A 90-minute crossing in 1.5m swell is not a trivial trip if you've never been on a small boat at sea. The good news: most seasickness on this route is preventable with simple choices made before you board.
Where to sit
The smoothest spot on a speedboat is the middle of the cabin, low and central, near the boat's pivot point. Avoid the very front (pounding slams) and the very back (engine fumes plus diesel smell). On a catamaran the cabin is much more uniform, but the middle row is still marginally smoother.
Before you board
- Eat something light, not nothing. An empty stomach handles motion worse than a moderate one. Plain rice or crackers work well; greasy fried food does not.
- Avoid coffee on a rough-sea morning. Caffeine on an irritated stomach is a recipe for problems.
- Take medication 30 minutes ahead. Dimenhydrinate (Dramamine, Antimo in Indonesia) or scopolamine patches are both effective. If you've never tried them, do a test dose at home first.
- Hydrate. Dehydration amplifies motion sickness. Bring a water bottle.
During the crossing
- Look at the horizon, not your phone. Reading is the fastest way to make seasickness worse.
- If you start feeling queasy, get fresh air if you can do so safely. Wind on your face plus the horizon resets the inner ear faster than anything else.
- Sip water. Don't try to power through with food.
What doesn't actually work
Ginger candies, sea bands, and pressure-point bracelets have mixed evidence behind them. They might help you psychologically, but they aren't substitutes for the right seat plus a real medication if you're prone.
If conditions look rough
Check the sea forecast for your day. If wave height is over 1.5m and you know you're sensitive, consider rebooking to an earlier morning slot (calmer) or a catamaran on the same date. The price difference is smaller than the misery difference.