Grand Theft Auto V offers a vast and dynamic open world, and a significant portion of that world lies beneath the waves. Whether you’re searching for hidden treasures, completing missions, or simply exploring the marine environment, knowing how to dive and swim underwater effectively is crucial. This comprehensive guide will provide you with detailed instructions, tips, and tricks to master underwater exploration in GTA V on all platforms.
Understanding the Basics
Before diving into advanced techniques, let’s cover the fundamental controls and mechanics of underwater movement in GTA V.
Controlling Your Character Underwater
The controls for swimming and diving are relatively straightforward but can take some getting used to. Here’s a breakdown of the key controls for each platform:
- PlayStation (PS4/PS5):
- Swim Forward: L2 (Hold to swim faster)
- Swim Up: X
- Swim Down: Square
- Swim Left/Right: Left Analog Stick
- Look Around: Right Analog Stick
- Enter Vehicle/Submarine: Triangle
- Use Weapon (if equipped): R2
- Xbox (Xbox One/Xbox Series X/S):
- Swim Forward: LT (Hold to swim faster)
- Swim Up: A
- Swim Down: X
- Swim Left/Right: Left Analog Stick
- Look Around: Right Analog Stick
- Enter Vehicle/Submarine: Y
- Use Weapon (if equipped): RT
- PC:
- Swim Forward: W (Hold Shift to swim faster)
- Swim Up: Spacebar
- Swim Down: Ctrl
- Swim Left/Right: A/D
- Look Around: Mouse
- Enter Vehicle/Submarine: F
- Use Weapon (if equipped): Left Mouse Button
Breath Holding and Oxygen
One of the most critical aspects of underwater swimming is managing your character’s oxygen supply. A bar on the screen indicates how much air you have left. Once the bar is depleted, your character will start losing health. Keep these points in mind:
- Oxygen Depletion: Your oxygen depletes faster when swimming faster or performing actions like using weapons.
- Surfacing: The easiest way to replenish your oxygen is to surface for air.
- Rebreathers: These items significantly increase the amount of time you can stay underwater.
- Submarines and Vehicles: When inside a submarine or other underwater vehicle, you do not need to worry about oxygen.
Finding Diving Gear
While you can swim underwater without any special equipment, certain items greatly enhance your diving capabilities. The most important of these is the rebreather.
Acquiring a Rebreather
A rebreather is a crucial piece of equipment that allows you to stay underwater for significantly longer periods. There are a few ways to acquire one:
- Completing Missions: Some missions, particularly those involving underwater exploration, will automatically provide you with a rebreather.
- Purchasing from Ammu-Nation: Rebreathers can be purchased from Ammu-Nation stores once you’ve reached a certain point in the game or completed specific missions. The rebreather is located under the ‘Gear’ section.
- Finding Rebreathers in the Open World: Rebreathers are sometimes found in specific locations in the open world, often near bodies of water or underwater wrecks. Keep an eye out for them.
- Submarine Dock: Sometimes, rebreathers can be found near the docks where the submarine is located.
Using a Rebreather
Once you have a rebreather, equip it from your inventory (accessed through the weapon wheel or interaction menu). When you enter the water and begin to swim underwater, your character will automatically use the rebreather, extending your underwater breathing time. Remember that even with a rebreather, your oxygen supply is not infinite, so manage your time wisely.
Advanced Diving Techniques
With the basics covered and a rebreather in hand, you can start exploring more advanced diving techniques.
Maintaining Awareness
Underwater visibility can be limited, especially in murky or deep waters. Here’s how to maintain awareness of your surroundings:
- Use the Minimap: The minimap can help you navigate and locate points of interest. Pay attention to any icons or markers that indicate underwater locations or objectives.
- Listen for Audio Cues: Sound can be surprisingly helpful underwater. Listen for the sounds of marine life, the hum of machinery, or other audio cues that can guide you.
- Adjust Camera Angles: Experiment with different camera angles to get a better view of your surroundings. Switching to a first-person perspective can sometimes improve visibility.
- Use Flare Gun: The flare gun can be useful for briefly illuminating dark underwater areas, but it will quickly attract unwanted attention from wildlife if used excessively.
Dealing with Underwater Currents
Strong currents can make underwater navigation challenging. Here’s how to deal with them:
- Swim Strategically: Swim against the current in short bursts, using your momentum to carry you forward. Avoid fighting the current head-on for extended periods, as this will quickly deplete your oxygen.
- Use the Environment: Look for rocks, wreckage, or other underwater structures that can provide temporary shelter from the current.
- Plan Your Route: Before diving, assess the current and plan your route accordingly. Try to swim with the current whenever possible to conserve oxygen and energy.
Avoiding Marine Wildlife
The underwater world of GTA V is teeming with marine life, some of which can be dangerous. Sharks, in particular, are a common threat. Here’s how to avoid becoming shark bait:
- Stay Alert: Constantly scan your surroundings for sharks. They are often found in deeper waters and near shipwrecks.
- Maintain Distance: If you spot a shark, try to maintain a safe distance. Avoid swimming directly towards it or making sudden movements.
