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Do ferries in Greece make you seasick?

Do ferries in Greece make you seasick? It's possible to get seasick onboard Greek ferries as it can be windy during July and August in the Aegean Sea. So, whether or not being prone to motion sickness, we suggest you have a motion sickness medicine with you.



In 2026, the risk of seasickness on a Greek ferry depends heavily on the type of vessel and the specific "Meltemi" wind conditions in the Aegean. The large, slow Blue Star-style conventional ferries are massive and equipped with advanced stabilizers; they are very stable even in moderate chop and are the best choice for those prone to motion sickness. Conversely, the high-speed "Seajets" catamarans and smaller hydrofoils are much more susceptible to the "pitch and roll" of the waves. Because these vessels travel at high speeds on top of the water, they can feel like a "bumpy ride" in even mild winds, which often leads to passengers feeling unwell. In 2026, seasoned travelers recommend taking a proactive dose of Dramamine (or the local Greek equivalent, Emetostop) at least 30 minutes before boarding. To stay stable, try to find a seat in the center of the ship on a lower deck, as this is the "pivot point" where the vessel's movement is the least pronounced.

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It affects millions of people annually, during all kinds of water travel (and all types of weather)—from simple, small boat rides on a river to large cruises. Many travelers may never experience seasickness symptoms, while others feel ill during a simple ferry ride on totally calm seas.

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It is an essential factor to take into consideration when sailing the Greek islands, as it can cause strong gusts and choppy seas. It is the most dangerous weather phenomenon that sailors in the area have to deal with. Winds can reach speeds of up to 50 knots and can cause rough seas and strong currents.

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The boats are well maintained and have an excellent safety record. Some ferries are huge and are like cruise ships, with restaurants, cabins, and shops onboard whilst fast ferries are smaller and well, fast.

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Sometimes the winds will make the water rough, but most often not in the summer months. Choppiness is also a relative condition. If you're on a large cruise ship your stability in choppy seas won't as much of a comfort factor as when you're on a small local ferry.

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How to Cure Seasickness
  1. BE IN CONTROL. If you're traveling in a boat or car, it's easy to get motion sick if you're not the one driving. ...
  2. AVOID CERTAIN FOODS. ...
  3. PICK A GOOD POSITION. ...
  4. MAKE YOUR SENSORY CUES MATCH UP. ...
  5. TALK YOURSELF OUT OF IT. ...
  6. DESENSITIZE YOURSELF. ...
  7. EAT GINGER. ...
  8. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF PRESSURE POINTS.


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Areas to Avoid in Greece If there is rioting for any reason, these are the areas to avoid: Downtown metropolitan areas: These areas are often the site of protests. In Athens, avoid the area around Syntagma Square, Panepistimou, and Embassy Row. Unfortunately, this also includes some of Athens' finest hotels.

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Greeks in general, do treat well American tourists and in fact all tourists, since Greeks were hospitable since ancient times.

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EXPERTS AGREE GREECE IS SAFE Unlike many countries in Europe, including some of Greece's neighbors, Greece is a level-one destination according to the State Department, meaning “exercise normal precautions.”

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Is the water choppy in Santorini? The roughest patch of the sea is around the outer edge of Santorini as you enter the inside of the caldera. For anyone that worries about getting seasick, the catamarans make for an extra smooth journey that helps mitigate any seasickness issues.

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Ferry cancellations can happen. They are rare but they can happen 2 - 5 times a year for 12 - 48 hours. It's really somehting not predictable and may change from year to year.

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There are 'high speed' ferries on the more popular inter-island routes that offer comfortable seats, TV, sun decks, toilets, cafes and so on.

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