Malinger Posted April 29, 2012 #1 Share Posted April 29, 2012 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? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevesan Posted April 29, 2012 #2 Share Posted April 29, 2012 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuzzF117 Posted April 29, 2012 #3 Share Posted April 29, 2012 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt_BJ Posted April 29, 2012 #4 Share Posted April 29, 2012 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosieo Posted April 29, 2012 #5 Share Posted April 29, 2012 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malinger Posted April 29, 2012 Author #6 Share Posted April 29, 2012 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. :D I will likely stick to rash guard, but I may toss the suit into the suitcase if the wife leaves me room.....:rolleyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevesan Posted April 30, 2012 #7 Share Posted April 30, 2012 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. :DI will likely stick to rash guard, but I may toss the suit into the suitcase if the wife leaves me room.....:rolleyes: Good decision. You are obviously a properly trained hubby. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cayoooga Posted May 1, 2012 #8 Share Posted May 1, 2012 Good decision. You are obviously a properly trained hubby. lol :D:D:D The wet suit is great if you are doing a few snorkelling stops on one excursion as you might end up being in the water for a couple of hours. If you are just snorkelling from the beach the rash guard is much more convenient. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveG99 Posted May 11, 2012 #9 Share Posted May 11, 2012 I have been diving and snorkeling in Florida and the Caribbean since 1994 and I have never worn a wet suit or a rash guard. The water is warm. I have even gone 95 ft down and it felt great down there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevesan Posted May 11, 2012 #10 Share Posted May 11, 2012 I have been diving and snorkeling in Florida and the Caribbean since 1994 and I have never worn a wet suit or a rash guard. The water is warm. I have even gone 95 ft down and it felt great down there. I wear for the UV (50) protection and warding off the little stingy things. The warmth is welcome in the Bahamas' much cooler waters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malinger Posted May 12, 2012 Author #11 Share Posted May 12, 2012 I wear for the UV (50) protection and warding off the little stingy things. The warmth is welcome in the Bahamas' much cooler waters. The UV and "stingy things" is what I was after as well. Besides I dont want to mess up my farmer tan. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blossom52 Posted May 19, 2012 #12 Share Posted May 19, 2012 Yeah, don't be a woose, go without and leave wifey more room for shoes........... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malinger Posted May 19, 2012 Author #13 Share Posted May 19, 2012 Did she put you up to this??? :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blossom52 Posted May 20, 2012 #14 Share Posted May 20, 2012 Lol, I'm a wifey too, I just know these things....................... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
azevedan Posted May 20, 2012 #15 Share Posted May 20, 2012 FWIW, I read once that panty hose also protect against jellyfish stings. I have not personally tried this out. I have gotten stung by the little stingy almost-invisible ones while wearing a shorty (on the non-covered areas, of course), and they kept 'firing off' all night, even with benadryl. Was fine the next day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaribKng Posted May 20, 2012 #16 Share Posted May 20, 2012 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScubaJim Posted May 31, 2012 #17 Share Posted May 31, 2012 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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