What thickness wetsuit for philippines tour?

[rlatndyd]

Hi all
I'm planning a trip to Cebu, Mactan, Moalboal for a freediving class and some recreational diving in January.
I've never been to philippines and was wondering what thickness wetsuit I should buy?

I get cold really quick when I'm in water,
even in indoor diving pools, I start shivering after 30 minutes or so(my instructor pointed out that divers with more muscle mass tend to get cold easily but i dunno...There's one other guy who also lifts weights n bigger than me and he doesn't get cold like I do so maybe it's just me..)

So should I buy 3.5mm wetsuit or a 1.5mm one?
I'm thinking Beuchat reversible wetsuit that comes in 1.5 and 3.5mm.
I've asked my buddy who's been to Cebu and he told me he got too hot after a while in his 3mm suit (mostly from the sunlight while he's on the surface) and told me to get a 1.5mm but then again, he never shivers in indoor pools like I do...
so maybe 3.5 mm is fine?
I'm thinking 3.5 mm would be also advantageous since it could be worn in colder water temperature like around 20 degrees celcius if combined with a neoprene vest,
whereas 1.5mm can only be used for tours like this(and possibly I might start shivering in it eventually even in Philippines??).

I'd appreciate your advice!

 

[hank49]

I get cold easily too.
I lived and dived in the Philippines for a long time. The water is a bit cooler in January and if you're doing 3 dives a day, I would wear a full 3 mm and bring a hood.

 

[rlatndyd]

thank you Exactly what I needed to hear. I bought a 3mm suit.

 

[rovanpera]

Hi from Moalboal,

3mm is fine, you will not get cold.
I usually dive with a 1.5mm and sometimes with an additional vest if the water is cooler.

See you around when you get here!