Seasickness on the Boat to Nusa Penida: Prevention and Best Seats

The fast boat from Sanur to Nusa Penida takes about 30-45 minutes according to operator timetables, and Nusa Lembongan is roughly the same. It is short, but small fast boats in the Badung Strait can slam hard, especially when the swell picks up. The good news is that most seasickness can be reduced with three things: where you sit, medicine taken at the right time, and choosing the right day.

Which seats move the least?

• Middle to rear, on the lower deck. On a fast boat the front (bow) rises and drops the most and takes the impact of the waves. The closer you sit to the middle and back, the less motion you feel.
• Near a window or open door. Fresh air and a view of the horizon help your brain match what you feel with what you see. A hot, closed cabin is a common complaint in passenger reviews.
• Arrive early. Many operators do not assign seats, so first on board picks first.
• Put the phone away. Reading or watching a screen is one of the most common nausea triggers. Close your eyes or watch the horizon.

Should you take motion sickness medicine?

If you usually get sick in cars or on boats, yes. The easiest to find in Bali's pharmacies and minimarts is Antimo, which contains 50 mg dimenhydrinate. The usual guidance from Indonesian health sites Alodokter and Halodoc: adults and children over 12 take 1 tablet about 30 minutes before departure, repeated every 4 hours if needed, up to 8 tablets a day. Always follow the instructions on the pack.

• It makes you drowsy. Do not jump on a rented scooter as soon as you land on Nusa Penida; the roads are steep and winding.
• Ask a pharmacist or doctor first if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have glaucoma, prostate problems, asthma or heart disease, and for doses for children under 12.
• Some people use ginger sweets or acupressure bands, but the evidence is weaker than for medicine.

Eat first or go on an empty stomach?

Have a light meal 1-2 hours before boarding: bread, a little rice, fruit. A completely empty stomach often makes nausea worse. Skip greasy and spicy food that morning and alcohol the night before. Bring water and sip it slowly on board.

Morning or afternoon: when is the sea calmer?

There is no hour that is always calm. The pattern is clearer by season: late July and August often bring high waves, and Indonesia's weather agency BMKG has warned of waves up to 2.5 metres on the Sanur-Nusa Penida route with winds up to 20 knots. The most reliable approach is to check BMKG's wave forecast for the Badung Strait (maritim.bmkg.go.id) the day before and the morning you travel. For a return trip that connects to a flight, do not take the last boat; leave a buffer in case sailings are delayed.

Is there a bigger, steadier boat?

Yes. The Roro car ferry (KMP) from Padangbai port to Nusa Penida is much larger and moves more slowly. According to detikBali the crossing takes about 1 hour with only a few departures a day; adult passenger fares quoted by various sources are around Rp31,000-42,000, so check at the port counter. The downside: Padangbai is about an hour's drive from Sanur and the schedule is limited. Among fast boats, operators with longer hulls and bigger engines generally feel steadier; look at fleet photos before booking.

When should you postpone?

• When BMKG issues a high-wave warning for the Badung Strait or the harbour master (KSOP Benoa) suspends crossings. This has happened, for example in July 2025.
• When the operator offers to reschedule because of weather, take it. In August 2025 a fast boat capsized at the mouth of Sanur harbour when hit by 2-4 metre waves, and more than a hundred sailings were temporarily cancelled afterwards.
• If you are pregnant or have a back or neck injury. A fast boat slamming through big waves can be jarring.

Operator safety checks, life jackets and the harbours are covered in more detail in Is It Safe to Take a Fast Boat to Nusa Penida?.

Day trip, or stay the night?

A day tour means two crossings plus 3-4 hours on Nusa Penida's winding roads, a combination that leaves many people queasy until evening. If you get sick easily, staying a night on Nusa Penida or Lembongan takes that load off, and hotel vouchers on both islands can be found on AccessiaPass. Where to stay is covered in our guide to staying on Nusa Penida and Lembongan, and remember the Nusa Penida entry levy, paid when you arrive on the island.

One last small thing: keep a small bag, tissues and water in your pocket or a sling bag. Large bags are usually stacked at the bow or on the roof and cannot be reached during the crossing.