Wetsuit: Full or Shorty?

[JRH]

Hello,
I posted this question in the general dive question forum before I realized that there was a snorkel/ freedive forum. Hopefully you guys can help also! My wife and I snorkel in the USVI's in April when the surface temp is 78-80 degrees w/ full sun and a breeze. An hour into a 2-3hr session we are pretty cold so this year are purchasing wetsuits. Some say a 2-3mm shorty is plenty while others suggest a 3pm full suit. Thanks for any experience!!!

 

[Niz]

Get the full suit better protection from the elements and jellyfish. Also no need for sunscreen:cool2:

 

[SolarStorm]

I never use my shorty anymore...

 

[Bratface]

I live in the USVI and for snorkeling in April you should be ok with a long sleeved reef shirt and board shorts. If you think you will get cold then go for a dive skin to protect you from the elements. You could wear a reef shirt underneath if you get cold.


You will definitely want to protect yourself from the sun at that time of year. It can be brutal.

 

[Dave C]

At those temps a shorty wetsuit should keep you warm unless you are snorkeling on a cloudy or rainy day. However, personally I prefer a full wetsuit to prevent sunburn, jellyfish stings, cuts from inadvertently brushing against rocks, etc. One thing to keep in mind if you do get a wetsuit is that it will be very hard to dive down into the water column unless you also use a weight belt. (I always use one). You could try using a neutrally buoyant polar-fleece lined suit for increased warmth, but I have never found these as warm as claimed. A neoprene, buoyant suit is the only thing that really keeps me warm.

 

[warmwaterturner]

I like to be warm plus the added boyancy of the full 3mm makes snorkeling almost effortless. Besides - if you get warm just flood the suit.

 

[j yaeger]

i'm all in for the full suit 3/2mm
never too hot
have been too cold!!!
bvi and us islands-works great for me!
have fun
yaeg

 

[JRH]

How much harder is it to dive while wearing a suit? Are they really that buoyant when saturated? When snorkeling, we are constantly diving (down to 30') so, this could be a problem!

 

[warmwaterturner]

Yes it could. When I have worn a 3mm to snorkel I usually wear about 2lbs of weight to compensate.

 

[Bratface]

It will be harder to dive with the wetsuit. You will float very well and as warmwaterturner says, you will need to add weight.