The Pokémon Pokopia Expansion Pass has finally opened the door to an entirely new adventure, and trust me, Bubbly Basin is way more than just another map to explore. This massive underwater expansion transforms the game with an ocean-themed town packed with exclusive Pokémon, fresh story quests, unique building mechanics, Dream Islands, collectibles, and plenty of secrets waiting beneath the waves.

Inspired by an underwater version of Cerulean City, Bubbly Basin is the headline feature of the Version 2.0.0 update. But here’s the catch—buying the Expansion Pass alone won’t get you inside. The game expects you to earn your way in by unlocking new traversal abilities, completing important quests, and discovering a hidden underwater entrance.

If you’re wondering why the DLC isn’t opening or where the entrance is located, don’t worry. Here’s everything you need to know to unlock Bubbly Basin, learn Dive, activate the hidden Area Gate, and prepare for one of Pokémon Pokopia’s biggest adventures yet.

Read more: Before setting off for the Expansion Pass area, it’s worth learning how Pokopia’s evolution and habitat systems work since many new Pokémon you’ll meet in Bubbly Basin depend on them. Our Pokémon Pokopia Evolution & Habitats Guide explains everything you need to know.

Everything You Need Before Unlocking Bubbly Basin

Before the game lets you enter the new expansion area, several requirements must be completed. Missing even one of them means the Area Gate won’t activate.

Requirement	How to Unlock
Pokémon Pokopia Expansion Pass (Wave 1)	Purchase the Expansion Pass
Version 2.0.0	Download the free game update
Jump	Unlock through story progression
Surf	Unlock through story progression
Bleak Beach Environment Level 5	Complete the “Raise the Environment Level!” Important Request
Dive	Complete Manaphy’s quest in Bleak Beach

Once every requirement has been completed, you’ll finally be ready to enter the first Expansion Pass area.

How to Unlock Dive in Pokémon Pokopia

Dive is the final ability standing between you and Bubbly Basin.

The good news is that Dive isn’t locked behind the Expansion Pass. It arrived as part of the free Version 2.0.0 update, meaning every player can unlock it whether they own the DLC or not.

Here’s how to learn Dive:

• Update Pokémon Pokopia to Version 2.0.0.
• Visit Professor Tangrowth at the Bleak Beach Pokémon Center.
• Accept the newly available quest.
• Follow the quest to investigate a nearby island.
• Meet Manaphy and help by collecting the requested Seaweed.
• Complete the quest to permanently unlock Dive.

Once Dive becomes available, Ditto can finally explore underwater areas throughout Pokopia, including the hidden entrance leading to Bubbly Basin.

Continue reading: Exploring underwater is only one part of the adventure. If you’re planning to uncover every secret Pokopia has to offer, our How to Get Concrete in Pokémon Pokopia guide covers another important resource you’ll eventually need.

How to Start the Bubbly Basin DLC

After checking off every requirement, it’s finally time to trigger the expansion.

Head back to the Bleak Beach Pokémon Center, where you’ll notice Popplio waiting nearby.

Talk to Popplio to begin a short event.

During this conversation:

• Your Pokédex receives new DLC-related information.
• Popplio introduces the underwater town of Bubbly Basin.
• You’re officially invited to explore the brand-new area.

Once the dialogue ends, the hidden Area Gate becomes accessible.

Where to Find the Bubbly Basin Entrance

Finding the entrance is honestly one of the coolest parts of unlocking the DLC because it’s completely hidden beneath the ocean.

Step 1: Travel to Bleak Beach Pokémon Center

Fast travel—or simply make your way—to the Bleak Beach Pokémon Center.

Step 2: Head Toward the Northeastern Coast

Walk toward the northeastern shoreline near the Pokémon Center.

If you’ve played through the story, this is the same general location where Meowth eventually builds its home.

Jump into the water here.

Step 3: Use Dive

Activate Dive and begin swimming underwater.

Keep moving farther away from the shoreline until you discover an underwater pathway.

Step 4: Watch for the Underwater Landmarks

You’ll know you’re heading the right way when several familiar landmarks appear.

Look for:

• Stone pathways
• Old lampposts
• A wooden barrel

These objects signal that you’re extremely close to the hidden Area Gate.

Step 5: Enter the Underwater Cave

Near the pathway, you’ll spot a small underwater cave.

Swim inside and continue through the tunnel.

At the very end, you’ll finally discover the Area Gate leading into Bubbly Basin.

Step 6: Activate the Area Gate

Interact with the gate.

Ditto automatically scans it using the Pokédex, triggering a short activation animation.

