Sea Sick in the Channel Islands?

[Scuba Susie]

Hey Gang,
I need some advise, please. I am a DM up here in Nor Cal who would love to try a short livaboard down in the Channel Islands. The only problem is, I tend to get sea sick in rough seas. I am pretty good with Dramamine and the electric braclet and usually just fine once I get under the water. Can any reccommend a dive op. with a big sturdy boat that this first timer might try for 2-3 days? I am looking to go in early Oct. Is this a "good" time of year for "calm, anti-throw-up" seas?
Thanks for the advise,
Susie

 

[Makin Raider]

I'd definately recommend The Great Escape. http://www.diveboat.com

You can compare sizes and get links to most boats from this size http://californiadiveboats.com

Make sure you book early though for October trips (lobster season).

Mark

 

[Empty V]

I'm not too farmilar with the livaboards but I can recommend Bonine for motion sickness prevention. Our family owns a boat out of Orange County and we give everyone bonine, haven't seen anyone lose it after taking it. Obviously what you eat before boarding the boat make a difference too.

Billy

 

[TrojanCatMan]

The Spectre is a HUGE boat but no multiday trips but they will let you spend the night on the boat between trips. The peace is a nice size boat too (one of the best in socal) it does multiday trips. The great escape is supose to be wonderful, i was on it in rough water the captain was great (although i didnt sleep at all that night). Unfortunately the best time to dive is fall and the water is pretty ruff then. Try summer maybe? I use dramamine and caffine. Good luck and have fun!

 

[MissyP]

Hey Gang,
I need some advise, please. I am a DM up here in Nor Cal who would love to try a short livaboard down in the Channel Islands. The only problem is, I tend to get sea sick in rough seas. Can any reccommend a dive op. with a big sturdy boat that this first timer might try for 2-3 days?
Thanks for the advise,
Susie

I just did a 3 day livaboard to the Channel Islands on the Conception (with Truth Aquatics)... and I'm the QUEEN of seasickness... *rofl*
We boarded the night prior to the boat's departure (which was at 4am) and before I crawled into my bunk that night, I stuck a Scopolamine patch on.. We woke up to the boat rocking & rolling, creaking and clunking.. things were falling, people were practically rolling out of their bunks from the rough ocean.. Several people were feeling queasy and had to go outside.... but I felt fantastic!
Previously, I've tried Dramamine, Bonine, the wrist pressure bands, Tigen (a prescription anti-nausea medicine), eating the "right" foods, gazing at the horizon, etc... but none of those things ever worked for me.. until I tried the Scop. patch

As far as the boat, the Conception was pretty cool.. I think it's an 80 ft boat and it's clean, comfortable, sturdy & the facilities are good.. The food is awesome, good crew, good air fills, good showers, etc.. I'd definitely do another liveaboard with them!

http://s29.photobucket.com/albums/c283/SoCalDiveGirl/Channel Islands/

Here's a link to a few pics from the boat...

 

[Scuba Susie]

Hey Y'all.
Thanks for the great advise about doing the Channel Islands. I am now thinking of doing the Bamboo Reef 4 day trip over Halloween. Is this a good time to go, anti-throw-up-seas wise? I feel I need to try it or just endure it, if I end up sea sick. I have wanted to try a liveaboard for sooooo long. I love diving with over 200 plus dives both cold water and warm....and yes I still do wet suit diving up here in No. CA!
Do you think I am crazy for trying this?
Appreciate your input!
Susie

 

[Jim Ernst]

I just did a 3 day livaboard to the Channel Islands on the Conception (with Truth Aquatics)... and I'm the QUEEN of seasickness... *rofl*
We boarded the night prior to the boat's departure (which was at 4am) and before I crawled into my bunk that night, I stuck a Scopolamine patch on.. We woke up to the boat rocking & rolling, creaking and clunking.. things were falling, people were practically rolling out of their bunks from the rough ocean.. Several people were feeling queasy and had to go outside.... but I felt fantastic!
Previously, I've tried Dramamine, Bonine, the wrist pressure bands, Tigen (a prescription anti-nausea medicine), eating the "right" foods, gazing at the horizon, etc... but none of those things ever worked for me.. until I tried the Scop. patch

As far as the boat, the Conception was pretty cool.. I think it's an 80 ft boat and it's clean, comfortable, sturdy & the facilities are good.. The food is awesome, good crew, good air fills, good showers, etc.. I'd definitely do another liveaboard with them!

http://s29.photobucket.com/albums/c283/SoCalDiveGirl/Channel Islands/

Here's a link to a few pics from the boat...

i second all that is said here in missy"s post , the scopalamine is the best, and so is truth aquatics, i have gone on several trips (channel islands) with them and they are great, oh and no your not crazy still useing wetsuit or diving nor cal, or the channel islands, you will love it!!! its almost all i do!!!

 

[CompuDude]

Hey Y'all.
Thanks for the great advise about doing the Channel Islands. I am now thinking of doing the Bamboo Reef 4 day trip over Halloween. Is this a good time to go, anti-throw-up-seas wise? I feel I need to try it or just endure it, if I end up sea sick. I have wanted to try a liveaboard for sooooo long. I love diving with over 200 plus dives both cold water and warm....and yes I still do wet suit diving up here in No. CA!
Do you think I am crazy for trying this?
Appreciate your input!
Susie

The closer you get to winter/fall, the more the odds of a random storm go up, but the warmer parts of the year tend to be relatively calmer than the colder parts. There's no real way to say with any certainty, of course.

 

[headhunter]

I tend to get motion sickness pretty easily, so I thought I'd chime in with support for scopolamine.

I swear by the tablets made by Scopace. I find that the patch dehydrates me too much and over medicates me. Go to http://scopace.com to read all about it.

As long as I take these, I can get bounced around quite a bit and feel just fine.

Christian

 

[Scuba Susie]

Hey thanks....Scopace is a new on me! I will try it!
Susie