If you’ve ever stood in a windy dive site car park, clutching a flask of tea and wondering why you didn’t just book a flight to the Red Sea instead, you’re not alone. Cold-water diving can feel like a bit of a commitment, especially here in the U.K. But once you crack the code to staying warm, it opens up a whole new world of underwater adventures right on our doorstep.
Some of the best dive sites are found in cooler waters – kelp forests swaying beneath the surface, curious seals popping up to say hello and wrecks teeming with marine life. The trick is keeping the cold at bay long enough to enjoy it all.
Whether you’re gearing up for your first chilly dip or looking to make those winter dives a bit more comfortable, we’ve gathered our best tips to help you stay warm and ready to make the most of your cold-water dives.
Layer Up Before You Even Think About Getting In The Water
Staying warm starts long before you hit the water. The golden rule? Once you’re cold, you’re staying cold, so don’t give the chill a head start.
Turn up to the dive site in thermal layers, fluffy socks, and a woolly hat. If you’ve got one of those oversized changing robes, even better. The longer you can stay warm before kitting up, the better your chances of staying toasty throughout the dive.
Drysuit or Wetsuit?
In the U.K., most divers swear by drysuits – and for good reason. They keep you dry (obviously), but the real magic happens with the thermal layers underneath. Pair a drysuit with a good undersuit and you’ll be warm enough to enjoy even the chilliest waters. Plus, once you’re out of the water, the drysuit helps keep off any wind chill, so you’re never left feeling cold
If you’re diving in milder temperatures or just not quite ready to take the drysuit plunge, a 7mm wetsuit with a hooded vest or semi-dry can still do the job, just expect a bit more of a bracing wake-up call when you first jump in.
The Secret Weapons: Hoods and Gloves
Forget fancy gadgets, the real unsung heroes of cold-water diving are your hood and gloves.
A 5mm or 7mm hood will stop heat escaping from your head, while thick neoprene gloves (or dry gloves if you’re feeling fancy) will keep your fingers nimble enough to still clip off your SMB without fumbling.
Warmth Is All About the Small Wins
A few little tricks can make a big difference:
- Pop a hot water bottle in your drysuit bag to warm your gloves and socks before the dive.
- Wear a woolly hat right up until you put your hood on.
- Take a thermos of something hot tea, coffee, or even soup for between dives. It warms you from the inside out and makes surface intervals feel like less of a slog.
During the Dive: Keep Moving, Stay Toasty
Staying warm underwater is all about balance, move enough to generate heat, but not so much that you’re burning through your air. Slow, steady finning will keep your circulation going without wearing you out.
If you do start to feel the chill creeping in, signal your buddy and try a gentle fin kick to get the blood flowing again.
During the Dive: Keep Moving, Stay Toasty
The second you’re out of the water, get into dry clothes as fast as possible. A changing robe or windproof jacket is your best friend for stripping off your wetsuit or drysuit layers without freezing on the spot.
Wrap your hands around a hot drink, refuel with something hearty, and if there’s a burger van at the dive site – well, it would be rude not to.
Cold-Water Diving: Absolutely Worth It
We know cold-water diving isn’t always the easiest sell. It takes a bit more effort, a lot more layers and the promise of a post-dive hot chocolate to tempt most people into the water. But once you’re in, it’s a whole different kind of diving.
With the right kit, a little preparation and a few tricks up your sleeve, you’ll be able to stay warm enough to enjoy everything cold-water diving has to offer.
Thinking about giving cold-water diving a go? Check out our guide to layering under your drysuit to keep the chill at bay.