Cenote exposure protection?

[ChrisM]

Going to Coz end of Nov. beg. of Dec. with hopefully 1 cenote day. I need to buy a new wetsuit, and I recall that the cenotes were a bit chilly. 3 mil OK? or suggest a 5 mil? Currently all I have is a skin, and not sure that will cut it. I know everyone is different....

TIA

 

[SEMO Scuba]

I wore a 3mm full suit and the dive shop provided a shorty for me to wear over it. That was fine for me.

 

[rickyd]

As many will say, exposure protection is pretty personal. I've dove the Cenotes twice, both times in November, in a 3mil full, no hood, and was very comfortable; one of the divers with us was in a 3mil shorty and also comfortable. Water temps were Mares 79F. The dive guides were in 7mil w/hood and gloves.

I dive mostly in Southern California, so dry suit or 7+mil the norm for us.

 

[warmwaterturner]

Used my 3mil and added a hooded core warmer due to the fact that I had been diving all week and MY core was cold.

 

[omerino]

I use a 3mm; the guides usually wear 5mm or 7mm (especially if they will go in the caves, not only the Cenote halls.

 

[TSandM]

The water temperature is a pretty constant 75 degrees. I did my original tours in a 3 mil suit with 2 mil hooded vest, and I was fine. The tour dives are fairly short, in the range of about 40 minutes, and you are getting out to fairly warm air.

If you are buying a new wetsuit and would otherwise get a 5 mil, do it. You won't be too warm.

 

[Dirty-Dog]

I dive the Cenotes in a 3/2 full with 3mm hood and 5mm booties. I'm fine. My wife wears a 5mm full/hood/booties and she's fine. Just depends on your tolerances.

The water is 75F +/- 1 degree, in my experience.

 

[Tunaman68]

I was wearing a 2/3 plus a 2 mil vest and was pretty chilled by the end of the 2nd dive. We had been diving in Coz all week, so that may have contributed. I'd take my 5 mill, or a 2/3 with a 3 mill shorty over top.

 

[stdiver]

I'd say a 3mm full is the minimum especially if you want to do multiple days. The temp was around 75F from what I recall. I never had to wear a hood but then I don't usually get cold.