In the world of Minecraft, exploration isn’t limited to caves and villages — the oceans hide their own secrets, and one of the most intriguing features of the underwater world is the shipwreck. These abandoned, partially sunken structures offer players a sense of adventure as well as access to valuable items — from food and resources to maps leading to buried treasure. Exploring shipwrecks is not only fun but also a practical way to progress in the game.
Where to look for Shipwrecks
Shipwrecks generate randomly in various biomes, including all ocean variants, beaches, and snowy beaches. You might encounter them on shorelines, underwater, or, in rare cases, fully beached on land. They appear at different depths — some are visible from the surface, while others rest deep on the ocean floor.
To increase your chances of finding a shipwreck, you can sail across open waters in a boat, use an Elytra with fireworks for faster scouting, or rely on potions like Night Vision and Water Breathing to explore more efficiently beneath the waves.
Shipwrecks appear in several different forms, depending on which parts of the ship have survived. You can encounter:
- Fully intact wrecks – with a mast, bow, and stern
- Partial wrecks – for example, only the bow or only the stern remains
- Deformed wrecks – overturned on their side, embedded into the seabed, or partially collapsed
What can be found in Chests
Inside a shipwreck, you can find up to three different chests, each located in a specific part of the wreck. The supply chest is usually found in the stern section (rear) or below the deck. The treasure chest is often located in the bow (front) or hidden in the central part of the ship. The map chest is most commonly found in the captain’s quarters or navigation area.
Supply Chest
- Paper
- Coal
- Rotten flesh
- Wheat
- Carrots
- Potatoes
- Suspicious stew
- Leather armor
Treasure Chest
- Iron ingots
- Gold ingots
- Emeralds
- Lapis lazuli
- Gold and iron nuggets
- Enchanted leather armor
- Bottles o’ Enchanting
- Diamonds
- Coast Armor Trim
Map Chest
- Buried Treasure Map
- Paper
- Books
- Feathers
- Compass, clock, or empty map
Exploring shipwrecks can be risky, especially at greater depths. To do it safely, it’s recommended to use Water Breathing and Night Vision potions. It’s also wise to avoid diving at night, as drowned mobs may spawn and pose a threat. If you’re planning a longer expedition to search multiple wrecks, make sure to bring a boat, a compass, and plenty of food supplies.
The most valuable item you can find in a shipwreck is a buried treasure map. Once opened, it will display a red “X” marking the location of the treasure. To find it quickly, go to the marked spot and dig using a shovel to clear sand or gravel efficiently.
In the treasure chest, you may find items such as:
- Heart of the Sea
- Diamonds
- Gold
- Iron
- TNT
- Potions
- Food
- Emeralds
Shipwrecks do not always contain all three chests – often, only one or two generate, depending on the structure type. They can also spawn on land, for example embedded in coastal cliffs or beaches.
