How to Ride a Nautilus in Minecraft (January 2025) Ultimate Guide
The Minecraft oceans have been completely transformed with the introduction of the Nautilus mount in the Mounts of Mayhem update. As the first true underwater rideable mount in the game, the Nautilus revolutionizes ocean exploration, making underwater travel faster, safer, and more exciting than ever before.
Whether you’re hunting for buried treasure, exploring ocean monuments, or building underwater bases, learning how to ride a Nautilus in Minecraft will completely change your underwater gameplay experience. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about finding, taming, and mastering these incredible aquatic mounts.
What is a Nautilus in Minecraft?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Mob Type | Aquatic Neutral Mount |
| Health Points | 15 HP × 7.5 |
| Speed | 6.5 m/s |
| Spawn Location | All Ocean Biomes |
| Taming Item | Pufferfish |
| Required Equipment | Saddle |
| Special Ability | Dash Attack & Breath of the Nautilus Effect |
The Nautilus is a new aquatic mob introduced in the Mounts of Mayhem update (Java Edition 1.21.11 and Bedrock Edition 1.21.130). Unlike decorative sea creatures, the Nautilus is specifically designed as an underwater mount that players can tame, equip, and ride for enhanced ocean exploration.
Key Features of Nautilus Mounts:
- Underwater Breathing: Provides “Breath of the Nautilus” effect, freezing your oxygen bar
- Dash Ability: Similar to camels, allowing rapid underwater movement
- Armor Compatible: Can be equipped with protective Nautilus Armor
- Multiple Variants: Regular Nautilus, Zombie Nautilus, and Coral Zombie Nautilus
- Breeding Capability: Can be bred using pufferfish
Where to Find Nautilus in Minecraft?
Nautilus mobs spawn naturally in all ocean biomes, making them relatively accessible compared to other rare aquatic mobs. Here’s where you should focus your search:
Primary Spawn Locations:
- Cold Ocean
- Deep Cold Ocean
- Lukewarm Ocean
- Deep Lukewarm Ocean
- Ocean
- Deep Ocean
- Frozen Ocean
- Deep Frozen Ocean
- Warm Ocean
Best Farming Spots:
- Shipwrecks: Nautilus often spawn near these structures
- Areas with Dense Seaweed/Seagrass: Higher spawn rates in vegetation-rich areas
- Deep Ocean Areas: More likely to find groups of 2-3 Nautiluses
Nautilus Variants You’ll Encounter:
| Variant | Description | Special Properties |
|---|---|---|
| Regular Nautilus | Standard variant | Neutral behavior, can be tamed and bred |
| Zombie Nautilus | Undead variant | Hostile when untamed, 10% faster swimming |
| Coral Zombie Nautilus | Warm ocean variant | Burns in sunlight unless armored |
Pro Tip: Zombie Nautiluses often spawn being ridden by Drowned mobs (forming zombie nautilus jockeys). Defeat the Drowned first to free the Nautilus for taming!
How to Tame a Nautilus in Minecraft?
Taming a Nautilus is straightforward once you have the right materials. Follow these step-by-step instructions to successfully tame your underwater companion.
What You’ll Need:
- Pufferfish (primary taming food)
- Patience (may take multiple attempts)
Step-by-Step Taming Process:
- Gather Pufferfish
- Fish in warm or lukewarm ocean biomes (11.1% catch rate)
- Use either a fishing rod (gets dead pufferfish) or water bucket (gets live pufferfish)
- The Nautilus accepts both live and dead pufferfish
- Locate a Nautilus
- Explore ocean biomes as mentioned above
- Look for their distinctive shell shape in the water
- Approach calmly to avoid scaring them away
- Feed the Nautilus
- Equip pufferfish in your hand
- Right-click on the Nautilus while holding pufferfish
- Continue feeding until red heart particles appear
- This indicates successful taming
- Confirmation of Taming
- Tamed Nautiluses become passive and won’t attack
- They will follow you around in water
- Ready for saddle equipment
Important Notes:
- Each Nautilus may require 1-3 pufferfish depending on health
- Only pufferfish work for taming – other fish types won’t work
- You can also use buckets of pufferfish for taming
How to Ride a Nautilus in Minecraft?
