I was assuming that since we're not in the open ocean of the Pacific that the waters are relatively calm.

Should i be prepared with dramamine or a patch in July?

thanks,
dina

No.

Sometimes the water can get a little choppy, but you should be just fine.
Here's some tips for when you feel a little woosy. First, eat some sort of citrus, such as an orange, before the trip. If you start to feel woosy on the boat, look as far out in the distance as possible. These two tips helped me greatly on a day cruise in Alaska. The ferries are usually pretty mild and you should be fine.
The scenery is spectacular--it's worth the ride.

Thanks!

egret- i never heard of the citrus remedy. i'll try that

gardyloo- do you get seasick other places, but not here?

Funny but my husband used to have trouble with the San Juan ferries and motion sickness. Then we went on a cruise to Alaska and someone told him about ginger. He took it and it worked wonders, even in the very rough Queen Charlottes. He swears by ginger. Just the tablets you can buy in any health food or vitamin section work fine!

And the trip through the islands is indeed gorgeous - July should be great!

I don't know the configuration of the ferry; but I never go "below" or "indoors" - stay above or in the open air if that's possible. Stay away from the back of the ferry where you could possibly smell any fumes (that makes me nauseous).

I guess it depends how susceptible you are, but I have never felt sick on a ferry (and I am fairly sensitive to motion sickness). They are very large and normally quite stable.