In Minecraft, there’s plenty to discover not just on land, but underwater too. After the Update Aquatic 1.13, the oceans were completely overhauled and have been refreshed with every update since! From varied biomes and intriguing ruins to brand-new creatures, you’ll find some truly unique sights. A dive into the deep is absolutely worth it—just be sure to bring a Potion of Water Breathing so you don’t run out of air. Here’s what you can find and why an underwater adventure pays off.
Minecraft Ocean Biomes: Temperatures, Water Color, and Resources
Minecraft’s oceans are split into different biomes. The primary difference is temperature, which you won’t sense directly as a player but will clearly notice through the water’s color. In addition, certain blocks and plants are exclusive to specific biomes.
All Minecraft ocean biomes:
Warm Ocean: One of the most beautiful underwater biomes, home to colorful coral reefs. This is the only place you can find these blocks and plants. The seafloor is sand with plenty of seagrass (but no kelp). Pufferfish and tropical fish thrive here. You can also find sea pickles.
Lukewarm Ocean: You’ll find sand as well as clay here, plus some kelp and seagrass. Tropical fish are joined by cod.
Ocean: The standard ocean is a mix of gravel, sand, clay, and dirt. Kelp and seagrass grow tall. Tropical fish are gone, but dolphins, squids, and the Nautilus spawn here.
Cold Ocean: The water turns a deep blue and the floor is mostly gravel. Some creatures disappear, but you’ll find cod and salmon. The Nautilus likes it here as well.
Frozen Ocean: Easily recognized above the surface thanks to icebergs and floes. You’ll find lots of ice. There’s life here too, such as polar bears. In the water, you’ll find salmon, Nautilus, and squids.
Every variant (except warm oceans) also has a deep version. These are about 30 blocks deeper, making them much more exciting to explore. The basic look doesn’t change, but there are more opportunities to discover secrets. Some structures also generate here—we’ll get to those in a moment.
Minecraft Ocean Mobs: Dolphins, Fish, Nautilus, and Squids
Minecraft’s oceans are full of life. Many mobs now swim beneath the waves, and their mix varies by temperature. You’ll find plenty of exclusive animals and monsters at sea, making a visit well worth it.
Peaceful ocean life in Minecraft:
Fish: Minecraft currently features four fish types: pufferfish, tropical fish, salmon, and cod. You’ll see them swimming and can also catch them by fishing. They add great ambiance to the oceans and are a solid food source.
Dolphins: Dolphins are incredibly handy in the water, granting you a speed boost when you swim with them. You’ll find them in warmer oceans, and you can even lead them with a leash. They’ll sometimes leap gracefully out of the water.
(Glow) Squid: Squids are common throughout Minecraft’s waters, spawning basically anywhere there’s water. They’re the only renewable source of ink sacs. Their glowing variant also exists, though only in the deep ocean or underwater caves.
Nautilus: The Nautilus is fairly new and one of the coolest water creatures. You can tame it and ride it, letting you breathe underwater. Read the full guide here: (Minecraft Nautilus Guide: Locations, Taming, Riding & Armor) . There’s also a zombie variant, which is neutral rather than hostile.
Hostile monsters in the depths:
Drowned: Zombies that stay in water too long become Drowned. They also spawn near ocean ruins. They often carry a trident.
Guardians: Strange underwater creatures that resemble mining contraptions. They’re found in ocean monuments alongside the Elder Guardian. They attack you (and other sea life) with laser beams.
Minecraft Ocean Structures: Caves, Shipwrecks, Ruins, Monuments
It’s not just the wildlife that’s fascinating—the structures hide plenty of secret treasures too. Brew a Potion of Water Breathing and plunge into the deep to uncover some of these mysteries. Or ride a Nautilus to make exploration even better.
Caves and Ravines: While not structures per se, caves are often found underwater. They frequently lead into large cave systems you might not have discovered otherwise.
Shipwrecks: Sunken ships are always a welcome sight, often containing rare treasures. You can find treasure maps (for the Heart of the Sea), armor for your Nautilus, and rare gemstones. Diving for wrecks is a fantastic pastime.
Ocean Ruins: Ruins are common, both large and small. In warm oceans they’re made of sandstone; in colder waters they’re stone bricks. They’re important for archaeology, as you’ll find pottery sherds and even unique Sniffer eggs here.
Ocean Monuments: Found only in the deep ocean, these massive monuments stand out with prismarine blocks and guardians. They’re among the largest structures in Minecraft and are composed of multiple elements. You can find rare sponges here, treasures like gold blocks, and sea lanterns for your builds. You can also turn a monument into an automatic farm—check out our article: (How to Build a Sea Lantern Farm in Minecraft: Step-by-Step Guide) .
Conclusion: Explore Minecraft’s Oceans and Find Rare Treasures
Minecraft’s seas hold plenty of surprises and are absolutely worth an expedition. With the Nautilus, it’s now even easier—you’ll never run out of air and can fight while underwater. From unique blocks like coral to ancient ruins, there’s all kinds of fascinating content beneath the ocean’s surface. Or take on a massive ocean monument and defeat the Elder Guardian.
Tame a Nautilus, rent a Minecraft server on our website and dive into the deep oceans to uncover rare treasures.
