You can make a water breathing potion in Minecraft by brewing a pufferfish into an awkward potion. This potion lets you breathe underwater and removes the screen tint while swimming, making it one of the best brews for ocean exploring and underwater builds. This guide covers the full recipe, the extended version, and the best ways to use it.
TL;DR
- Brew nether wart into a water bottle first to make an awkward potion.
- Add a pufferfish to the awkward potion to make a potion of water breathing.
- Add redstone dust to extend the duration up to 8 minutes.
- Add gunpowder to turn it into a splash potion you can throw.
- This potion also prevents the air bar from draining while underwater.
What You Need
- A brewing stand, fueled with blaze powder
- Water bottles
- Nether wart
- A pufferfish
If you have not built a brewing stand yet, check our guide on how to make a brewing stand in Minecraft, then come back here for the water breathing recipe.
How To Get A Pufferfish
Pufferfish can be caught using a fishing rod in ocean or river biomes, though they appear less often than regular fish. You can also find pufferfish swimming naturally in warm ocean biomes and catch them directly using a water bucket. Be careful when near them in the water, since pufferfish poison you if you get too close.
How To Make A Water Breathing Potion Step By Step
- Fill glass bottles with water from a cauldron or water source.
- Place the water bottles in the bottom slots of the brewing stand.
- Add nether wart to the top ingredient slot to create an awkward potion.
- Once brewing finishes, add a pufferfish to the top slot.
- Wait for the brewing process to complete. You now have a potion of water breathing.
What Does Water Breathing Do
Water breathing stops your air meter from draining while underwater, so you will not take suffocation damage even if you stay submerged for the full duration. The base potion lasts 3 minutes, giving you plenty of time to explore underwater structures without surfacing for air.
How To Extend The Duration
To make the effect last longer:
- Start with a finished potion of water breathing.
- Add redstone dust to the top ingredient slot.
- This extends the duration to 8 minutes, giving you much more time for deep ocean exploring or monument raids.
Water breathing does not have an upgraded “II” version, since glowstone dust has no effect on this potion.
How To Make A Splash Potion Of Water Breathing
You can also make a throwable version:
- Start with a finished potion of water breathing, regular or extended.
- Add gunpowder to the top ingredient slot.
- This converts it into a splash potion that applies the effect to anyone caught in the impact area.
Keep in mind that splash potions cannot be thrown effectively while already underwater, so apply this one before you submerge.
Best Uses For Water Breathing Potion
- Exploring ocean monuments and fighting guardians without surfacing constantly
- Searching shipwrecks and underwater ruins for loot
- Building underwater bases or structures that take a long time to complete
- Combined with a potion of swiftness if you have depth strider boots, for faster and safer underwater travel
Frequently Asked Questions
What ingredients make a water breathing potion?
You need an awkward potion, made from nether wart and a water bottle, then add a pufferfish to finish the potion of water breathing.
How long does water breathing last?
The base potion lasts 3 minutes. Adding redstone dust extends it to 8 minutes.
Is there a stronger version of water breathing?
No. Water breathing does not have an upgraded version, since glowstone dust does not affect this potion.
Does water breathing stop drowning damage completely?
Yes. While active, your air meter will not drain underwater, so you will not take suffocation damage during the potion’s duration.
Can you throw a water breathing potion at someone else?
Yes. Add gunpowder to turn it into a splash potion, which applies the effect to anyone caught in the impact area.
