Seasick on an island boat? What to do
You are excited about the island and quietly dreading the boat ride that gets you there.
Seasickness on an island transfer is short-lived, and a little planning helps a great deal. Eat light, sit near the middle of the boat, watch the horizon and tell the crew early if you feel unwell. The crossing is only about 35 to 45 minutes from Kuala Besut to Perhentian [1] and about 45 minutes from Merang to Redang [2].
Our guide on where to sit on an island speedboat covers seats in detail. The jetty connection planner helps you place the boat in your day.
What should you do before the day?
Start with the sea. Malaysia’s weather service issues rough-sea warnings in three categories and updates them about every three hours [3]. Check them the evening before and again in the morning.
Then ask the resort or agent which departure they find smoother, and whether the boat is covered or open. Our guide on rough sea warnings and boats that do not sail explains what a warning can mean for your booking.
Ask a pharmacist or doctor about seasickness tablets if you want them. Follow the label, and try them on an ordinary day first. Children, pregnancy and other medicines need a professional’s advice.
What can you eat and pack?
Choose a light breakfast. A heavy, oily meal and a long empty stomach both tend to make a bumpy ride worse. Bring plain water, a dry snack, a small bag in case you need it and a light layer for the spray.
Keep these in a small bag that stays on your lap, not in the luggage pile. Our island packing checklist lists the other essentials.
What helps during the crossing?
| What you feel | What to try |
|---|---|
| A little queasy | Look at the horizon, face forward and let fresh air reach your face |
| Warm and clammy | Loosen your jacket, sip water and breathe slowly |
| Starting to feel sick | Close your eyes, lean back and tell the crew |
| Reading or scrolling | Put the phone away until you land |
Sit toward the middle and low in the boat if you can. Our guide on speedboat from Kuala Besut: boat time, seats and seasickness looks at that route in particular.
What about children and older passengers?
Children can feel unwell fast and cannot always say why. Keep them seated, give them something to look at in the distance and bring a change of clothes.
For older passengers, steady seating matters as much as the sea. See our guide to boat boarding for older passengers.
What should you do when you land?
Sit for a few minutes on dry land before you walk off. Sip water, eat something plain and let the ground stop moving. Do not plan a snorkel trip in the first hour.
If you feel unwell for longer, ask the resort staff for help. Save their number before you go, using our list of emergency contacts to save before an island trip.
A better fit if…
A short crossing is a better fit if you are prone to seasickness and still want an island. A longer ferry or a rougher route may suit you less. Compare the crossing times of the islands on your shortlist before you choose.
Common questions
How long will I be on the boat?
On the two best-known Terengganu routes, the crossing is reported at about 35 to 45 minutes from Kuala Besut to Perhentian and about 45 minutes from Merang to Redang. Add the wait on the jetty and the landing, and plan for a bit more than the sailing time.
Should I take seasickness tablets?
Ask a pharmacist or doctor, especially for children, pregnancy or if you take other medicines. Some tablets work best when taken before the boat leaves, and some cause drowsiness. Follow the label and test them on a normal day before your trip.
Can the resort give me a gentler boat or time?
Ask. Some resorts or agents can suggest a departure they find smoother, or a seat position, but nobody can promise the sea. Send the question in writing and ask what happens to your booking if the boat cannot sail.
What if I feel very unwell during the crossing?
Tell the crew straight away, sit where you can see the horizon and sip water. A crossing of this length is short, and the crew has seen it before. If symptoms are severe or last after landing, ask the resort for help to see a doctor.
Sources
- FerryScanner and homeiswhereyourbagis.com (accessed 2026-10-16)
- redang.com.my FAQ (accessed 2026-10-16)
- Malay Mail (citing MetMalaysia) (accessed 2026-10-16)