To start Bubbly Basin, buy and install the Expansion Pass, reach Bleak Beach after raising its environment level, unlock Dive by helping Manaphy on the nearby island, then talk to Popplio outside the Bleak Beach Pokémon Center and use Dive to enter the underwater gate.
Bubbly Basin is tied to both the paid Expansion Pass and the free Version 2.0.0 update, so the route only opens once your game, save file, and Bleak Beach progress all line up. The fastest path is to treat Dive as the real gatekeeper: get it from Manaphy first, then use it to reach Popplio’s underwater entrance.
Requirements before Bubbly Basin appears
| Requirement | What |
|---|---|
| Expansion Pass | Buy and install the Pokémon Pokopia Expansion Pass; Bubbly Basin is paid DLC and is not sold separately. |
| Version 2.0.0 | Update the game so Dive, Popplio’s trigger, and Bubbly Basin access are available. |
| Bleak Beach access | Progress far enough to reach Bleak Beach from the main game. |
| Bleak Beach environment | Complete Raise the environment level! and raise Bleak Beach to environment level 5. |
| Surf | Have Surf unlocked so you can cross the water from Bleak Beach to Manaphy’s island. |
| Dive | Help Manaphy with its Seaweed request to learn Dive. |
KEY!
Before you chase the underwater gate, make sure your save has completed Raise the environment level! and raised Bleak Beach to environment level 5. Surf gets you to Manaphy’s island, but Dive is what lets you enter the DLC area itself.
Some progression routes also include Jump from Magikarp before this point, but the route to Manaphy’s island specifically depends on Surf once Bleak Beach has opened up enough.
How to start Bubbly Basin in Pokémon Pokopia
Start at Bleak Beach, help Manaphy on the nearby island, and finish its request to unlock Dive.
STEP 1/5
Talk to Professor Tangrowth
Speak with Professor Tangrowth outside the Bleak Beach Pokémon Center so he points out the small island beyond the sea.
STEP 2/5
Surf to the island
Use Surf to cross from Bleak Beach to the small island in the distance.
STEP 3/5
Speak with Manaphy
Find Manaphy lying on the beach and accept its request for food.
STEP 4/5
Collect Seaweed
Pick up five bunches of Seaweed around the island’s sandy shore, returning to the main island only if you still need more.
STEP 5/5
Return to Manaphy
Give Manaphy the five Seaweed to complete the request and receive access to Dive.
Collect all five Seaweed before returning to Manaphy so you do not have to repeat the hand-in after learning it needs a full stack.
Video help
Use Dive at Popplio’s Bubbly Basin gate
After Dive is unlocked, return to the Bleak Beach Pokémon Center. If the Expansion Pass is installed and Bleak Beach’s environment request is complete, Popplio appears outside and introduces its underwater hometown, Bubbly Basin.
Fix Popplio or the Bubbly Basin gate not showing
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| Popplio is not outside the Pokémon Center | Install the Expansion Pass and return after completing Bleak Beach’s Raise the environment level! request. |
| Dive is unavailable | Update to Version 2.0.0, then complete Manaphy’s Seaweed request. |
| Manaphy’s island is unreachable | Unlock Surf and progress Bleak Beach far enough for the island route to open. |
| The underwater gate is hard to find | Search the ocean west of Bleak Beach, behind the Pokémon Center, instead of random coastline spots. |
| The gate appears but will not open | Make sure Dive is learned, then interact with the gate prompt after speaking to Popplio. |
If Popplio is missing or the underwater entrance is not usable, Bleak Beach’s Raise the environment level! request must be complete at environment level 5. Work through the blockers below in order, because the DLC trigger depends on both your purchase status and your Bleak Beach progress.
What Bubbly Basin opens after entry
Entering Bubbly Basin starts the underwater town content. From there, you can use Dive for underwater exploration, meet more Water-type Pokémon, and begin working with the DLC’s Bubble Print and underwater building items.
The new area also adds extra crops and items, including watermelons and smoothies, plus features such as Dream Island. Treat those as your next goals once the gate is open and Bubbly Basin has loaded properly.
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