You’ve finally made it to Bubblaine. The water is sparkling, the Gushen enemies are hovering around like pressurized jetpacks, and that giant octopus—Brigadier Mollusque-Lanceur-le-Bouillie XIV—is sitting right in the middle of the fountain, ruining the vibe. If you’re hunting for Mario Odyssey Seaside Kingdom moons, you probably realized pretty quickly that this place is a lot bigger than it looks. It’s not just a beach. It’s a vertical playground filled with underwater caves, hidden tunnels, and some of the most annoying volleyball challenges in the history of the Nintendo Switch.
Bubblaine is gorgeous. It’s also a completionist’s nightmare if you don't know where to look. Honestly, the sheer number of Power Moons tucked away in the nooks and crannies of the Sparkle Water can feel overwhelming. You aren't just looking for glowing orbs; you're mastering the art of the Gushen capture and praying your controller doesn't drift while you're trying to land on a tiny stone pillar.
Why Bubblaine is a Different Beast
Unlike the Sand Kingdom where everything is spread out across a flat desert, the Seaside Kingdom forces you to think about depth. You’ve got the surface, the seabed, and the interior of the Four Fountains. Most players breeze through the boss fight, grab the "Glass Is Half Full" Multi Moon, and head straight for the Lunch Kingdom. They’re missing out. There are over 50 moons here initially, and even more once you crack open the Moon Pipe later in the game.
The Gushen is your best friend here. If you haven't mastered the vertical burst versus the horizontal spray, you’re going to struggle with some of the more "out there" moons. Take "The Seal on the Lighthouse" for example. It's a classic platforming challenge, but the real secret to Bubblaine is looking behind the path the game wants you to take.
The Volleyball Problem
Let's talk about the elephant in the room. Or rather, the snail on the beach.
Moon 38, "Beach Volleyball: Hero of the Beach," is widely considered one of the most frustrating moons in the entire game. You have to hit the ball 100 times. It starts slow. It gets fast. Then it gets "I’m going to throw my Pro Controller out the window" fast. Most experts will tell you to switch to 2-player mode, put Mario on the sidelines, and use Cappy to intercept the ball. Cappy’s movement is much snappier than Mario’s run speed. It’s a cheese strategy, sure, but it’s a strategy that saves your sanity.
Navigating the Underwater Abyss
Deep down in the Sparkle Water, things get weird. There are those massive Cheep Cheeps that try to swallow you whole, and more importantly, there are the hidden alcoves.
One moon people often miss is "Deep-Sea Conveyor." You have to find a specific pipe near the lighthouse that takes you into a 2D 8-bit section. Nintendo loves these, but this one is tricky because of the moving water levels. If you don't time your jumps with the rhythmic flow, you're back at the start.
Then there’s the Sphinx. He’s hanging out underwater, which is a bit of a departure from his usual desert habitat. Answer his riddles, and you get access to a vault. It’s a freebie, basically, but only if you actually bother to swim to the seafloor instead of just jetting around as a Gushen.
Moons You Probably Walked Right Past
- The Narrow Valley: There’s a secret path near the Odyssey. You have to capture a Gushen, conserve your water, and blast up a series of narrow ledges. It’s a test of fuel management.
- Bird Watching: That golden bird circling the island? It’s holding a moon. You can try to intercept it with a Gushen spray, or just wait at a high point like the top of the Lighthouse and time a Cappy throw.
- The Love-Struck Goomba: You’ll find a Goomba lady on a high plateau. To get her moon, you have to stack a tower of Goombas from the beach area and somehow waddle your way up there. It’s tedious. It’s hilarious. It’s Mario.
The Post-Game Power Up
After you beat Bowser and return to the Seaside Kingdom, a massive grey moon rock appears. Breaking it open scatters a whole new set of "Moon Shard" and "Timer Challenge" moons across the map. This is where the Mario Odyssey Seaside Kingdom moons list gets truly bloated.
Check the sky. Seriously. A lot of the post-game moons require you to capture a Lakitu and go fishing, or use the "Fly Up to the Top of the Big Vase" trick. The "Glass Is Half Empty" moon is a fun callback to the main boss fight, but it requires a lot more precision.
I’ve spent dozens of hours in this kingdom specifically, and the most common mistake I see is people ignoring the "Talkatoo" or the Hint Toad. If you’re stuck at 49 moons and can’t find that last one, look at the art on the walls. The "Found with Seaside Kingdom Art" moon isn't even in the Seaside Kingdom—it's actually hidden in the Metro Kingdom (New Donk City) near the Main Street entrance. It’s a bit of a troll move by the developers, honestly.
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Capturing the Right Vibe
The Seaside Kingdom isn't just a list of collectibles; it's about the mechanics of water. Whether you’re using a Cheep Cheep to explore without worrying about oxygen or using a Gushen to scale the cliffside near the Hot Springs, the movement is the key.
If you're struggling with the Master Cup race (Moon 52), stop trying to swim. Use the Gushen to shortcut over the reef. The Koopa Troopa NPCs are fast, but they follow a set path. You have the freedom to break the level.
Actionable Tips for Completionists
If you want to clear this kingdom, stop aimlessly swimming. Follow this specific workflow:
First, clear the boss. You can't access half the moons while the octopus is throwing a tantrum. Once the water is clear, grab the Gushen near the Odyssey and do a full lap of the island's perimeter. There are at least three moons hidden in alcoves just above the water line that you can only reach by "stair-stepping" your water bursts.
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Second, go to the shop. Buy the local outfit (the sailor suit). There’s a moon locked behind a door where the NPC won't let you in unless you look the part. It's a "free" moon once you have the purple coins.
Third, hit the seafloor. Don't use the Gushen for this; capture a Cheep Cheep. Look for glowing spots in the sand. Ground pound everything. If a spot is glowing, there's a 90% chance it's a moon or a pile of coins.
Finally, do the volleyball early. Get it over with. It’s the biggest hurdle to the 100% completion mark, and once it’s done, the rest of the kingdom feels like a vacation. Use the 2-player Cappy trick if you hit 50 catches and keep failing. There is no shame in it.
The Seaside Kingdom is a masterpiece of level design because it rewards curiosity. Every time you think, "I wonder if there's something behind that waterfall," there usually is. Keep your eyes on the horizon and your water tank full.