Being a newly certified diver, Dutch is perfect for practicing all the basic skills, ie: buoyancy, trim, navigation and shooting a SMB. My diving and comfort level great improved from practicing at Dutch.
I dove Dutch wet for the entire 2009 season, April - Nov, in a full 7mm wetsuit and a 5/3 hooded vest. I did not own a drysuit yet nor could I afford one at that time and wanted to dive to improve my skills so tolerated the cold.
April, May and Nov were the coldest especially if I went past the thermoclines, at about 30 ft and another at about 50 ft. If you insist on diving during those months make sure you warm up during surface intervals with a hot beverage, a warm boat coat and hat to warm up before attempting a second dive. The coldest temp my computer registered on those dives were 43 degrees. I could only last 25-30 mins before turning the dives and could only do two dives each day.
In hindsight and being a drysuit diver now, I was INSANE to dive wet at Dutch during those months but I wanted to dive and improve but did not want to wait for the water to warm up. It all depends on how tolerant you are with cold water. Be safe and call the dive if you get cold. You can do it safely but the dives will be shorter.
I dove Dutch wet for the entire 2009 season, April - Nov, in a full 7mm wetsuit and a 5/3 hooded vest. I did not own a drysuit yet nor could I afford one at that time and wanted to dive to improve my skills so tolerated the cold.
April, May and Nov were the coldest especially if I went past the thermoclines, at about 30 ft and another at about 50 ft. If you insist on diving during those months make sure you warm up during surface intervals with a hot beverage, a warm boat coat and hat to warm up before attempting a second dive. The coldest temp my computer registered on those dives were 43 degrees. I could only last 25-30 mins before turning the dives and could only do two dives each day.
In hindsight and being a drysuit diver now, I was INSANE to dive wet at Dutch during those months but I wanted to dive and improve but did not want to wait for the water to warm up. It all depends on how tolerant you are with cold water. Be safe and call the dive if you get cold. You can do it safely but the dives will be shorter.