Tips for Avoiding Sea Sickness

For people who are not used to being on the sea, a great cause for concern is seasickness. And while the condition is not life-threatening, this all too common inner ear imbalance is unpleasant, to say the least. Because we want our passengers to have a great time on the pleasant, warm waters surrounding the Na Pali Coast as they snorkel or enjoy one of our Kauai sunset boat tours, we offer the following tips on minimizing the chance that your vacation will be diminished by the phenomenon known as seasickness.

• Manage your diet: Avoid greasy foods, alcohol, and drinks containing caffeine. Instead, eat a light healthy snack prior to getting on the water. Also, add peppermint and ginger to your diet. They are natural remedies that have been shown to help reduce the risk of seasickness.
• Keep the horizon in sight: Keep the horizon in view when you begin to feel seasick. This will help your body adjust to the new moments by setting the horizon as a point of reference. For most people, this action helps manage their seasickness.
• Consider alternative therapies: Anxiety contributes a great deal to seasickness. Try alternative methods of controlling anxiety before starting out on a boat tour such as hypnotism, Neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) and Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT). Mastering these techniques will give you a way to control your anxiety even if you do experience seasickness.
• Stay away from strong odors: Keep away from passengers wearing strong cologne or perfume and from diesel and exhaust fumes if possible. If you begin to feel sick, draw deep breaths of fresh air.
• Consider wearing a sea band: Sea-Bands are soft, elastic wristbands that help to prevent nausea by exerting pressure at the Nei-Kuan acupressure point.
• Dramamine: Finally, good old fashioned Dramamine helps in the prevention and treatment of nausea, vomiting, and dizziness associated with motion sickness. If it does not conflict with other medications you may be taking, have a pill the night before and morning of the boat tour.

Finally, seasickness should not be a huge cause for concern for people who desire to take one of our sunset tours or who try snorkeling off the Na Pali coast. This all too common condition is easily remedied and should not keep you from having a great time as you explore the coast and the creatures that make the waters around it their home.