Whitsunday Wetsuit Guide
Scuba diving and snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. People from all over the world travel to Australia to tick the experience off their bucket-list! Besides diving tanks, weight belts, snorkels, masks, regulators and fins, one of the most important pieces of equipment for scuba diving or snorkelling is a wetsuit.
Wetsuits are an essential piece of equipment when scuba diving or snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef. Not only do they keep you warmer when you’re in the water, but they protect your skin from cuts and scratches when swimming near coral reefs or wreckage sites. Wetsuits also act as stinger suits which protect you from lethal box jellyfish, bluebottles and irukandji which can be blown into the reef during stinger season (November to May).
Whether you're on a trip with Ocean Rafting where you'll be snorkelling in different locations throughout the Whitsunday Islands or you're heading on a scuba diving trip to dive with the green sea turtles the Outer Great Barrier Reef, wetsuits are generally available and included during your trip!
Wetsuit Material and Thickness
Most wetsuits used for scuba diving are made from neoprene which is soft, stretchy and highly resistant. Neoprene comes in three thicknesses - 3mm, 5mm and 7mm. The colder the water, the thicker you’ll want your wetsuit to be. For warmer waters between 24-30 degrees Celsius, opt for the 3mm, whereas for cooler waters between 18-20 degrees Celsius, a 7mm wetsuit is what you’d choose. If the water is feeling very warm, shorter length wetsuits are a good go-to.
Overall, wetsuits make your diving or snorkelling experience far more bearable and comfortable while you’re in the water - especially during the cooler months. Check out our wetsuit guide to help you figure out which size you'll need on your trip in the Whitsundays!
Wetsuit Size Charts
Wetsuits - Junior
| Size | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 |
| Age | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 |
| Chest (cm) | 44 | 48 | 52 | 57 | 61 | 66 | 70 |
| Waist (cm) | 42 | 46 | 48 | 50 | 55 | 58 | 61 |
| Body Length - length to crotch (cm) | 40 | 46 | 48 | 52 | 55 | 58 | 62 |
Wetsuits - Unisex and Men
| Size | XXS | XS | S | M | L | XL | XXL | XXXL |
| Height (cm) | 162-167 | 167-173 | 173-177 | 177-183 | 183-193 | 188-199 | 193-204 | 204-209 |
| Weight (kg) | 45-54 | 54-63 | 63-72 | 72-86 | 86-100 | 95-104 | 99-110 | 110-115 |
| Chest (cm) | 81-86 | 86-91 | 91-96 | 96-101 | 101-106 | 106-112 | 112-118 | 118-123 |
| Waist (cm) | 66-71 | 71-76 | 76-81 | 81-86 | 86-91 | 91-96 | 96-101 | 101-106 |
| Hips (cm) | 81-86 | 86-91 | 91-96 | 96-101 | 101-106 | 106-112 | 112-116 | 116-121 |
Wetsuits - Women
| Size | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 |
| Height (cm) | 152-157 | 157-161 | 161-167 | 167-172 | 172-177 | 177-185 | 185-190 |
| Weight (kg) | 38-41 | 41-45 | 45-50 | 50-54 | 54-61 | 61-68 | 68-75 |
| Bust (cm) | 76 | 81 | 86 | 91 | 96 | 101 | 106 |
| Waist (cm) | 58 | 61 | 66 | 71 | 76 | 81 | 86 |
| Hips (cm) | 78 | 81 | 86 | 91 | 96 | 101 | 106 |
*If your size is not on the women's chart, use the above unisex guide.
For further information on wetsuits or anything to do with the Whitsundays, contact our local experts on +61 74914 2425 or jump on our live chat today!
