Manta Rays and Motion Sickness

I have experienced motion sickness all of my life. Even as a little girl on family trips to the beach through the coastal range mountains, I remember having to stop by the side of the road… well, I won’t go into details, you know the rest.

Even though I experienced motion sickness, I mostly have not let it stop me from experiencing all that I can. Rides at the carnival… the whip, tilt-a-whirl, squirrel cages, yup, I went on them. I just plan ahead and think about my eating. Can’t go on an empty stomach or a full stomach. Have to get it just right.

Windy roads, like the road to Hana on Maui’s east side, caused me some discomfort. I made it till just about the last turn before I lost it. But it was worth it! Amazing, beautiful sites, views, beaches! And the waterfalls! I Love Hana. So glad I got to experience it and hope to go back someday. The same trip I was in Maui and went on the road to Hana, I did skip the Molokini snorkel tour.

A few years ago we went to Riviera Maya in Mexico and took a catamaran tour to Isla Mujeres. Not wanting to get sick on the open sea, I took a non-drowsy Dramamine the night before our tour and one the morning of. Well, I didn’t get sick, but I did sleep through most of the ride.

Just a few months back I was on the beautiful island of Hawaii, aka The Big Island. I was with a group and had the chance to go on the Manta Night Swim. I chose the Luau. Though I oh, so wanted to do the Manta swim. As luck would have it, another person in the group that had signed up for the Manta swim changed her mind and didn’t want to go. Would I change places with her and let her use my luau spot? Yes, I would and did.

I took a non-drowsy Dramamine and some ginger chews, and then we walked over from our hotel, The Sheraton Kona, to the boat dock. (You can watch the manta rays from there at Rays on the Bay.) I boarded the boat with my 4 companions, one of whom didn’t even know how to swim. After some quick instructions and a glass of ginger-ale, we slipped(?) into our wet suits and life vests, grabbed our snorkel gear and climbed down the ladder into the Pacific Ocean at Keauhou Bay and swam out to Sea Paradise’s floating manta viewing set up. My friend, the non-swimmer, and I were one of the last off the boat. Lights turned on. We have our “pool noodles” under our legs, hands hanging onto the floating viewing contraption and we’re waiting for the manta rays to come.

At the first sight of the mantas, there is a chorus of “oohs” and “aaahs.” It’s like an underwater ballet or gymnastics show as they swim up towards us with mouths wide open and then turn back toward the bottom of the bay gathering Plankton all along the way.

About 15 minutes in and I’m not feeling so great. Am I getting sea sick? Dang it! Yes. I struggled to keep from heaving my lunch which was to no avail. I hung on and enjoyed the Manta Ray show as much as possible, trying to fully appreciate every moment of this amazing experience of “swimming with the rays.” Climbing back on the boat there were a few others that were sick, too. But I was feeling better. You know how you feel better after you throw up?

Would I do it again? A resounding yes! But next time, I won’t eat a big late lunch! And the Molokini Snorkel tour? Maybe I’ll do that next time I’m in Maui. How about you? Do you let motion sickness hold you back or do you jump right in?