Snorkeling - How Avoid Seasickness?
 

I will be in Ambergris Caye in Feb and want to go snorkeling but I am extremely prone to seasickness. What especially seems to trigger it, is sitting in a small boat that is bobbing up and down in the water, not to mention rough seas. Is there a way to snorkel somewhere in order to minimize these issues? eg., either go out with a group who just beelines it to the destination, dumps us out in the water, and gets us back to land without sitting in a boat bobbing around alot. Or perhaps going to another Caye and snorkeling from shore, so I can get my bearings without having to be forced to sit on the water for any length of time. Ideas?

Thanks,
Joni

Your boat will be inside the reef where the wave energy is low, plus it's only a short trip (a few minutes) out to most snorkeling spots such as Hol Chan. You can jump in the water right away. On a long trip such as from San Pedro to Turneffe or the Blue Hole, getting seasick is a real possibility, but it's rare on snorkeling trips. Just pick a day when it's not so windy and you shouldn't have any problem.

--Lan Sluder

--Lan Sluder

I just returned from the Galapagos Islands a couple of weeks ago, and we were on a small (16 passenger) boat for 5 days. I am very prone to motion sickness also and I was fine as long as I was on top looking out to the horizon. So you may be alright because you are not closed in. Also, I take Bonine before boat or plane rides, it helps with the motion sickness and doesn't make me tired.

My boyfriend takes the non-drowsy Dramamine before we go out in a boat to snorkel. Unless it's really rough, it helps him alot. I get seasick in the water not in the boat. so I just keep my head in the water until it's my turn to board the boat.

According to LanSluder you should be fine. But for future reference or longer boat trips, check on a scopolamine patch. This stuff REALLY works, and if you were only out for a day you could take the patch off when you return. Prescription only, powerful stuff, I wouldn't get on a boat without it.