Headed to Crystal River

[nauifins73]

I'm headed to Crystal River, FL on Wed. We will dive Crystal River/Manatee dive on Thurs, Rainbow River on Fri and go to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium on Sat, then home on Sun.

I can't decide what wetsuit to take so I am taking 2, a 2 mil farmer jane and my 3 mil. I haven't used a wetsuit but a couple of times. Guess this will be a learning experience too

[decodiva]

I wish I were going--- I want to dive so bad-- and before anyone says anything I want to be warm doing it---

[SLIM]

Check with your dive operator. I know that the springs are 70* and that I think is to cold for a 2mm or a 3 mm. If you could wear them both and get 5 it might be alright but most of th etims the rivers are cooler then the springs are. I would sugest a 7mm with a hood. It all depends on what kind of water temps you call cold and warm.

SLIM

[M&P+4]

I used my 7 mil farmer john without the bibs and was plenty comfortable. One of the gals that went only had a skin suit on and didn't complain, but she did wear a hood.

Edit - I would have used less suit, but that is all I had.

[nauifins73]

Thanks for the suggestions - I can put my 3 mil over my farmer jane (I was totally surprised!) Up until now I have only used a skin on my Caribbean trips that have been in both Jan and July and in between. I am going to take the 2suits and a polartec hood.

Full report when I get back

[juls64]

Have a great time and do post a report!

[theskull]

You'll have a great time! I've done that trip twice, and would go again.

Note: I did it in a 7mm full suit the first time, and a dry suit the second time, neither with a hood as I remember. The tropics this ain't (which is what attracts the manatees) so dress for the water temp so you can enjoy it.

Be prepared for cool air temps as well. Bring a warm-up suit or equivalent in a dry bag so you can dry off and get in warm clothes between dives.

theskull

[DeepDiverBob]

I've done the springs in justa 3 mil w/ no hood or gloves. But like he says, the rivers might be a bit cooler. I will be there in about a month. I will bring my 5 mil just to play it safe, plus a hood to help against the bumps when I finish cave class. Enjoy your trip!!!!!!

[theskull]

I've done the springs in justa 3 mil w/ no hood or gloves. But like he says, the rivers might be a bit cooler. I will be there in about a month. I will bring my 5 mil just to play it safe, plus a hood to help against the bumps when I finish cave class. Enjoy your trip!!!!!!

Don't listen to this guy! He was diving locally this weekend in a 5mm wetsuit while I was shivering in my drysuit with 2 layers of undergarments. North Florida water is cold in the winter.

theskull

[nauifins73]

Got back Sun at midnight - gotta find better flights!

I dove with just my 3 mil on all 3 dives. Started out with my Polartec hood it came off in a hurry. Didn't use my gloves as we could lightly pet the manatees if they came to us. Which the did - the calves were the most curious - we just bored the adults to sleep. In the one sanctuary there were about 50 taking it easy.

I compleletly understand why the tours are listed as snorkel trips as opposed to SCUBA. The water we were in at the deepest was chest high - just no need for scuba. We dove a couple of the Springs on Crystal River so we did have our equipment on. Definately a very good trip - nice hotel (Plantation Inn). I would recommend it to anyone looking for a relaxing weekend.

[DeepDiverBob]

any pictures?

[nauifins73]

There will soon be some pictures - one of the guys that went is putting all of them together on a CD for us. I don't have any uw ones.

[theskull]

Got back Sun at midnight - gotta find better flights!

I dove with just my 3 mil on all 3 dives. Started out with my Polartec hood it came off in a hurry. Didn't use my gloves as we could lightly pet the manatees if they came to us. Which the did - the calves were the most curious - we just bored the adults to sleep. In the one sanctuary there were about 50 taking it easy.

I compleletly understand why the tours are listed as snorkel trips as opposed to SCUBA. The water we were in at the deepest was chest high - just no need for scuba. We dove a couple of the Springs on Crystal River so we did have our equipment on. Definately a very good trip - nice hotel (Plantation Inn). I would recommend it to anyone looking for a relaxing weekend.

Glad you were comfy in the exposure protection you took with you! I found the Manatees to be fascinating and joined www.savethemanatee.org (http://www.savethemanatee.org) as soon as I got home from my first trip there. Still a donating member.

theskull

[nauifins73]

Thanks for the link. I looked for info while there but didn't get a chance to pick anything up. I will become a member in a short while