You've finally reached the point where Maui wants to bring coconuts back to the valley, but things are getting weirdly specific. He doesn't just want a snack. He wants you to catch and then literally plant an eel in the sand. If you're stuck on burying the eel in Disney Dreamlight Valley, you aren't alone. It’s one of those early-game quests that feels like it should be intuitive, but the mechanics of "planting" a fish can throw even the most seasoned cozy gamers for a loop. Honestly, the first time I did this, I spent ten minutes trying to drop the eel from my inventory onto the beach, wondering why Maui wasn't reacting.
The quest is called "Burying the Eel," and it’s Maui’s Friendship Level 2 quest. It is the gatekeeper to getting Coconut Trees in your Valley. Without those trees, your cooking options stay pretty limited, and your progress with other characters might stall. You need those coconuts for everything from Tropical Pop to Coconut Ice Cream. Let's get into the nitty-gritty of how you actually pull this off without wasting your afternoon.
Gathering the Gear for Maui’s Request
Maui isn't going to help you for free. To start the process of burying the eel, you first need to craft some specialized equipment. He asks for three Worms and eight Softwood. Softwood is everywhere—just look for the pale logs under trees in the Plaza or the Peaceful Meadow. Worms are the part that trips people up. You won't find them crawling around on the ground. You have to dig for them. Specifically, look for the sparkling "dig spots" near the ponds in the Peaceful Meadow.
Once you have the materials, head to a crafting station. You're looking for the "Fishing Trap." It’s a simple wooden crate-looking thing. After you've got it, run down to Dazzle Beach. You can't just put this trap anywhere. You need to place it near the dock—the long wooden structure where you often see Moana’s boat. Open your furniture menu, select the trap, and drop it into the shallow water near the pier.
Catching and Burying the Eel
Wait a few seconds. You’ll see the water start to bubble and ripple around the trap. Get your fishing rod out. This is a scripted event, so don't worry about the usual RNG (random number generation) that governs fishing. Aim your line at the gold ripples that appear inside the trap. One successful mini-game later, and you've got the eel.
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Now comes the part that gives the quest its name: burying the eel in Disney Dreamlight Valley.
Walk onto the sand. Don't go too far from the water's edge, but make sure you’re on solid beach ground. Take out your shovel and dig a hole. This is the "Aha!" moment most people miss. With the hole open, interact with it like you would when planting a seed. Your inventory will pop up, and you’ll see the eel sitting there among your Carrot seeds and Wheat. Select the eel. You will literally plant the fish in the sand.
It feels wrong. It feels like something that would smell terrible in real life. But in the logic of Dreamlight Valley, this is how you grow a tree.
Tending to Your Strange Garden
You aren't done yet. Like any other crop in the game, the eel needs water. Use your watering can on the mound of sand where you buried the fish. Now, you wait. It doesn't take hours—usually just a few minutes—but you'll see a sprout emerge. This sprout eventually grows into a full-grown Coconut Tree right before your eyes. Talk to Maui again, and he’ll celebrate his "genius" idea.
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Why the Coconut Tree Matters
Once that first tree grows, coconuts will start appearing naturally around Dazzle Beach. This is a permanent upgrade to your valley’s ecosystem. You’ll find new trees popping up, giving you a steady supply of fruit.
Coconuts are vital for:
- Ariel’s Quests: She often needs specific meals that require tropical ingredients.
- Energy Management: Coconut-based meals offer a decent stamina boost for early-to-mid-game players.
- The "Price of Trust" Quest: You'll eventually need a lot of ingredients for various Mother Gothel schemes, and having a surplus of coconuts helps.
One thing to keep in mind is that the placement of the first tree is where you dug the hole. If you hate where it ended up, don't sweat it. You can move Coconut Trees just like any other furniture or tree using the Edit Mode. Just grab it and drag it to a better spot.
Troubleshooting the "Eel Won't Plant" Glitch
Sometimes the game gets a bit twitchy. If you’re standing over the hole and the eel isn't appearing as an option to plant, check a few things. First, make sure you actually have the eel in your main inventory and not in a chest back at your house. Second, ensure you are definitely on Dazzle Beach. The quest logic is tied specifically to the beach biome. If you try to bury it in the Meadow, it simply won't work.
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If the trap doesn't catch the eel immediately, try picking it up in the furniture menu and placing it again a few feet over. The "gold" ripple effect is what triggers the eel catch. If you see white or blue ripples, you’re just catching regular fish. You need that specific quest-trigger gold circle.
Maximizing Maui’s Friendship
Completing this quest is the fastest way to hit Level 3 with Maui. Since Maui is a "tank" of a character, he’s incredibly useful to have as a Mining companion. If you haven't assigned him a role yet, I highly recommend Mining. His large frame can sometimes get in the way in tight spaces, but the extra gems he tosses your way are well worth the occasional pathing headache.
After you've successfully managed burying the eel in Disney Dreamlight Valley, your next focus should be clearing the large blue debris (the Storm Debris) on the beach. Maui will eventually upgrade your pickaxe to handle those, but you have to keep leveling up your friendship and completing these bizarre agricultural tasks first.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check your Softwood count: You need 8 pieces. If you've cleared your Plaza, wait 15 minutes for more to drop.
- Dig at the Ponds: Go to the Peaceful Meadow and look for the sparkles to get those 3 Worms.
- Craft at any Station: Build the Fishing Trap under the "Furniture" tab.
- Go to the Dock: Place the trap in the water near the Pier on Dazzle Beach.
- Fish the Gold Ripples: Use your rod on the trap to catch the eel.
- Dig, Plant, and Water: Treat the eel exactly like a seed in the sand.
- Harvest and Relocate: Once the tree grows, move it to your preferred orchard area using the furniture menu.
The quest is a bit of a grind if you aren't prepared with the materials, but it’s the only way to unlock one of the most versatile fruits in the game. Get it done early so you can start stockpiling coconuts for the later, more demanding recipes.