Galapagos in October - Suit suggestion 5mm+2mm or D9 or else

[BTSharkBait]

Hi,

I will be on Galapagos Sky in October.. However, I am debating which suit to bring onboard.

Water temp around lower 70s for wolf and darwin (3 days)
high 50s to low 60s for other places.

I currently have two options in my wardrobe that kind of fits the bill:

Option #1. Scubapro Everflex 5/4mm plus Waterproof U1 2/5mm hooded vest

Option #2. Waterproof D9 (not D9X) drysuit.

Skill-wise, I am comfortable in both suits. Haven't done super strong current dive in drysuit, but did plenty current dive in wetsuit and 30+ normal dives in dry.

The concern here is obviously I will be cold in wetsuit. Wolf/Darwin I should be ok.. but western islands will be tough.

Drysuit will obviously be more comfortable, but D9 is not a suit to take much abuse by any means. I know Galapagos will have lots of dives scraping rocks... a leaked drysuit sounds colder than a wetsuit.

Air consumption is also a consideration. Not sure if drysuit itself + drag consumes more air or being cold in wetsuit...

Given this, should I tough it out and do 5mm+2mm wet? or take my chances to go dry, or go buy a new 7mm or Semi-dry (thinking either Everflex 7mm, Waterproof W4 7mm or Waterproof SD Combat)?

I only use drysuit for local dives, and 5mm/3mm/skin for travel to other destinations. I can't really see the use of a 7mm/Semidry outside Galapagos trip.

(Potention Option #3 go buy a new 7mm or Semi-dry)

 

[BAMA6977]

My trip May 2019. 5mil with 2 mil optional vest. Cressi Pentagon 5 mil and Henderson 2 mil vest. Be prepared to have your wetsuit nicked, torn and well rubbed while on the trip from holding onto Lava Rocks. I would not recommend expensive wetsuit. Drysuit is not necessary and is PIA in the currents and while holding onto the rocks. Just my experience. Enjoy

 

[Dom@DiveAdvice]

Hi Bama - Sky is a great boat - you'll love her and especially the hot showers on the dive deck between dives. I have always used a 3/5 with a polartec vest and hood and 2nd thin hood over that. Cool in the central islands but Darwin & Wolf are much warmer and never missed a dive. Probably the Mola Mola dive off Isabela will be the coolest water but you do not do 4 dives that day so it should not a be a problem. I would stick with your 5/4 and vest but if the vest does not have an attached hood, it might be worth bringing a polartec hood and then a 2nd hood over that - its thru your head and neck that you lose most heat. Enjoy the adventure.

 

[cleung]

I'm diving the Galapagos in early September and bringing my drysuit which I bought last year to specifically train in for this trip. I told my instructor and dive shop about this in regards to the rocks down there and he specifically picked out a Bare trilaminate which looks pretty tough with knee pads. I've been using it to dive in Canadian waters all summer down to 9 degrees and have been pretty comfortable in it. Galapagos will seem balmy compared to the 9 degrees I've been diving in this summer up here in Canada.