The Shoal Cave Mystery

A complete walkthrough for Shoal Cave in Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire, detailing high tide and low tide exploration, item locations, and Pokémon encounters.

Shoal Cave is a unique location in Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire where the accessible areas change depending on the time of day (high tide or low tide). An old man near the entrance will give you a Shell Bell if you bring him 4 Shoal Shells and 4 Shoal Salts.

High Tide Walkthrough:

1. To enter during high tide, you will need the HM Surf.
2. Surf across the water past the old man to a ledge.
3. Go through the opening and head left, following the path to a set of stairs.
4. Go up the stairs to shallow water and surf north to another set of steps.
5. Head up these steps and pick up a Shoal Shell.
6. Go north and west to find another set of steps leading to a second Shoal Shell.
7. Follow the water path to the next set of steps and pick up the third Shoal Shell.
8. Head south across the shallow water to the final set of steps and pick up the fourth Shoal Shell.
9. Exit the cave through the opening to the south.

Low Tide Walkthrough:

1. During low tide, you will need a Pokémon with the HM Strength in addition to Surf.
2. Head north to the old man, then go down the steps.
3. Go north to the entrance and through it.
4. Take the stairs to the right.
5. At the top, take the right path and go down the steps.
6. Use the ladder at the bottom.
7. In this area, pick up the Ice Heal and the Shoal Salt next to it.
8. Go up the steps to the ladder and climb it.
9. Cross the long bridge and follow the path to another bridge.
10. Cross this bridge and climb down the ladder.
11. Talk to the person here to receive a Focus Band.
12. Pick up the second Shoal Salt to the right of the man.
13. Head left, enter the entrance, and follow the path north to the third Shoal Salt.
14. Pick up the Shoal Salt south of the entrance.
15. Go back to the room with the training man. East of him is a boulder.
16. Use Strength to push the boulder all the way to the right and follow the path to a ladder. Climb down it.
17. In the bottom of the cave, slide counter-clockwise on the slippery ice to pick up TM07: Hail.
18. Slide across the ice again, head up the steps, and pick up the Nevermeltice.
19. Work your way back up the ladder.
20. Go back to where the training man is, jump over the ledge, and go through the entrance.
21. Go through the entrance to your south.
22. You can now leave the cave. If you have 4 Shoal Salts and 4 Shoal Shells, give them to the old man for a Shell Bell.

Pokémon Encounters (High Tide):

• 1F and B1: Zubat (Very Common), Spheal (Very Common), Golbat (Rare)
• Surfing: Tentacool (Very Common), Zubat (Common), Spheal (Uncommon)
• Fishing (Old Rod): Magikarp (Very Common), Tentacool (Common)
• Fishing (Good Rod): Magikarp (Very Common), Tentacool (Common), Wailmer (Common)
• Fishing (Super Rod): Wailmer (Very Common)

Pokémon Encounters (Low Tide - B2 Ice Area):

• Spheal (Very Common)
• Zubat (Common)
• Snorunt (Uncommon)
• Golbat (Rare)

Notes on Pokémon:

• Spheal is a Water/Ice type with the Thick Fat ability, halving damage from Fire and Ice attacks. It evolves into Sealeo (Level 32) and Walrein (Level 44).
• Snorunt is an Ice type that evolves into Glalie at Level 42.