Dress For Your Dive!

John Harman   Oct 13, 2026

3mm, 5mm or 7mm? Dress for Your Dive!

Your wetsuit should keep you thinking about the fish—not how soon you can get back on the boat! Thickness is measured in millimeters: generally, thicker suits provide more insulation.

Here’s a practical starting guide for recreational scuba diving:

Water temperature	Suit to consider
80°F and warmer	A thin wetsuit or 3mm full suit; a dive skin may suit warmer-running divers
73–79°F	3mm full wetsuit; consider 5mm if you get cold easily
66–72°F	5mm full wetsuit; consider 7mm for longer or repeated dives
60–65°F	7mm full wetsuit, usually with a hood and boots
Below 60°F	Consider a drysuit with suitable undergarments and proper training

These are starting points, not guarantees of comfort. Fit, suit construction, dive length and your personal cold tolerance all matter.

Where are you headed? For Cozumel, Dominica or Little Cayman, check the seasonal water temperature before packing your tropical suit. For Ft. Lauderdale and Bimini, the month matters—your summer suit may leave you wishing for more warmth on a winter trip. At Lake Phoenix, ask about temperatures at your planned diving depth, since the surface can feel much warmer.

Fit matters as much as thickness. Your wetsuit should feel snug without restricting breathing or movement. Loose areas let water circulate, reducing warmth. And if you tend to get chilly, plan for extra insulation—especially when diving several days in a row.

Getting ready for your next dive getaway? Stop by Atlantic Edge Scuba! Terry, Rusty and John can help you choose the right suit and fit for your destination. Here is a link to shop online. 

Atlantic Edge Scuba • 301-519-9283 • atlanticedge.com