For those who suffer from seasickness, the ferry trip to Sardinia can become a source of concern as soon as they make their reservation. Which route should they choose? Is a short crossing better, or an overnight departure? And above all, are there any routes that are less prone to rough seas?
There is no single, definitive answer, because sea conditions vary depending on the season, the wind, and the weather on the day of departure. However, the duration of the crossing, the route, the type of ship, and the spot you choose on board can all help make the trip much more bearable.
What are the main ferry routes to Sardinia?
Sardinia is connected to the main ports on the Italian mainland via various routes. Among the most frequently used are Civitavecchia–Olbia, Livorno–Olbia, Genoa–Olbia, Genoa–Porto Torres, and Piombino–Olbia, as well as the Civitavecchia–Cagliari, Naples–Cagliari, and Palermo–Cagliari routes, along with some seasonal routes.
For those who suffer from seasickness, the duration of the crossing is a factor that should not be underestimated. A shorter route means fewer hours at sea, although it does not necessarily mean calmer seas.
Among the fastest routes, when available, is the Piombino-Olbia route, which can take about 5 hours. The Civitavecchia–Olbia and Livorno–Olbia routes generally take between 6 and 8 hours, while trips from Genoa to Olbia or Porto Torres can take about 10 to 12 hours.
For this reason, if the top priority is to minimize the time spent at sea, a short crossing may be an attractive option.
GNV and Grimaldi Lines Ferries from Civitavecchia to Olbia: one of the most convenient options
For those traveling from Central Italy, the GNV and Grimaldi Lines ferries between Civitavecchia and Olbia are probably one of the most balanced options.
The crossing is relatively short compared to routes from Northern Italy and can also be taken overnight. For those who get seasick, this last point may be particularly appealing: with a cabin, you can spend much of the trip sleeping, avoiding having to spend many hours feeling the ship’s motion.
Of course, one shouldn’t assume that the Civitavecchia-Olbia route is always calm. With strong winds and rough seas, even a relatively short crossing can become challenging.
Moby Lines Piombino-Olbia Route: Fewer Hours at Sea
When the connection is available, the Moby Lines Piombino-Olbia ferries can represent an interesting solution for those who want to reduce the duration of the journey to a minimum .
With a crossing that can take around 5 hours, it is one of the fastest ways to reach northeastern Sardinia.
The advantage is clear: less time spent on board also means less time during which rough seas might cause seasickness.
But keep in mind: duration and sea conditions are two different matters. Five hours in rough seas can be much more difficult than eight hours in calm seas.
Moby and Grimaldi Lines’ Livorno-Olbia Crossing: A Good Compromise
The Livorno-Olbia route, operated by Moby and Grimaldi Lines, is also an attractive option. The travel time is generally longer than that of the Piombino-Olbia route, but it’s still in the range of 6 to 8 hours.
For those coming from northern or central-northern Italy, it can therefore be a good compromise between travel time and convenience.
Even in this case, however, it would make no sense to assume in advance that this route is “calmer” than the others. Sea conditions depend primarily on the prevailing weather conditions at the time.
GNV and Grimaldi Lines Ferries from Genoa to Olbia and Genoa to Porto Torres: Is the Night Ferry Better If You Get Seasick?
The GNV and Grimaldi Lines routes from Genoa to Sardinia are among those with the longest travel times. The Genoa–Olbia route can take about 10–12 hours, while the Genoa–Porto Torres route generally takes a similar amount of time.
For those who suffer severely from seasickness, the length of the trip may seem like a drawback. But there is one thing to consider: a nighttime crossing in a cabin reduces the amount of time spent awake and feeling the ship’s motion.
So if the longer route is the most logistically convenient one, it isn’t necessarily a choice to rule out. A good cabin, preferably located in the central part of the ship, can make the crossing much more manageable.
What’s the best route for preventing seasickness?
There is no definitive ranking of the routes “that cause the least seasickness.” The sea doesn’t behave the same way every day, and the same crossing can be calm on one trip and very rough on the next.
However, we can identify a strategy.
If you want to minimize your travel time as much as possible, start by looking at the shortest crossings, such as Piombino-Olbia when available.
