--- title: How to Avoid Seasickness on a Fishing Boat | 10 Tips url: https://costaricafishingcompany.com/blog/avoid-seasickness-fishing-charter/ language: en description: How to avoid seasickness on a fishing boat: 10 practical tips before and during your trip, plus inshore vs offshore advice for Quepos, Costa Rica. Read on. alternates: en: https://costaricafishingcompany.com/blog/avoid-seasickness-fishing-charter/ es: https://costaricafishingcompany.com/es/blog/evitar-mareo-charter-de-pesca/ fr: https://costaricafishingcompany.com/fr/blog/eviter-mal-de-mer-charter-peche/ de: https://costaricafishingcompany.com/de/blog/seekrankheit-vermeiden-angel-charter/ pt-BR: https://costaricafishingcompany.com/pt/blog/evitar-enjoo-passeio-de-pesca/ business: Costa Rica Fishing Company, Marina Pez Vela, Quepos, Puntarenas, Costa Rica booking: https://www.wetravel.com/trips/costa-rica-fishing-company-fighting-rooster-5858829175#about-this-trip --- Skip to content ![Calm morning on the water before a fishing charter in Quepos, Costa Rica](https://costaricafishingcompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/costa-rica-fishing-company-48.webp) Fishing Tips 6 min read Fishing Tips · Costa Rica # How to Avoid Seasickness on a Fishing Charter — *10 Tips* Seasickness can ruin a great day on the water. Ten practical tips — from choosing your charter to where to stand on board — to help you enjoy every hour. Ready to Fish? Book a Private Charter Half-day inshore or full-day offshore — available year-round from Marina Pez Vela. View Charters WhatsApp Us At a Glance Start with an inshore charter Choose a morning departure Sleep well and skip the alcohol Eat a light breakfast and stay hydrated Related Posts Inshore vs Offshore Fishing in Quepos — Which Charter is Right for You? What to Bring on a Costa Rica Fishing Charter — Packing Checklist How to Plan a Fishing Trip to Costa Rica — Step-by-Step Guide How Much Does a Fishing Charter Cost in Costa Rica? Costa Rica Fishing Company September 22, 2026 ## Quick Answer - Prevention works far better than treatment. Choose calmer inshore water or a morning trip if you are prone to motion sickness, sleep well, eat a light breakfast and skip alcohol. Ask a doctor or pharmacist about medication and take it before you board, not after you feel sick. On the boat, stay in the middle, keep your eyes on the horizon, get fresh air and avoid reading or screens. ## Why Seasickness Happens Seasickness is a form of motion sickness. Your inner ear feels the boat rolling while your eyes, focused on the deck or a phone, report that nothing is moving. That mismatch between the signals is what triggers dizziness, sweating and nausea. Almost anyone can feel it in the right conditions, and many people adapt after a while on the water. The good news is that a few simple steps before and during your trip make a big difference. ## Tips 1–2: Choose the Right Charter and Time 1. If you are prone to motion sickness, start inshore. Inshore charters stay near the coast in calmer, more protected water, while offshore trips head into open-ocean swell for 7 to 9 hours. 2. Pick a morning departure. In Quepos the sea is generally calmest in the morning, which is why our Half-Day Inshore charter offers a 7:00 AM start as well as 1:00 PM. ![Calm inshore water near Quepos, Costa Rica](https://costaricafishingcompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/costa-rica-fishing-company-49.webp) Calmer inshore water and morning departures are the easiest start for anyone prone to seasickness — Costa Rica Fishing Company ## Tips 3–4: Prepare the Night Before 3. Sleep well and skip the alcohol: tiredness and a hangover both make motion sickness worse. 4. Eat a light, plain breakfast — toast, crackers or fruit — and avoid heavy, greasy or spicy food. An empty stomach doesn't help either, and keep drinking water throughout the trip. ## Tip 5: Talk to a Pharmacist About Medication 5. Motion-sickness medicine works best when taken before you board, not once you already feel sick. Over-the-counter antihistamines are usually taken 30 to 60 minutes before travel and can cause drowsiness, while prescription scopolamine patches are applied several hours ahead. Ask a doctor or pharmacist which option suits you — especially for children, during pregnancy or if you take other medication — and follow the label. ## Tips 6–8: Where to Stand and Where to Look 6. Stay near the middle of the boat and low down, where the motion is gentlest. 