The San Blas Islands in Panama are the kind of paradise you dream about—pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and palm trees swaying in the breeze. Unfortunately, my first visit to these stunning islands didn’t exactly start off as a blissful escape. After a 30-hour boat ride across choppy waters, I was left feeling miserable, sweating, dizzy, and utterly seasick.
Seasickness is no joke. When you’re out on the open water, it feels like you’re on a never-ending roller coaster. Every movement of the boat triggers nausea, and even closing your eyes doesn’t help as your head keeps spinning. But despite how awful I felt, I have no regrets about taking that boat trip. The islands were beautiful, and the experience was unforgettable, even if it did come with a hefty dose of seasickness.
If you’re like me and prone to motion sickness, don’t let it scare you away from traveling by boat. Whether it’s a ferry ride, a sailing trip, or a cruise, being on the water opens up a world of stunning landscapes and adventures that you can’t experience any other way. The key is to know how to handle seasickness so you can enjoy your journey and make the most of your time on the water.
Here are a few tips to help you beat seasickness and still have an unforgettable boat experience:
Avoid Heavy Meals Before Your Trip
One of the biggest mistakes I made during my catamaran cruise in Portugal was eating a huge steak for lunch before setting sail. Heavy meals and alcohol are not your friends when it comes to motion sickness. It’s best to eat light before your boat ride to avoid aggravating your stomach and making the symptoms worse.
Focus on the Horizon
Seasickness happens when your inner ear detects motion that your eyes don’t see, creating a sensory mismatch that leaves you feeling nauseous. To help your brain make sense of the situation, focus on a steady point on the horizon. This gives your brain something stable to latch onto and helps your body adjust to the motion.
Trying to read or look at your phone while on a boat will only make things worse, so keep your gaze fixed on the horizon as much as possible.
Get Some Fresh Air
If you’re feeling queasy, the worst place to be is inside the cabin of the boat. The air is usually stuffy, and being confined can make seasickness worse. Head to the deck and take in some fresh air—it can make a huge difference in how you feel.
Choose a Larger Boat
If you’re particularly prone to seasickness, consider opting for a larger boat, such as a cruise ship. The bigger the boat, the less it will rock, and you may hardly notice the motion at all. Many modern cruise ships are so stable that you might even forget you’re out on the open sea.
Use Seasickness Medication
There are a variety of seasickness medications available that can help prevent nausea. Talk to your doctor before your trip about which option is best for you, whether it’s a pill like Dramamine or a patch like Scopolamine. Some of these medications can make you drowsy, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing—it might help you sleep through the roughest parts of the journey.
Be Patient and Ride It Out
Sometimes, no matter how many tricks you try, seasickness just has to run its course. The good news is that it usually doesn’t last long. Once your body adjusts to the motion of the boat, you’ll likely start feeling better and can get back to enjoying your time on the water.
Seasickness may be uncomfortable, but it’s nothing that should prevent you from embarking on a boat journey. With the right strategies, you can minimize the discomfort and make the most of your adventures on the sea. Whether you’re sailing across the Caribbean or taking a ferry to a distant island, boat travel offers experiences you won’t want to miss.