- If you’re departing from Central Italy, the Civitavecchia-Olbia route is one of the most balanced options.
- If you’re departing from the north, the Livorno–Olbia route can be a good compromise.
- If, on the other hand, you need to take the Genoa-Olbia or Genoa-Porto Torres ferries, you should seriously consider a overnight departure and a cabin in a convenient location.
Best Ferry Seats If You Get Seasick
The choice of seat on board can be surprisingly important.
In general, the middle of the ship is where motion is felt the least. It is therefore best to avoid, whenever possible, the very bow and the very stern, where rocking can be more noticeable. Higher decks also tend to make motion feel more pronounced than on lower decks.
The ideal solution, therefore, is to look for accommodations that are centrally located and on a lower or middle deck, depending on the ship’s layout.
If you book a cabin, check the ship’s layout before making your choice: a cabin in the middle of the ship is generally preferable to one at the end. Also, if possible, avoid cabins located right next to engines, propellers, or engine rooms, where vibrations and noise can make your trip less comfortable.
Is it better to stay inside or on deck?
When you start to feel nauseous, it’s natural to seek out some fresh air. And that might be a good idea.
Spending time outdoors, sitting in a stable spot, and looking at the horizon can help reduce the conflict between what the eyes see and what the vestibular system perceives.
On the contrary, spending a long time cooped up in a theater reading, using a smartphone, or watching a movie can be counterproductive for those who are already prone to motion sickness.
So, if you start to feel sick, it’s best to stop reading or using your phone, go out onto the deck if conditions allow, breathe in some fresh air, and look for a steady point of reference on the horizon.
What should you eat before the crossing if you get seasick?
Preparing before boarding can also make a difference.
It’s best not to set sail on a completely empty stomach, but you should also avoid eating very heavy meals right before setting sail. It’s best to arrive on board well-rested, hydrated, and without having overindulged in food, alcohol, or particularly heavy beverages.
Above all, if you already know you suffer from seasickness or motion sickness, don’t wait until the nausea becomes severe before taking any medication: when using seasickness medication, it’s best to follow the instructions on the package insert or ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
See also: Tips (and a trick) for preventing seasickness on a ferry
Weather conditions matter more than the route
Finally, there is one fundamental rule: don’t choose a route thinking it will always be sheltered from rough seas.
a – Wind and waves can completely change the experience of a crossing. A longer route can be very calm under favorable conditions, while a short crossing can become very challenging in strong winds and high waves.
For this reason, in the days leading up to departure, it’s a good idea to check the weather forecast and, above all, the wind and sea conditions along the route.
The best strategy for those who suffer from seasickness is therefore quite simple: choose a crossing that isn’t too long, opt for a large, stable ship, book a cabin in the middle of the ship, and, whenever possible, travel when the weather conditions are favorable.
Book your ferry to Sardinia on Ferryfinder
If you get seasick, you don’t necessarily have to give up on taking the ferry to Sardinia. Choosing the right route can help, but there’s no route that’s magically immune to rough seas.
Piombino–Olbia Moby Lines When available, this route is appealing because of its short travel time. Civitavecchia–Olbia GNV and Grimaldi Lines is one of the most convenient options for travelers departing from Central Italy.
Livorno–OlbiaGNV and Grimaldi Lines offer a good option for those traveling from the north.
Le GNV Routes e Moby Lines Genoa – Olbia, Genoa – Porto Torres, Civitavecchia – Cagliari, Naples – Cagliari e Palermo vs. Cagliari, longer ones, on the other hand, can be tackled comfortably with an overnight crossing and a carefully chosen cabin.
Once on board, the golden rule is always the same: stay in the center of the ship, not too high up, breathe in the fresh air, and gaze toward the horizon.
And if the sea is particularly rough, no spot on the ship can guarantee that you won’t get seasick: in that case, the most important factor is always the combination of weather forecasts and actual sea conditions.
Before you leave, you can compare the different options available, check schedules and routes, and choose the connection that best suits your needs.
Compare routes and book your ferry to Sardinia on FerryFinder