Once your Nautilus is tamed, you’ll need to equip it with a saddle before you can ride it. Here’s the complete process for mounting and controlling your underwater mount.
Required Equipment:
- Saddle (essential for riding)
- Nautilus Armor (optional but recommended)
Step-by-Step Riding Instructions:
- Equip the Saddle
- Craft or obtain a saddle (3 leather + 1 iron ingot)
- Hold the saddle in your hand
- Right-click on your tamed Nautilus
- The saddle will appear on its back
- Mount the Nautilus
- Right-click on the saddled Nautilus
- You’ll automatically mount and gain control
- Your character will be positioned on the Nautilus’s back
- Control Movement
- Use standard movement keys (WASD or controller)
- The Nautilus moves in the direction you’re facing
- Smooth underwater navigation similar to horse controls on land
- Master the Dash Ability
- Hold the jump key to charge up the dash meter
- Release to perform a rapid dash forward
- The XP bar transforms into a dash meter while riding
- Perfect for escaping danger or covering large distances quickly
Advanced Riding Techniques:
Underwater Leaping:
- Charge your dash near the ocean surface
- Aim upward while releasing the dash
- Your Nautilus will leap out of the water, creating an epic splash effect
- Great for transitioning between water and land areas
Precision Navigation:
- Use mouse/look controls to steer precisely
- Perfect for navigating underwater caves and ruins
- Much more maneuverable than boats or swimming
Combat Riding:
- The Nautilus can perform dash attacks on hostile mobs
- Provoked, it will attack enemies automatically
- Excellent for underwater battles against drowned or guardians
Nautilus Armor: Protection and Style
While not required for riding, Nautilus Armor provides essential protection for your aquatic mount, especially when exploring dangerous areas like ocean monuments.
Types of Nautilus Armor:
| Armor Tier | Protection Level | Where to Find |
|---|---|---|
| Leather Nautilus Armor | Basic protection | Buried treasure chests, shipwrecks |
| Iron Nautilus Armor | Moderate protection | Ocean ruins, buried treasure |
| Diamond Nautilus Armor | High protection | Deep ocean ruins, ocean monuments |
| Netherite Nautilus Armor | Maximum protection | Upgrade diamond with smithing table |
How to Equip Nautilus Armor:
- Obtain Armor Pieces
- Explore underwater structures
- Check buried treasure chests
- Defend ocean monuments for the best rewards
- Apply the Armor
- Hold the armor piece in your hand
- Right-click on your saddled Nautilus
- The armor will visually appear on your Nautilus
- Benefits of Armor
- Increased damage resistance
- Protection against hostile mobs
- Prevents Zombie Nautilus from burning in sunlight
- Enhanced durability for your mount
Special Armor Effects:
- Zombie Nautilus Protection: Armor prevents burning in sunlight
- Damage Reduction: Reduces damage from hostile mob attacks
- Durability: Armor absorbs damage that would otherwise hurt your Nautilus
Breeding Nautilus in Minecraft
Breeding Nautiluses allows you to create your own underwater mount army or share these amazing creatures with friends on your multiplayer server.
Breeding Requirements:
- Two Tamed Adult Nautiluses
- Pufferfish (for triggering love mode)
Step-by-Step Breeding Process:
- Prepare the Environment
- Find or create a suitable ocean area
- Ensure enough space for the baby Nautilus to spawn
- Have pufferfish ready (2-4 recommended)
- Bring Nautiluses Together
- Lead your two tamed Nautiluses close to each other
- They need to be within breeding range (similar to other mobs)
- Use leads or pufferfish to guide them if necessary
- Trigger Love Mode
- Equip pufferfish in your hand
- Feed one pufferfish to each Nautilus
- Red hearts will appear above their heads
- They will move toward each other
- Baby Nautilus Birth
- A baby Nautilus will spawn nearby
- You’ll gain experience points for successful breeding
- The baby will be smaller with unique sounds and model
- Growth Acceleration
- Feed the baby Nautilus pufferfish
- Green particles indicate growth acceleration
- Baby Nautiluses cannot be ridden until fully grown
Breeding Benefits:
- Create multiple mounts for friends
- Establish your own Nautilus farm
- Rare chance for special variants
- Experience points for each successful breeding
The Breath of the Nautilus Effect
One of the most valuable features of riding a Nautilus is the “Breath of the Nautilus” effect, which completely transforms underwater exploration.
