The Ins and Outs of Wetsuits and Water Temperature for Scuba Diving

When you're above the waves in a beautiful sunny location, it can be hard to imagine that the temperature drops quickly underwater.

However, for safe and fun scuba diving, a little technical know-how on the details of wetsuits and water temperature is a must.

You see, water is a very efficient thermal conductor, which means that our body temperatures can drop faster underwater than they do on dry land. But don't worry, because we are here to advise on all things water temperature and wetsuit related!

With this article, we aim to help you navigate questions like whether you can use the same wetsuit for scuba diving vs surf or other water sports, and which is the right wetsuit thickness for your next dream scuba diving destination.

Read on and discover what you need to know—from scuba diving without a wetsuit right through to donning a drysuit for the chilliest of settings, and everything in between!

Why Do We Use Wetsuits?

If you're used to swimming or even snorkeling in just a regular swimsuit, you might well have wondered why scuba divers wear wetsuits at all. Well, wetsuits are made from a material called neoprene which is fantastic at preventing temperature loss in the water.

The right wetsuit for the water temperature at hand will not only help you maintain a comfortable body temperature, but it will protect you from other hazards too.

A wetsuit can safeguard against stings from jellyfish and other marine animals, bumps and scratches, and even sunburn, which is entirely possible underwater!

These factors mean that sometimes, even in the balmiest of waters, you still may not want to go scuba diving without wetsuit.

Choosing a Wetsuit for Scuba Diving vs Surf

While scuba diving and surfing wetsuits might look pretty similar at first glance, there are some pretty fundamental differences.

Where surfers spend much of their time above the water, scuba divers spend most of their time underneath the waves.

Suits designed for surfers tend to be more lightweight and flexible when dry. They offer protection from the wind but are not as thermally insulating. They also often have knee and elbow pads to withstand repeated contact with the surfboard.

A wetsuit made for scuba divers is designed to be subjected to water pressure and usually offers greater temperature protection than a surfing suit.

Dive suit neoprene is usually denser and more resilient, and while that means that it is usually more cumbersome to wear above the water, once you are submerged you will likely forget that you're wearing it!

Diving suits need to be able to withstand the friction of your backplate, belt, and BCD straps, so that robust neoprene is going to serve you well.

Scuba Diving Without a Wetsuit

If you find yourself heading out on a diving expedition in a spectacular tropical location with bath-like water temperatures, you may wonder if scuba diving without a wetsuit is an option.

Of course, ditching the neoprene will mean losing all of the other associated protections that we mentioned, but you can find a middle ground by buying a rashguard, which is a purpose-made top or bodysuit that is thin and lightweight but will still prevent sunburn or chafing from your dive gear.

The other alternative to the wetsuit is of course the drysuit. When boldly heading to a dive site with very low water temperatures, this is certainly the best option.

A drysuit features seals at the wrists, ankles, and neck, so the wearer can be fully submerged without getting their body wet. When the water's thermal conductivity is mitigated in this way, it is much easier for your body to maintain a higher temperature.

In either case, if you're making a switch from your normal scuba diving attire, do keep in mind that you won't have the buoyancy of your neoprene suit. This will mean that you'll need to take weights off your belt to maintain your neutrality in the water.

Wetsuit Style and Thickness for Different Water Temperatures

There are several different styles of wetsuit to consider, depending on the type of diving that you hope to do and your budget.

You can buy so-called shorty wetsuits, that have short sleeves and are knee-length, or full body wetsuits that feature both long sleeves and legs. Some prefer to go for two-piece wetsuits with a separate top and trousers. These can even be mixed and matched depending on the conditions you anticipate.

Moving on to thickness, wetsuits are widely available in a range that spans from 1mm to 7mm. The thinnest of wetsuits don't offer much in terms of temperature protection but will be ideal if your scuba diving adventures are limited to warm water locations.

As a rule of thumb, you can refer to the following thicknesses when choosing the right suit for your needs:

• Water temperature 70 – 85ºF (21 – 29ºC) 2-3mm wetsuit
• Water temperature 60 – 70ºF (15 – 21ºC) 5-7mm wetsuit
• Water temperature 50 – 60ºF (10 – 15ºC) 7mm wetsuit or drysuit

If you’re diving above these temperatures, scuba diving without a wetsuit will be fine and you can go for a thin suit or rashguard.

If you’re diving below these temperatures, then a drysuit is in order.

Remaining at a safe temperature when diving is essential not only for your enjoyment but also to avoid unnecessary risk.

Don't forget to use our free water temperature checking tool to explore your next scuba diving location, so that you can choose the right wetsuit for you!

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