Surviving Seasickness: Tips for Enjoying Your Yacht Trip Despite the Waves

No matter how much of a sailor you might be, the unfortunate thing is that seasickness will probably get you at some point. It can hit at a time you least expect it. One moment you are standing proudly on the top deck with adrenalin flowing through your veins and the wind in your hair. All of a sudden, you can find yourself dizzy, looking for the nearest edge to lean over. Some people rate seasickness as one of the worst things you can feel, something that can ruin the perfect holiday. 

The more yachting you have done, the more remedies you might have heard. Some of them might work well, but many are just myths. Today we will separate fact from fiction, giving you some pointers on how to avoid seasickness, along with ways you can help reduce the symptoms if you are unfortunate to be hit by this unbearable curse. However, the most important thing to remember is that it should never put you off sailing. If you follow our steps, you are sure to maximise enjoyment on your next yacht charter, even if the waves say otherwise. 

What is seasickness, and why does it happen?

Seasickness, which might also be referred to as “mal de mer”, is a condition brought on by the motion of being onboard a boat or ship. Its symptoms include vomiting, nausea, fatigue, and dizziness. When people suffer from seasickness, it can turn an enjoyable yacht charter into a terrible experience. 

The reason why sea sickness can occur in anyone is that it is brought on by the feeling of disorientation and confusion when our brain can’t figure out why our surroundings seem still, but our inner ears are telling us we are moving. When onboard a yacht, for instance, the deck and the furniture around can seem still, but if there are significant waves beneath the boat, the chemicals in our inner ear that control balance begin to get confused by the swaying motion. It is no wonder these two contrasting sensations can cause our brain and body to react negatively. So, how do you beat seasickness? 

Five ways you can prevent seasickness

Stay outside but stay shaded – One handy tip is ensuring you get plenty of fresh air. This is detrimental to those who are chartering a yacht for long periods. If you feel slightly queasy when you wake up, force yourself to the deck. The more fresh air you get, the less likely you feel sick. However, if you are prone to seasickness, make sure you avoid direct sunlight when you can, as this can worsen symptoms. 

Don’t overeat before you start travelling – This might seem obvious, but it can be challenging to avoid when you’re onboard a luxury charter. However, eating light food can help ensure a far more enjoyable voyage if you are prone to motion sickness or find yourself feeling a little unwell. 

Rest well – The more rest you get onboard your yacht charter, the more likely you will keep nausea at bay. Also, the moment you start to feel the slightest bit unwell, you should find somewhere comfortable and take a short nap. This will allow your body time to adjust and recover much more sufficiently throughout the voyage. 

Avoid greasy foods as much as you can – As well as eating light snacks and meals while sailing, reducing or cutting out greasy foods is also important. Greasy foods are likely to worsen the symptoms of seasickness, so avoiding them will undoubtedly decrease your chances of feeling unwell. When peckish, it is best to opt for snacks such as fruits, nuts, or anything bland. These are excellent foods to keep your stomach feeling settled. 

Ensure the crew has stocked the medicine cabinet – Before you set off on your yacht charter, it is a good idea to ask if there will be seasickness medicine onboard. Usually, a yacht crew will stock up on many different remedies, but it is best to double-check in the unlikely event of them not doing this. It is also a good idea to bring your own motion sickness medicine. Remember, even if you have never felt seasick before, it is always better to be safe than sorry. 

Five great ways to treat seasickness

Include some ginger in your diet – Including ginger in your meals at sea can not only reduce the symptoms of seasickness, but it can also eradicate it altogether. Sailors have used ginger for centuries, and it is probably the most tried and tested method in fighting seasickness. You can consume it raw, in sweets, in tea, and even in capsule form; all of these ways will dramatically improve your chances of feeling fine at sea. 

Focus your vision on what is ahead of you – Another old sailor’s trick in getting rid of seasickness is to focus your vision on what is ahead. This method works well if you have some landmass to look at, but the horizon will work just as well. Focusing on what is in the distance will mellow out the sensory disorientation that your brain feels during seasickness. It does this by giving your brain a point of reference so it can acknowledge the movement of the ship in a more logical way.

Sea bands – Some people are sceptical about sea bands, but many people who are regularly at sea will swear by them. Although nothing has been scientifically proven, the feedback from sea bands speaks for itself. These are small elastic bands with a stud on the inside. Apparently, the stud presses on an acupressure point that can prevent feelings of nausea and vomiting. As strange as these sound, and even if it is only a placebo, it is worth trying if there is a chance it will reduce symptoms of seasickness. 

Breathing exercises and hydration – If you have been feeling a little nauseous, you should learn to adapt regular breathing exercises into your routine. Simple slow breaths, in through the nose and out through the mouth, can work perfectly. On top of this, make sure that you are staying hydrated. Although we don’t like to admit this next point, avoiding alcohol might be a tremendous help if you have started to feel seasick.

Seasickness medication – Of course, all the above methods are great ways to help with seasickness, but if the symptoms don’t subside, there are plenty of over-the-counter medications that you can buy to help. It is always best to consult a healthcare professional before purchasing any medicine, so you might want to look into this before your yacht charter begins. 

Whatever you do, don’t let seasickness put you off sea adventures

We hope this article has given you some advice to take onboard during your next yacht charter. Of course, if you keep feeling seasick despite your best efforts, you should head to land and wait until you fully recover. However, you should not let seasickness put you off chartering a yacht. No vacation compares to being out on open waters onboard a luxurious yacht, so don’t be afraid of feeling unwell; it is best not to think of it, and if it does happen, use one of the many methods we have mentioned to treat it.

Find out more

Over the decades, Simpson Yacht Charter has grown into one of the planet’s biggest and best yacht charter services. If you have any queries concerning sailing or are contemplating your next yacht charter, our incredibly experienced team is here for you. If chartering is new to you, we will happily guide you through every step of the process. Get In touch today and let us help you create the charter of a lifetime.