How to Avoid Seasickness on a Small Boat [7 Tips]

Spending time on the water can be great fun, but if you're out on the waves in a small vessel, you might find that your stomach doesn't like it as much as the rest of you. Feeling seasick can put a big damper on your day on the water with friends, family, and maybe your dog, too.

Fortunately, knowing how to avoid seasickness on a small boat can help you feel more confident, reduce nausea, and keep you focused on enjoying the overall experience.

Here's what to know about seasickness, tips to avoid it, and how to stop it if it's already started.

What is Seasickness (and Why Does it Happen?)

Seasickness is a form of motion sickness caused by conflicting signals between the eyes, inner ear, and body. When the way you're moving doesn't match what your eyes see, that can cause problems with information processing. Symptoms include nausea, dizziness, sweating, and fatigue.

Small boats tend to amplify motion, making seasickness more common. Even if you don't get sick in a car or on a train or cruise ship, you could quickly find yourself nauseated in a small boat, especially in choppy conditions.

The good news is you can reduce the chances of becoming seasick with a few adjustments.

How to Avoid Seasickness on a Small Boat: 7 Prevention Tips

So, what helps with motion sickness on a boat? Fortunately, there are a lot of different options you can try.

One or more of them should keep you from feeling nauseated or experiencing other symptoms. If you try something that doesn't work, consider another way to keep symptoms at bay.

1. Choose the Right Spot on the Boat

When you sit in a small boat, stay in the middle or near the stern, where the motion is less intense.

Then, keep your eyes on the horizon. Doing this will help your brain adjust to the movement. 

2. Eat the Right Foods Before Boating

Avoid heavy, greasy, or spicy meals that could upset your stomach before heading out. Instead, choose light, bland foods like crackers or toast, especially if you've been seasick in the past or are prone to motion sickness.

Additionally, be sure to stay hydrated but limit your use of alcohol and caffeine. 

3. Use Motion Sickness Remedies

Over-the-counter medications like Dramamine or Bonine can help prevent symptoms and are generally safe for most people. Prescription patches (like Scopolamine) are often effective for severe motion sickness.

Ginger (tea, chews, or capsules) can be a good choice for boaters looking for a more natural nausea remedy. 

4. Wear Motion Sickness Bands

Consider motion sickness bands if you don't want to take medications for motion sickness or they don't work for you.

These acupressure wristbands apply gentle pressure on the P6 point to reduce nausea. They may not work for everyone, but they're definitely worth trying.

5. Fresh Air and Proper Ventilation

Avoid enclosed spaces, as they can increase the likelihood of seasickness.

Stay on deck with fresh air and a clear view of the horizon, if possible. Keep windows or vents open for airflow if you need to go below deck, as the fresh air can help reduce nausea.

6. Keep Your Body and Mind Busy

You may be less likely to experience (or notice) seasickness if you're busy or distracted.

Engage in activities like steering the boat, fishing, or talking to others. You can also try listening to music or focusing on a task to distract from motion discomfort and take your mind off mild nausea or other symptoms.

7. Adjust to the Motion

It's important not to fight against the motion of the boat. Instead, let your body move with the waves rather than resisting them.

Stand with your knees slightly bent and use handrails for balance to keep enjoying your time on the water.

How to Stop Seasickness if It Starts

Sometimes, feeling sick on a boat can't be avoided. If you start to feel queasy and uncomfortable, your goal will be to know how to stop seasickness. Then, you can reduce the impact it has on you and address it faster.

One way to stop feeling seasick is to close your eyes and take slow, deep breaths. Deep breathing is good for nausea and can help keep you calm. 

Also, sip water or a carbonated drink, such as ginger ale. If you can, lie down flat and keep your head still. If you have neutral, bland food like crackers or pretzels, take small bites to settle your stomach. 

Improve Your Day on the Water With Boater Education

Seasickness affects everyone differently, so finding the right remedy is key to having a good day on the water. However, preparation is the best defense for motion sickness. Test different strategies before a long boat trip, but consider returning to shore if your symptoms persist or the strategies we've shared today don't work. 

Along with how to avoid seasickness on a small boat, make sure you understand good boating etiquette, navigation, and other safety essentials. Sometimes, simply understanding how your boat works and how to navigate the waters can reduce boat motion and the potential for seasickness.

The best way to learn how to boat safely is through a boater education course, like the ones we offer here through BOATERexam! Our online course can help you operate watercraft safely and confidently to enjoy more boating adventures. Plus, our courses meet the requirements for boater education in U.S. states and Canada.

In the U.S., choose the course for your state and start learning.
Or, Canada boaters, take our course for Canadians!