7. Keep your eyes on the horizon or a fixed point on land and avoid reading or looking at your phone. 8. Get fresh air on deck and stay away from engine exhaust, which can make nausea worse. ## Tips 9–10: Stay Busy and Act Early 9. Keep busy: holding a rod, watching the lines and fighting a fish keep your eyes and mind on the water. 10. Speak up early. Tell the crew as soon as you feel off — they can move you to a better spot, and sipping water or nibbling a dry cracker in the fresh air often helps. The crew has seen it all, so there's no reason to be embarrassed. ## Which Charter Is Best if You Get Seasick? Our Half-Day Inshore charter is the gentlest option: 5 hours in calmer coastal water, with a 7:00 AM departure when the sea is usually at its calmest. If you want to try offshore, pick the 3/4-Day Offshore (back by 2:00 PM) before committing to a 9-hour Full Day, and follow the tips above. ## The 10 Tips at a Glance Here are all ten tips, at a glance: - Start with an inshore charter - Choose a morning departure - Sleep well and skip the alcohol - Eat a light breakfast and stay hydrated - Ask a pharmacist; take medication before boarding - Stay in the middle of the boat, low down - Watch the horizon; no reading or screens - Get fresh air and avoid engine fumes - Keep busy with the rod and the lines - Tell the crew early if you feel off More local fishing guides on our partner site: [manuelantoniofishingcharter.com](https://manuelantoniofishingcharter.com/) Ready to Book? Book a Comfortable Day on the Water Not sure which charter is right for you? Tell us about your group and we'll suggest the calmest option for your dates. View Charters WhatsApp Us - Seasickness - Fishing Tips - Inshore Fishing - First-Time Anglers - Quepos - Sport Fishing ![costa-rica-fishing-company-v3 - Quepos, Costa Rica](https://costaricafishingcompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/costa-rica-fishing-company-v3.svg) #### Costa Rica Fishing Company Expert Local Fishing Guides — Quepos, Costa Rica Our team of experienced local captains and fishing guides has been operating out of Marina Pez Vela for years. We share our knowledge of the local fishery to help anglers plan the perfect Costa Rica fishing trip. Frequently Asked Questions ## Seasickness *— Common Questions* **What is the best way to prevent seasickness on a fishing boat?** Combine several steps: choose calmer water and a morning trip, sleep well, eat light, avoid alcohol, take medication before boarding if a pharmacist recommends it, and on board stay in the middle and watch the horizon. **When should I take seasickness medication?** Before you board — medication works much better as prevention than once symptoms start. Over-the-counter tablets are usually taken 30 to 60 minutes before travel and patches several hours before, but always follow the advice of your doctor or pharmacist and the label. **Is inshore fishing calmer than offshore?** Generally, yes. Inshore charters stay in more protected water near the coast, while offshore trips head into open-ocean swell and last longer, so inshore is the better choice if you are prone to seasickness. **Do ginger or wristbands work?** Some people find them helpful and they are unlikely to do harm, but the scientific evidence for ginger and acupressure wristbands is limited. Don't rely on them alone if you know you get seasick. **What should I do if I feel sick on the boat?** Tell the crew right away, move to the middle of the boat in the fresh air, look at the horizon and take small sips of water. Stay out of the cabin and away from engine fumes; most people feel better once they settle into a stable spot. **Can children take seasickness medication?** Some products are made for children, but doses and suitability depend on age and weight, and scopolamine patches are not recommended for young children. Check with your child's doctor or a pharmacist before the trip, and consider a short, calm inshore charter for the first outing. 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Expert local captains, all tackle included, hotel pickup available. View Charters WhatsApp Us