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Diving Bonaire: What to wear....
Bonaire Talk: Diving Bonaire: Archives: Archives 1999-2005: Archives - 2003-05-01 to 2004-02-15: What to wear....
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Robyn Churchill (BonaireTalker - Post #29) on Saturday, November 22, 2003 - 3:00 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hi everyone. I'm leaving for Bonaire in just 10 days, and I can't believe my eyes when when the reef cam temp report says 84.9 degrees! Are most people still diving in just a lycra skin these days? Has anyone experienced chillier temps or thermoclines recently? I'm not sure if I should bother to pack my 3 mm full wetsuit or not. I'd appreciate any advice you could offer. Thanks, Robyn

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Marcel Damen (BonaireTalker - Post #13) on Saturday, November 22, 2003 - 3:06 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Just left the place still recovering from a jetlag!!
Made about 30 dives in 2 weeks, 2 in a shorty and 28 in my swimmingsuit.
Water temp is about 32C at surface and 29C bottom , no thermocline.

Suits are for sissy's

pic1

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Robyn Churchill (BonaireTalker - Post #30) on Saturday, November 22, 2003 - 3:18 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Thanks Marcel, great pic!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Marcel Damen (BonaireTalker - Post #14) on Saturday, November 22, 2003 - 3:43 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hi Robyn,
A lycra skin will do just fine, but some people prefer a 3mm shorty or full suit.

I also got a good layer of "bioprane" maby that keeps me warm !!

Enjoy the diving freedom !!!

Were are you staying on Bonaire ?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Robyn Churchill (BonaireTalker - Post #31) on Saturday, November 22, 2003 - 3:57 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hi Marcel,
Maybe I'll toss the 3mm full suit in my travel bag just in case, but hopefully I won't have any need for it when I'm there. We're going to be spending some time at the Plaza Resort and also at Buddy's--two places that I truly love!
The wind has been kicking up a lot in S. Florida lately, and I haven't been in the water in a few weeks. I'm totally psyched about the trip to Bonaire. I'll post some photos and a brief report upon my return. Thanks again for the info. Robyn

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Cynde (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #9444) on Saturday, November 22, 2003 - 4:27 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Marcel Marcel Marcel...who you calling a sissy?:-) Robyn, it is really an individual preference. I dive a lot locally (Southern California) in temps from 55F to 68F and wear a skin, full 7mm titanium wetsuit, 5mm hood, 5mm gloves and 5mm booties...on Bonaire, (last July and once in September) I wore my skin, full 3mm, and neoprene hood (to control the "hair factor.")..oh, and my 5mm booties (I'm not going to buy 2 pair:-)) On Bon, my husband is hot in shorts and a t-shirt, and Kelly, my other best dive buddy wears a thin skin (she's down there now the booger!)...on Bon we average 60 minute dives...so it really depends on the individual:-) Have a great trip!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Marcel Damen (BonaireTalker - Post #16) on Saturday, November 22, 2003 - 6:10 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Your absolutly true , I did Baby Beach on the east side in a 3 mm shorty for 73 min together with Bas (from phototours)who was wearing a full 7mm.
And our guide at the townpier was wearing a 5mm full and freezing!

Last sept. i was in Enschede ( a place in Holland ) and did a 30min dive in a indoor dive tower in my 3mm shorty and the water temp was nearly 20C ( 20 x9/5+32= 68F)

So it must be the Biopreen !!!!!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Robert Fishman (BonaireTalker - Post #79) on Sunday, November 23, 2003 - 2:22 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

True, everyone reacts differently to temperature. But consider is how many dives per day you'll be doing. I was taught that if you're planning multiple dive days, a 3 mil suit will help retain body temperature. You can always unzip the top ( helps if it's in the front) if you feel hot.

Also consider the protection from the elements that the suit offers. Both from scrapes and Sun.

I don't think you'll regret taking it just in case.

Have fun!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Marc @ CrystalVisions (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1213) on Monday, November 24, 2003 - 12:44 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I learned in a 3mm shorty, but have bought a 3mm full now. Partly because of the fact that the water is probably at its warmest now, but also, like Robert said, for protection. If I get hot I just pull down the turtle neck and let some cooling water flow in.
Don't want to keep it on too long outside of the water though.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Cynde (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #9477) on Monday, November 24, 2003 - 2:20 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Marc...does this mean you have your C card now??? Do tell:-)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By T-Shirt Divers John and Sue (BonaireTalker - Post #69) on Tuesday, November 25, 2003 - 9:48 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Robyn
People from the south get colder than us northern folks. In Oct. the water temp was 85. I wore my wild skin or my .5mm titanium suit. It was warm. In Feb. I'll wear my 3mm.
Sue
(fellow RN)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jake Richter (Moderator - Post #4637) on Tuesday, November 25, 2003 - 1:41 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Cynde - Marc & Kitty got certified back in September, I think.

Marcel - I have a tropical dry suit to wear here on Bonaire in the winter months ;-)

Jake

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Cynde (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #9502) on Tuesday, November 25, 2003 - 3:15 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Thanks Jake! Glad they finally took "the plunge:-)"

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Marc @ CrystalVisions (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1214) on Wednesday, November 26, 2003 - 5:49 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

That's nothing compared to the plunge we're taking in March... :-)

We've become quite addicted to being in and under water, actually... which I never expected.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Cynde (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #9538) on Wednesday, November 26, 2003 - 6:54 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Marc, isn't it wonderful! A whole other world...oh, and does this mean that congratulations are in order?:-) Congratulations!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Cynde (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #9539) on Wednesday, November 26, 2003 - 6:57 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Oh, Marc, you need to update our profile with your certification level:-)

 


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