Some of the best dive sites in the world? You’ll need a boat to get there. Which is brilliant! (...) Until the sea decides to throw a wobbly and your stomach goes right along with it. Seasickness can turn a cracking day out into pure misery before you’ve even zipped up your wetsuit.
You’ve sorted your kit, the sun’s out, boat’s motoring away from the shore, and you're buzzing for the dive ahead. Then it hits: your stomach starts doing somersaults, the horizon starts swaying, and suddenly things aren’t looking quite so rosy. Classic case of feeling green around the gills.
First of all, you're not alone. Whether it’s your first boat trip or your fiftieth, seasickness doesn’t discriminate. But with a few clever tricks (and maybe a bit of ginger on standby), you’ll be back to feeling human and ready to get underwater in no time.
What’s Actually Going On, Then?
It’s not the sea’s fault, really, it’s motion that’s the real culprit! Seasickness kicks in when your brain gets its wires crossed. Your inner ear’s picking up the rocking of the boat, your muscles agree, but your eyes might be staring at something that’s not moving, like the inside of the cabin. The brain, bless it, gets confused and starts throwing a bit of a wobbly. Result? Nausea, dizziness, and a quick dash to the side to feed the fish.
Strangely, loads of divers feel much better the moment they’re in the water. Being submerged seems to sort out the sensory mayhem and settle things right down. But let’s be honest, it’s better to get ahead of it before you’re hanging over the rail with regrets.
How to Outsmart Seasickness
Prevention’s your best mate here. Once the queasiness kicks in, it’s a right pain to shift, so do yourself a favour and get ahead of it with these tried-and-true tips:
• Keep it light the night before
Skip the booze and don’t go overboard with a heavy meal the night before. If you’re prone to seasickness, consider taking travel sickness tablets, many divers find taking them the night before works better than the morning of. Just be sure to check the instructions so you know when it kicks in and how long it lasts. And don’t jump in the water if you’ve never used the medication before, you don’t want to find out it makes you drowsy while you’re mid-dive.
• Sort your morning out
Stay well hydrated but ensure that there’s also some food in your stomach. A bit of toast or a banana and a fresh apple juice will line your stomach nicely, just don’t turn up starving, that’ll only make things worse.
• Gear up before things get rocky
Sort your kit out before the boat gets going. Trying to do fiddly bits while bouncing around isn’t just annoying, it can bring the nausea on fast.
• Fresh air and horizon gazing
Stay outside, face the front, and fix your eyes on the horizon. It works! Scrolling your phone or reading? Big mistake.
• Swerve the pong
Strong smells like fuel or smoke can tip you over the edge. Stick to fresh air, and maybe avoid standing too close to the engine.
• Nibble and sip
Dry snacks like crackers are top notch. Sip water and/or electrolyte drink regularly. Skip caffeinated beverages, like coffee and certain sodas, which may contribute to dehydration.
What to Take (or Try)
Natural stuff
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Ginger’s a classic - tea, biscuits, sweets, or even a splash of ginger ale (just make sure it’s the booze-free kind on dive days). It’s brilliant for settling a queasy stomach.
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Mint lozenges can help too.
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Acupressure wristbands target a pressure point known to ease nausea, and if you fancy a techy twist, ReliefBands do the same but with gentle pulses. Loads of divers swear by them.
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And then there’s Ya dom, that little magic nasal inhaler tube you'll spot everywhere in Thailand. Pop the lid, have a sniff, and you’ll quickly see why it’s a favourite with locals and travellers alike. It’s a surefire pick-me-up when you're feeling off. Ingredients typically include menthol crystals, peppermint oil, camphor, and borneol oils.
Over-the-counter meds
Meclizine (Bonine, Dramamine Less Drowsy), dimenhydrinate (classic Dramamine), and others can block nausea signals, but test them out before dive day - they can make you drowsy.
* We use dimenhydrinate tablets available free of charge on the boat. They do cause drowsiness in some individuals but are relatively side effect free but it’s a good idea to check with your doctor.
Scopolamine patch (prescription)
This little patch behind the ear works great for some, but it’s not for everyone. Side effects can include dry mouth, blurred vision, confusion, and even symptoms that mimic DCS if worn too long. Know the risks, especially if you're diving multiple days.
Just get in!
If you’re feeling rough, ask to enter the water early. Many divers feel better as soon as they submerge.
If you’ve been vomiting, there’s a good chance you’re a bit dehydrated, and dehydration can increase the risk of decompression sickness. Chucking up also takes more out of you than you might think, leaving you feeling wiped before you’ve even hit the water.
If you've thrown up before a dive, make sure to top up your fluids. Water’s great, but something with electrolytes can be even better for getting you back on track. It’s also a smart idea to take it easy on your next dive: stick to shallower depths and keep your dive time conservative. Better to play it safe and enjoy the day than push through feeling rough and if your body’s saying “nah,” it’s perfectly okay to skip a dive!
What If I Feel Sick… Underwater?
It happens (...) And yep, it’s totally possible to vomit through a regulator with the mouthpiece in place. Just keep your backup handy and don’t panic, here’s the golden rule:
Keep. Your. Regulator. In.
Yes, you can throw up underwater. And yes, it sounds gross. But it’s totally manageable and way safer than taking your reg out.
• Hold your reg in place.
• Let nature do its thing - The vomit will simply exit through the exhaust valves, which operates with a one-way demand valve. When you take your next breath, you'll still get air, though it might be a little, well, 'flavoured.' A helpful tip: gently press your tongue to the roof of your mouth to help prevent any vomit from sneaking back through! You can also press the purge button whilst you’re throwing up to try to flush the reg out.
• Remember: your body’s natural instinct after being sick is a sharp intake of breath, another reason it's so important to keep that reg in. It prevents the risk of inhaling water.
• Once you're steady, feel free to switch to your alternate.
• Stay close to your buddy or hold on to something stable (but not the reef, please!)
And bonus? The fish might love you a little more for the surprise buffet!
If you used your reg as a makeshift puke chute (no judgment!), give it some extra TLC afterward. If it’s rental gear, let your dive shop know and offer to rinse it thoroughly. If it’s your own, a deeper clean or service might be in order.
Trust us - your dive buddy, your Divemaster, and your reg will all thank you!
You Got This
Seasickness isn’t a dealbreaker. With the right prep and a bit of patience, you can still enjoy epic dives, vibrant reefs, and fish that don’t judge your stomach's behavior.
So gear up, pop a ginger candy, and remember, even the pros get queasy sometimes. What matters is that you keep diving, keep learning, and keep laughing through it all (preferably after the nausea passes).
The good news is, diving in Koh Tao comes with calm, glassy seas for most of the year! When the wind picks up a touch in late July, or during the Monsoon season in November and December, you might feel a bit more swell. Most divers don’t even bat an eyelid, but if you’re someone who’s sensitive to motion, we totally get it. The great thing is, with a few simple tricks and a bit of prep, you’ll still have an epic day out. (And it’s always a good idea to check the latest weather forecast with us before your trip!)
