Getting seasick is horrible. I know because I’m a sufferer. Even after living and cruising full time on a sailboat since 2014 I still have episodes where I turn green and have to use some sort of seasick remedy. Listed below is everything I’ve ever tried and/or have given to crew members afflicted with the debilitating issue.
The best thing to do about seasickness is to prepare for it to happen
Some drugs and tablets can be taken before a trip. Others can be used when the symptoms of seasickness presents itself. Sometimes particular remedies will work in certain conditions and sometimes they won’t.
It’s also possible for some seasickness remedies to create other issues – perhaps side effects that are far worse. For example, when I crossed the Atlantic Ocean (18 days of nonstop sailing and swells) I took a drug for nine days. On the 9th day my ears plugged up. I then developed an earache that was excruciatingly painful. After that, I used the chemical patch to reduce my various bouts with nausea and dizziness but that left a rash on my skin for over three months!
The next thing to do is to get a few different remedies and try them out
Start with natural seasick remedies as they are least likely to have harmful side effects. Furthermore, it’s important to realize that seasickness will reduce over time. Once your body gets used to being on a boat it will improve. When I first started out, I puked every trip. Now, I no longer puke at all and I often won’t feel sick unless I’m in a side to side motion swell. Perhaps when I’m 80 I’ll be rid of seasickness once and for all?!
Seasickness Food Products
For me, I often chew quite a bit of gum. For some reason it settles my stomach. Hard candies also work well.
Acupressure
Whenever I feel seasick or car sick I rub the points on my wrist that are supposed to alleviate motion sickness. I find that it works for a few minutes and can often ward off vomiting but it doesn’t miraculously make me feel better. I do have the watch listed here but it’s one of the last things on my list to try…I’m’ afraid to try it and fail so I just keep it in my jewelry case for the day when I am truly desperate. I will eventually test it out!
Aromatherapy
With aromatherapy I find that it either works or it makes the situation far worse. I tried the Quease Ease and it almost made me puke instantly. For me, strong smells are not a good thing when I’m feeling ill. I have, however had friends where aromatherapy worked very well.
Natural Pills and Patches
Note that these patches are not the drug patch, otherwise referred to as Scopolamine. These are natural remedies. Ginger has always worked for me. Every morning I have a ginger pill and on the days when I forget to take it I don’t fair very well. By far, ginger has been a fantastically inexpensive and natural remedy that I swear by.
Over-The-Counter-Drugs
Regarding Scopolamine – Call your doctor to request a prescription if in the USA or Canada. In Europe it can be purchased at most drugstores/pharmacies over the counter. Otherwise, here are the common seasickness drugs that are available at any drug store.
Other options worth considering
I haven’t tried the head rest thing yet but I’m certainly going to give it a go. When I feel sick my head gets heavy so this might just help by keeping my head up! For that price, however, I went a head rest and an massive improvement in my overall condition. Regarding the Louise Hay Book, it has some affirmations that you can use for seasickness and motion sickness. And the copper bracelets – again, some people swear by them! Whatever works…If someone told me to hand a potato around my neck I’d give it a try!
Seasickness remedies for children
My daughter has been sailing since she’s been one year old. At first she wasn’t affected at all. As she got older I noticed that she’d get seasickness the first day we sailed if there had been quite a bit of time between sails. What usually happened is that she’d puke for the first day but after that she’d be fine. Hyland’s Motion Sickness Relief Tablets worked well. And sleep is a good remedy too!
For Dehydration
Sailors are more apt to get seasickness if they’re dehydrated. And once someone is sick dehydration becomes a massive issue. It’s bad enough to feel motion sickness but by adding dehydration to your situation you’ll want to die. Avoid this at all costs!
If you’ve ever tried something that’s not listed here and it’s worked for you, please add a comment below letting us know about it. I’m always on the search for new seasickness remedies.
And if you’re very serious about preparing for and dealing with seasickness, for yourself and your family/crew, consider purchasing my guide on Seasickness.
The objectives of my Preparing for Seasickness guide are to:
- explain how to prepare for someone getting seasick – It’s going to happen!
