How to Find & Enter Underwater Caves in Hytale (Without Drowning)

Underwater Caves are some of the coolest—and most dangerous—hidden locations in Hytale. These submerged POIs (Points of Interest) are packed with exclusive loot like Azure Kelp, Spiral Wood, and tons of Ice for crafting the Slow Totem. The problem? Finding them without drowning is tricky, and once you’re inside, natural traps and Undead enemies make exploration deadly.

If you’ve been swimming around aimlessly hoping to stumble upon one, or worse, drowning repeatedly trying to explore the ocean floor, this guide will show you exactly how to locate Underwater Caves, enter them safely, and get out alive with all the best loot.

Where to Find Underwater Caves in Hytale

Underwater Caves are randomly generated POIs that spawn in:

• Large lakes
• Coastal waters near shorelines
• Around islands

Unlike surface caves that you can spot from a distance, Underwater Caves are hidden beneath the water’s surface, making them way harder to find. The key is knowing what to look for.

How to Spot an Underwater Cave Entrance

The telltale sign of an Underwater Cave is a “wall of dark blue water” that looks different from normal ocean water. This isn’t just a visual effect—it’s actually a current of flowing water that leads into the cave system.

Here’s what it looks like:

• Darker blue coloration compared to surrounding water
• Vertical water flow creating a visible pattern
• Distinct texture that stands out once you know what you’re looking for

Think of it as a waterfall, except it flows downward into the cave instead of over a cliff. Once you spot this pattern, you’ve found an entrance.

The Drowning Problem: How to Search Without Dying

Here’s the challenge: Hytale’s breath (oxygen) meter drains fast. You can’t just dive to the ocean floor and explore leisurely—you’ll drown long before you find anything.

Smart Search Strategy

Instead of diving deep and hoping for the best, use this approach:

1. Swim at or near the surface to maximize oxygen
2. Dive briefly to scan the area below you
3. Look for dark blue water patterns along coastlines and lake edges
4. Surface immediately to refill your oxygen bar
5. Repeat until you spot the characteristic current flow

This “peek and breathe” method lets you cover large areas without drowning. Underwater Caves typically spawn near coasts, so focus your search along shorelines rather than swimming into open ocean.

Use the Coast as Your Guide

Underwater Caves are most commonly found near coastal areas, not in the middle of deep oceans. Swim parallel to the shore at a shallow depth, periodically diving to check for dark blue water currents. This keeps you close to land (for quick escapes) and maximizes your chances of finding an entrance.

How to Enter Underwater Caves Safely

Once you’ve found the dark blue water current, entering the cave is straightforward—but there are traps waiting inside.

Using Water Currents as Ladders

The water current flows into the cave, and you can use it like a ladder:

• Swim into the current to descend into the cave
• Swim against the current to ascend back out

This is your primary method for entering and exiting safely. The current provides a controlled descent, which is way safer than just dropping through a hole.

Watch Out for Brittle Ice and Fall Damage

Here’s the danger: Inside Underwater Caves, you’ll land on blocks that can shatter under your weight. These brittle ice blocks create natural traps that drop you further down, potentially causing massive fall damage.

To avoid this:

• Aim for water ponds when descending—they cushion your fall
• Bring health potions and recovery items in case you take unexpected damage
• Move carefully on ice surfaces to avoid triggering collapses

Important: Not all water ponds inside caves are deep enough to prevent fall damage. If a pool looks shallow, don’t trust it—find another landing spot or use the water current to control your descent.

Safe Entry Checklist

Before entering an Underwater Cave, make sure you have:

• Health potions (multiple)
• Food for healing and stamina recovery
• Good armor (Iron tier or better recommended)
• Weapons (you’ll face Undead inside)
• A mental note of where the entrance current is (so you can find your way out)

What Loot You’ll Find in Underwater Caves

Underwater Caves are absolutely worth the risk because they contain exclusive materials you can’t get anywhere else.

