Suit type for Caribbean trip?

[Titanic]

I'm going to Antigua end of Jan for 2 weeks.

I'm usually quite warm when I dive and was intending just to take a shortie.

However, I'm now toying with the following options:
1. Shortie (cheapest)
2. Scubapro Profile 0.5 Skin (dearer)
3. Fouth Element Thermocline Explorer (expensive!).

The shortie option is probably the easiest in terms of both price and getting one that fits (as I'm tall but not broad), but I'm wondering if the others might have advantages for this and other (warm) destinations.

Any thoughts?

[gerbil]

How many times are you going to dive in conditions where you would use it? If this is a once in a life time i'd go for the shorty. If its going to be a regular thing then opens up the question.

[cazyoung]

My hubby changed to a shorty as he was too hot in a 5mm one peice but now regrets the choice as he keeps badly sunburning his knees . I dive in a 3mm one peice which is great. You might want to think about hireing from the dive shop you are diving with, they are set up for american vacation diver who has no gear and usually rents sverything!!
Another thing you should be aware of is a lot of places have max in the water times of 45 mins or less regardless of depth, air consumption or experience of its clients you might want to investigate before you go so you know what to expect. We got seriously done in Nevis where they tried to make us have 20 mins dive time 20 mins SI and 20 mins dive time at $50 per dive!!!!!
Hope you have a great time and look forward to seeing a trip report warts and all

[Titanic]

Thanks for those thoughts, I bit the bullet yesterday and went for a shortie as the least controversial option! I'll make sure I have the P20 my knees!!

That's interesting about the dive time limts, fingers crossed we don't hit those but I'll certainly check!

Yes, will definitely do a report for this on my return.

Cheers all...

[Mrs T]

I would stick to a shortie. I was out there in November and i was never cold, i did 12 dives out there in 28 degrees water and they were all nearly an hour long. But, there was an American lady on the boat who did feel the cold, she had a 3mm full suit with a rash vest, gloves and hood.....she never lasted past 25 minutes because of the cold.

I just might get around to posting my trip report one day!!

Hope you have a fab time and if you get the chance do the helicopter ride to Montserrat, it's worth every penny.

[Big Kahuna]

We were in Antigua for 2 weeks last October which was rainy season. We were staying at Jolly harbour and dived with jolly dive which is right on the beach. Caribbean scuba diving Antigua's Leading caribbean P.A.D.I. certified SCUBA dive tour operator

Go down and say hello to Paul, Diana (mother hen) and Kristina. Top class service and really friendly. If your there for a full day make sure you get a luch order in with the staff from Dog Watch restaraunt. The food does not look great but the local specialities taste fantastic - Chicken, rice and peas.

I took a 3mm full wet suit with me - but never used it. Looking at the log book my dives were all 45-60 mins, water temp read out from puta was 27-30 degrees at 20m. Most of the time i just wore shorts and t-shirt. They have 3mm shorties to rent if you want one. I think Divers Warehouse are doing shorties for about £35 at the minute.

They generally go out at 8-8.30 every morning for 2 single tank dives back to the beach in time for lunch. They have a booking office at the harbour, which is hardly ever open - just to go down to the beach and say hello. Best time is 8 - 9 am or from 12-2 pm.

If you fancy a days sailing I would reccomend seeing Brain and Pippa on the Miramar. Miramar Sailing Antigua crewed yacht charter and Caribbean sailing days for holidays vacations

We hired a car for the 2 weeks. First week was from Europcar, 2nd week form a local company. I would stick with the branded hire companies as the local car mananged to stall - and it was an automatic! If you do hire a car make sure you keep the local dricing licence with you at all times whilst driving. The island is only small but takes forever to get anywhere as the roads are really bad. You could be driving along on tarmac then suddenly there is a huge section of the road missing.

If you PM me with your email I'll send you some island maps etc and leaflets. Hope you have a good time

Chris

[Mrs T]

[quote=Big Kahuna;831621]We were in Antigua for 2 weeks last October which was rainy season. We were staying at Jolly harbour and dived with jolly dive which is right on the beach. Caribbean scuba diving Antigua's Leading caribbean P.A.D.I. certified SCUBA dive tour operator




You must have been on the boat the same time as me!! I also stayed at Jolly Harbour from 19th Oct - 4th Nov. Were you there the night they had the big storm?

[Titanic]

I notice most books reckon a lot of the "best" dives are down the south end of the island, but that most the dive centres don't stray far from their base. We're staying at Jolly Harbour, does anyone know how far these guys go in their boat?

Might it be worth getting down to a southern dive centre for the odd day?

Thanks again...

[Mrs T]

Originally Posted by Titanic

I notice most books reckon a lot of the "best" dives are down the south end of the island, but that most the dive centres don't stray far from their base. We're staying at Jolly Harbour, does anyone know how far these guys go in their boat?

Might it be worth getting down to a southern dive centre for the odd day?

Thanks again...

They go to Cades reef most days which is about a 15min boat run. Paul (the owner) normally does the morning 2 tank dives and he favours some knolls(sp) over towards Monserrat which are fantastic as long as the weather is ok because its sooooooooooo rough getting back into the boat. If the weather is not so good he will take you down to Cades Reef.

I have always fancied going and diving the Pillars of Hercules over in English Harbour but have never got there due to having 3 kids in tow but one day i will!!

[Big Kahuna]

You must have been on the boat the same time as me!! I also stayed at Jolly Harbour from 19th Oct - 4th Nov. Were you there the night they had the big storm?[/quote]

I was out there 7-22 Oct 06.
There was some bloody big storms most nights while we were there!