Here is how to avoid seasickness on a fishing charter: pick a trip that fits your stomach, spend the day where the ride is smoothest, look out into the distance, and talk to the captain before you book. No tip works for everyone, but a few simple choices can help.
This guide is for anglers who are worried about a first trip. It covers what is going on in your body, what to do on the boat, and how to plan a gentler day on the water. Unreel Charters is a free directory where you can search by trip type and contact captains directly, so you can ask your questions before you commit.
Why seasickness happens
Motion sickness is common in people traveling by car, train, airplane, and especially boats, according to MedlinePlus. Anyone can get it.
It comes down to mixed signals. Your brain senses movement from signals sent by your inner ears, eyes, muscles, and joints. When those signals do not match, you can get motion sickness.
MedlinePlus gives a simple example. If you read on your phone while riding a bus, your eyes are focused on something that is not moving, but your inner ear senses motion. The same idea may help explain why close-up screens and reading are a poor mix with a moving boat.
It can start suddenly. MedlinePlus describes a queasy feeling and cold sweats first, which can then lead to dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. If you feel those first signs, that is the time to speak up.
Where to sit or stand on the boat
Where you are on the vessel can make a difference. MedlinePlus says the upper deck on a boat may give you a smoother ride, just as the front seat of a car or the wing seats on a plane may.
Not every fishing boat has an upper deck, and the captain decides where anglers fish. So make it a question for the crew. Ask where the steadiest spot is. They know their boat and how it handles the day's conditions.
Keep your eyes on the distance
The other tip from MedlinePlus is simple. Look out into the distance instead of trying to read or look at something inside the vehicle.
On a charter, here is how that might look as practical advice:
- When you are not busy with a rod, look out at the water in the distance.
- Think about putting the phone away. MedlinePlus uses phone reading as its example of signals that do not match.
- If you start feeling queasy, try looking up and out into the distance before anything else.
Who is more likely to get seasick
According to MedlinePlus, anyone can get motion sickness, but it is more common in children, pregnant women, and people taking certain medicines.
If you or someone in your group fits one of those, plan a little more carefully. Think about a gentler kind of trip, tell the captain ahead of time, and talk to a doctor if you have questions about your own health. A family with young kids might read our guide to what to expect on a first fishing charter before picking a trip.
Seasickness tips for fishing day
A few things to try once you are aboard, based on what MedlinePlus says about how motion sickness works:
- Look far. Keep your gaze out on the distance rather than on something close by in the boat.
- Ask about the smoother spot. Ask the crew where that is, and remember that an upper deck, if the boat has one, may give a smoother ride.
- Say something early. Queasiness can start suddenly, so let the captain or mate know at the first sign. They can tell you what they recommend on their boat.
For anything beyond that, such as what to eat or drink before the trip, ask your doctor or pharmacist. We are not medical experts, and we would rather point you to someone who is.
Pick a gentler trip if you are nervous
If you are booking a first time fishing charter and seasickness is a worry, the type of trip is worth thinking about. Bays, rivers, and lakes are more sheltered than the open ocean, so they may feel gentler. Ask the captain how the water usually is on the trip you are looking at. You can still catch plenty of fish in these places.
On Unreel you can search by trip type: inshore, nearshore, offshore, deep sea, reef, freshwater, and fly fishing. A few starting points:
- Inshore trips fish closer to shore, often in bays. Our post on bay fishing versus flats explains the difference.
- Freshwater trips run on lakes and rivers, where there is no ocean to cross.
- Offshore trips head farther out. They are great fishing, but if you have never been on the ocean, you may want to start somewhere more sheltered.
Worried about being deep sea fishing seasick? You do not have to rule it out. You can build up to it. Try an inshore or freshwater trip first and see how you feel on the water. Then book the bigger trip later if you want it.
Ask the captain before you book
One of the best things about contacting a captain directly is that you can ask real questions first. Unreel does not handle bookings or payments, and it takes no commission. You message the captain and sort out the details together.
Here is a short list of things worth asking:
- What are the conditions usually like on this trip, and on the day I want to go?
- Is there a more sheltered option if someone in my group is nervous?
- Where on the boat is the steadiest place to sit or stand?
- Is there a shorter trip available for a first-timer?
- What is your policy if the weather looks rough and we need to reschedule?
A good captain will answer these plainly. If a captain tells you the water looks rough for the day you picked, take that seriously and ask about moving to another day. Our post on weather cancellations and fishing trips covers what to ask about policies before you book.
A note on medicine
Many people wonder about medicine for motion sickness. We will not name any product or dose. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before the trip, especially for children, during pregnancy, or if you already take other medicines. MedlinePlus also notes that motion sickness is more common in people taking certain medicines, so it is a good thing to check.
MedlinePlus is clear that its information is not a substitute for professional medical care. If you have questions about your own health, contact a health care provider.
Putting it together
You cannot control the water, but you can control a lot of the day. Choose a trip type that matches your comfort, ask the captain about conditions, ask the crew about the smoothest spot, and look out into the distance.
When you are ready, search charters by location and trip type, and message a few captains with your questions.
Sources: MedlinePlus, Motion Sickness