Here’s how to swim, buy wetsuit in Animal Crossing: New Horizons

The big July update is here, which means that Animal Crossing: New Horizons swimming is now a thing in the game. It’s making a return from the experiences some of us had with Animal Crossing: New Leaf, which will no doubt be fond – or less than fond – memories for some players.

“Put on your wet suit to dive & swim in the ocean,” the game tweeted last month.

First, though, you’re going to want to download the new update. Look to the top right of the title screen to make sure you have Ver. 1.3.0.

How to get a wetsuit in Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Before going out to the beach, you’ll need to buy yourself a wetsuit. Head on over to Nook’s Cranny and look in the cabinet that usually holds plants, tools, and wallpaper. You’ll now see a randomly selected wetsuit design. Purchase one of these — our horizontal stripes wetsuit cost 3,000 bells — and put it on to enable your swimming ability.

You can also purchase a special Nook range wetsuit by visiting the Nook Stop in Residential Services and choosing the option ‘Redeem Nook Miles.’

The black and turquoise wet suit will set you back 800 Nook Miles and, like all over Nook clothing, will arrive in the mail the day after you purchase it.

For an additional 500 Nook Miles, you can also buy a Nook Inc. snorkel.

How to swim in Animal Crossing: New Horizons

After you’ve brought a wetsuit it’s time to explore the sea surrounding your island in New Horizons.

First, however, you need to put your wetsuit on, which is done exactly like how you change into every other clothing item. Simply find it in your inventory, select it, and then choose the option – ‘Wear.’

Once you’ve slipped into your wetsuit, head down to the nearest beach and stand at the water’s edge. To jump in, simply press the “A” button on your controller. Keep tapping or holding down the button to start swimming. To get back to land, you just need to steer your islander towards the shore, and they will automatically wade out of the water when close enough.

How to dive in Animal Crossing: New Horizons

The biggest thing you can do out in the water, however, is go diving for sea creatures. You can notice those a little bit by the little bubbles you might see coming up here and there. When you see those, hold Y to dive underwater: the camera will shift and you’ll be able to see the shadow that the bubbles are coming out of. Head on over to that and your character will rummage up something new, maybe a mussel, some seaweed, or a jellyfish. Unlike with fish and bugs, there’s no real way to tell the difference between different items before you grab them.