Hey, I'm Taylor!
  • Home
  • About
  • Adventure
  • The States
  • International
    • Caribbean
      • Antigua
      • Bahamas
      • Grenada
  • Travel Tips
  • Contact
  • Home
  • About
  • Adventure
  • The States
  • International
    • Caribbean
      • Antigua
      • Bahamas
      • Grenada
  • Travel Tips
  • Contact

Tea N' Sea Travel

Adventure, Sailing, Travel Tips, Uncategorized · April 4, 2022

How to Avoid Seasickness While Sailing

Helping people avoid seasickness while sailing is something I have definitely done since I started working onboard a sailboat. While I personally don’t get seasick, I have definitely seen how horrible it can make you feel. Whether you are on a long sailing trip, or just hopping aboard an excursion for a few hours, getting seasick can make break your entire experience. While not everyone is prone to seasickness, or handles it the same way, here are some ways to beat seasickness that I have either used to help people feel better, or other common uses for dealing with seasickness!

HEY THERE! SOME OF THE LINKS IN THIS POST MAY BE AFFILIATE LINKS. THIS MEANS I MAKE A SMALL COMMISSION IF YOU MAKE A PURCHASE, AT NO COST TO YOU, WHICH HELPS SUPPORT THE BLOG AND CREATE NEW GUIDES FOR YOU IN THE FUTURE!

What is Seasickness?

Seasickness is a form of motion sickness caused by the motion of a vessel on the water that can cause a variety of symptoms. Your inner ear and vision aren’t seeing and feeling the same thing, so the disconnect can cause feelings of dizziness, nausea, fatigue, and even vomiting.

Before You Sail, Stay Hydrated

It may sound silly, but staying hydrated can help avoid feelings of seasickness while sailing. Dehydration is one of the causes of seasickness, especially if you’re out in the heat and sun of the tropics. Make sure to drink lots of water before heading out, and continue to stay hydrated while underway. The salt air, heat, and sun can cause dehydration pretty quickly, but it is also possible to get dehydrated if you’re sailing in colder conditions.

Take Bonine or Dramamine if You are Prone to Motion Sickness

Another pre-sailing measure you can take to help avoid seasickness (especially if you is taking an oral medication available over the counter from most pharmacies that is designed to prevent motion sickness. Of course, consult with your doctor before taking any medications, and discuss the best option for you.

Dramamine is probably the most recognizable option, but I have personally found it can make you pretty drowsy. I tend to prefer Bonine over the original Dramamine for sailing since it doesn’t cause as much drowsiness. Dramamine does have a few non-drowsy options available, but I have not personally used any. I’ve heard it’s comparable to the Bonine formulation though!

Both options are typically taken a few hours prior to departure, so be sure to follow the directions so they are properly effective.

Stay on Deck While Sailing

Once you’re underway, the best way to avoid seasickness is by staying on deck. Staying out in the breeze, the cooler air, and being able to see the movement of the boat can help your body realize that you’re actually moving, and avoid feelings of nausea or dizziness. Down below in the cabin, the air tends to be much warmer, with no breeze, and you can’t see the movement of the boat. Most of the time, this can exacerbate the feelings of seasickness while sailing.

Some boats have a dodger or covered “windshield” type enclosure to protect you from the elements if the weather or conditions aren’t so nice. If you’re prone to sea sickness, try to stay outside of the enclosure so that you can feel the cooler air and breeze on your face.

girl sitting on the edge of a sailboat while sailing in the ocean

Face Forwards

It may sound silly, but facing forwards while you’re sailing helps your inner ear connect with your eyes to see the movement that your body is feeling. Facing backwards, your body is feeling the opposite movement than what your eyes are seeing, which can further disorient you or cause more nauseous feelings.

