Before you travel
Seasickness on a boat: what to do before and during a trip
Spending hours at sea on a rough day can make even first-timers queasy. Here is what health authorities recommend to prevent it.
It’s not about toughing it out
Motion sickness happens when the inner ear, eyes and body send the brain signals that don’t match — for example, feeling a boat rock while your eyes stay fixed on a point inside the vessel. It can happen to people who have never been seasick before, especially on long trips or in rough water. It is not a sign that something went wrong with the trip, and nothing to feel embarrassed about.
Before boarding
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends avoiding, when possible, situations that trigger motion sickness, while acknowledging that is not always possible during a trip. Sleeping well the night before, eating something light beforehand — not on an empty stomach, but not too full either — and skipping alcohol all help you start the trip in better shape.
During the trip
According to the CDC, fixing your eyes on a point on the horizon, staying hydrated, and limiting alcohol and caffeine can help reduce symptoms. It also recommends eating small amounts of food frequently rather than nothing at all, and trying something like ginger candy or tea. Finding a spot low and toward the center of the boat — where the motion is felt less — usually helps more than staring closely at a phone or camera.
What about medication?
The CDC notes that medications can prevent or treat motion sickness, though it warns that many cause drowsiness; some of the most commonly used are diphenhydramine, dimenhydrinate and scopolamine. The CDC’s recommendation is to check with a healthcare professional before taking them, especially for children, for whom some of these medications are not suitable or require a different dose.
Preparing doesn’t take away the adventure
A multi-hour trip on the Sea of Cortez or the Pacific coast of Baja California Sur can involve swell, no matter how much the itinerary and crew aim for the safest, most comfortable conditions. Packing what you need for seasickness — and telling the crew if you start to feel unwell — isn’t overreacting: it’s part of enjoying the rest of the trip more calmly.
References to keep exploring
Sources accessed on November 8, 2026. Editorial text by Con Gorra Expeditions.
