I'll be coming down for the first time in May. Not sure what type wetsuit would be best. I'm used to diving Cayman with just a swimsuit, but those are usually only 4 day trips.

Any input?

Any other suggestions for a first timer are always appreciated.

Thanks,
Dave

Welcome to BT, Dave. Well let's see you are from Arizona and you are going in May. I would say at least a 3mm full and bring a beenie/hood (just in case). The water will be around 80 degrees but long dives will chill you with anything less. More is always better as you can open it up if hot, not much you can do if you do not have on a enough neoprene. I've had it both ways and I would rather be hot than cold.

The beanie is key to staying warm. I use a 2mm, if I feel chilled I go to the beanie and all is well. My wife hates any kind of hood, so she has a 3/5. It's pretty much up to you and your tolerance to water temps.

Welcome to BT David - I was totally comfortable in just a skin ... I don't care for anything over my ears while diving but I might try a beanie again in Sept. with some ear holes cut out.

Bruce Bowker had hyperstretch skirted hoodies on sale for about $20, warm,easy to get on, and comfy. I'm past beanies now.

What/who is Bruce Bowker??

I'm thinking about taking my 2mil shortie and my 1mil Henderson full suit, and doing mix and match. I have a Beanie I can use if needed.

Trying to avoid buying another wetsuit (just bought a 7mil for a trip to San Carlos in a couple of weeks).

Dave

Bruce Bowker, who owns and runs Carib Inn, also has a great dive shop on site.
Carob Inn is located just south of Divi.
have a great trip and welcome to Bonaire Talk,
(almost forgot, click here for Info Bonaire).
Mare

Hey Dave! I hope to see you on Bon - I will also be there in May. I'm taking my 3 mm. If I buy a 5 mm before going, that will go with me. I do a lot of long dives and at the end of the day get chilled. I also use a hood. I wouldn't have even considered a 5 mm for Bonaire, but a dive master there recommended it and said to suck it up and not to care about what others think. It is all about keeping your core warm. So to all of those who poo poo me, so be it. I will probably wear my 3 mm in the morning and switch to the 5 mm in the late afternoon. (I just have to buy the 5 mm - not looking forward to that.)

My husband & I each wear 2 piece Farmer Johns in Bonaire - each piece is 3mm. It's great underwater, although it gets hot on topside. When out of the water I pull my arms out of the sleeves & tie them around my waist.

I usually just use a dive skin early in the day later in the day i will use a Henderson gold core vest. that was in Feb of this year and doing 5 dives a day and did not get cold but depends on how you cold you get have a great time

We have 3mm full wetsuits and the water was 79F yesterday I can see folks in all sorts of kit from shorties to 7mm with several layers. We only did two dives yesterday and the second dive we both put on our thermal beanie hood.