Bring a 3mm suit or no? I don't really get cold and I dive in shorts/rash guard shirts 90% of the time. I'd rather not pack a suit unless I have to.

 

[scubaNYC16]

The water temperature shouldn’t be much different at night but coming out of the water you might be warmer with suit if air temp is lower but all personal preference.

 

[Dave Dillehay]

First question is how long will the dives be, then compare that to your tolerance of cold. I'd vote for the wetsuit, and maybe your dive op will have dive jackets on board, or bring one with you.

Dave Dillehay
Aldora Divers

 

[gopbroek]

I would bring a light wet suit, 3MM or less. I get up close and personnel hunting Pez leon and want the rash guard protection if nothing else. Early November the water temps can range to a peak around 85 F at the beginning of the month and you are drift diving. While everyone is careful of the reef they may get blown thru a patch offe feathered hydroid or have to surface thru an acre of small jelly fish. The basic rash gaurd protection will be appreciated.
For coming out of warm water into cooler air or a wind I find that the AA first class blankets work as a great wrap and cut the wind plus they stow very well in a dry bag. I will be on the island for the first half of November and will be most likely be on any Twilight dive that 3P runs. If you go out on twilight dive with them and are on the boat and need a blanket afterwards I have lots of extras and will give you one.

 

[Snoweman]

I don't wear a wetsuit even during February night dives, but I have a decent amount of natural insulation. I have found that taking off my rash guard at the end of the dive and drying off keeps me warmer than the folks keeping their wetsuits on. I will be going on night dives in November and I won't be wearing a wetsuit.

 

[Dave Dillehay]

The main reason I liked the above post was the wise suggestion to get out of your wet suit and dry asap. I have seen it over and over, stay in the wet suit and you will be much colder in the long run. I know it can be a real shock to take it off in a cold north wind but the pain is short lived. A dry towel or dive jacket can make the transition very quick.

Dave Dillehay
Aldora Divers

 

[Streydog]

I hardly every where a wetsuit when the water is over 80 degrees but at night when the blood worms are thick it is nice to have one on.

 

[Rob9876]

I'm interested in this question too, as I'm hoping to sneak away to Cozumel in the next month. As a new diver I'm also curious, does a shorty wetsuit provide much extra warmth at all compared to just a swimsuit and rashguard?

 

[Dave Dillehay]

Yes, a 3 mil shorty works here year round unless you are very sensitive to cold. If you are, the ideal set up is a full Lavacore skin (2 mil equivalent) and a three mil shorty on top can work year round. Most of our rental wetsuits are 3 mil shorty.

Dave Dillehay
Aldora Divers

 

[George Monnat Jr]

I think I've heard that gloves aren't allowed? I always wear them after a lava-rock incident in HI 25 years ago ripped a lot of the skin off my hands (surf pounded me into rocks), and my wife wears them because she gets cold easily.