The suit is what keeps you warm underwater, and the right choice completely changes the comfort of the dive. Wetsuit, semi-dry or drysuit? It’s not a matter of “better or worse”, but of water temperature and how much you dive. Here’s how to find your way.
Updated: October 2026
Underwater the body loses heat much faster than in air. The suit slows this loss. The way it does so distinguishes the three types: the wetsuit and semi-dry insulate you while letting in a little water (which the body warms), whereas the drysuit keeps water completely out.
It’s the most common, especially in summer. It lets a thin layer of water in between skin and neoprene: the body warms it and this layer acts as insulation. It works well in warm or temperate water (roughly from 18°C up, depending on thickness, usually 5-7 mm in Lazio).
Pros: affordable, simple, easy to put on. Cons: in cold water or on long, repeated dives the cold makes itself felt.
It’s an evolved middle ground: still neoprene, but with “sealed” wrists, ankles and zip that greatly limit water exchange. Result: you stay warmer than with the wetsuit without moving to a full drysuit. It’s a good choice for the mid-seasons and for those who often feel cold.
Here water doesn’t get in at all: you stay dry and the insulation comes from the air and the thermal undergarments you wear underneath. It’s the solution for cold water and for diving all year round while staying comfortable, even in winter.
The drysuit requires a bit more technique — you manage the air inside it for buoyancy — and that’s why you learn it with a dedicated course (the Dry Suit specialty). Once you get the hang of it, it changes everything for those who want to dive in every season.
If you dive mostly in summer and you’re starting out, a good 5-7 mm wetsuit is perfect. If you feel the cold or want to extend the season into spring and autumn, the semi-dry is an excellent compromise. If you want to dive truly all year round, winter included, the drysuit is the investment that makes the difference.
You don’t have to decide right away and on your own: on courses and outings you use the right equipment for the season, and when you want to try the drysuit we guide you with the dedicated course. Talk to us and we’ll find the tailored solution.
The wetsuit lets in a thin layer of water that the body warms; the drysuit keeps water completely out and keeps you dry, insulating with the thermal undergarments underneath. The drysuit is for cold water and for diving all year round.
Usually a 5-7 mm wetsuit: the surface water is warm (22-26°C), but as you descend you meet the thermocline, so it’s best not to go too light.
It’s an excellent compromise if you often feel cold or want to dive in spring and autumn too: it keeps you warmer than the wetsuit without the extra technique of the drysuit.
Yes: the drysuit is handled differently (you control the air inside it for buoyancy), so you learn it with the Dry Suit specialty. It’s simple, but it should be done with an instructor.
No: for courses and outings we provide the equipment suited to the season. Buying your own suit makes more sense later, when you know what kind of diving you do most often.