Red Water Temp Late March

[bullfrog]

ok has anybody been diving around north red sea area ie tiran straits down to the dunraven-thistlegorm and across to the hurgadha wreck sites at this time of year ?

last time i was in the red sea down around marsala alam the water temp was 28c + and my 3mm steamer was find but it was late may
i am doubtful that the 3mm steamer is going to be warm enough this time then again my dry suit seems to be a bit overkill
the real question is do i need a 5mm steamer?

any comments would be welcome


regards peter (bullfrog)

[Frogfone]

Hi Peter

we are going beginning of may and i have much the same dilema. the solution i was going to go for is a 3mm steamer with a 0.5mm shortie. That gives me something to snorkal in and combining both gives you a bit extra warmth for deep/night dives. also has the advantage of keeping the weight down. The other advantage is that 0.5mm shortie is about £40 instead of a paying for a 5mm steamer you might not get much use from elsewhere. you could also go for a 5mm shortie that goes over your 3mm. depends if weight is an issue.


Roddy

[spottydog]

According to Red Sea Diving Colleges Website (http://www.redseacollege.com/english/sinai_guide/weather.htm) the water should be between 21 & 22C. Previously when I have been to Egypt in March I've either taken my drysuit or a good 5mm semidry as you may start feeling the cold later on in the week. A hood is also very useful forkeeping you warm.

HTH

[molly]

Nothing wrong with a drysuit, especially if its a membrain with a thinish undersuit, u will feel the cold on the deeper dives especially ras mohamed and the wrecks, advantage is u dont have that chill on surfacing either - u will be nice and tostie while the wetsuiters are shivering trying to dry off, ant its quiker to don and doff.
u are unlikely to be alone either as a fair few of the guides wear them this time of year as well.
FWIW my opinion

mandy

ENJOY whatever u decide, i'm off to marso alam in may :wub: tee shirt diving! :thumbsup: