The open-world adventure game Sea of Thieves is all about discovery, exploration, and the thrill of the unknown. While its stunning visuals and pirate-themed gameplay are impressive, one of the biggest draws for players is the treasure-filled, mysterious map. Whether you’re a seasoned pirate or just starting your journey, knowing the hidden locations on the map can give you the edge. These secrets could mean the difference between finding gold or walking away empty-handed.
Let’s dive into the most sought-after hidden locations and map secrets in Sea of Thieves that every aspiring pirate needs to know!
1. The Secret Island: Old Sailor’s Isle
This island doesn’t appear on the map, but it’s one of the most important starting points in Sea of Thieves. Known as Old Sailor’s Isle, this hidden location is where new players begin their adventure in the game’s tutorial. It’s tucked away beyond the Sea of the Damned, but veterans can still return to the island by finding certain portals in the world.
- What to find: It’s a place to practice your swordsmanship, try your hand at treasure digging, and explore in peace without other players disrupting your fun.
- How to get there: Sail through the portal located near the Shores of Gold region to access Old Sailor’s Isle.
2. The Pirate Legend Hideout
Reaching Pirate Legend status in Sea of Thieves unlocks many exclusive perks, and one of them is access to the Legendary Hideout. This hidden cove is a place where seasoned players can hang out, grab exclusive quests from the Mysterious Stranger, and access special ships and cosmetics.
- What to find: Legendary voyages, rare ship customization items, and an exclusive tavern filled with fellow Pirate Legends.
- How to get there: You must be a Pirate Legend. After achieving this status, play the special “Legendary Shanty” on your concertina at any tavern to reveal a secret passage leading to the hideout.
3. The Sunken Kingdom: Coral Treasure Vaults
The Sunken Kingdom is a series of underwater ruins introduced in a later update. Scattered across the map, these ancient vaults hide valuable treasures and lore related to the Sunken Kingdom’s mysterious rulers, the Sirens. Though they can be tricky to find, knowing the vault locations and how to open them can lead to huge rewards.
- What to find: Siren Gems, gold, rare items like the Breath of the Sea, and exclusive journals containing secrets of the Sunken Kingdom.
- How to get there: Look for shrines and vaults marked by glowing underwater symbols. To open them, solve the puzzles inside and collect the treasure before returning to your ship.
4. Thieves’ Haven Tunnel
One of the game’s most intriguing hidden areas is the Thieves’ Haven Tunnel. This massive cave system runs beneath the main island of Thieves’ Haven and connects multiple areas. Pirates who navigate the maze can find treasure chests, lost artifacts, and escape routes that are perfect for avoiding hostile crews.
- What to find: Hidden treasure stashes, vaults, and shortcuts.
- How to get there: Sail to Thieves’ Haven and explore the cave entrances around the edges of the island. It takes some skill to navigate, but seasoned pirates will find it rewarding.
5. The Shores of Gold: Shrouded in Mystery
The Shores of Gold is one of the ultimate hidden locations in the game, packed with treasure, lore, and danger. This mystical island is the final destination in the Tall Tales campaign and is hidden behind the deadly Shroud, which can only be navigated with the help of the special Shroudbreaker artifact.
- What to find: The Shores of Gold is brimming with rare treasures, challenging puzzles, and enemies, including the fearsome Gold Hoarder boss.
- How to get there: To reach it, complete the Shroudbreaker questline in the Tall Tales. Once you have the Shroudbreaker, sail to the northeast corner of the map, past the Red Sea, to uncover this hidden land.
6. Hidden Forts: The Uncharted Islands
Scattered throughout the Sea of Thieves are several uncharted islands that don’t show up on your in-game map. These are often small, seemingly unimportant at first glance, but many hide treasure, lore, or serve as perfect ambush points for other pirates.
- What to find: Treasure maps, hidden lore, and sometimes even Skeleton Forts can appear on these unmarked islands.
- How to get there: One example is the island at N13, located between Wanderers Refuge and Golden Sands Outpost. You’ll need to carefully sail around to spot these on your own.
7. Mermaid’s Hideaway Cave
Mermaid’s Hideaway is already known for its beauty and peaceful atmosphere, but beneath the surface, there lies a hidden cave filled with secrets. This cave can be accessed by swimming down a submerged entrance, where players can find treasure and clues relating to the ancient merfolk that once ruled the seas.
- What to find: Gold and rare mermaid artifacts.
- How to get there: Dive deep into the water at the south side of the island, and you’ll find the cave’s entrance below the surface.
8. The Reaper’s Lair
The Reaper’s Bones faction is a sinister group that thrives on chaos and combat. Their lair is located at The Reaper’s Hideout, but what many don’t know is that there are hidden compartments and tunnels within the lair where they store stolen goods and artifacts.
- What to find: High-value treasure and Reaper’s Chests.
- How to get there: Approach The Reaper’s Hideout, dock on the eastern shore, and explore the lair. Pay attention to areas you can only access by solving puzzles or activating hidden mechanisms.
9. The Devil’s Roar Secrets
The Devil’s Roar is one of the most dangerous regions in Sea of Thieves, known for its volcanic activity and hostile environment. However, this perilous place also holds incredible rewards for those brave enough to explore it. Beneath the fiery exterior lies a network of secret caves and vaults teeming with rare loot.
- What to find: High-tier treasure, Ashen items, and artifacts.
- How to get there: Navigate to islands like Flintlock Peninsula and Fetcher’s Rest. Where you’ll find lava-filled caves hiding valuable treasures. Just be careful of the frequent volcanic eruptions!
10. Shipwreck Bay’s Lost Ships
One of the most hauntingly beautiful locations in Sea of Thieves is Shipwreck Bay. An island littered with the remnants of ships that have met a grim fate.
- What to find: Skeleton captains, lost relics, and sunken ships with loot.
- How to get there: Sail carefully around the wreckage and dive beneath the waters to uncover the submerged secrets.
Final Tips for Navigating Sea of Thieves’ Hidden Locations
- Team Up: Exploring hidden locations can be tough solo. Team up with other pirates to uncover secrets faster and defend against threats.
- Bring Supplies: Many hidden areas, especially in the Devil’s Roar, require extra resources. Stock up on wood, cannonballs, and food.
- Pay Attention to Lore: Some of the game’s best-hidden secrets are revealed through lore books scattered across the world. These can lead to unique discoveries and treasures.