Pokémon Pokopia Expansion and Free Update Arrive Next Week, Unlocking Underwater Gameplay

Pokémon Pokopia will unlock underwater gameplay next week as part of a free update, alongside the launch of the game's first expansion.

On August 5, all players will gain the new Dive ability from a passing Manaphy, the Mythical water creature (that Pokémon Go seems to have forgotten exists). With Dive unlocked, you'll be able to summon up a bubble of air around your head — finally allowing your Ditto avatar the ability to survive for longer than a few seconds below the waves.

Indeed, underwater gameplay will allow you to build beneath the sea just as you currently can on land. Meanwhile, your gathered Pokémon can swim along with you.

Take a deep breath and unwind as we go on a deep dive into the underwater town of Bubbly Basin. 🫧🤿 The #PokemonPokopia Expansion Pass paid DLC Part 1: Bubbly Basin releases August 5, 2026. pic.twitter.com/iJPgzteM0P— Pokémon (@Pokemon) July 29, 2026

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Take a deep breath and unwind as we go on a deep dive into the underwater town of Bubbly Basin. 🫧🤿 The #PokemonPokopia Expansion Pass paid DLC Part 1: Bubbly Basin releases August 5, 2026. pic.twitter.com/iJPgzteM0P

All of this ties into the arrival of Pokopia's first paid expansion, Bubbly Basin, which will also become accessible on August 5 to anyone with the $34.99 Pokémon Pokopia expansion pass.

Most notably, this expansion adds the game's first post-launch region, the aforementioned Bubbly Basin, which features swathes of submerged land for you to flex your new Dive abilities. It's here you'll also meet Popplio, Mudkip, Corsola, Corphish and Chinchou, who'll teach you how to plant underwater grass, grow underwater watermelons, and power underwater electronic items (which sounds dangerous).

Other Bubbly Basin Pokémon spotted in today's trailer include Buizel, Lumineon, Stunfisk, Frillish, Carvanha, Sharpedo, Lantern, Totodile, Primarina, Golispod, and Dhelmise.

As you might expect, the expansion adds fresh items and furniture to collect, plus a Sharpedo submarine base. Finally, Bubbly Basin holds more secrets in its deepest depths: dark underwater caves illuminated only with neon coral.

You can purchase the Pokémon Pokopia expansion pass now ahead of Bubbly Basin's launch next week. The pass also includes a second expansion due this year that will add accessories for your Pokémon to wear, and a third expansion due in 2027 that adds yet another town.

Image source: YouTube

Tom Phillips is IGN's News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social