Do I Need a Snorkel to Swim in Animal Crossing?

The short answer is no, you do not need a snorkel to swim in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. While the game does gift you a snorkeling mask upon downloading the update that introduced swimming and diving, it is purely cosmetic. The essential item for exploring the ocean depths is a wetsuit. This article will delve into the mechanics of swimming and diving in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, clarifying the role of the snorkel mask, and answering common questions about water-related activities within the game.

The Wetsuit: Your Key to Aquatic Adventures

The most crucial element for swimming in Animal Crossing: New Horizons is the wetsuit. Without it, you cannot enter the water beyond the shoreline. The wetsuit is not a gift, unlike the snorkel. You must purchase it, and there are two ways to do so:

• Nook Shopping App: This is the easiest method. You can order a wetsuit from the Nook Shopping catalog via your NookPhone.
• Nook’s Cranny: If the shop is open, wetsuits are also available for sale directly within the store.

Once you have acquired your wetsuit, you need to equip it like any other piece of clothing. This will allow your character to enter the water.

How to Enter the Water

With your wetsuit on, entering the ocean is simple. You can do this in one of three ways:

• Wade in: Simply walk into the sea from the beach.
• Jump off: You can jump from the pier or beach rocks straight into the ocean.

Once in the water, you can press the ‘A’ button to swim. Continue to tap A to swim around. It’s important to note that there’s a net in place that stops you going out too far.

The Snorkel Mask: Fashion Over Function

So, if the snorkel mask isn’t necessary for swimming, what’s its purpose? The snorkel mask is purely an aesthetic item. It does not influence your character’s ability to swim, dive, or explore the ocean.

While the game includes a snorkeling mask as part of an update, it is meant to provide a visual sense of being prepared for the ocean exploration. However, as a gameplay component, it offers no practical advantage. The game designers likely wanted to give players that beach-ready vibe, even if its function isn’t required for game mechanics.

Snorkels in Real Life vs. Animal Crossing

In real life, a snorkel helps a swimmer breathe while their face is submerged, allowing them to see what’s underwater. This allows for surface swimming and short dives. The real-world use of snorkels doesn’t translate to Animal Crossing. You don’t see your character taking breath through it, nor does it facilitate deeper dives or anything else. In the game, diving for sea creatures requires a wetsuit only, and the snorkel mask’s presence or absence doesn’t affect this in any way.

Diving: The True Ocean Exploration

Once you have your wetsuit, the ocean floor becomes accessible. Diving is initiated by swimming towards shadows in the water. Press ‘Y’ to dive below the surface, and you can start collecting the deep-sea creatures. These creatures are not preloaded and will appear after you enter the ocean, so be patient.

The underwater world is where you’ll discover numerous marine species that can be donated to the museum, sold for bells, or used in crafting. Diving is the primary gameplay reason for acquiring a wetsuit, not swimming itself. The snorkel mask, however, will neither help nor hinder this endeavor.

Swimming Speed

How fast you swim depends on how much you mash the ‘A’ button. You don’t need to press A constantly; just hold the joystick in the direction you want to travel and tap A for movement, or hold it down for faster movement. For slow swimming, avoid mashing A. Your character will move at a slow, leisurely pace. Use this speed to approach bubbles carefully so as not to scare off the creatures.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions that will give you a better understanding of the water activities in Animal Crossing: New Horizons:

1. Can I swim in my pool in Animal Crossing?

No. Sadly, you cannot swim in your pool or any other body of water, like rivers and bathtubs, on your island. The only swimmable water in Animal Crossing: New Horizons is the open ocean.

2. Why can’t I cross the river in Animal Crossing?

To cross rivers on your island, you’ll need a vaulting pole. You can craft one after collecting softwood. You can also create bridges to cross them.

3. Do I need a wetsuit to swim?

Yes, you absolutely need a wetsuit to swim in the ocean. The snorkel mask is optional, but the wetsuit is a must-have.

4. When can I start diving?

You can start diving after acquiring and equipping a wetsuit and once your game is updated to version 1.3.

5. What is the rarest thing you can get from diving?

The Gigas Giant Clam is considered to be the rarest and most expensive item you can find while diving in the ocean.

6. How do I swim slowly?

Avoid mashing the ‘A’ button. Simply use the joystick to control your character and tap A gently to swim at a slow pace.

7. Can I swim at night?

Yes, you can swim at night. Some sea creatures are active only at night, so nighttime diving can be very productive.

8. Can I swim if I buy a wetsuit?

Yes, you can swim once you equip the wetsuit. Simply head to the beach, enter the water and start exploring.

9. What is the snorkel for in Animal Crossing: New Horizons?

The snorkel is primarily a cosmetic accessory. It adds to the look of your character while swimming, but it has no functional impact.

10. Can I change rivers in Animal Crossing?

Yes, you can change rivers on your island using the Island Designer app after unlocking the terraforming features.

11. Why can’t I catch a Golden Trout?

Golden Trout can be hard to catch since they are one of the rarer fish and can only be found in clifftop rivers.

12. How do I get across water in Animal Crossing?

You can use a vaulting pole to jump over rivers, or you can build bridges to walk over them.

13. What is the secret beach in Animal Crossing: New Horizons?

The secret beach is where Redd’s boat docks, and it’s accessible with a ladder and has all kinds of artwork.

14. Can you catch sharks in Animal Crossing: New Horizons?

Yes, you can catch sharks during specific times of the year and day. The Great White, Saw Shark, and Hammerhead Shark all have unique active hours.

15. Do snorkels help with water crossing?

Not in Animal Crossing. Snorkels in-game are purely for looks and do not enable crossing of deeper water in any way. In the real-world, engine snorkels on vehicles allow crossing deeper bodies of water.

Conclusion

In summary, while the snorkel mask adds to the visual appeal of your character and gives you a beach vibe, it is not required to swim in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. The wetsuit is the critical item needed to swim and explore the ocean. By purchasing and equipping a wetsuit, you can dive for sea creatures, swim along the surface, and take part in all of the aquatic adventures this game has to offer. The snorkel mask is a fun accessory, but purely optional. Have fun exploring the depths of your island’s oceans!