- help you and your crew/guests understand the symptoms of seasickness so measures can be taken to mitigate affects
- highlight ways that seasickness can be prevented or stalled
- list several remedies available that can be instigated before or during a seasickness episode
 | Reader Review "I don't suffer from seasickness but my wife does. When I purchased Kim's full guide set special I didn't think we'd use this guide. I was wrong! My wife gained several tips to reduce symptoms. And now, as a policy, we have friends and family members read the guide so that we minimize seasickness. This guide is great because it's short and easy-to-read yet packed full with helpful information." Rick Jones |
This is a really comprehensive list of remedies. Very useful information.
Thank you (as always) Andrew. Appreciate your feedback 🙂
Bravo, good article, well presented and structured.
If you are preventing seasickness, take a tablet for this purpose before going to bed. Because the effect of “Motion seasickness” even acts with closed eyes! In addition to a good night’s sleep, you will have more energy to fight the ….. waves!
(Sorry for my bad English)
Thank you Gaston – that is very important 🙂
I find the best cure for seasickness is to put the person on the helm. They may not want to go on the helm, but insist they do. They will then need to concentrate on helming, and forget about seasickness. It has worked on many occasions.
Totally agree with that Steve. My issue is that I can’t help 24 hrs/day every day for several days. As soon as I stop helming (usually because I get too cold) I’m not feeling well again. For people going out on a day passage this is what we always try first 🙂 Thank you for commenting.
Thanks for the ideas. Hydration, helming and prior medicine before leaving.
SV Belle, Mel n Michelle
And thank you for the comments 🙂
Hi Kim,
You might add Ginger Beer to your list. Unlike any of the medications, it works instantly. We now make our own brew on board.
Hey Trey! Nice to hear from you. Can you let me know what recipe you use for the Ginger Beer?! I’d love to give it a go 🙂
Kim The best remedy we found for my wife was to stop the boat and let her float in the ocean for 5 minutes when possible brought her equilibrium back.
HI Kim,
My other half an I sail quite a lot with Mark Sanders in Portugal, We find ginger tablets work extremely well and don’t give the drowsiness some pills can give.
And ginger is very cheep 🙂
Great watching your adventures BTW
David
Hey David. Say ‘hi’ to Mark from us when you see him next! Yeah, I love ginger…it helped me for years. And your correct that there’s no side affects. I just went out and bought some more for our voyage on Thursday. As long as it doesn’t get too rough they seem to work very well for me… Thanks for the reminder! Kim
While I have not tried it myself I have read other posts to wearing one ear plugs can also work.
Yeah…I’ve tried it. It didn’t work for me but anything is worth a go 🙂 Thank you for commenting Dennis!
Had a injury in the cockpit when working the sheets in rough weather.Got sick real fast after and i must say being seasick is the worst feeling, would do anything to get better. Good luck in your quest to find a cure.
I’m told that the best cure for seasickness is to sit under a tree!!
Seriously though, although I don’t suffer myself I think it important to try prevention first so as you say keep hydrated. Also try to not get overtired, don’t spend long periods down below, particularly if it’s hot, and if you start to feel iffy then a spell on the helm can help – it makes you concentrate and keep your eyes on the horizon. I’m told that it helps to avoid excessive booze the night before and to have plenty of stodgy food before going to sea and to keep food intake up to avoid getting hungry, which I find makes me acidy and prone to nausea.
Once the vomiting starts it’s best to be in a secure bunk with a bucket handy.
Thank you for these great tips Duncan. Love the comment about sitting under a tree 😉
I’ve searched, I find it way too difficult to find that tree in the middle of the ocean 😉
hahahahah. That’s funny!
After a few years on cruise ships it got better. But I remember my first 10 days. It was absolutely awful. And I had to be chipper and work. Don’t know how I got through it. The US has better medication I found. Dramamine worked wonders for me and after a few years I didn’t need them as often. I got accusstomed to being a bit tired. Slept like a log. After passaging the Panama canal I always took a Dramamine since it usually was really bumpy on the Pacific side. I survived 8 years. Would do it again, but on my own boat. It will get better. I promise. The thought of getting seasick can actually trigger it. So staying busy is a good thing. Stay hydrated, avoid fatty food and juices. Keep crackers on hand, don’t get hungry. That helped me. Fair winds!
Great advice Zarih. I have to say that it hasn’t been until this year (after 3 years of sailing) that I’m starting to be okay. I never vomit anymore and I rarely have to lay down. I think it has so much to do with expectation. You have to somehow get your mind away from thinking you’re going to get sick (again). If I can manage to feel better I’m positive that anyone can. Woo Whoo! Thank you for the comments 🙂