Exposure protection: Belize Barrier Reef

[jt83]

I'm diving the Belize Barrier reef at a cruise stop in late January, the 25th to be exact. What should I be using as far as exposure protection? Will a rash guard and trunks cut it, or should I be looking to rent a shorty? It is 2 dives with at least an hour surface interval.

 

[peterbj7]

Rashguard & shorts is fine for many people. If there's a cold front (as at present) it might be a bit cool out of the water, especially when wet, so some form of lightweight windproof jacket is a good idea. People who feel the cold might go as far as a 5mm/3mm, and most rental suits are just 3mm. A well fitting 3mm would probably do for most people. If I wear a suit it's always long-long - I don't use shorties. But mostly I use shorts/rashguard.

 

[Hostage]

I used a rash guard the whole time, even down to 113ft I was comfortable. My father wore a 3mm shorty. The dive masters just went with swim trunks. I did bring a 3mm shorty with me, though I only wore it after I got out of the water on a night dive.

Now that I think about it this is the least amount of protection I have ever used. Normally iI wear 12mm core 5mm top and 7mm bottom. You need a bit of protection when diving in cold water up here.