Wet suit or rash guard

[Malinger]

Hi there! We are traveling in early June on a western Caribbean cruise. We plan on snorkeling 3 out of 4 stops. My question is this....

We have both 2 Mil shorty wet suits or is regular old swimwear with a rash guard (shirt only) sufficient? The rash guard takes up MUCH less room but offers no protection against the cold, sea lice, or actual Jellys. Is it worth taking the wet suit?

[Stevesan]

Rash guard is fine year round for the Caribbean.
I use a "loose" fit.
It's effective against the little stingy things. I've yet to encounter fully grown jelly fish while snorkeling.

[BuzzF117]

Just imagine getting a sunburn on the back of your legs then sitting down for dinner. I would suggest and recommend the 2 mil wet suit it will dry quickly if you hang it inside out after couple hrs turn it right side out

[Capt_BJ]

you rarely see a DM not wearing a wet suit . . .

I tend to wear at least farmer johns for protection from bumps and things I might accidentally kneel on when taking pictures ... I know shame on me but booboos happen

[Rosieo]

I have snorkeled many times in the Carribbean and never have wore a wet suit. A rash guard can be helpful but I rarely saw those being worn. Actually I do not remember ever seeing anyone wearing a wet suit snorkling. Diving is a different story.

[Malinger]

Thanks for the replies. I am used to Hawaii where you CAN go without a wet suit but after an hour in the water you will wish you had one.
I will likely stick to rash guard, but I may toss the suit into the suitcase if the wife leaves me room.....

[CaribKng]

Originally Posted by Malinger

Hi there! We are traveling in early June on a western Caribbean cruise. We plan on snorkeling 3 out of 4 stops. My question is this....

We have both 2 Mil shorty wet suits or is regular old swimwear with a rash guard (shirt only) sufficient? The rash guard takes up MUCH less room but offers no protection against the cold, sea lice, or actual Jellys. Is it worth taking the wet suit?

I used to wear a full wetsuit when diving in the Caribbean, but have started using strictly a skin. It still provides protection over the body, but is thin and allows me to drop some weight because it is significantly less bouyant than the wetsuit. It also takes up a lot less room and dries quickly.

[ScubaJim]

I usually take a 1 mm wetsuit and a diveskin. Both are warm enough and provide protection against sun and jellyfish and does not take up that much room in my suitcase.