Seasick on a Krabi boat tour? How to keep the day relaxed

Seasickness occurs, in simple terms, when eyes and balance organ send contradictory signals to the brain: the eye sees a steady boat, the ear feels movement. It is not a weakness but a normal reaction. Some react strongly, some barely, and how you feel on the day plays a part.

It becomes more likely with swell, on longer crossings, when tired, hungry or after a heavy meal, and when looking at a phone or book. Season plays in, too: in the drier half of the year, usually from about November to April, the sea is mostly calmer; in the other months wind and waves are stronger depending on the day. These are rules of thumb, not guarantees, and weather can change from day to day.

Nothing general can be said about boat size. How much a boat rocks depends on hull, weight, handling and wave direction. All we can say is that our boat is a hardtop cabin boat with two 300 hp engines and that we adapt the pace to sea state and guests.

Preparation starts the evening before. Many people are more likely to get seasick if they have slept little or drunk a lot the evening before. A calm evening and enough sleep are a simple, often underrated measure. This is especially true if you start early in the morning.

On the morning itself: do not travel on an empty stomach, but do not eat heavily either. A light breakfast with some bread, rice or fruit is better for many than a rich, greasy buffet or nothing at all. Drink enough water. Strong coffee, alcohol and very fatty food are things many avoid before a boat ride; how well you tolerate them is individual.

Smells matter too: strong perfume, sunscreen fumes and exhaust can bother sensitive people. Ideally apply sunscreen at the hotel, not crowded together in the boat.

Where you sit makes a difference. On a boat the front part usually moves most in waves, the middle least. If you are sensitive, sit more in the middle and as low as possible, not right at the front. On our boat there is a bench seat and comfortable boat chairs; tell the crew if you prefer a particular spot.

The view is just as important. Fix on the horizon or a distant point instead of staring at the boat wall, a display or the churned water right beside the hull. That helps many people because eyes and balance sense then fit together better again. Whether it works for you is individual.

Fresh air helps many people. The hardtop cabin gives shade, but if you feel queasy you often sit better where the wind of the ride is noticeable than in a closed corner. A cool cloth on the neck or a sip of water can also feel pleasant.

There are over-the-counter and prescription remedies for motion sickness. Which one suits you is something a pharmacy or your doctor can tell you, even in Thailand: pharmacies are usually easy to find in Ao Nang and the staff can advise. We deliberately give neither active ingredients nor doses here, because that belongs in medical hands.

In general: some products must be taken before departure, not only once you feel unwell; read the package leaflet. Some can have side effects such as drowsiness, and not every product suits every person. In case of pregnancy, existing conditions, regular medication and with children, seek medical advice before taking anything.

If you can avoid it, do not try anything for the first time on the day of the boat tour. And remember: no remedy replaces the other measures – a calm evening before, a light breakfast, a good seat and the horizon in view.

If you are sensitive, planning can gain you a lot. In many coastal regions the sea is often calmer in the morning than in the afternoon when the wind freshens; around Krabi, too, early in the morning is usually the most pleasant time. That is a rule of thumb, not a promise, because every day is different.

A route with short crossings and sheltered bays is easier to tolerate than a long ride over open water. Stretches such as the nearby coast around Railay, Phra Nang and Koh Poda are closer to land than some destinations further out. Tell us in advance that seasickness is an issue; then we choose shorter legs when planning and add more swim stops.

If you are unsure, start with a short half-day tour. The Railay & Phra Nang Half-Day Escape lasts four hours and costs 11,500 THB per boat for up to five guests; it goes to Railay West, Phra Nang Cave and Koh Poda. That way you see how you react on the water before you book a longer day.

A private boat does not replace medicine, but it changes a few things that matter with seasickness. You help decide how fast we go, when we take a break and where we anchor. If you feel queasy you can say: let’s stop for a moment. That is hardly possible on a full group boat with a fixed schedule.

Then there is space. With no more than five guests you do not have to sit between thirty strangers, you have a free view of the horizon, and nobody pushes you into a seat you do not want. The hardtop cabin gives shade, the rear cockpit fresh air. These are conditions that suit many guests; we cannot guarantee them as a remedy for seasickness.

The route is flexible too. In rough water we can choose a more sheltered bay or move a destination instead of sticking rigidly to a timetable. Which decision is safe and pleasant is made by the crew on site.

Children react very differently: some are completely unaffected, others quickly become restless or tired. What matters are breaks, light food, water and distraction with a view outside instead of a tablet. Medication for children always belongs in medical or pharmacist advice; do not give anything on your own.

For families we have the Family Fun Day tour: sandbars and turtles with short rides, shallow bays and lots of shade, start 9:00 am, six hours, 15,500 THB per boat. The mandatory life jackets are on board, snorkel masks are provided free of charge (please tick them when booking), and we plan breaks to your rhythm. More about families in our guide to Krabi with kids.

Older guests also benefit from calm and planning: firm handholds when boarding, a stable seat, breaks on request. If you have balance problems or existing conditions, seek medical advice in advance. Tell us what we should pay attention to; we adapt pace and schedule.

If you notice nausea setting in, say so immediately. The earlier we know, the easier it is to change something. We can slow down, stop in a sheltered spot or take a short break in the lee. A swim stop also helps some guests.

Fresh air, eyes on the horizon, small sips of water and a calm position are the usual first steps. At that moment avoid reading, phoning and looking at your phone. If you have to vomit, it is best done at the side in the lee, not into the wind, with the crew beside you.

After a short break many people feel better. Then talk to us about whether you want to shorten the programme or change the route. We want you to enjoy the day, not endure it.

That cannot be answered in general. Both boat types move in swell, just in different ways. A slower boat needs longer for the same distance, a faster one reaches the destination sooner; both react to waves differently. What suits you better only your body can say.

Other factors usually decide: sea state, distance, seat and group size. In our comparison of longtail and speedboat we go into more detail about what distinguishes the boat types. For sensitive guests it is often more important that the distance is short, the weather calm and the schedule flexible than the boat type alone.

If you are unsure, discuss your situation with us before booking. We will tell you honestly which tour and route we find sensible for you, and whether for your desired date we would rather suggest another day.