How to Swim in the Ocean in Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Quickly unlock swimming and diving in ACNH

Written by Rain Kengly

Last Updated: July 8, 2024 Fact Checked

With the free Summer upgrade, Animal Crossing: New Horizons players can now swim in the ocean for deep sea creatures and rare items. You'll just need a swimsuit from Nook's Cranny to walk into the water or dive from the pier or rocks. This wikiHow will show you how to swim in Animal Crossing: New Horizons on Nintendo Switch.

Things You Should Know

To swim in Animal Crossing, equip a Wet Suit and press "A" next to the pier or ocean.
Swim faster by pressing "A" and dive underwater by pressing "Y."
Wet Suits can be purchased from Nook's Cranny for 3,000 Bells.

Steps

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1
Get a wetsuit. To swim in Animal Crossing, you'll need to purchase a wetsuit. Wetsuits come in varying designs.
- You can purchase a wetsuit in Nook's Cranny for 3,000 Bells.^{[1]
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- You can also purchase a wetsuit using Nook Shopping in your NookPhone or redeem a wetsuit in the ABD machine in Resident Services.
Select it in your inventory to equip the wetsuit. Your character must be wearing a wetsuit to go into the ocean.

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3
Press A next to water. You can walk into the water from the beach or dive off the pier or beach rocks. Your character will begin swimming.
- By default, you'll tread the water slowly when you move. Swim faster by tapping A as you go.
- Keep in mind that swimming next to any fish (not sea creatures) will scare them away.
4
Dive for sea creatures. As you swim, you'll see little bubbles floating to the surface. This means there's something in the water below you.
- Dive underwater by pressing Y over the bubbles. You can be underwater for 8-10 seconds.
- When you dive, you'll see a shadow under the water. Tap A to quickly catch up to the shadow and capture it.

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Tips

While the Wet Suit is something your character wears, it acts more as a tool. You won't be able to add it to your quick-change Wand or pick a different design in your wardrobe, so make sure it's in your inventory if you want to use it.

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You can use other tools while wearing a Wet Suit; they'll just take priority over it. Make sure to put away any tools before you get in the water.

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