If you have ever felt queasy on a boat, you probably have one question before you book a tour: how long does seasickness last? The good news is that for most people it fades soon after the motion stops. Better still, a few simple habits before and during your trip can keep it from starting at all.
This guide covers what seasickness is, how long it tends to last, and what you can do on a Kona boat tour to stay comfortable. It is general travel advice, not medical advice. If you have health concerns or plan to take medication, talk with your doctor or pharmacist first.
How Long Does Seasickness Last?
Seasickness is a type of motion sickness. It happens when your inner ear feels the boat moving but your eyes are telling your brain something different. The mismatch can leave you feeling nauseous and dizzy.
For most people, symptoms usually go away soon after the motion stops, according to the motion sickness overview from ColumbiaDoctors. That same source notes that once symptoms start, they are hard to stop while the motion keeps going. That is why prevention matters more than any fix you try once you already feel sick.
If you still feel unwell long after you are back on land, or your symptoms are severe, check in with a medical professional.
Why Tour Length Matters
Since seasickness usually eases once the motion stops, the length of time you spend on the water makes a difference. Our tours range from 2 hours to most of a day. Here is how they compare:
- Manta Ray Night Snorkel: 2 hours. About 30 minutes in the water, and the boat ride to the snorkel site is only 5 minutes.
- Dolphin and Whale Watching Kailua-Kona: 2.5 hours. Check-in time is built into the schedule. No swimming.
- Captain Cook Snorkel Tour: 3.5 hours, including check-in time.
- Morning Captain Cook Snorkel Adventure: 3.5 hours, including check-in time. Slower paced for new snorkelers.
- Kona Private Boat Tour: 4 hours. Customizable, up to 28 guests.
- Deluxe Kona Snorkel Adventure (Two Spots): 5 hours total, with 4 hours on the water.
If you are very prone to motion sickness, the manta ray night snorkel in Kona is our shortest tour. We launch from Keauhou Bay, and the snorkel site is only about 5 minutes away by boat.
How to Prevent Seasickness on a Boat Tour
These tips come from the motion sickness guidance published by the CDC and ColumbiaDoctors. They work best when you use several together.
Before You Board
- Eat light. Skip heavy meals and alcohol before your tour.
- Plan ahead on medication. Most motion sickness medicines work best when taken before you travel. Many of them can make you sleepy, so ask your doctor which option fits you.
- Pack a remedy. Our Know Before You Go packing checklist includes motion sickness remedies if you need them. Ginger candy or flavored lozenges are easy to tuck in a small bag.
On the Boat
- Sit mid-boat. Health guidance recommends a seat in the middle of the boat.
- Watch the horizon. Look at a fixed point on the horizon to help your eyes and inner ear agree.
- Keep your head still. Try not to look down at a phone or read while the boat is moving.
- Get fresh air. Our boats are small-group RHIBs, so you are out in the open air for the whole ride.
- Avoid strong smells. Strong odors can make nausea worse.
- Tell your crew. Let our crew know early if you start to feel off.
Natural Remedies You Can Try
Some guests like to try natural remedies too. We can't promise any of these will work for you. The evidence is limited and results vary from person to person. For most people they are low-risk and easy to add to the tips above.
- Ginger. The UK's NHS suggests trying ginger as a tablet, biscuit or tea. The CDC says ginger candy or other flavored lozenges may help.
- Acupressure bands. The NHS lists these wristbands as an option but notes they do not work for everyone.
- Mint or lavender. The CDC says aromatherapy with mint or lavender may help. A mint or a small vial of peppermint oil to sniff is easy to pack.
- Distraction. The CDC notes that stimulating your other senses can take your mind off the motion. Chat with the crew or keep an eye out for marine life.
If you are pregnant, take regular medication or have a health condition, check with your doctor before trying a new supplement.
What to Expect on a Kona Boat Tour If You Get Seasick
Here is a simple step-by-step plan for your tour day, from booking to heading home.
- Choose your tour. Check the tour length list above. Shorter tours mean less time on the water.
- Plan your meal. Eat something light and skip alcohol before you check in.
- Ask about medication early. If you plan to use it, talk with your doctor ahead of time, since most medicines work best when taken before you travel.
- Check in. All tours check in at our store in the Keauhou Shopping Center, 78-6831 Ali'i Dr, Suite F-146, Kailua-Kona. Boats depart from Keauhou Bay.
- Sit mid-boat and watch the horizon. Keep your head still and enjoy the open air.
- Speak up. Tell our crew if you feel queasy. Symptoms usually ease soon after the motion stops.
Choosing the Right Tour for a Sensitive Stomach
If you get seasick easily, a few details may help you choose.
- Shortest tour: The Manta Ray Night Snorkel. It is 2 hours total, with about 30 minutes in the water and a 5-minute boat ride to the snorkel site.
- No swimming: For whale watching Kona visitors love, our Dolphin and Whale Watching Kailua-Kona tour runs 2.5 hours with check-in built into the schedule. Early whale season starts in November, and peak season is December through March. Whales are wild, so sightings are never guaranteed.
- Slower pace: The Morning Captain Cook Snorkel Adventure is designed with new snorkelers in mind. The Captain Cook snorkel tour covers the same bay in 3.5 hours including check-in.
- Longest day: Our Kona snorkel tours include the Deluxe Kona Snorkel Adventure, which is 5 hours total with 4 hours on the water. If seasickness is a real worry, start with a shorter trip.
- Your own group: A private boat tour Kona option gives your group 4 customizable hours for up to 28 guests. You can book it on our website, and you are welcome to call (808) 322-8000 with questions.
On the Manta Ray Night Snorkel, a family member who does not want to snorkel can stay on the boat. They do need a reserved ticket, since every seat on our small boats is reserved.
Planning your swim too? Our guide to Kona water temperature by month shows what to expect in the water all year.
Seasickness FAQ
How long does seasickness last?
For most people, seasickness usually goes away soon after the motion stops. If you still feel unwell long after you are back on land, or symptoms are severe, see a medical professional.
Which Dolphin Discoveries tour is the shortest?
The Manta Ray Night Snorkel. It is 2 hours total, and the boat ride from Keauhou Bay to the snorkel site is only 5 minutes.
Should I take seasickness medication before my tour?
Most motion sickness medicines work best when taken before you travel, and many can make you sleepy. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about what is right for you.
Do natural seasickness remedies like ginger work?
They might. Health guidance from the NHS and CDC lists ginger, acupressure bands and mint or lavender scents as things that may help, but there is no guarantee, and they do not work for everyone. For most people they are low-risk and worth a try alongside sitting mid-boat and watching the horizon. Check with your doctor first if you are pregnant or take medication.
Can someone in my group stay on the boat during the manta snorkel?
Yes. A family member who does not want to snorkel can stay on the boat, but they need a reserved ticket.
What kind of boats do you use?
We use small-group RHIBs (rigid-hull inflatable boats), so you are in the open air with plenty of horizon to look at.
Who can I ask about my tour?
Call us at (808) 322-8000 with any questions, or read our FAQ before you go.
