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Although it does depend on which end you’re diving, the Med in winter can get pretty chilly. The topside temps are also not high, and it may be windy too (i.e. windchill is also a factor). Without knowing anything about your personal susceptibility to the cold, I can’t give you anything more than a subjective answer.

For me, diving off Cyprus in March in 15-16°C water, a shop-new 5 mm 2-piece (shortie plus steamer) with a 3 mm hooded vest, was insufficient for anything more than about 45 mins in <20 m. For depths >20 m, I was uncomfortably cold after 30 min. Wearing only a 5 mm steamer, I’d probably have frozen off all my dangly bits.

If you’re intent on taking a wetsuit, I’d recommend at least a 7 mm semi-dry, possibly with a shortie to go over it. And a hood. Otherwise, a 7mm drysuit isn’t that much bulkier to carry than a 7 mm semi-dry, and it will keep you a lot warmer, both during and after the dive.

Your tolerance to the cold temperature is the ultimate answer for the type of wet suit you will need for yourself. Example – for me for a weeks worth of diving about 10 dives – 2 daytime dives per day, in 78 degF – I don’t wear any wet suite. After that I need a shorty may be!!. If I take a couple of days off, I can do the same again. Now if your are diving in 60 degF water you have to start off with full body suit, and based on your tolerance, you may need hood & gloves. Me I will not dive in that temperature. I do not like cold water diving. I have done diving in 55 deg water, I needed 8mm + suit, hoods, gloves, etc hated it – never did it again. Generally speaking a 5mm suit will keep you fairly warm.

Rent a suit – to try some diving, and find out how it works for you, before dishing out money. All dive shops rent them.