Sit on the Low Side

Now if you’ve never been sailing, you may have NO idea what I’m referring to when I say the “low side.” When you are sailing, the boat leans, or “heels” over Sitting on the low side of the heel can help reduce the feelings of motion sickness since you’re closer to the water, and the low side usually moves slightly less than the higher side. If the boat is pretty large, sitting in the middle of the boat can help reduce the side-to-side motion that can occur.

girl sleeping on a sailboat

Try Using Seabands

Seabands are something that look pretty harmless from a visual standpoint, but these little bracelets are supposed to make a huge impact on dealing with seasickness. The little cloth bands utilize pressure points within the inner wrist that is supposed to help avoid nauseated feelings. These Seabands are even used with people who experience motion sickness from cars, pregnancy, or any kind of motion sickness! They’re definitely something to keep onboard any time you are unsure if you are going to feel motion sick, and you can find your own set here!

girl wearing a seaband to avoid seasickness while sailing

Watch the Horizon

Probably the most common knowledge remedy for seasickness is watching the horizon. While it may not seem like it would work, there is some truth to this seasickness remedy. Similarly to sitting facing forwards while sailing, watching the horizon helps your eyes to see the movement that is happening. If you are facing forwards but watching something on the boat, it appears that the world is topsy-turvy. Facing forwards and watching the horizon will signal to your brain (through your eyes) that the boat is the object moving, not the entire world.

girl standing on the bow of a sailboat with the colorful spinnaker behind her
winch on a sailboat while sailing

Try Ginger!

If you’re already feeling nauseated from seasickness, try this natural remedy. Eating or drinking root ginger, whether in tea form, ginger chews, raw ginger, or ginger chews, any form of ginger can help alleviate nauseous feelings. If you’re not crazy about super strong ginger flavors, try a ginger ale or ginger beer (don’t worry, it’s non-alcoholic)! The bubbles can help with an upset stomach, as well as the natural ginger!

Want to learn more about sailing? Check out this post!

Try an Old Sailor’s Tale

Now you might call me crazy with this seasickness cure, or really, prevention. But there’s an old sailor’s tale that taking 1/2 a shot of rum can help prevent seasickness. Whether that is because it will distract you or not is unknown, but the sailors of times past may suggest that it is the best remedy out there. Now, whether or not this “remedy” actually works is unknown. If it were me, I’d opt out of this one.

Take the Helm

girl standing at the helm of a sailboat

Sometimes the best thing you can do for seasickness is keep yourself busy. If you know you’re prone to seasickness or are worried about starting to feel seasick, see if it’s a good time to take the helm or help out with the sailing!

Taking the helm not only puts you at a pretty centerline, stable spot on the boat, but it forces you to keep your eyes forward and on the horizon. If you are feeling slightly unwell and feel like you can take the helm with someone around, definitely give it a chance. If you (or your captain) don’t think it’s the best idea, try to sit near the helm facing forwards, as the helm is often the pivot point for movement on the boat and will therefore have less movement while sailing.

Use a High Tech ReliefBand

If you’re in need of more intense relief, these special electrical wristbands deliver impulses to your wrist to help disrupt your nervous system’s nausea response. For some people that get super seasick, I’ve heard that they can be a total game changer. My stepdad is one of those people that gets seasick even in calm waters, but with the wristband on can actually deal with being on the water for short periods of time in calm conditions! One of the more popular and well known bands is called ReliefBand, and after reading the reviews, seems like it’s one of the best things to use for motion sickness, both on the sea, on land, and in the air!

Want to keep up with my sailing adventures? You can follow along on my Instagram for regular posts!

Get the Ear Patches Prescription

Another popular option for those prone to motion sickness are the little circular patches you see some people wearing behind your ears. These patches are called Scopolamine patches, and may be an option for you if you’re going to be on the water for an extended trip. These little patches stick right behind your ear, and are said to last around 3 days per patch. They do require a prescription, so consult with your doctor to see if this would be a good fit for you.

What to do once you’re already seasick?

Unfortunately, there is no real “cure” for seasickness once you’ve started feeling the effects except for finding land.

Sometimes, you can help mitigate the symptoms by jumping in the water, but it may not be a feasible option if you’re underway. The cool water and reduced apparent motion may help your seasick feelings, but it’s no gurantee.

Finding stable land is your best bet if you start feeling really sick, but trying some of these options could help you alleviate the symptoms of feeling seasick while sailing.

girl swimming in the ocean while sailing

Do you get seasick? Have any other remedies that work for you? I’d love to hear them!

