I've read previous threads re: wetsuits / skins, but they as they generally seem to be based on March or Spring diving any advice would be appreciated. My husband and I hope to dive in Bonaire in September. To minimise travelling weight and bulk, we've recently bought Aeroskin full length lycra suits (they are thin but have a fleecy lining). Any opinions on whether we'll be warm enough in these for diving in September? Thanks.

Ali, my only experience with fleece was in Turks and Caicos a couple of years ago. I am a pretty warm diver, but by the end of three dives I was cold, also the lycra skin dried out OK between dives but the fleece never seemed to.

I was there in late July and the water temp was probably low 80's. I now own a .5mm full suit, a 2/1mm shorty(new) and a 3/2mm full suit (all neoprene). They cover me for just about everything. The .5mm packs very small, and I find that since it keeps the almost all of the water off of my skin that I stay much warmer even though it is so thin. I am not sure how warm you guys dive, but that is what I have found. Good luck on your diving!

Ali,

My family was in Bonaire at the end of March. Water temps hovered around 78. Wore a skin with fleece entire time up to 4 dives a day. Never was cold. I believe September is warmer so your skins with fleece should be fine. Be sure to hang your skins up to dry at night. The fleece gets a bit rank after 2 days of being wet.

I think you'll be fine in a fleece-lined skin in September. The water temp should be in the low 80s then. At 78F this past March, I did add my single layer lycra skin underneath my fleece-lined skin, which I have never had to do before either in Bonaire or anywhere else. Even just a couple of degrees warmer water, and it is great. Rinse in fresh water the same as you do the rest of your gear, and hang it up to dry inside out so the fleece gets dry.

A lot depends on your own tolerance of cold. I dove in
Bonaire all times of the year with jeans and a chino
shirt, staying out for an hour w/o being cold. Some
people said it was because I dove for years in New
England in a wetsuit but I think I just tolerate cold well.

But important also is that good old round-cornered thing
on the top of our necks--the head. We all learned in our
1st SCUBA class that 40 percent of bare body heat loss
is through the skull. So forget the macho image and
insulate your head--an 1/8th inch hood works fine and
is light and not restrictive. Even the old Australian
lifeguard cloth cap helps no end. Don't leave that 40
percent loss 'unprotected'! Protection there allows a
lighter all-body suit.

Water temps in September should be between 82 and 84 or so. The skin might be warm enough for a dive or two a day. If not, you can always rent a wet suit at the dive shop you're diving with.

Jake

Hi, I have just returned from a Week's diving, and I only used a Skin and the water temperature was about 25, I did feel that cold a little on the second dives but I have a skin vest I put on. This did keep my luggage down. However my wife use's a 7mm Semi and she is still cold.!!!

I agree whole headedly with Glenn. I have a 2mm beanie that I were all the time. It really does keep me warmer. If you are going to wear one, punch a small hole in the top to let the air out. I am considering bringing only the shorty on this trip, with the beanie of course!