Minecraft: Guide To Using Treasure Maps (2024)

Buried treasure is a staple of any pirate-based content. While you aren't quite a pirate in Minecraft, you can still find treasure maps, which lead you straight to some valuable buried treasure. Of course, you'll need to do some exploring first. In this guide, we are going to go over how to use Minecraft treasure maps, as well as the loot you can receive from treasure chests.

Finding the maps and chests may seem like a long process, but the loot makes it completely worth it. We will show several ways you can find the buried treasure, with and without a map, as well as what you can expect to find inside. First, let's look at how to find a treasure map.

Updated July 25, 2024 by Jacqueline Zalace: Still looking to find buried treasure in Minecraft? We've updated this guide with a bit more information on how to find treasure, as well as some step-by-step images on how to make a conduit.

How To Find Minecraft Treasure Maps

Buried treasure maps can only be found in shipwrecks and ocean ruins. Shipwrecks are underwater structures that resemble sunken ships. Some shipwrecks may have mobs such as drowned spawning, so it's best to be cautious when exploring.

Additionally, shipwrecks will spawn in a variety of different positions. For example, in the image above, you can see a shipwreck on its side stuck in ice. They can also spawn partially on land or buried on the beach.

Shipwreck Layouts

Inside each shipwreck, you can find up to three chests with a variety of loot. To get a treasure map, you need to locate the map chest. They are not labeled, but this chest will be located in the lower section of the ship.

The lower section may end up being on the top of the ship if it is overturned, so keep the ship's orientation in mind.

Ocean Ruins

Similar to shipwrecks, you can find ocean ruins underwater. They are a bit rarer than shipwrecks and can be quite treacherous to navigate.

These structures are found in ocean biomes and appear to look like an underwater village. Within the buildings of an ocean ruin, there will be chests filled with loot.

How To Follow A Buried Treasure Map

Now that you have the buried treasure map, take a look at it. If you are not standing near the treasure, you will see landmasses outlined, with the ocean filled with orange stripes.

As you come closer to the buried treasure, the map will fill in with color. In the image above, you can see the map has been partially filled in. Most of the time, you will find these chests on the beach or right off the coast. The treasure will be located at the red X.

We suggest tackling a treasure map one axis at a time. First move in a straight line following along two of the cardinal directions. While doing so, check the map to see how the dot is moving. There is a chance that the dot may be in the corner, so adjust until it slides up one of the edges.

From here, you will need to choose between the two other directions. If you know for sure that an ocean is one way, then head that way. If you are a bit unsure, you could pick at random, but just know that you may be going the wrong way. If you notice a lack of water, consider turning around.

How To Find Treasure With Chunk Borders On

Buried treasure will always generate near the center of the chunk. The world is broken into sections called chunks that aren't visible when playing.

In the image above, you can see the chunk borders marked in white. The red portion is the center of each edge, with the yellow marking the 2x2 area that is the exact middle of the chunk. Treasure will be near this yellow area.

When you get near the X on the map, turn on chunk borders and find the center blocks of the chunk. Dig down until you reach the treasure chest, and gather your rewards. The chunk borders shown will depend on the chunk you are standing in; every border will not be visible at the same time.

How To Find Treasure Without A Map

There may be times when you don't have the patience to look for maps and want to skip straight to the treasure. While this may take a bit longer, it's not impossible.

The good news is that buried treasure can generally be found in thesame places that mapscan, like coastal areas, shipwrecks, and the ocean floor. This includes Beaches, Snowy Beaches, and Stony Shores.

However, it can be challenging to know where to start digging since buried treasure won't suddenly appear on the map when you are nearby. Based on the area it's located, the treasure may be covered by blocks matching its surroundings, like sand or gravel.

What To Expect In Treasure Chest Loot

The buried treasure chests will have a variety of loot. Below, you can find all potential loot as well as the chances of finding it.

As you can see, you have a pretty good chance of finding every treasure.

If you are playing on a server with others, there may be a chance that the chest has been looted already. If the area looks dug up, chances are, someone beat you to it. Sometimes, it may be difficult to tell if someone has already looted the chest.

Fortunately, every buried treasure contains a Heart of the Sea. This means that if it is gone, someone has already looted the chest.

What Is A Heart Of The Sea?

Buried treasure chests are the only place that you can find the Heart of the Sea. At first, these may not seem too important, but don't get rid of them! A Heart of the Sea is incredibly rare and can be used to craft a conduit.

With a conduit nearby, you will have water breathing, night vision, and haste while underwater. Additionally, conduits will attack hostile mobs that are nearby.

How To Make A Conduit

To make a conduit, you will need the following materials.

• 1x Heart of the Sea
• 8x Nautilus Shells

Combining these items will create a placeable block. After making a shape like the one shown above, which serves as the frame, place the conduit in the center. This will cause it to activate.

Conduit Layout

Above, you can check out a gallery of images that take you step by step through the process of making a full conduit. You can also follow along with the steps below.

1. Place down an 'X' made out of Prismarine blocks, with each line being five blocks (two coming out of each side from the center block.
2. At the end of each 'arm', place four blocks going upward. In total, each side should have five vertical blocks.
3. Place a second 'X' at the top of the vertical blocks. At this point, you will only need to place down five blocks to get this done.
4. On each side, place an 'L' shape of Prismarine blocks that look like a band going around the center.
5. Lastly, place the conduit in the center. It should be one block off the base Prismarine; you can use any temporary block to work as a platform. After putting down the conduit, be sure to remove it.

How To Obtain Nautilus Shells

Nautilus shells are also a bit difficult to obtain. You can purchase them from the Wandering Trader for five emeralds; however, they will only sell you five.

Drowned mobs have a three percent chance to hold a shell (eight percent on Bedrock edition) and will always drop it upon death. Lastly, nautilus shells can be obtained by fishing, but they are a rare item and will take some time to fish up.