Heading out to sea soon? Don’t forget to Pin this!

Click an icon below to share!

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)

Related

Posted In: Adventure, Sailing, Travel Tips, Uncategorized · Tagged: adventure travel, nautical travel, ocean travel, sailing, sailing trip, tropical travel

Want to learn more about sailing and tropical destinations? Welcome aboard!

    We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at anytime.

    Built with ConvertKit

    You’ll Also Love

    Adventurous Things to do in St. Augustine, Florida
    the ultimate bahamas travel guideExumas Bucket List: Bahamas Travel Guide
    The Best Caribbean Destinations to Visit

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Next Post >

    Adventurous Things to do in St. Augustine, Florida

    Channeling my inner ✨luxury✨ travel blogger to Channeling my inner ✨luxury✨ travel blogger to share one of the prettiest hotels I’ve ever stayed in!It’s kind of out of my comfort zone to spend on a nice stay. Usually when I travel, it’s for the experiences more than the location, but when my best friend gets married at her favorite resort, it’s an occasion to splurge!The @opalgrandresort has the best tropical beach vibes a gal can ask for. From beautiful rooms to a stunning lobby, and none of that tacky “beach” decor that some places have, I was thoroughly impressed.Not only was the resort itself stunning, but the beach across the street and uninterrupted ocean views made the resort even more special. The customer service and amenities were amazing, and everyone was so friendly! It’s a place I definitely want to return to, next time for a longer stay! 🌴 #teanseatravelPS I felt like I was channeling my inner @jesslitras taking this shot in the lobby, it was the only way I wasn’t going to succumb to the constant giggles 😂
    Nothing makes me happier than a sunny day on the b Nothing makes me happier than a sunny day on the beach, especially to unwind after working so hard on the boat! 🌞And as the work gloves come off, the cute accessories come on! I’ve loved wearing @puravida for over 5 years, they’re the perfect beachy accessories and SO cute for summer beach days and all the tropical vibes! #puravidagiftedIf you want to shop some of these cute pieces and tons more for summer, head to my profile link and use TEANSEATRAVEL20 for a nice discount! 🌺 #teanseatravel #puravida #puravidainfluencer
    POP THE BUBBLY WE’RE FINALLY GOING SAILING!!!!! POP THE BUBBLY WE’RE FINALLY GOING SAILING!!!!! ⛵️After 18 months of hard work, 100 days in the boat yard, countless days of wanting to give up, we get to take our maiden voyage! We get to finally take our first shakedown sail on the boat we haven’t gotten to enjoy as a boat since we got her in October of 2020.It feels totally surreal and almost like this day would never come, but we’re prepping for a fun weekend on the water around town! Stay tuned for lots of pictures and videos to come! ⛵️ #teanseatravel #recycledsailing
•
•
•
•
#saltyvibes #sailingvibes #cheoylee #oceanvibes #oceantravel #liveaboardlife #sailboatrestoration #sailingcouple #womenwhosail #sailingtravel #oceantravel #nauticalvibes #nauticaltravel #saltytravels #sailinginstagram #floridalife #floridasailing #floridavibes
    If you’re looking for the most adventurous thing If you’re looking for the most adventurous things to do in St. Augustine, you’re going to want to try this! ✈️Hop aboard a 1930s vintage biplane that has been beautifully restored for one of the coolest adventures you can take in St. Augustine! From sunset flights with a champagne toast to an aerobatics tour for the adrenaline junkies, Vintage Biplane Rides has something for every flight!And if flying isn’t your thing, I’ve got 6 other amazing adventures to experience in St. Augustine in my new blog post linked in stories! #teanseatravel
•
•
•
•
#staugustinebeach #staugustinefl #floridatravel #adventuretravel #biplane #vintagebiplanes #visitflorida #visitfl #floridaadventures #theinfluencerbootcamp #femaletravelbloggers #travelgirlshub #travelgirlsgo #gltlove #floridalife #saltytravels #beachtravel #instatravelgram #adventuretraveler #adventuretour
