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Snorkeling Bonaire: Concerned about Cold Water...
Bonaire Talk: Snorkeling Bonaire: Archives: Archive 2001- 2007: Archives - 2006-03-01 to 2006-12-31: Concerned about Cold Water...
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By christin slough (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #1) on Sunday, April 30, 2006 - 2:30 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

My family and I are leaving for Bonaire in three weeks and I was a little concerned because the comments on the webcam pages say that the water is 52F. We were thinking we would just buy thin skins to wear down there... are we going to be warm enough?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Freddie (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #7299) on Sunday, April 30, 2006 - 2:35 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Welcome Christin, you will have a wonderful time in the over 80F degree water.. it is always over 80f degrees. you may need a bit more than a skin if you are planning alot of diving as your body core temperature decreases with multiple dives.. HOWEVER a few people only wear skins and some where full 3 mils with hoods YMMV

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By James J Cavness (BonaireTalker - Post #12) on Sunday, April 30, 2006 - 3:15 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I am a little confused. I just read that the water was in the 50's. It was posted in the webcam section under the "sleepy sleepy sunday" topic on top. Maybe I am misreading it. It is several posts down. There is a comment about it being 52degreesF and needing a 7mil wetsuit or something like that.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By christin slough (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #2) on Sunday, April 30, 2006 - 3:17 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

We are just planning on snorkeling. If some of the members of my family do a resort course, they might dive, but not every day or anything.

Am I reading the webcam pages wrong? I thought there was a post under "sleepy sleepy sunday" that said the water was 52 degrees farenheit and that they needed 7mm suits?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By christin slough (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #3) on Sunday, April 30, 2006 - 3:19 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hi Daddy! LOL Hopefully someone will see our distress call! :-)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Nathalie (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #152) on Sunday, April 30, 2006 - 3:33 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

That post is referring to water temp where the poster lives, so. California. Never fear, the water in Bonaire is always within a few degrees, up or down, of 80 degrees F

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By christin slough (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #4) on Sunday, April 30, 2006 - 3:35 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Nathalie... whew! Thanks for clearing that up! We were freaking out for a minute!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By MARTHA CAVNESS (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #1) on Sunday, April 30, 2006 - 3:41 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Do we need a skin suit if we are just going to snorkel? What about if we do a night snorkel?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By christin slough (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #5) on Sunday, April 30, 2006 - 3:46 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

From the other posts I've seen, you still need a skin suit to snorkel. If not because you might be bumping into corral and stingy things but also because we will be so close to the equator that they provide good sun protection.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Debbie Babcock (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3284) on Sunday, April 30, 2006 - 6:48 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hi Martha, Welcome to BT! You don't need a wet suit/skin if just snorkeling. Some folks like the added protection from a jellyfish, sun protection, etc., but I don't. Now, as for a night snorkel, definitely would have one for that. If you don't own one, you can rent them on island if just for night snorkel now and then. If you get cold easily, you may want to wear one later in the day on your third time in and for night, then I would invest in one as the rental fee can add up. It's all a matter of personal preference. I wear a skin when diving always, but not for snorkeling. That's just my personal preference.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Tom Whitney (BonaireTalker - Post #53) on Sunday, April 30, 2006 - 11:47 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hi Martha
My wife and I snorkeled Bonaire two years ago and are going back in July to snorkel. We got very thin wet suits, maybe 3mil possibly lighter. A little more pricey than skins but we like them better. Aside from the obvious protection from stingy things and sun protection they offer a little more floatation. My wife would usually wear a snorkel vest without the suit but found she didn't need the vest with the dive suit and she was more comfortable. We also did a night snorkel and I would definitely recommend the wet suit after the sun goes down.
Tom

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By James J Cavness (BonaireTalker - Post #15) on Monday, May 1, 2006 - 10:48 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

My wife is considering a dive skin for our trip to Bonaire the end of this month. We were both wondering, do you wear a dive skin instead of a bathing suit or over a bathing suit?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Tom Whitney (BonaireTalker - Post #56) on Monday, May 1, 2006 - 11:02 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hi James
My wife would wear a two piece bathing suit under her wet suit so she could get out of the wet suit as soon as she got out of the water. It can be rather hot to wear a dive skin or wet suit while in the sun. Tell her to get a suit that will not bunch up under the dive skin - no skirt type thing. She may be more comfortable just wearing the bottoms and putting her top on after exiting the water if you are in a location where she will have some privacy while changing. I wear a licra-type bathing suit under my wet suit that I purchased in Aruba. This is not the baggy long style that is so prevalent in the US. You may also try a Speedo - although be sure your friends do not have their camera ready - at least in my case. By having a tight fitting bathing suit under your dive-skin you will be more comfortable than the baggy shorts-type suit.
Tom

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By William Gates (BonaireTalker - Post #17) on Tuesday, May 2, 2006 - 12:04 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Dive Skins: Amazon.com has "6oz Lycra Men's assorted Skins" in sizes XS-3XL at 50% off retail. For snorkeling how critical is a good fitting skin verses the nine [9] sizes fit all?

