Wetsuit for Izu/Niigata

[andydob27]

How thick is your wetsuit for summer diving around Tokyo?

I will be diving a bunch this summer in Izu and off of Niigata. I'm used to tropical/warmer waters and only own a shorty. This would be a May at the very earliest till October at the very latest. How thick should my wetsuit be?

Will 5mm be enough? Thanks for your input.

Andy

 

[japan-diver]

That really depends on your tolerance for cold. I know many people that dive a 5mm in that area but also some that do a drysuit year round. I would dive a 7mm semi-dry in May up there but I am spoiled down here in Okinawa and anything under 25C is freezing for me.

 

[TJO]

You will need a drysuit for May-June in Izu and I think also Niigata. Late July-October is ok for short dives with a 3mm. I do not recommend a 7mm, better then with a dry.

 

[Adonama]

Hi Andy,
Diving off Izu (mostly west Izu for me) and some of the Izu islands (Oshima, Shikinejima) according to my logbooks average min temps at depth are around:
Celsius: May 16 degC, Jun 22 deg, Jul 22, Aug 23, Sep 25, Oct 24, Nov 22, Dec 17
Fahrenheit: May 66, Jun 77, Jul 77, Aug 79, Sep 83, Oct 80, Nov 76, Dec 68
This is just for an indication. For me personally, I dive a 5mm with a 2mm vest from end of June up to October.
Nov would be fine as far as the water is concerned but it gets chilly outside of the water

I wouldn't be able to comment on Niigata though, please let us know what the diving is like there!

 

[andydob27]

Thanks Adonama.

I think I'll go with the 5mm. I have a 3mm vest as well for earlier/later in the season. And if it is around 16 degrees in May...I'll probably wait till June.

 

[wapati8]

I used to dive really cold Monterey Bay dives in a 7mm suit all the time...

By the way I live in Tokyo and still have and dive with 5mm and 7mm suits. Would you like a dive buddy?