- Use Weapons: If a shark attacks, you can defend yourself with a melee weapon or a gun that can be used underwater. A knife or a pistol can be effective at close range.
- Use Sonar: Submarines are equipped with sonar which can help detect underwater creatures, including sharks, from a safe distance.
- Underwater cages: Some areas have cages, which provide temporary protection from sharks.
Underwater Combat
While avoiding combat is often the best strategy, sometimes it’s unavoidable. Here’s how to fight effectively underwater:
- Choose Your Weapons: Not all weapons can be used underwater. Pistols and knives are generally the most effective options. Some missions may provide you with specialized underwater weapons.
- Aim Carefully: Aiming underwater can be tricky due to the water resistance and limited visibility. Take your time and aim carefully before firing.
- Use Cover: Use rocks, wreckage, or other underwater structures for cover to avoid enemy fire.
- Melee Attacks: Melee attacks can be effective at close range. Use your knife to quickly dispatch enemies.
- Explosives: Be careful when using explosives as they can have an unpredictable effect underwater.
Underwater Vehicles
For more extensive underwater exploration, consider using underwater vehicles.
Submarines
Submarines are the most capable underwater vehicles in GTA V. They offer several advantages:
- Unlimited Oxygen: You do not need to worry about oxygen depletion while inside a submarine.
- Protection: Submarines provide protection from marine life and enemy fire.
- Weapons: Some submarines are equipped with torpedoes or other weapons.
- Sonar: Submarines have sonar which helps detect other objects and creatures underwater.
You can acquire a submarine by purchasing it or completing certain missions. Once you have a submarine, you can store it at a dock and access it whenever you need it.
Dinghy (with Scuba Gear)
The Dinghy, a type of boat, is often equipped with scuba gear. When you enter the water from a Dinghy, you’ll automatically have a rebreather equipped, allowing for extended underwater exploration. This is a convenient option for quickly diving and exploring without the need for a dedicated submarine.
Finding Underwater Locations and Treasures
The underwater world of GTA V is filled with hidden locations, treasures, and secrets. Here are some tips for finding them:
Explore Shipwrecks
Shipwrecks are a common sight underwater and often contain valuable items. Look for crates, chests, and other containers that may hold money, weapons, or other goodies.
Investigate Underwater Caves
Underwater caves can be difficult to find but often lead to hidden areas with unique treasures. Explore every nook and cranny, and be prepared for potential dangers.
Look for Sunken Objects
Keep an eye out for sunken objects such as cars, planes, and other vehicles. These objects may contain valuable items or simply serve as interesting landmarks.
Use Maps and Guides
Online maps and guides can be invaluable resources for finding specific underwater locations and treasures. Consult these resources to get a head start on your exploration.
Treasure Hunt
There is an actual treasure hunt in GTA V, which starts with finding a clue in a sunken plane wreck. Follow the clues to eventually find a treasure chest with a significant amount of cash.
Tips and Tricks for Underwater Swimming
Here are some additional tips and tricks to enhance your underwater swimming experience in GTA V:
- Practice Makes Perfect: The more you swim underwater, the more comfortable and confident you will become. Take the time to practice and experiment with different techniques.
- Conserve Oxygen: Avoid unnecessary movements and actions that will deplete your oxygen supply. Swim slowly and deliberately, and try to stay calm.
- Use the Environment: Take advantage of the underwater environment to help you navigate, avoid dangers, and find treasures.
- Plan Your Dives: Before diving, take the time to plan your route and gather any necessary equipment. This will help you stay safe and make the most of your time underwater.
- Experiment: Don’t be afraid to experiment and try new things. The underwater world of GTA V is full of surprises, and you never know what you might discover.
- First-Person View: Switching to first-person view can sometimes help with navigation and orientation, especially in tight spaces.
- Night Vision: Although night vision goggles do not work underwater in GTA V, the flashlight attachment for pistols can provide some illumination in dark underwater areas.
Specific Locations Worth Exploring
Here are a few specific locations in GTA V that are particularly worth exploring underwater:
- The Paleto Bay Shipwreck: Located off the coast of Paleto Bay, this shipwreck is filled with valuable items and is a great place to start your underwater exploration.
- The Sunken Plane: Near the coast of Sandy Shores, there’s a sunken plane wreck. This is the starting point for the treasure hunt, and contains valuable items.
- The Underwater Caves near Mount Chiliad: These caves are difficult to find but lead to hidden areas with unique treasures.
- The Merryweather Heist Wreckage: The site where the submarine from the Merryweather Heist was sunk offers a unique underwater environment to explore.
- The Alamo Sea: While shallower and murkier than the ocean, the Alamo Sea contains several submerged objects and secrets to uncover.
Conclusion
Diving and underwater swimming in GTA V can be a rewarding and exciting experience. By mastering the basics, acquiring the right equipment, and practicing advanced techniques, you can explore the depths of the game’s vast underwater world and discover its many secrets. So, grab your rebreather, dive in, and start exploring!