Weight & Wetsuit Calculator
Find your ideal ballast weight for freediving and choose the right wetsuit for Indian conditions — from Andaman tropics to the cooler Maharashtra coast.
Your Details
Recommended Ballast
Enter your body weight to calculate
Always verify in water
This calculator gives a starting estimate. Always test your weighting in a controlled pool session first. An instructor can help you fine-tune.
Wetsuit Thickness Guide — Indian Dive Sites
Water temperature data based on seasonal averages. Always check local conditions before diving.
| Location | Water Temp | Recommended Suit |
|---|---|---|
| Andaman Islands | 26–30°C | 2–3mm full suit or shorty |
| Lakshadweep | 27–30°C | 2–3mm full suit or shorty |
| Pondicherry / Auroville | 25–29°C | 3mm full suit |
| Netrani Island, Karnataka | 24–29°C | 3mm full suit |
| Bhogwe / Tarkarli, Maharashtra | 22–28°C | 3–5mm full suit |
Standard Neoprene
- • More affordable (₹3,000–₹12,000 for a freediving cut)
- • Widely available in India
- • Good durability with proper care
- • Higher buoyancy per mm — needs more weight
- • Best for: beginners, pool training, warm sites
Yamamoto Neoprene
- • Warmer and more stretchy per mm
- • 3mm Yamamoto ≈ 4–5mm standard warmth
- • Lower water absorption — stays warm longer
- • Higher cost (₹15,000–₹40,000+)
- • Best for: serious freediving, deeper dives, longer sessions
Weighting Tips & Safety
Neutral at 10m
With empty lungs at 10m you should be neutrally buoyant. Too light = you float back up. Too heavy = you sink without kicking.
Never Over-Weight
Excessive ballast means you can't ascend easily if you black out. Aim for the minimum weight that lets you descend comfortably on a full exhale.
Fine-tune in 0.5 kg
Adjust weighting in 0.5 kg increments. Salt vs fresh water, wetsuit age, and body composition all affect buoyancy — re-check each trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much weight do I need for freediving?
A common starting point is 1–2 kg for every mm of wetsuit thickness, adjusted for body composition. A 3mm wetsuit freediver weighing 70 kg typically needs 3–5 kg in salt water.
What wetsuit thickness should I use in the Andaman Islands?
Andaman waters range from 26–30°C year-round. A 2–3mm full suit or shorty is ideal. During October–November when water cools slightly to 26°C, a 3mm full suit provides comfort on longer sessions.
Do I need more weight in fresh water or salt water?
Salt water is denser, so you are more buoyant. You typically need 1–2 kg more weight in salt water than fresh water for the same wetsuit.
What wetsuit thickness do I need for Netrani Island?
Netrani (Pigeon Island) sees water temperatures of 24–29°C. A 3mm full suit is recommended, especially deeper than 15m where it gets noticeably cooler.
Is Yamamoto neoprene worth it for Indian conditions?
Yamamoto neoprene is warmer and more buoyant per mm than standard neoprene. In Indian warm waters, a 3mm Yamamoto provides similar warmth to a 4–5mm standard suit, meaning you can dive with less weight.
How do I check if my weighting is correct?
After a full exhale at the surface you should sink slowly at around 5–10m. At 10m with empty lungs you should be neutrally buoyant. If you sink fast, remove 0.5–1 kg; if you struggle to descend, add weight.
Find a Course Near You
An experienced instructor will help you dial in your weighting during your first session.