More gear questions. This one is about me. Does anyone have wetsuit recommendations for me.

I'm 40ish and tend to get cold in the water. The suits recommended for the Bonaire water temp are 2mm and 3mm. I hate to be cold and would like to stay in the water a long time; therefore, I'm thinking a 3mm would be better for me. Any advice?

Also, I think a shortie would be better since I'm not used to wearing one. I'm guessing that a full suit would get cumbersome and annoying while bending the knees swimming. Any thoughts on that one?


Don't think I'm not getting the kids suits. They already have them from surfing. I think they have 2mm.
As usual, thanks for the help.

I bought a 3mm shortie that has a high neck and long sleeves and I absolutely love it!!! It keeps me pretty warm for about an hour and a half and then I start feeling a slight chill. I get cold easily and if I go in without a wet suit, I am cold within a half hour and that is not acceptable for me! I also sail on the Woodwind's two snorkel stop excursions and when i didn't have a wet suit, I would be cold in between sites. Now I am very comfortable and warm on the second snorkel. I even thought about a long one mainly for protection, but I didn't want the awkardness of trying to get in one. The shortie with the front zipper is so much easier.
Just for the record, my husband only wears a bathingsuit and doesn't even get cold on the night snorkels! My teeth would chatter on a night snorkel!!

I own a 2mm shorty (high neck, short sleeves, back zip) and my husband owns a 3mm shorty. Until this year we snorkeled without them but decided to get them for our April trip to Bonaire. We are really glad that we did as we were able to stay in the water much longer without getting chilled. We did an average of 6 snorkels a day, each between 45 minutes and an hour and a half and were never cold. I had to try on several at out local dive shop before finding one I liked -- make sure that the one you get fits snuggly or there will be too much water exchange and it won't keep you as warm.

Hi,

I always use a full 3mm. I get cold very easy. My husband only uses a skin.

Bye

Susan, I'm always the first one to get cold - even if the water is 80 degrees or warmer. Like Darlene, I've got a 3mm shortie with a high neck and long sleeves - front zipper. The long sleeves are great for staying warmer. I've also got a 3mm one-piece "farmer john" to wear under the shortie, if need be. I did wear the whole thing in March, and was warm and comfortable. Other times of the year, the shortie alone has been fine in Bonaire - especially in August/September. This past December, I added a dive skin under the shortie, and that was the best combination so far! I was warm as toast when diving, and the skin was less bulky to lug in my bag than the farmer john piece. The skin also dries faster. I'd suggest getting a 3mm - if you're like me, you wouldn't mind being a tad warm, but being cold would be miserable!
--Deborah

Don't forget the possibility of a thin hood--as they teach scuba divers, 40% of your bare body heat loss is through your skull. The body keeps the brain warm at the expense of all else. A snorkeler's hair gets wet and then cools as it dries in the air, over and over.

I always ussing a full, 3mm wetsuit with a high neck and back zipper. Even when the water is 28 degrees, you still get cold after a whyle. And then there is the sunburn, so protect your self.
A full wetsuit also give you protection against rocks and other sharp things under water.


Rob, Webmaster mainstreetbonaire.com

For the non-metric types out there, 28 degrees Celcius is about 82 degrees Fahrenheit. And Rob raises some good points.

Jake

Thank you all again for your advice. I think it will be the 3mm for me. I'm hoping to spend a lot of time in those beautiful waters of Bonaire.

You have all been very helpful. I appreciate your responses.

Susan