Common Resources

Coral (Various Types) Found throughout the caves. Useful for decorative builds and certain crafting recipes.

Seashells Collectible items scattered on cave floors. Used in crafting and decoration.

Kelp Basic kelp spawns here, but you’re really after the rare variant…

Ice Abundant in Underwater Caves. Stock up here if you need 40 blocks for the Slow Totem—it’s way safer than farming Ice in the Tundra where Snow Leopards and Savages roam.

Exclusive & Rare Resources

Azure Kelp ⭐ This is the big prize. Azure Kelp is required to craft Portals and is only found in Underwater Caves. If you’re serious about teleporter fast travel, you’ll need to farm these caves.

Spiral Wood Logs Another exclusive material found only in Underwater Caves. These unique logs are used in advanced crafting recipes and can’t be obtained anywhere else.

Spiral Tree Fruits Rare fruit that spawns on Spiral Wood trees inside the caves. Likely used for cooking or alchemy recipes.

Ancient Ruins & Combat Loot

Some Underwater Caves contain ruins of ancient civilizations, which are:

• Filled with Undead enemies (bring weapons and armor)
• Sources of Essence of Ice (dropped by certain Undead)

Essence of Ice is a key ingredient for crafting the Blue Crystal Staff, one of Hytale’s magic weapons. If you’re building a Mana-based magic build, clearing these ruins is essential.

How to Exit Underwater Caves Safely

Getting out is just as important as getting in. Here’s how to avoid dying on your way out:

Method 1: Swim Up the Water Current

The same current you used to enter works in reverse:

• Locate the dark blue water flow
• Swim upward against the current
• You’ll be pushed back to the surface

This is the safest method because it avoids fall damage entirely.

Method 2: Use Water Ponds

If you’re deep inside the cave and the entrance current is far away:

• Look for water ponds that flow upward
• Some ponds connect to vertical shafts leading back to the surface
• Test depth before jumping to avoid shallow ponds

Emergency Exit: Mark Your Path

If you’re exploring a large Underwater Cave system, leave markers (torches, blocks, etc.) so you can retrace your steps to the entrance. Getting lost in a maze of underwater tunnels is a quick way to run out of supplies and die.

Combat Tips: Dealing with Undead in Ruins

If your Underwater Cave contains ancient ruins, expect combat:

Enemy Types:

• Undead (various types, some drop Essence of Ice)

Combat Strategy:

• Clear rooms methodically to avoid being swarmed
• Use ranged weapons if you have them (keeps you safe from melee rushes)
• Heal between fights—don’t push forward low on health
• Loot everything (ruins contain chests and rare drops)

If you’re undergeared, consider returning with better equipment before tackling ruins. The Essence of Ice is valuable, but it’s not worth dying for if you’re not ready.

Quick Tips for Underwater Cave Exploration

• Search coastlines first – Caves spawn near shores, not open ocean
• Bring extra health items – Fall damage and combat can drain your health fast
• Mark the entrance – Drop a waypoint or landmark so you can find your way back
• Farm Ice here instead of the Tundra – Safer than dealing with Snow Leopards
• Prioritize Azure Kelp – It’s exclusive to Underwater Caves and needed for Portals
• Test water depth before jumping – Shallow ponds still cause fall damage

Preparing for Your First Underwater Cave Run

Minimum Gear:

• Iron armor
• Iron weapons
• 5+ health potions
• Food for stamina

Ideal Gear:

• Cobalt or better armor (if you’ve farmed Cobalt)
• Enchanted or upgraded weapons
• 10+ health potions
• Magic abilities (if unlocked)

Inventory Setup:

• Empty slots for loot (Azure Kelp, Spiral Wood, Ice, etc.)
• Backpack upgrade recommended
• Tools for mining Ice and harvesting kelp

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FAQs About Underwater Caves in Hytale

Related Guides:

• How to Get Ice
• How to Get Azure Kelp
• How to Make Teleporters & Fast Travel
• How to Get Mana & Use Magic