The one that would fit me based on weight [2XL] is for someone 3" taller.

Comments based on experience would be appreciated. I am not concerned with looks just protection from the sun, sharp things and things that bite and sting.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By James J Cavness (BonaireTalker - Post #16) on Tuesday, May 2, 2006 - 1:32 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Tom,

Thanks for the information. I wouldn't even want to look at myself in a speedo!

William,

I will check out Amazon.com. Thanks

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Walt III - www.RecTekScuba.com (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #281) on Tuesday, May 2, 2006 - 2:59 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Water temps Today 82 at the surface slowly fading to 80 at 180 ft. No hard thermal just a slow cooling.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By William Gates (BonaireTalker - Post #18) on Tuesday, May 2, 2006 - 3:29 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

James: below is a link to the Lycra 6oz Skin on Amazon. I am a relative Newbie and know nothing about skins other than what I have read on BT. Hopefully some of the more experienced BT'ers will tell us whether an OceanTec, Inc skin is worth $30. I, at most, snorkel one week out of the year so the price was right.

link to Lycra Skin

Bill

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Debbie Babcock (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3298) on Tuesday, May 2, 2006 - 3:40 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

When diving, I use a 3mm dive skin that is flexible and I would have to try it on and not purchase it over the web as not all skins are created equal. Mine is full length. Hubby is happy with his shortie, but is considering a full length in the future as after multiple dive, it does get chilly. He is much more hot blooded than I, who get cold quickly. Yes, you wear a bathing suit under the skin or wet suit. There is a lot of discussion on these in the archives if you do a search on the bottom of the page....

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Lorraine Meadows (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1005) on Wednesday, May 3, 2006 - 7:59 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Most people who snorkel don't really need a wet suit. It is nice to have.
The water is warm 78-80 degrees F.Clear, blue !
It is good for sun protection and night snorkeling.
I didn't really use one until I learned to dive.
You can easily rent them or purchase one on Bonaire at a resonable price from the many dive shops.
Once you see how wondeful the water is you won't want to get out.
There is a certain person from this board who spends hours snorkeling infront of Divi and does not wear wet suit.Sometimes I wonder if she has grown fins by the time she leaves.LOL
Personal preference.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Brian (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1517) on Wednesday, May 3, 2006 - 8:08 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

I have seen the young ladies snorkeling at Barcadera and they were definitely not wearing wet suits either.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By bob (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1513) on Wednesday, May 3, 2006 - 4:38 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

???

maybe i am spending TOO much time down on the reef

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron Gould (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #509) on Wednesday, May 3, 2006 - 7:21 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Just keep in mind If your core temp reaches 85d you are dead... Ron

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Carole B. (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5569) on Thursday, May 4, 2006 - 1:11 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hi, Lorraine! Here I am....the fish out of water! LOL. Yup...when I get into the water I never want to get out...Lorraine is 100% correct....no wet suit, just sunblock and sometimes a hat so as not to burn the top if the head whiles snorkeling for 8 hours plus each day (and night, too!)

The Divi is my favorite place to snorkel and relax...my hubby's, too...we just LOVE to relax in Bonaire's luscious waters for hours and hours on end. Might put on a t-shirt to do a night snorkel as sometimes there are little things that sting (don't fret about this, tho) but other than that, it's just a swimsuit, sunblock and hat, if necessary...oh, and the fins and snorkel, too!

Have a terrific time on Bonaire. Ayo. Carole

PS to Lorraine.....congrats on your upcoming retirement and your wonderful vacation coming up soon on Bonaire...I am so green!!! cb

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John Carter (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #137) on Thursday, May 4, 2006 - 7:57 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

We were there in August a year ago and to be honest my wife and I both got cold every time we snorkeled. The water seemed much colder than in the Gulf Of Mexico. Next time I would definitely use a 3 mil farmer john with a jacket

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By DIANE AND BEA (BonaireTalker - Post #74) on Thursday, May 4, 2006 - 10:12 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Just returned from Bonaire and we are snorkelers. All we had was a t-shirt over our bathing suits. The ocean was just wonderful. Not cold at all :-)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Carole B. (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5572) on Thursday, May 4, 2006 - 6:07 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hi, John...Joe and I have plenty of "natural" insulation to keep us warm, too! LOL. Carole

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John Carter (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #138) on Friday, May 5, 2006 - 8:22 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

It was interesting to me that I did get cold because when I dive in the Gulf of Mexico waters I usually am fine in August timeframe and In Cozumel just wore a bathing suit in November. But for some reason snorkeling in Bonaire, I and my wife got cold. To be fair I must point out we usually snorkel for a few hours at a time. Also when I get in the water say at Gulf Shores I like for the water temp to be in the upper 80's.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Lorraine Meadows (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1012) on Sunday, May 14, 2006 - 8:21 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Masha danki, Carol.
Five more weeks and we will be in the waters of Bonaire again!!!

 


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