Dry or Wet?? [Archive] - BSAC Scuba Diving Forums

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ian2010

18-01-2010, 01:58

Eddie Clamp

18-01-2010, 10:15

Hi,
As someone who is hoping to visit the Isle of Skye during May or June this year, could someone advise me which suit would be best, a dry or wet suit?

Any suggestions as to decent locations in the Isle of Skye for snorkeling?

Many thanks in advance.

Ian

Would have thought you would find it easier to snorkel in a wet suit but that is just me!

Not snorkelling but thought this report might give you some background, even if it is a little old:
http://www.bsac.com/diverreports.asp?itemid=2253&itemTitle=SCOTLAND+%2D+Skye+diving&section=1248&sectionTitle=UK

Together with this from our BSAC "where to dive" section: http://www.bsac.com/divelocations.asp?itemid=3352&itemTitle=Scotland+%2D+North+West&section=1251&sectionTitle=UK

HTH

DRW

18-01-2010, 16:03

Hi, As someone who is hoping to visit the Isle of Skye during May or June this year, could someone advise me which suit would be best, a dry or wet suit?

It's great to hear about somebody contemplating snorkelling in the coastal waters of the UK rather than falling for the travel agent's patter about snorkelling only being feasible in some overpriced resort in the back and beyond.

I happen to wear a drysuit when I snorkel off the North East coast of England, not a bulky, loose-fitting, high-tech, new-millennium outfit, replete with valves and hoses, but a modern replica of a late-1950s design, valveless and close fitting, though roomy enough to accommodate undergarments. This combination provides thermal insulation and the thin suit material keeps water out and won't, unlike some thick wetsuits, restrict my movements as I swim across the surface. I hasten to add that wearing a vintage-style drysuit when snorkelling is my own personal choice. Your snorkelling priorities and preferences may well be very different and that's fine.

Any suggestions as to decent locations in the Isle of Skye for snorkeling?Ian
After Googling a little, I chanced upon the following web page about Ord House on the Isle of Skye,
http://www.ord-house-skye.co.uk/aroundord.html
which "has its own slip way, shore road and beach which is a site of special scientific interest for its flora and geology. The bay offers safe swimming, snorkelling, wonderful sailing, kayaking and boating opportunities." Another Isle of Skye provider of snorkelling activities is:
http://www.divers-eye.co.uk/

Happy UK snorkelling!

ian2010

19-01-2010, 12:15

Many thanks

Ian

rick stevens

19-01-2010, 18:49

DRW - to help Ian out here, I dont suppose you have any links to people who sell this drysuit you use?

Personally (as an ex snorkeller now converted to scuba) I would suggest looking at a semi dry suit - it depends on the time of year you are snorkelling, but a 2 piece 6 + 6 should keep you plenty warm enough most of the time.

There are numerous scuba divers that dive all year in good semi dry suits without getting cold, so I would have thought that since you are not going to any great depths, they should be OK, and probably a lot cheaper than a drysuit too.

Rick

DRW

19-01-2010, 19:25

DRW - to help Ian out here, I dont suppose you have any links to people who sell this drysuit you use?Rick

The website is at
http://www.hydroglove.com

I'm certainly not suggesting that Ian blindly follows my lead. I've snorkelled since the late 1950s when most drysuits were made this way, thin waterproof coverings without valves and the warmth provided by undergarments. I happen to prefer the way they made underwater swimming gear during these early days and I seek out equipment made the same way in modern times, where I can. I'm also trying to research the early development of basic gear in Europe. The Americans are far ahead of us in archiving material from the pioneering years, e.g.
http://www.skindivinghistory.com

Your suggestion of a semi-dry suit sounds like a good compromise for a non-vintage snorkeller. :)