What is Breath of the Nautilus?
- A passive effect applied while riding a Nautilus
- Completely freezes your oxygen bar
- Allows unlimited underwater breathing
- Only active while mounted on the Nautilus
Benefits of This Effect:
- Unlimited Underwater Time
- No need to surface for air
- Perfect for extended ocean monument raids
- Ideal for underwater base building and exploration
- Enhanced Safety
- Eliminates drowning risk while riding
- Focus on combat or exploration without air management
- Peace of mind during deep ocean adventures
- Strategic Advantage
- Outlast hostile mobs in underwater combat
- Complete underwater objectives without interruption
- Explore deeper ocean areas safely
Important Note: The effect only works while actively riding the Nautilus. If you dismount underwater, your oxygen bar will resume normal depletion.
Nautilus vs. Other Transportation Methods
The Nautilus fills a unique niche in Minecraft’s transportation options. Here’s how it compares to other methods of underwater travel.
| Transportation Method | Speed | Air Supply | Combat Capability | Special Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nautilus Mount | 6.5 m/s | Unlimited (while riding) | High (dash attacks) | Armor compatible, breedable |
| Boat | Fast (surface only) | Limited | None | Surface travel only |
| Swimming (Normal) | Slow | Limited | Low (punch attacks) | No special features |
| Swimming + Depth Strider | Moderate | Limited | Low | Faster on ocean floor |
| Dolphin’s Grace | Fast (temporary) | Limited | Low | Requires nearby dolphin |
| Conduit Power | Variable | Unlimited | High | Expensive to build |
Why Choose Nautilus Over Other Options:
- Complete Underwater Freedom
- Unlike boats, Nautiluses work fully underwater
- No need to surface or manage air supply
- Access all underwater areas without restriction
- Combat Superiority
- Can attack hostile mobs while mounted
- Dash ability for quick escapes or attacks
- Armor protection for extended battles
- Exploration Efficiency
- Faster than swimming even with enchantments
- Better maneuverability than boats underwater
- Perfect for treasure hunting and monument raids
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When learning how to ride a Nautilus in Minecraft, players often make these common mistakes. Avoid them to ensure the best experience with your underwater mount.
1. Insufficient Pufferfish Supply
- Mistake: Only bringing 1-2 pufferfish for taming
- Solution: Always carry 5-10 pufferfish as backup
- Why: Some Nautiluses require multiple feeding attempts
2. Forgetting the Saddle
- Mistake: Taming a Nautilus but having no saddle to ride it
- Solution: Craft or obtain a saddle before starting your search
- Why: Saddles are essential for controlling the mount
3. Poor Timing for Zombie Nautilus Encounters
- Mistake: Approaching Zombie Nautiluses unprepared
- Solution: Always have armor and weapons ready
- Why: Zombie Nautiluses are hostile and dangerous when untamed
4. Neglecting Armor for Dangerous Areas
- Mistake: Riding into ocean monuments without armor
- Solution: Equip Nautilus Armor before dangerous expeditions
- Why: Armor provides crucial protection against guardians and drowned
5. Misusing the Dash Ability
- Mistake: Wasting dash charges or crashing into terrain
- Solution: Practice dash control in safe areas first
- Why: Proper dash usage is key to efficient underwater travel
Platform-Specific Information
The Nautilus mount works similarly across both Java and Bedrock editions, but there are some minor differences to be aware of.
Java Edition Specifics:
- Version: 1.21.11 and above
- Controls: Standard WASD movement with mouse look
- Hitbox Size: Adult – Height: 0.95 blocks, Width: 0.875 blocks
- Baby Size: Height: 0.475 blocks, Width: 0.4375 blocks
Bedrock Edition Specifics:
- Version: 1.21.130 and above
- Controls: Controller-friendly with adaptive touch support
- Hitbox Size: Adult – Height: 0.5 blocks, Width: 0.44 blocks
- Baby Size: Slightly larger than Java Edition babies
Cross-Platform Compatibility:
- Nautiluses spawned in one edition work the same in another
- Taming and breeding mechanics are identical
- Armor and saddle systems work across platforms
- Multiplayer servers support Nautilus mounts regardless of edition
Advanced Strategies and Pro Tips
Master these advanced techniques to get the most out of your Nautilus mount in Minecraft.
