You’re paragliding over Lake Hylia, minding your own business, and then you see it. A massive, churning vortex of water right in the middle of the lake. In Tears of the Kingdom, we’ve all taken to calling them totk whirly swirly things, partly because they look like giant drains and partly because one specific Korok in the Lost Woods won’t stop talking about them.
But here is the thing. They aren't just there for decoration.
Actually, if you’re new to the game, you might be terrified of them. Most games teach us that whirlpools equal instant death or, at the very least, a very annoying respawn on the shore with half a heart missing. Link is a champion, but even champions drown, right?
Well, not here.
What Are the Whirly Swirly Things?
Basically, they are your ticket to the underworld. Or, more accurately, the caves. Whenever you see a massive whirlpool in a body of water—like the famous one in Lake Hylia or the one in East Reservoir Lake—it’s usually a secret entrance.
If you dive right into the center of these totk whirly swirly things, you don't drown. You get sucked down into a hidden cavern. These "Whirlpool Caves" often contain unique loot, Bubbul Frogs, and sometimes even pieces of the Zora armor set or quest-specific locations like the Ancient Zora Waterworks.
It’s a classic Nintendo move. They hide the entrance in plain sight using something that looks like a hazard. Honestly, it’s brilliant.
The Korok Quest: "Whirly Swirly Things"
If you’ve spent any time in the Korok Forest after clearing the Gloom from the Deku Tree, you’ve probably met Kula. Kula is a tiny Korok with a big obsession. He wants to see "whirly swirly things."
He doesn't want you to bring them to him. He just wants a picture.
The quest is actually called "Whirly Swirly Things," and it’s one of those tasks that can be a bit of a headache if you don't know where to look. Kula wants to see two specific types of swirls.
- The Water Swirl: This is a standard whirlpool. The easiest one to find is at Lake Hylia. Just warp to the En-oma Shrine (which is actually inside the whirlpool cave) or the Popla Foothills Skyview Tower and glide down. Whip out your Purah Pad, snap a photo of the vortex, and you’re halfway done.
- The Sand Swirl: These are a bit more treacherous. You’ll find these in the Gerudo Desert. They look like sinkholes in the sand. Be careful, though, because some of them lead to the Ancient Altar Ruins, while others just drop you into a pit of Moldugas or Gibdos.
Show both photos to Kula, and he’ll reward you with some Endura Carrots. Is it worth the trek? If you're a completionist, yes. If you just want to feed your horse, maybe.
Don't Confuse Them with the Green Spirals
Here is where people get tripped up. There are "swirly things" in the water, and then there are the Zonai Green Spirals.
You’ve seen them from the sky. Those glowing teal-green wisps of energy that spiral up into the atmosphere. Those aren't whirlpools. Those are Shrines of Light that you haven't activated yet.
The game uses "swirls" as a design language for almost everything Zonai. The Rauru sealing arm? Swirly. The Ascend ability animation? Swirly. The Shrines? Swirly. Even the dragon's pathing has a certain spiral logic to it.
The "whirly swirly things" Kula cares about are strictly geographical features—water and sand.
Why Do These Spirals Matter?
From a lore perspective, swirls in the Zelda universe often signify a "second world" or a transition. Think back to the Forest Temple in Ocarina of Time with the twisted, swirling hallway. Or the way the Sages turn into swirls of light.
In Tears of the Kingdom, the whirlpools represent the literal transition from the surface to the "Sub-surface" (not to be confused with the Depths).
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The physics of it are actually pretty cool. When you dive into the Lake Hylia whirlpool, the game transitions you seamlessly into the Lake Hylia Whirlpool Cave. It’s a way to hide loading screens and make the world feel cohesive.
Pro-Tips for Navigating Swirls
Don't just jump in blindly every time.
- Stamina Check: If you’re jumping into a sand swirl in Gerudo, make sure you have enough stamina to climb out if you fall into a pit you weren't ready for.
- The Camera is Key: For the Kula quest, the "Whirly Swirly Things" won't count unless the red "!" quest marker appears on the camera UI. If you’re too far away, it won't register.
- Look for the Bubbul Frog: Almost every cave reached via a whirlpool has a Bubbul Frog. If you haven't found the gem yet, you haven't finished the cave.
The totk whirly swirly things are a perfect example of why this game is so beloved. It takes a simple visual cue and turns it into a quest, a traversal mechanic, and a piece of world-building all at once.
If you're still looking for that second photo for Kula, head to the East Barrens in the Gerudo Desert. Look for the sinkholes near the ruins. Just keep your paraglider ready—falling into sand is a lot less forgiving than falling into water.
Once you’ve snapped the photos and talked to Kula, you can finally stop worrying about these spirals and get back to what really matters: building a 12-wheeled tank to terrorize a single Red Bokoblin.
Go to the Lake Hylia whirlpool first. It's the most iconic and easiest to photograph. After that, head to the Karusa Valley or East Barrens for the sand version. Snap the shots, grab your carrots, and keep exploring.