Snorkeling in St Thomas and St Martin in December- shorty or rash guard?

[BloodOrange]

We will be there during the first week of December and plan to do off beach snorkeling. Based on my research, the water temperature seems to be in the low 80s or high 70s. I have seen mixed comments. Some people said the locals wear shorty during this time of the year and some people said wearing shorty will look weird.

 

I am a very small person and have low cold tolerance. When I snorkeled in Maui in January, and the water temp was around 75F, I was the only person wearing a shorty. But without it, I would not be able to stay in the water for long. Another time I went on a snorkeling trip in Thailand. I was able to tolerate buttoward the end of the trip I was shivering.

 

My dilemma is whether to bring a shorty or rash guard. I have never been to either place,and have no idea what people are wearing.

 

Thanks,

[CT Sean]

Well, you certainly wouldn't want someone you've never seen before, and will never see again, possibly thinking you look weird.

 

But seriously, with those water temps, and a good chance that air temps won't be very high, I know I'd be more comfortable in my shorty. In my experience, a rash guard provides no warmth at all, unless you are talking about something like a 2mm neoprene shirt.

[Stevesan]

We will be there during the first week of December and plan to do off beach snorkeling. Based on my research, the water temperature seems to be in the low 80s or high 70s. I have seen mixed comments. Some people said the locals wear shorty during this time of the year and some people said wearing shorty will look weird.

 

I am a very small person and have low cold tolerance. When I snorkeled in Maui in January, and the water temp was around 75F, I was the only person wearing a shorty. But without it, I would not be able to stay in the water for long. Another time I went on a snorkeling trip in Thailand. I was able to tolerate buttoward the end of the trip I was shivering.

 

My dilemma is whether to bring a shorty or rash guard. I have never been to either place,and have no idea what people are wearing.

 

Thanks,

 

I always wear my rash guard. In addition to warmth, It provides protection from the little stingy things.

[FloridaPhil]

I wore a 3mm shorty December of last year and dove to 80ft. It was fine. You should be okay in just a rasher.

[John1928]

If you tend to be cold why take the risk, wear the wet suit.

 

Asking other's opinions on water temperature may not be very directly helpful. Those are height of summer water temps around here and nobody I know wears neoprene for that, but I wouldn't knock someone who did in order to be comfortable...

 

Honestly most other people probably aren't likely to notice unless they are also cold and and wishing they had dressed warmer too.

[OCruisers]

How long you are going to be in the water can be a factor. ;)

LuLu