Scuba Diving & Motion Sickness:
Prevention, Medication & Hacks That Work

Motion sickness is one of the fastest ways to ruin a dive day, especially if it hits before you even get in the water. Whether you're a new diver or a seasoned one, rough seas and boat motion can throw off your inner balance and leave you queasy, distracted, or worse.

Why Divers Get Seasick

• Sitting still while the boat rocks
• Looking down at gear while prepping
• Breathing in engine exhaust
• Floating at the surface during briefings or long waits

Even experienced divers can get hit with it. It’s not a toughness issue. It’s a physiology issue.

Prevention Before You Board

• Eat something light: Avoid greasy, acidic, or heavy foods. A bland breakfast an hour before boarding works best.
• Stay hydrated: Dehydration worsens motion sensitivity. Skip alcohol the night before.
• Choose your seat wisely: Stay low and centered in the boat. Facing forward helps.
• Watch the horizon: Avoid staring at screens or rigging your camera on the move.

Medications That Work (and How to Use Them)

Dramamine (Dimenhydrinate)

• Take at least 30 minutes before boarding
• Works well for many, but can cause drowsiness
• Personal note: I occasionally get nauseous in heavy seas and Dramamine has worked reliably for me, so I take it just in case

Bonine (Meclizine)

• Often causes less drowsiness than Dramamine
• Best taken the night before and again before boarding

Scopolamine Patch

• Prescription-only
• Worn behind the ear for up to 72 hours
• Effective for many, but can cause dry mouth, dizziness, and vision issues

Ginger

• Available as pills, candies, or chews
• Natural option with few side effects
• Effectiveness varies widely

Sea-Bands and Ear Patches

Some divers swear by acupressure wristbands (Sea-Bands) or ear patches for prevention. I’ve personally seen both work for divers in Fiji, but for others they do nothing. Try them on a calm day before relying on them for a major trip.

Onboard Hacks That Actually Help

• Look at the horizon: Give your brain a stable reference
• Get fresh air: Stay out of exhaust zones
• Stay low and centered: The middle of the boat moves less
• Don’t overheat: Shade helps, as does staying cool and dry
• Talk, breathe, distract: Conversation helps regulate your system

What to Do if You’re Already Seasick

• Tell someone: The crew wants to help
• Lie flat, close your eyes, breathe slowly
• Sip water or electrolyte drinks
• And if you have to throw up, go to the side of the boat.
  Not in the trash can. Not in a bucket. Not in the head.
  Nobody wants to smell that the rest of the day.

Motion Sickness During the Dive?

It’s rare, but can happen during long descents, drift dives, or strong surge.

Watch for:

• Nausea
• Lightheadedness or dizziness
• Disorientation or panic

If symptoms appear mid-dive:

• Signal your buddy and ascend slowly
• Abort the dive if you can’t stabilize
• If vomiting occurs, switch to your backup reg if possible, purge and clear after

My Go-To Approach

I don’t get seasick easily. I’ve been on plenty of boats in choppy, rolling seas without a problem. Even in heavy swell, I usually feel fine. That said, I still take Dramamine if there’s any chance the water might be rough.

Why? Because it's not about proving I can power through it. It’s about protecting the dive day from becoming something I have to endure instead of enjoy. I’ve had a few rides where I started to feel just a little off. Not enough to be sick, but enough to be distracted. That’s all it takes to turn a great dive day into a mediocre one.

So I take a half tablet of Dramamine the night before (about 12 hours before we leave the dock) and the other half about an hour before departure. That timing works well for me. I stay alert, I feel steady, and I’m not rolling the dice hoping that today's conditions will go easy on me.

Dramamine has worked reliably for me, and taking it in advance means I can focus on the dive, not my stomach.