Once the scan finishes, Bubbly Basin officially unlocks and you’ll enter the underwater town for the very first time.

The best part? After this initial visit, Bubbly Basin permanently becomes a fast-travel destination, so you never have to repeat the underwater journey again.

Read next: Once you arrive in the new region, you’ll quickly start collecting fresh crafting materials. Knowing How to Make Paper in Pokémon Pokopia early can save plenty of time as new building projects become available.

What’s Included in the Free Version 2.0.0 Update?

Although Bubbly Basin itself is exclusive to Expansion Pass owners, Version 2.0.0 introduced several features that every player can enjoy.

The free update includes:

• The Dive ability
• Various gameplay improvements
• Multiple quality-of-life upgrades
• New mechanics designed to support Expansion Pass content

Keep in mind that while everyone can unlock Dive and enjoy the update’s improvements, you’ll still need to purchase the Expansion Pass to actually enter Bubbly Basin.

What Is Bubbly Basin?

Bubbly Basin serves as the very first chapter of Pokémon Pokopia’s three-part Expansion Pass.

Designed as an underwater version of Cerulean City, the region revolves around underwater exploration, habitat restoration, creative construction, and discovering the mysteries hidden beneath the ocean floor.

As you continue increasing the area’s Environment Level, even more content gradually opens up. New Pokémon begin arriving, Important Requests become available, fresh recipes unlock, and additional construction projects help transform the underwater town into a thriving new home.

Also worth checking out: While you’re still exploring Bleak Beach, don’t miss our Peakychu Location Guide if you’re hoping to track down one of the area’s rarer Pokémon.

Everything Waiting for You Inside Bubbly Basin

Finally reaching Bubbly Basin is only the beginning. The expansion is loaded with fresh content that keeps unlocking as you restore the underwater town, complete Important Requests, and raise its Environment Level. From exclusive Pokémon and creative building mechanics to hidden mysteries and powerful rewards, there’s always something new around the corner.

Here’s everything you’ll discover after unlocking the DLC.

Discover Brand-New Pokémon

One of the biggest reasons to visit Bubbly Basin is its exclusive Pokémon roster.

The expansion introduces numerous Pokémon that don’t appear anywhere in the base game, including several Water-type species that can only be found throughout the new underwater habitats.

As you continue restoring the town and constructing additional habitats, even more Pokémon gradually begin moving into the area, making every upgrade feel rewarding.

Build New Underwater Habitats

Bubbly Basin comes with its own Habitat Dex focused entirely on underwater life.

Each habitat requires different crafting materials and resources, encouraging you to keep exploring, gathering supplies, and expanding the town.

Every new habitat attracts different Pokémon, giving you even more reasons to continue raising the area’s Environment Level and filling out your collection.

Keep reading: Version 2.0.0 added plenty of new features beyond the DLC itself. If you’re interested in giving your character a fresh look, our Pokémon Pokopia Character Customisation Guide covers every available option.

Complete New Story Quests

The expansion isn’t just about exploration—there’s an entirely new storyline waiting beneath the waves.

Throughout Bubbly Basin you’ll meet several new Pokémon, including Popplio, Frillish, and other residents who offer Important Requests.

Finishing these quests unlocks additional gameplay mechanics, new buildings, and further progression through the DLC’s main story, gradually revealing more of the underwater world’s secrets.

Unlock the Starmie Doll and Dream Island

One of the expansion’s coolest discoveries arrives during Frillish’s storyline.

As you progress through the questline, you’ll eventually uncover the hidden Starmie Doll inside a cave.

Finding it unlocks an entirely new Dream Island where you can gather rare crafting materials while also having a chance to encounter Phione.

Keep in mind that Phione’s appearance isn’t guaranteed, making every visit to the Dream Island a little different.

Read next: Filling out your Pokédex becomes much easier when you understand each habitat. Our Voltorb Habitat Guide walks through another unique area worth restoring.

Portal Pods Make Storage Easier Than Ever

If you’ve ever been frustrated constantly running back to your base because your inventory was full, Portal Pods completely change the game.

These shared storage containers let you access the same inventory from multiple locations across Pokopia, making resource gathering and exploration far more convenient.

Expansion Pass owners receive two free Portal Pods early during their time in Bubbly Basin.

After obtaining them, additional Portal Pods can be created using the 3D Printer, allowing you to build an efficient storage network wherever your adventures take you.

Continue exploring: Every habitat attracts different Pokémon, and our Psyduck Habitat Guide shows how another restoration project expands your growing ecosystem.

Get Creative With Buoyant Blocks

Creative builders have plenty to look forward to as well.