    I WAS THE GIRL PULLING HUNDREDS OF STRAWS OUT OF T I WAS THE GIRL PULLING HUNDREDS OF STRAWS OUT OF THE SAND DURING SPRING BREAK 🧉It’s true, in 2017, my senior year of college, I took a cruise to the Bahamas with my best friend, and after a whole day of coconut drinks on the beach, we were heading to grab a taxi back to the ship. The whole day I had been picking up straws that I saw left in the sand from other tourists, but as we were leaving I had hundreds stuffing all the pockets of my backpack. So many people asked why I had so many straws poking out of every corner of my backpack and I was shocked and thinking “why doesn’t everyone?”I’ve always felt a desire to protect our oceans, but never really knew how to make a bigger impact. I grew up around the ocean and am blessed to have worked with some incredible animals that call the sea home, and now call the ocean my home as well. Over the years, I’ve learned the importance of being sustainable every day, and what a big impact we have on our planet with our small changes.In 2019, I moved aboard a sailboat with my partner Steve who has a fiery passion to protect our oceans and bring more to the sailing dream. Together we set out to bring purpose and change to what we were doing while traveling and created Recycled Sailing.In 2020, we collected hundreds of pounds of trash off the beaches in the Bahamas, and kept brainstorming how to make a bigger impact.In 2021, we started hosting monthly beach cleanups here in Florida, and have grown a community of ocean loving sustainably focused friends, both near and far.I am so proud of all that we have accomplished in this time, and can’t wait to see what kind of impact we make together in the future! ♻️⛵️🌊 #teanseatravel #recycledsailing
•
•
•
•
#tropicalvibes🏝 #tropicalvibes #saltyvibes #sustainabletravel #ecofriendly #ecotravel #ecotraveller #sustainablesailing #seastainable #oceanconscious #tropicaltravel #bahamas #bahamas🇧🇸 #oceannomad #beachcleanup #plasticsucks #take3forthesea #protectouroceans #sustainabletravelling #theinfluencerbootcamp #liveaboardlife #femaletravelblogger #oceantravel #beachdestination #oceanfriendly
    T-6 weeks till we’re sailing the world!!! Can yo T-6 weeks till we’re sailing the world!!! Can you guess where we’re headed first? ⛵️Home. Something I never thought I would be apprehensive about leaving, but the countdown is on!In roughly 6 weeks I’ll be leaving my hometown again, this time with no return ticket. I’m excited, nervous, stressed about all the things I still have to do, and sad to be leaving a huge transitional part of my life behind.I’ll miss this little seaside town, but I know I’ll be back to visit. Till then I’ll be savoring every sunset, every moment, and every experience to be had here! ❤️⛵️ #teanseatravel
•
•
•
•
#staugustine #staugustinebeach #staugustinefl #staugustineflorida #stauglocals #visitflorida #loveflorida #schoonerfreedom #floridalife #floridatravel #visitflorida #nauticaltravel #oceanvibes #saltyvibes #womenwhosail #tropicalvibes #sunsetvibes #tropicaltravel #saltytravels #theinfluencerbootcamp #under10k
    DO YOU WANT TO SNORKEL A SUNKEN PLANE IN THE BAHAM DO YOU WANT TO SNORKEL A SUNKEN PLANE IN THE BAHAMAS?! ✈️Pablo Escobar was a famous drug runner back in the 80s, who would often use the Bahamas as a stopping point before coming into the US. On Norman’s Cay, you can find one of his planes in its permanent resting place underwater, that is now an awesome snorkel spot!It’s located in relatively shallow water and is covered in corals and fish that have begun to make this plane somewhat of an artificial reef. You can snorkel through the open cabin and peek through one of the windows, or venture around the wings to see the props and fish that like the shadows.Would you snorkel this sunken plane in the Bahamas?! 🇧🇸 #teanseatravel

    Copyright © 2022 Tea N' Sea Travel · Theme by 17th Avenue

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
    Privacy & Cookies Policy

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled

    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

    Non-necessary

    Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.

    SAVE & ACCEPT
     

    Loading Comments...
     

      loading Cancel
      Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
      Email check failed, please try again
      Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.