Exploration

All Biomes Guide - Every Location Explained

Updated 2026-08-06 - 12 min read

A World Under the Waves

Subnautica 2 features a huge ocean with dozens of distinct biomes, each with unique flora, fauna, resources, and challenges.

This guide covers every major biome so you know exactly where to go for whatever you need.

Shallow Biomes (0-200m)

The Shallows / Safe Shallows

The starting area. Bright, colorful, and mostly safe. Perfect for new players.

  • Resources: Titanium, copper, acid mushrooms, creepvine
  • Creatures: Peepers, Bladderfish, Stalkers (mildly dangerous)
  • Danger level: Very Low

Kelp Forest / Creepvine Zone

Dense underwater forests. Beautiful but easy to get lost in.

  • Resources: Creepvine samples, seeds, quartz
  • Creatures: Stalkers, lots of small fish
  • Danger level: Low-Medium

Grassy Plateaus

Wide open sandy plains with lots of wrecks and resources.

  • Resources: Sandstone, gold, silver, wrecks with fragments
  • Creatures: Sandsharks, Bonesharks
  • Danger level: Medium

Mid-Depth Biomes (200-500m)

Mushroom Forest

One of the most iconic biomes. Giant mushroom trees, colorful coral, and lots of wrecks.

  • Resources: Lithium, large deposits, many fragments
  • Creatures: Jellyrays, Ampeels (dangerous)
  • Danger level: Medium-High

Underwater Islands / Floating Islands

Massive floating rock formations covered in life. Very unique biome.

  • Resources: Rare flora, surface access on top of islands
  • Creatures: Various, including some predators
  • Danger level: Medium

Jellyshroom Cave

A vast cave system full of glowing jellyshrooms. Great for exploration but easy to get lost.

  • Resources: Magnetite, quartz, cave sulfur
  • Creatures: Crabsnakes
  • Danger level: Medium

Deep Biomes (500-1000m)

Lost River

A massive underground river system. One of the most atmospheric areas in the game.

  • Resources: Nickel, sulfur, crystalline sulfur
  • Creatures: Ghost Leviathans, River Prowlers
  • Danger level: High

Deep Grand Reef

Darker, deeper version of the reef biome with more dangerous creatures.

  • Resources: Kyanite (deep areas), diamonds
  • Creatures: Crabsquids, Warpers
  • Danger level: High

Inactive Lava Zone

Volcanic caves deep underground. Hot, dangerous, and full of rare resources.

  • Resources: Kyanite, magma ore, thermal vents
  • Creatures: Lava Lizards, Sea Dragon Leviathans (deeper areas)
  • Danger level: Very High

Endgame Biomes (1000m+)

Active Lava Zone

The deepest biome in the game. Molten magma, massive heat, and the most dangerous creatures.

  • Resources: Kyanite, Ion crystals, Alien artifacts
  • Creatures: Sea Dragon Leviathans, Lava Larvae
  • Danger level: Extreme

Alien Bases / Primary Containment Facility

Not a traditional biome, but the endgame location. Massive alien structure deep underground.

  • Resources: Alien technology, Ion cubes
  • Creatures: The Sea Emperor (story-related)
  • Danger level: Story-dependent

Quick Resource Reference

Looking for a specific resource? Here is where to find everything:

ResourceBiome(s)
TitaniumAll shallow biomes
CopperShallows, Kelp Forest
SilverGrassy Plateaus, caves
GoldGrassy Plateaus, deeper biomes
LithiumMushroom Forest, deep areas
DiamondDeep biomes, Lost River
NickelLost River, Lava Zones
KyaniteDeep Grand Reef, Lava Zones

Frequently Asked Questions

There are about 20+ distinct biomes, ranging from shallow reefs to deep lava zones. Plus numerous cave systems.

The Active Lava Zone is the deepest accessible biome, going down to 1400m+ in some areas.

After the Shallows, head to the Grassy Plateaus. It has lots of resources and wrecks with important blueprints, and the danger level is manageable.

Yes, you can technically go anywhere from the start. But you will not survive deep biomes without proper equipment and upgrades.