tropical water spandex, lycra etc worth it?

[Andrew the fish]

Hello forum. I am going to Thailand again this winter. Of course I will be spending 3-4 hours in the water every day. It is basically all skin diving, and water temperatures are comfortable for me for any length of time. I do wear a long sleeved shift though, just so I don't get sunburn. I wonder if it worth to buy special lycra suit made for swimmers? Any advantage to it over regular cotton/nylon shirts?

 

[DiveHacker]

I know this is an old thread, but just in case it'll help someone...

I got to Thailand and spearfished about a half dozen times with my trunks and a surf rash guard. I used to laugh at the youtube channels and all the guys wearing suits here: why on earth are they wearing suits and then having to deal with the associated weight?

I found out why pretty fast. was about 50 meters off shore one day and found myself in an incoming tide jellyfish larvae bloom of some sort. I was fine the day of, it was an uncomfortable swim in but no problem. I woke up next day and had dark, itchy welts everywhere. I had about 100 of them. None on my legs which I had boardshorts on. My rashguard is not too tight at the neck so i suppose larvae were getting in there and just repeatedly stinging me.

I ended up getting a full lycra suit with hood. They are only $150 and under range and pack small and light and don't require use of too much extra lead at all.

 

[MAKO Spearguns]

Getting full body coverage and protection from the sun and stingers is worth the trouble. We offer a full body coverage option as well.
thanks
dano