My son-in-law gets sea sick snorkeling. He has been to Hawaii and St. Kitts and got sick both times. He and my daughter are coming to Boniare for part of our trip this year and he would like to try again. He doesn't get sick on a boat or swimming unless it is very rough. He wears strong glasses and wore contacts when he got sick. All he has to do is put his face in the water and he is sick. Anyone got any ideas? My daughter is a diver and really wants to snorkel and show him around in the water.

This may not be the answer you are looking for but my brother-in-law found that getting certified as a diver ended his seasickness from snorkeling. He too never experienced any type of motion sickness from boats or cars. He still needs to descend as soon as possible rather than spend time swimming on the surface but that is usually easily done. Has your son-in-law tried any over the counter meds or a patch?

Over the years we have had good luck with Bonin. I am not prone to seasickness or any kind of motion sickness, but we have a few in our traveling group that do. Not to the point of blowing it just snorkeling, but if the boat rides get rough. One of our divers has a problem with swells on the surface, so she stays under a bit until she can get on the boat.

I wonder if 'seasickness' in a snorkeler wearing strong glasses isn't caused by the changes in the vision field with wave motion rather than classic seasickness caused by effects in the ears. I know that putting on strong glasses (that I don't require, albeit) in air and moving my head is disorienting.

That might not be cured by 'seasickness' medicines. Might be worth a call to the DAN medical advice line and your eye doctor. That also would likely explain a lack of seasickness when diving vice snorkeling as in Susan's example,

I found that having my mask fitted with my prescription, I was much more comfortable in the water and did not have the sway feel. I too used to wear my contacts. This is far superior to that and I now can snorkel for 2 to 3 hours at a time in Bonaire and I leave next Saturday.
Good luck Nothing is better

Corney Ann, I think Beverly is on to something...I, too, wear a prescription mask and have no problems snorkeling.

Perhaps your son-in-law can get his prescription placed into the mask lenses. The price depends on how strong his prescription is. I am nearsighted and my mask was not that expensive at all. I am so glad I had one made...it does make all the difference in the world. The contact lenses, if they are strong at all, might be causing his illness symptoms.

It is something to consider. Good luck and keep us posted. Carole

Hi Corney, It sounds like the prescription Mask is the route to go but if he doesn't want to invest in a new mask he might want to try Ginger tablets. I get motion sickness everywhere...planes, boats, water, and cars. I cannot take over the counter meds because they all knock me out and I can't stay awake anywhere! I start taking the Ginger the week before I go twice a day and while I am there. I have not had motion sickness once since I have started the Ginger! I bet if he does the mask and takes the Ginger, there is no way he would be sea sick!

I forgot! Are they going to do some guided snorkels with Renee and I? Or perhaps plan a sail on the Woodwind together. It would be fun in a group!!

If his present mask fits, it can easily be fitted with lenses, there is an optometrist not far from me who has been doing this for fifty years.

I am very seasick prone as well- snorkeling seems to bother me more- I agree that if you can get below the waves its the best. (Although I have had some really nasty moments under the water as well- yes- you CAN be sick through a reg-) but the seabands that you wear on your wrists AND taking Bonnine seem to work- as well as staying very hydrated- and be careful not too get too hot (although one time of seasickness was cured in Hawaii when I dropped the icecube that I was holding to the back of my neck down the back of my wetsuit!!) That is why Bonaire is so wonderful- shorediving!! (Although the boat ride to Klein B is never bad either.)

I have trouble with motion sickness when I snorkel or on a boat. (I've had trouble on dive boats, too, but once I hit about 30' things are better.)

To the point, tho, I wear sea bands for most days/nights and if the water is rough I add non-drowsy Dramamine. Taken for several days in a row, it even kills that feeling you get after days in the water of lying in bed and 'rocking'!

And, I would reiterate the staying hydrated piece.

I have the opposite problem -- seasick on dive boats but not when snorkeling or diving. (I wear contacts and have very poor vision without them). Maybe a lower volume mask would help?

Here is what works for my problem:
a) No alcohol. Not even a single beer the night before.
b) Stay very well hydrated.
c) Never look down at your feet.
d) Scopalamine *and* Dramamine.

(Message edited by bonairetrip on January 21, 2005)

Thanks for all the advice. Hope we can find something that works for him.

The water refraction along with the contacts may be part of the problem. He should check into getting a set of contacts about 20-25% weaker than he needs for dry land to use for snorkeling. When lenses are added to masks, they are already adjusted for use in the water. I get the pre-done lenses at -1.5 for my masks and I need -2.0 for my regular glasses.