How do I deal with seasickness on a dive boat?

Seasickness happens when your inner ear senses motion that your eyes do not. The brain gets mixed signals, and nausea follows. Divers are especially prone to it because we spend time sitting still on a rocking boat while gearing up or waiting for the dive briefing. The best prevention is to plan ahead rather than trying to fix it after you feel sick.

Take motion sickness medication before you board, not after symptoms start. Choose one that works for you and test it on land first to make sure it does not make you drowsy. Stay out of gas fumes and avoid sitting near the engines. If the boat has multiple decks, stay low and near the center where the motion is less severe. Keep your eyes on the horizon and stay in the fresh air. When you need to look down, do it quickly and then look back up to steady your balance.

I do not generally get seasick, even in high swell, but if more than nominal swells are forecast I take a Dramamine 24 hours before and again 6 hours before to pre-dose my system. That combination works for me. You do you. The key is to figure out what prevents it for your body and plan ahead so you can enjoy the dive instead of fighting nausea.

Travel Tips

Tips for flying with scuba gear, what to pack, insurance, and paperwork. Stay healthy with motion sickness and illness prevention, manage jet lag, and time flights safely after diving.

How to Avoid Getting Sick on a Dive Trip

Stay healthy on your scuba trip with tips to avoid dehydration, food poisoning, motion sickness, sunburn, jet lag, and minor injuries while diving abroad.

Motion Sickness: Prevention, Medication & Hacks That Work

How to prevent and manage motion sickness. Proven medications, helpful onboard tips, and personal strategies for staying comfortable on dive boats.