Wet suit in January?

[dandbsmom]

We are cruising on a 3-nighter at the end of January. Does anyone think I should consider wetsuits for snorkeling, etc. at Castaway Cay? I don't want us to look weird but I also want my sons to get the most out of the water. Suggestions appreciated!

 

[disneyri]

http://divenassau.com/index.htm

scroll to bottom and you will see current water temp at 79.

I am considering short johns for my wife and I.

79 is real warm though?! We swim 65-68 in RI and its very nice.

 

[jkovick]

We will be bringing our shortie suits for our Jan 13 cruise. We cruised at this same time last year (on another line) and really wish we would have brought them.

 

[Diznut84]

My sense is that the water at Castaway Cay in January is significantly cooler than 79 degrees. I would expect the water temperatures to be much closer to Miami Beach or Key West. For estimates of their water tempatures, go to:

http://www.nodc.noaa.gov/dsdt/cwtg/satl.html

January water temperatures at Miami Beach average 71 degrees while in Key West they average 69 degrees. Both pretty chilly. I would take the advice of others and bring a 3mm shorty!

Greg

 

[Diznut84]

Here are two maps that gives some perspective of the location of Castaway Cay. The first gives a sense of the location of the Abacos Island Chain (of which Castaway Cay aka Gorda Cay) is part of. The second map shows the precise location of Castaway Cay.

http://www.abacos.net/about.html

http://www.go-abacos.com/theabs/theab_map.html

One way that I think of it is that the lower half of the Abacos Islands are shaped a bit like a boot, with Castaway Cay located just above the heel. Castaway Cay is actually located east/northeast of Miami.

 

[dandbsmom]

Does anyone know if you can rent wetsuits on Castaway Cay?

 

[DonnaDavid]

We were there at the end of Jan. in '00. I am a warm water person, and the water was uncomfortably cold. I have never seen wetsuits available from DCL.

 

[dandbsmom]

That is what I am afraid of. Looking for some suits on Ebay as we speak! Thanks!

 

[Scott H]

I usually wear a full 3mm or a 5-4-3 suit even in the warm months. Who cares if you look wierd, better wierd than blue. Try www.diversoutlet.com

 

[pershing]

I also bought short wetsuits for myself and the kids. We are going Jan. 15 with stops at WDW and UA. I figured the kids could wear them in the hotel pools (Swan and Hard Rock) too. So they could take full advantage of the hotels' amenities .



Of course now that we're all prepared, it will be an unusually warm Jan. and we'll have carried an extra suitcase for nought!

 

[erikthewise]

I assume they do provide some sort of flotation device for snorkeling at CC. Am I right?

 

[clh2]

It is required for you to wear a "flotation vest thingy" while you snorkel at CC. DCL provides these at no extra cost if you bring your own snorkel gear.