Key Highlights
- 15 practical tips to prevent motion sickness before, during, and after boarding a boat in Phuket
- Thai remedies available at 7-Eleven, including Dramamine, Antamin, ginger candies, and Ya Dom menthol inhalers
- Best positioning on boats: Sit in the middle, stay above deck, and keep your eyes on the horizon
- Morning tours recommended for calmer sea conditions; avoid afternoon trips when winds increase
- Amorn Phuket Pearl Farm offers a gentle, sheltered boat ride through Sapam Bay—ideal for seasickness-prone travelers
- Family-friendly alternative with over 50 years of pearl cultivation heritage and hands-on activities
Table of Contents
- How To Prevent Sea Sickness On Your Phuket Island Adventure
- Before You Board: Preparation Is Everything
- On the Boat: How to Stay Steady at Sea
- If Seasickness Strikes: What to Do When Nausea Hits
- A Gentle Alternative: Calm Boat Experiences in Phuket
- Book Your Smooth-Sailing Pearl Farm Adventure
- Frequently Asked Questions About Seasickness in Phuket
Phuket’s best attractions aren’t on land; they’re scattered across the Andaman Sea. Limestone islands, hidden lagoons, and beaches you can only reach by boat. The catch? Roughly one in three people experience motion sickness, and choppy afternoon seas don’t care about your vacation plans. If you’ve ever Googled how to avoid sea sickness, you’re in good company. The key is preparation, smart choices, and knowing your limits. For nervous first-timers, starting with a gentle experience like a Phuket pearl farm tour through calm Sapam Bay builds confidence before bigger adventures. Here are 15 practical tips to help you enjoy every moment on the water.
Before You Board: Preparation Is Everything
Most people think seasickness prevention starts on the boat. It doesn’t. What you do in the hours (and even the night) before makes a huge difference.
- Choose the Right Boat: Bigger boats rock less, it’s that simple. If you have a choice between a large touring vessel and a small speedboat, go with size over speed. Longtail boats are also surprisingly stable in calm waters because they sit low and move slowly.
- Pick Your Timing Wisely: Phuket’s seas have a rhythm. Mornings are usually calm and glassy. By afternoon, the wind picks up and so do the swells. If seasickness is a concern, book the earliest tour slot you can find.
- Get a Good Night’s Sleep: Fatigue makes everything worse. When you’re tired, your body struggles to process the mixed signals that cause motion sickness in the first place.
- Eat Light but Don’t Skip Meals: Don’t skip breakfast thinking an empty stomach is safer. It’s actually the opposite. You want something in there, just nothing heavy. Toast, crackers, plain rice, or a banana are ideal.
- Stock Up at 7-Eleven: Thailand’s convenience stores carry everything you need. Look for:
- Dramamine (Dimenhydrinate): The classic over-the-counter option
- Antamin: A Thai antihistamine that works well for motion sickness
- Ginger candies: Natural and surprisingly effective
- Ya Dom menthol inhalers: Helps settle your stomach and refresh your senses
- Try Acupressure Wristbands: Sea-Bands apply pressure to the inner wrist to reduce nausea. They’re cheap, drug-free, and many travelers swear by them.
On the Boat: How to Stay Steady at Sea
You’re aboard. Now what? Where you sit and what you look at play a role in keeping your stomach settled.
- Sit in the Right Spot: The middle of the boat moves the least. The bow (front) pitches up and down, and the stern (back) swings side to side. Claim a spot in the center if possible.
- Stay Above Deck: Fresh air helps, and being enclosed in a stuffy cabin is a fast way to trigger nausea. Stay where you can see the surroundings.
- Keep Your Eyes on the Horizon: Looking at the horizon helps your brain sync the motion your ears feel with what your eyes see.
- Avoid Screens and Reading: Put the phone away. Focusing on a stationary screen while moving makes sensory mismatch worse.
- Stay Hydrated: Take small, regular sips of water throughout the trip. Avoid alcohol until you’re back on land.
- Sniff Peppermint or Ginger: A strong, fresh scent from a Ya Dom inhaler can help reset your senses when you feel queasy.
- Control Your Breathing: Breathe in through your nose for four counts, hold for two, and breathe out through your mouth for six to calm your nervous system.
If Seasickness Strikes: What to Do When Nausea Hits
- Step Into the Breeze: Find a spot where the wind hits your face and you can see the horizon. Fresh air is often the fastest relief.
- Don’t Fight It: If you’re going to be sick, let it happen. You’ll almost always feel better immediately afterward. Move to the leeward (downwind) side of the boat edge and get it over with.
A Gentle Alternative: Calm Boat Experiences in Phuket
If open-ocean swells make you nervous, consider a calmer entry into Phuket’s waters. Amorn Phuket Pearl Farm offers a smooth-sailing alternative for those prone to motion sickness.
Why Sheltered Waters Matter for Motion Sickness
Seasickness is triggered by unpredictable motion. By choosing protected bays instead of the open sea, you eliminate the large swells that cause the most distress.
What Makes Sapam Bay a Smooth Ride
Located in the protected waters of Sapam Bay, this journey is remarkably gentle. The short longtail boat ride is sheltered from heavy winds and waves, making it ideal for families and sensitive travelers.
What to Expect from a Phuket Pearl Farm Visit
- Over 50 years of pearl cultivation heritage
- A scenic, calm boat ride to the floating farm facility
- Hands-on activities: handle oysters and watch the harvesting process
- Fish feeding and educational tours about marine conservation
- A factory tour to see artisans create award-winning jewelry
Book Your Smooth-Sailing Pearl Farm Adventure
Experience Phuket’s beauty without battling rough waves. Book your Amorn Phuket Pearl Farm tour for a scenic, gentle boat ride and a unique cultural experience. Visit [https://phuketpearl.com/en/] or call +66 76 377730 to reserve your spot.
Frequently Asked Questions About Seasickness in Phuket
Q: Best medicine for sea sickness?
A: Dramamine and Antamin are highly effective and available at Thai 7-Elevens and pharmacies. Take them 30–60 minutes before boarding.
Q: Where to sit on a boat?
A: Sit in the middle of the boat, which moves the least. Stay on the deck in fresh air and keep your eyes on the horizon.
Q: Do acupressure bands work?
A: Many travelers find relief with Sea-Bands. They are drug-free and apply pressure to a point on the wrist associated with nausea relief.
Q: Calmest boat experience in Phuket?
A: Amorn Phuket Pearl Farm is one of the gentlest options due to its location in the sheltered Sapam Bay.
Q: Visiting a pearl farm if you get seasick easily?
A: Yes. The trip is short and the water is very calm compared to open-ocean tours to places like the Phi Phi Islands.
Q: What to eat before a boat trip?
A: Stick to light, bland foods like toast, crackers, or bananas. Avoid greasy, spicy, or acidic meals.
References:
Seasickness Tips – SmartBoating. Retrieved January 15, 2026, from [https://smartboating.com.au/seasickness-tips/]
Sea Sickness – NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries. Retrieved January 15, 2026, from [https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/seasickness.html]
Sea Sickness – Sairee Cottage Diving. Retrieved January 15, 2026, from [https://www.saireecottagediving.com/sea-sickness/]
