The Bubbly Basin DLC is finally live in Pokémon Pokopia, and it brings the first wave of paid Expansion Pass content to the game. Getting in requires a few steps that the game doesn't spell out clearly, so if you've bought the pass and can't figure out why Bubbly Basin isn't showing up yet, here's exactly what you need to do.
What are the prerequisites to unlock Bubbly Basin?
Bubbly Basin isn't accessible from the start, and the gate won't open until you've met every requirement. Work through this list before expecting anything to happen.
Progress requirements
You need to have moved past the starting area of the game before Bubbly Basin becomes relevant. Specifically:
- Complete the Withered Wasteland area, which is where Pokopia begins.
- Unlock access to Bleak Beach.
- Finish the 'Raise the Environment Level in Bleak Beach' request.
That last one is the gating condition most players miss. You can own the Expansion Pass and have all three movement abilities and still find nothing if that request isn't done.
Bleak Beach Pokémon Center
Ability requirements
Three movement abilities are required to reach and enter Bubbly Basin:
If you've already raised the Bleak Beach environment level, Jump and Surf are almost certainly already in your toolkit. Dive is the new one added in the v2.0.0 update, and you'll need to learn it from Manaphy specifically.
Expansion Pass requirement
The Expansion Pass must be purchased. This is the only paid requirement in the list, but it's non-negotiable. Popplio will not appear at Bleak Beach without it, regardless of how far you've progressed in the base game.
How to start the Bubbly Basin DLC
Once every prerequisite is ticked off, head to the Pokémon Center on Bleak Beach. You'll find Popplio waiting there. Start a conversation with it, and Popplio will talk about its home, then point you toward the gate that leads to Bubbly Basin.
The gate itself sits beneath the surface of the sea, parallel to the back of the Pokémon Center. You'll need Dive to reach it, which is why learning the ability from Manaphy first is required.
Popplio guides you to the gate
Where exactly is the Bubbly Basin gate?
The gate is underwater, directly behind the Pokémon Center on Bleak Beach. Dive down from that position and follow the seabed decorations. The layout uses scattered furniture as a breadcrumb trail, so if you see items on the ocean floor, you're heading in the right direction.
After testing the path a few times, the most reliable approach is to dive directly behind the center rather than from the sides. The decorations on the seafloor make it hard to get lost once you're in the water.
The gate beneath Bleak Beach
What's in Bubbly Basin?
Bubbly Basin is the first of three content waves included in the Pokémon Pokopia Expansion Pass. It introduces new Pokémon, new areas to build in, and new content tied to the underwater setting. For a full breakdown of every Pokémon confirmed for this wave, check out the complete Bubbly Basin Pokémon list.
The DLC launched on August 5, 2026 alongside the v2.0.0 base game update, which also added free content for all players including the Dive ability, Universal Storage, and other changes. Owning the base game gets you those free additions regardless of whether you buy the pass.
For more on building out your park once you're in, the full Pokémon Pokopia strategy guides cover habitats, crafting, and Pokémon unlocks across every area of the game.