Fiji Newbie

[jaeckert]

I am a brand new rookie leaving the states for the first time this April (to Fiji) and I don't have a clue what I need for a wetsuit. I started out thinking a 2mm would be fine but after spending 3 months in the Florida keys (diving daily) and getting cold in a 2/3mm Velocity Bare full wetsuit when the water was at 78f(low end) I am starting to second guess myself.
I have Waterproof W1 5mm that I am quite comfortable in 74f but seems a bit extreme (both for temp as well as weight{airlines}). I am considering a Waterproof W3 3.5mm (because the W30 2.5mm won't be released in time). Is this still too much? Is this really that different from the W1 5mm.?
I would really like some real life experience feed-back.
Thank you for taking the time to share your insights.
Joel

 

[ferris213]

We dived in Fiji for a week in July last year. Temps were consistently 79f. I was diving in board shorts and a long sleeve 'sharkskin' thermal top. It's is supposedly as warm as a three mm wetsuit top. My wife was diving a 3mm shortie, with her thermal top on underneath, while others there were diving 5mm full lengths.

It's hard to really say what you will be comfortable in, but if I was going again and had a choice I'd dive a 3mm sortie first, then a full length 3mm.

Weight is a big consideration if you have internal flights. We were limited to 12kg each.

The diving, and holidaying in general in Fiji is awesome. Make sure you have a SMB and learn to launch it from your safety stop if you can. They have some big currents out there. Also, I would never dive there without DAN insurance. It is a long way away from anywhere and evacuation would be hugely expensive.

The diving was excellent, and the people are the nicest I have ever come across. It's a very friendly place. Enjoy.