Players can soon explore beneath the sea, customise more Pokémon, and discover new activities in Pokopia's biggest update yet.
Pokémon Pokopia's first major expansion is finally getting a closer look, but it's not just Expansion Pass owners who have something to look forward to. According to a press release published on 30 July, the free Ver. 2.0.0 update will introduce the new Dive ability for all players, while the next wave of the Expansion Pass will add wearable accessories that let players dress up alongside their Pokémon.
The announcement also came with a new extended trailer (after it was briefly released too early), and officially confirmed that Expansion Pass Part 1: Bubbly Basin launches on 5 August. Alongside the release date, The Pokémon Company shared a deeper look at the underwater town's building mechanics, exploration features, and new activities awaiting players beneath the sea.
Pokémon Pokopia
Release date: 5 March, 2026
Developer: Nintendo
Platform: Nintendo Switch 2
When is each Pokémon Pokopia Expansion Pass wave coming?
The Pokémon Pokopia Expansion Pass will be released in three waves, beginning with Bubbly Basin on 5 August. The second wave arrives later in 2026 and shifts the focus to new customisation features, including wearable accessories for Pokémon, while the third and final wave is scheduled for 2027 with another brand-new town to explore. Existing save data will carry over across all three expansions, allowing players to continue building their towns throughout each release
How do you unlock Dive work in Pokémon Pokopia?
Dive arrives as a free feature in Ver. 2.0.0, allowing every Pokémon Pokopia player to explore and develop areas beneath the sea for the first time. After learning the move from Manaphy, players can freely dive underwater to build relaxation areas, cultivate underwater crop fields, and even extend railway tracks beneath the sea, allowing handcars to travel seamlessly between land and underwater towns.
To unlock Dive, players must install the free Ver. 2.0.0 update, complete the "Raise the environment level!" request in Bleak Beach and already know Surf and how to jump. Although Manaphy teaches the move, the Mythical Pokémon itself can only be befriended by Expansion Pass owners.
What can you do in Pokémon Pokopia Expansion Pass Part 1 Bubbly Basin?
Bubbly Basin introduces entirely new ways to build and explore beneath the sea. Players will arrive in the new underwater settlement alongside Popplio, while Ditto also joins the town. By fulfilling requests from the Pokémon living there, Bubbly Basin gradually expands, opening up new opportunities for development.
The underwater setting also comes with mechanics unique to the expansion. New buoyant blocks allow buildings to float at different depths, creating layered underwater towns that were previously impossible. Pokémon capable of underwater construction can assist with building projects, while Generate-specialty Pokémon such as Chinchou can power machinery including streetlights and bubble machines, bringing the settlement to life.
Farming also expands beneath the waves. Watermelons become a new crop, with Water-specialty Pokémon providing air bubbles for underwater crop fields while Grow-specialty Pokémon help speed up crop growth.
Away from town development, players can decorate their homes with new underwater-themed furniture, including a Sharpedo submarine room inspired by Secret Bases. Exploration also expands with a dark trench illuminated by glowing coral, while obtaining a Starmie doll unlocks access to a previously unavailable Dream Island where players can swim together during multiplayer sessions. Bubbly Basin also introduces additional outfits, new Pokémon, smoothies as a new prepared food and an upgrade for Surf. To access the expansion, players must first install the free Ver. 2.0.0 update, complete the required Bleak Beach request and learn Dive.
Pokémon Pokopia Expansion Pass Wave 2 features
The second wave of the Pokémon Pokopia Expansion Pass will focus on customisation rather than introducing another new town. Its headline addition is wearable accessories, allowing players to dress up their Pokémon alongside their own character. More Pokémon and furniture will also be added when Wave 2 launches later in 2026, although The Pokémon Company has not yet revealed the full list of features.
What is the Fetching Scales for Feebas event?
The free Ver. 2.0.0 update will also introduce the limited-time "Fetching Scales for Feebas" event on 13 August. Players can collect Prism Scales to befriend Feebas and Milotic while earning swimming-themed furniture for their towns. The event runs until 28 August, but any Pokémon befriended during the event will remain in players' towns permanently after it ends.
What bonuses come with the Pokémon Pokopia Expansion Pass?
Expansion Pass owners will receive a crafting recipe for Dynamic Ditto after purchasing the pass. Anyone who buys it before 31 August, 2027 will also receive a serial code for 30 Rare Pokémetal Ingots as an early purchase bonus.