Bubbly Basin introduces Buoyant Blocks, a brand-new construction material designed specifically for underwater building.

These unique blocks allow structures to float at different heights beneath the ocean, opening up creative possibilities that simply weren’t possible before.

Combined with the new furniture recipes and decorations introduced in Version 2.0.0, Buoyant Blocks greatly expand the game’s building system and make underwater construction more fun than ever.

Read more: Not every request is tied directly to the main story. If you’re tackling side objectives too, our Find a Book Quest Guide covers another easy-to-miss mission.

Grow Watermelons and Make Smoothies

The expansion also introduces brand-new farming and cooking content.

Players can grow Watermelons that are unique to Bubbly Basin and use them to craft delicious Smoothies, adding even more recipes and cooking options to the underwater region.

It’s another rewarding activity that ties into restoring and developing the town.

Need even more room? Shared storage is incredibly useful, but expanding your inventory is just as important. Our Pokémon Pokopia Storage Upgrade Guide explains how to carry even more resources.

Investigate the Mysterious Underwater Hole

Not every secret in Bubbly Basin reveals itself immediately.

As you continue exploring, you’ll eventually come across a mysterious hole deep within the ocean floor.

Its true purpose becomes clearer as you progress through the DLC storyline, making it one of the expansion’s biggest long-term mysteries and giving players another reason to keep pushing forward.

Expansion Pass Bonus Rewards

Besides unlocking Bubbly Basin itself, purchasing the Pokémon Pokopia Expansion Pass also includes several exclusive bonuses.

Read next: Building projects often go hand in hand with crafting. If you’re gathering construction materials, our Twine Farming Guide covers another ingredient you’ll frequently need.

Ditto Print Blocks and Wallpaper Recipe

Expansion Pass owners receive a special crafting recipe featuring Ditto-themed print blocks and wallpaper.

The recipe can be claimed through the Downloadable Content option on the game’s main menu.

Get 30 Rare Pokémetal Ingots

Another valuable bonus arrives through a Mystery Gift code sent via email.

After redeeming the code, you’ll receive 30 Rare Pokémetal Ingots, valuable crafting materials used throughout the expansion.

To claim the reward:

• Open the Mystery Gifts menu at any Pokémon Center.
• Link your Nintendo Account.
• Connect to the internet.
• Redeem the Mystery Gift code received through email.

These rare materials can provide a helpful boost as you begin building and restoring Bubbly Basin.

Hungry for more recipes? Once you start experimenting in the kitchen, don’t miss our Cooking Recipes Guide for a complete look at everything you can prepare.

Tips Before You Explore Bubbly Basin

Before diving headfirst into the expansion, keep these tips in mind to make your first visit much smoother:

• Install Version 2.0.0 before attempting to access the DLC.
• Complete Manaphy’s quest as early as possible to permanently unlock Dive.
• Reach Environment Level 5 in Bleak Beach before returning to Popplio.
• If you’re struggling to locate the entrance, search the northeastern underwater section of Bleak Beach for the stone pathways, old lampposts, and wooden barrel—these landmarks lead directly to the hidden Area Gate.
• Start raising Bubbly Basin’s Environment Level immediately after arriving to unlock additional habitats, recipes, Important Requests, and progression.
• Be sure to collect the two free Portal Pods and the Starmie Doll early in your adventure, as both unlock incredibly useful gameplay features that make exploration and resource gathering much easier.

Read more: Bubbly Basin isn’t the only place hiding major secrets. Our Large Presence Kyogre Guide explores another mystery waiting later in the game.

Bubbly Basin Is Just the Beginning

Bubbly Basin isn’t simply another area added through DLC—it’s an entirely new adventure packed with underwater exploration, exclusive Pokémon, creative building mechanics, hidden collectibles, and an expanding storyline full of mysteries waiting to be uncovered.

From learning Dive and activating the secret underwater Area Gate to discovering Dream Islands, unlocking Portal Pods, collecting the Starmie Doll, and investigating the mysterious hole beneath the ocean floor, every step feels like you’re uncovering another layer of Pokémon Pokopia’s biggest expansion yet.

If you’re planning to jump into the Expansion Pass, make sure you’ve completed every unlock requirement first. Once the gate opens, a massive underwater world filled with new Pokémon, fresh gameplay systems, and countless secrets is waiting beneath the waves.

Also see: Those Rare Pokémetal Ingots become much more valuable once you begin unlocking advanced facilities. Our How to Rebuild the Pokémon Center explains one of the biggest progression milestones.

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Image Credits: The Pokémon Company / Nintendo / YouTube (CupcakeIsGaming)