Both my wife and I get motion sickness but we love snorkeling. Can you snorkel directly off the side of a big boat? Also, we can't wear patches if we're swimming everyday, so I guess we'll take dramamine. Maybe compromise and target a 50 passenger ship? What are pluses and minuses as you go between 16, 50, and 100 passenger boats?
5,229 posts
23 helpful votes Dear David,
notwithstandng motion sickness, I always recommend a smaller ship. Galapgos is about developing a sense of intimacy with your natural surroundings, and that's best done on a small ship, in a small group. Guests must be accompanied by a certified naturalist guide, with a maximum ratio of 16:1. On a large ship, you'll be dealing with the logistics of disembarkation / embarkation for 3, 4... as many has 6 groups, with the inevitable requirement to ensure every group "moves along" at a steady pace, with less likehood of lingering serendipitously when the situation may call for it.
How badly do you get seasick? Most people in my experience, even those who say they get seasick, end up getting their sea legs soon enough. There's also all kinds of products to help deal with that.
I hope this helps.
Warmest regards,
Heather Blenkiron
Edited: 18 December 2024, 13:02Welcome
disclosures..
> 63 y/o solo male travler.
> only did a 16 passenger boat on my 1st time there. Dont know what i will do/use on my return trip.
> while teh ship was moving i was motion sick.
> Motion sickness and me are like best buds. Ever since i could remember as a family unit doing 1+ hr 1 way road trips to the coast or any other road trip, i got motions sick. barf bags were my 2nd best buddy and i learned how to use them and keep them handy. I made my own too. Eventually it was easier/better to just vomit since i felt way better at the moment.
> When i had some ship duties i tried to get my sea legs 3 times. all of them were SHIPS and even then, still got sick and i waited about 5 days do get my sea legs and never did all 3 times and on different size SHIPS.
> i used a patch down there, prescribed by my travel doctor at home and she was full aware of my motion sickness too. It was my 1st time doing so and by the way, the patch i used on me, did stay on me before the water and in the water and after the water. I guess it all depends on how sticky or greasy you are or what you exude. But it didnt work.
> I had dramamine too, but from past experiences, it doesnt work (for me) if im already feeling it. YMMV.
> i did have some of the stronger stuff too and it didnt work. Note i was trying various things i had WHEN i was already sick....so from past history ON ME, they rarely work. Even the one that worked before years ago, didnt work.
> When i took the water taxi i used the Stugeron, but took it about 1 hr before boarding and that worked, but it made me really loopy. By the way i used to sail alot on our local river and during the winter time with White Caps and never had any issue with motion sickness.
> just some info for you since i bet you dont know what ahead. Note, i took an 8 day cruise on the western part of the islands. But out boat was not moving 24/7/365, it would move at night or in the afternoon. Mostly at night. So depending on how sensative you are, you may get over it when the ship anchors?
> we all did snorkeling off the dingys. A few in deep water but most alogn a coastline and you swam? to the beack to be picked up. If you wanted out, from the water you could signal the dingy driver and they would pick you up.
> you really need to talk to your doctor about this and get their take. You can ask for some prescriptions if you want and also buy there. By the way i also saw some acupressure wrist bands and i had tied those too many years ago along with many natural stuff.
> all you can do is try. Hopefully you lived long enough to know what works and doesnt work for you. If you need to use a larger ship try to go as small as you dare. Dont forget others will be wanting to go in the water too and there are limits.
Your pain, your gain.
good luck
I have used the patches for months and years and most of the time they will stay on through swimming, snorkeling, showering unless you forget and accidentally rub or scratch the area. You change them every 3 days anyway. I always get seasick and have been on boats and ships for months at a time and always wear the patch (scopolamine) so am very familiar with it. I have had success with the wristbands as well. I did a 16 passenger boat and the first night was challenging but after that it was ok. I think the benefits of a small boat outweigh the stability benefits of a larger ship, particularly since the ‘large’ ships aren’t like the huge cruise ships anyway.
With regard to using OTC meds in #2: They need to be taken before the boat departs; they are not effective once your inner ear is out of whack. Bonine (or its active ingredient meclizine) should be started the night before, then at least an hour before departure, and then on whatever the recommended schedule it. Meclizine doesn't cause drowsiness, unlike Dramamine.
Dear Heather, is it possible to get from Ecuador to Galapagos by boat and have way back from Galapagos to Quito by air.
Natalia.
5,229 posts
23 helpful votes Dear Natalia,
it could be possible, but very difficult / impractical. In about March, people in small sailboats who go on a "round the world" journey (yes, there are quite a few) typically pass through the Panama Canal and from there, go to Galapagos. Sometimes they look for a volunteer to help on board... The crossing could take a couple of weeks. You really have to do your research and be very flexible.
Otherwise, the only ships that regularly go to Galapagos from the mainland are the cargo ships - and to my knowledge, they do not take passengers.
Warmest regards,
Heather Blenkiron
Edited: 03 January 2025, 17:21