Pokemon Pokopia's new underwater expansion is now available, allowing you to learn how to dive and explore underwater. Diving is a free add-on for all players, but if you purchased the paid DLC for the brand-new underwater town, this guide will give you all the steps you need in order to dive down and reach Pokopia's new Bubbly Basin.

How to get started with 2.0 update

It's worth noting that all players will be able to learn the dive mechanic by completing the steps below, but you'll only be able to befriend the update's new Pokemon and reach Bubbly Basin if you have the paid DLC pass.

The new Bubbly Basin town is part of Pokopia's three-part DLC expansion pass. To access this new location, you'll need to make sure you've purchased the content ($35) from the Nintendo eShop, and then check to make sure your game is updated to the new 2.0 version.

You'll also need to complete the first part of the game's main storyline by completing the Withering Wasteland starting area and unlocking the Bleak Beach main quest. Longtime players who've completed Bleak Beach can skip down to the "Learn new dive ability" section of this guide.

If you're just starting out, you will need to work your way through the Bleak Beach questline. This includes learning important mechanics like swimming from Piplup and surfing from Lapras. You'll meet Piplup early on by following the Bleak Beach story prompts, but building the Tropical Seaside habitat will spawn Lapras.

Tropical Habitat:

  • 1 - Large palm tree
  • 4 - Of any hedge
  • 2 - Ocean tiles

Here is our full walkthrough for completing Bleak Beach. You likely won't need to complete the full quest to access Bubbly Basin, but you will probably need to progress and raise the environment level enough to get a notification from Professor Tangrowth with the text prompt saying, "What could it be?"

How to learn Dive in Pokopia Bleak Beach in 2.0 update

Head to Bleak Beach. Professor Tangrowth is in front of the Pokemon Center with a dialogue bubble asking, "What could it be?" Talk to the Professor to advance the new questline.

New island with Manaphy

He'll point out a new small island that's popped up nearby. He'll ask you to use your surf ability to head over and investigate. You'll encounter the Pokemon known as Manaphy on this new island.

First, Manaphy asks you to bring them five seaweed, which is readily available on this new island. Completing this request will allow Manaphy to teach you the new dive mechanic.

Bring Manaphy five seaweed

Test out the new dive ability at Manaphy's request, and then you'll need to head back to the Pokemon Center to get an encounter with Popplio. Speak with Popplio to get started on the Bubbly Basin quest.

Reach Bubbly Basin

Popplio wants you to follow them to their underwater town. To do this, head to the section of the ocean directly behind the Bleak Beach Pokemon Center. You don't have to surf out far before you reach a shallow area with a rock, as shown in the screenshot below.

The entrance to Bubbly Basin

This is where you'll find the entrance to Bubbly Basin. Head there with Popplio, dive down, and interact with the gate to open. This will introduce you to a brand-new town, which, much like the other parts of Pokopia, needs a little sprucing up and new habitats built.

Make sure to check out our complete Pokopia guides hub including how to time travel, visit Dream Islands, cook all recipes, and more.