A wetsuit keeps you comfortable underwater by trapping a thin layer of water against your skin that your body quickly warms, forming a cozy insulating barrier. Even in warm seas your body loses heat far faster in water than in air, so a little thermal protection makes a long dive much more pleasant. The good news for anyone diving in Isla Fuerte is that our water sits at a balmy twenty-seven to twenty-nine degrees year-round, so you need very little. A thin suit or even a rash guard is usually all it takes to stay comfortable from the first dive to the last.
How a wetsuit works
A wetsuit is made of neoprene, a spongy rubber full of tiny gas bubbles that slow the movement of heat. It is not designed to keep you dry; a small amount of water seeps in on purpose.
That thin film of water sits between your skin and the suit, and your body heats it up within moments. Because it cannot circulate away, it stays warm and acts as insulation for the rest of the dive. This is why a snug fit matters more than a thick suit in warm water.
What you need in Isla Fuerte
Because our water is so warm, you can dive light here. Most guests are perfectly comfortable in minimal thermal protection, and the exact choice comes down to how easily you feel cold and how long you stay down.
- A rash guard or dive skin, ideal for short, shallow dives and warm days.
- A thin shorty or 3mm full wetsuit, plenty for almost everyone year-round.
- An extra layer only if you chill easily or plan several dives in one day.
More than warmth
A wetsuit or rash guard does more than fight the chill. It shields your skin from the strong tropical sun on the boat and at the surface, which matters as much here as the water temperature.
It also gives you a light layer of protection against accidental scrapes from coral or rock, and from the occasional stinging plankton. Covering up lets you focus on the reef without worrying about your skin, and it protects the corals from contact too.
We provide the gear
You do not need to bring or buy a wetsuit to dive with us. Nautilus provides thermal protection suited to our conditions, fitted to you before you get in the water, so you arrive with nothing to organize.
Between dives, staying comfortable is easy: rinse off, dry in the sun, and warm up before going again. See how a day of diving flows and what is included on our courses and dives page.