1. Ocean Monument Raiding Strategy
- Approach monuments on your armored Nautilus
- Use dash ability to quickly navigate guardian lasers
- The Breath of the Nautilus effect eliminates drowning concerns
- Perfect for collecting sponge and prismarine
2. Underwater Base Building
- Use your Nautilus as a mobile construction platform
- Transport materials quickly across underwater distances
- Build larger bases without constant surfacing for air
- Create dedicated Nautilus stables at your base
3. Treasure Hunting Optimization
- Create a treasure hunting route using your Nautilus
- Cover multiple shipwrecks and ocean ruins quickly
- Use the speed advantage to find buried treasure faster
- Store extra maps and supplies in your inventory
4. Multiplayer Coordination
- Coordinate with friends for Nautilus breeding programs
- Create underwater races or obstacle courses
- Share armor and resources among group members
- Establish underwater trading posts using Nautilus transport
5. Combat Mastery
- Practice hit-and-run tactics using dash ability
- Use environmental features (caves, ruins) for tactical advantages
- Combine Nautilus mount attacks with ranged weapons
- Master underwater PvP with your mount
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you ride a Nautilus without a saddle?
No, a saddle is absolutely required to control and ride a Nautilus, even after taming it. The saddle provides the necessary control interface for directing the mount’s movement.
Is the Nautilus faster than swimming with enchantments?
Yes, the Nautilus is significantly faster and more efficient than swimming, even with Depth Strider and Dolphin’s Grace enchantments. Its base speed of 6.5 m/s outperforms enchanted swimming speeds.
Can Nautilus be used in rivers?
Yes, Nautilus mounts work in all water bodies including oceans, rivers, lakes, and even artificial water structures. They’re not limited to ocean biomes once tamed.
Can you tame a Zombie Nautilus in Minecraft?
Yes, you can tame a Zombie Nautilus by feeding it pufferfish, but you must first defeat the Drowned rider that typically spawns with it. Once freed and tamed, it behaves like a regular Nautilus.
Can you ride a baby Nautilus in Minecraft?
No, baby Nautiluses cannot be ridden or equipped with saddles. You must wait for them to grow into adults before riding them. Feeding them pufferfish accelerates their growth.
What happens if a Nautilus goes on land?
Regular Nautiluses become dehydrated when on land for extended periods. However, Zombie Nautiluses don’t suffer from dehydration and can survive on land indefinitely.
How do you remove a saddle from a Nautilus?
Use shears on the saddled Nautilus to remove both the saddle and any equipped armor. This allows you to reuse the saddle on another mount or store it safely.
Do Nautiluses despawn?
Tamed Nautiluses do not despawn and will remain in the world permanently. However, untamed Zombie Nautiluses may despawn like other hostile mobs if the player moves too far away.
Can you name a Nautilus?
Yes, you can use a name tag on a tamed Nautilus to give it a custom name. This is especially useful for identifying specific mounts in multiplayer or when you have multiple Nautiluses.
What’s the best use for a Nautilus in Minecraft?
The best use for a Nautilus is underwater exploration, particularly for ocean monument raids, treasure hunting, and underwater base building. The unlimited breathing effect and combat capabilities make it invaluable for these activities.
Conclusion
Learning how to ride a Nautilus in Minecraft opens up a whole new world of underwater exploration and adventure. These incredible mounts from the Mounts of Mayhem update have transformed ocean gameplay, making it more accessible, exciting, and rewarding than ever before.
From the moment you tame your first Nautilus with pufferfish to mastering advanced combat techniques and breeding programs, these aquatic companions will become essential tools in your Minecraft journey. The combination of unlimited underwater breathing, superior speed, and combat capabilities makes the Nautilus one of the most valuable additions to the game.
Whether you’re a solo player exploring the depths or part of a multiplayer server coordinating underwater expeditions, the Nautilus mount offers something for everyone. Take the time to master these incredible creatures, and you’ll discover that Minecraft’s oceans have never been more inviting or rewarding to explore.