So, you’ve spent about three hours trekking through the sandstorms of the Gerudo Desert. You’re low on Hydromelons, your Heat Resistance food is blinking red, and you finally stumble into that massive cave at the edge of the world. The Gerudo Great Skeleton is undeniably one of the coolest sights in Tears of the Kingdom, but let’s be real: it’s also one of the most frustrating puzzles if you don’t know why you’re there in the first place.
Most people find the skeleton by accident while looking for the Hawa Koth Shrine or trying to upgrade their armor at the Great Fairy Tera. But if you’re just wandering in, you’re missing out on the actual "quest" part of this location. The Gerudo Great Skeleton isn't just a pile of ancient bones; it’s the finale of a massive paleontological scavenger hunt that spans the entire map of Hyrule. Honestly, if you haven't talked to a very specific NPC back in Akkala, you’re just looking at a big pile of calcium.
What's the Deal with the Gerudo Great Skeleton Quest?
Basically, you can't just fix the skeleton whenever you want. You’ve gotta follow the trail of Loone. She’s this ancient-obsessed researcher you first meet at East Akkala Stable. She’s obsessed with Leviathans—those massive, whale-like creatures that apparently used to dominate the skies or seas of Hyrule.
To actually "finish" the Gerudo Great Skeleton, you have to complete her two previous quests:
- Eldin’s Colossal Fossil: Fixing the eye of the Northern skeleton.
- Hebra’s Colossal Fossil: Putting the fin and spine back on the one in the frozen mountains.
Only after you’ve helped her with those will she show up in the Gerudo desert. If you go there early, the quest pieces—specifically the "baby" skeleton parts—might not even be interactable or present in the way you need them to be. It’s a classic Nintendo move. They want you to earn that final reward, even if it’s just a purple rupee and the satisfaction of a job well done.
Finding the Cave Without Losing Your Mind
The Gerudo Great Skeleton is tucked away in the far southwest corner of the map. Coordinates-wise, we’re looking at roughly -4822, -3866, -0003.
If you’ve already unlocked the Lightning Temple, you can actually Ascend to the top and glide over, which is way better than trudging through the sand. Look for the massive rib bones sticking out of the dunes. The cave entrance is nearby. Inside, it’s a vibe. You’ve got the Great Fairy fountain, a Shrine, and that looming, massive leviathan overhead.
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How to Actually Fix the Baby Leviathan
Once Loone is there, she’ll point out that there’s a "baby" leviathan that needs reassembling. This is the part that trips everyone up. You aren't fixing the big one; you're building a miniature version next to it.
The skull is usually right there. Easy. But the other two pieces? Those are the headaches.
Finding the Tail
The tail is buried in the sand to the right of Loone. Don't just start digging with a shovel—use a Zonai Fan or Tulin’s wind power to blow the sand away. If you try to use Ultrahand before the sand is gone, it won't budge. Once it’s clear, drag it over to the skull.
The Ceiling Ribs (The Part Everyone Misses)
This is the one that causes the "where the heck is it?" Reddit threads. Look up. No, higher. The torso/rib section of the baby skeleton is literally stuck in the ceiling of the cave, encased in brown, breakable rocks.
You've got a few options here:
- Bomb Arrows: The easiest way. Just shoot the rocks until the bone falls.
- Riju’s Lightning: If you have her, you can blast the ceiling.
- Yunobo: You can launch him up there if you've got a good angle.
Once it falls, you’ve got to use Ultrahand to stick them together. It’s a bit finicky. You want the torso attached to the back of the skull, and the tail attached to the back of the torso. Loone won't trigger the "quest complete" dialogue unless it looks reasonably like a creature and not a pile of kitchen scraps.
Why This Matters for Your Playthrough
Is a purple rupee (50 Rupees) worth the trek? Probably not for the money alone. But this quest is one of the few that actually ties the three "Great Skeletons" together into a cohesive story. In Breath of the Wild, they were just cool landmarks. In Tears of the Kingdom, they feel like a part of Hyrule's actual history.
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Plus, completing this gives you a sense of closure on Loone’s story. She’s one of those NPCs that makes the world feel lived-in. She’s not trying to save the world; she just really, really likes old bones. There’s something respectably nerdy about that.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Session
If you’re ready to check this off your list, here’s how to do it efficiently:
- Check your Adventure Log. If you don't see "Gerudo's Colossal Fossil," go back to East Akkala Stable and find Loone. You likely missed the start of the chain.
- Pack Bomb Flowers. You’ll need at least three or four to get the torso out of the ceiling and clear some debris.
- Bring a Fan. Either a Zonai capsule or one of the loose ones in the cave. Trying to clear sand with a Korok leaf is a nightmare.
- Save the Great Fairy for last. While you're there, make sure you have the materials to upgrade your desert gear. The skeleton is the perfect landmark to make sure you're fully "heat-proof" before heading back into the dunes.
- Snap a picture. Loone doesn't require it for this specific quest, but there are other quests in the game (like the ones for the stables) that might ask for Leviathan photos later. Might as well do it while the light is good.
The Gerudo Great Skeleton is a testament to the scale of the game. It’s hidden, it’s massive, and it’s slightly weird. Just like the rest of Hyrule.