How to go diving
In order to catch Deep Sea Creatures, you need a wet suit. This is a new tool for Animal Crossing and can only be purchased from the shop on the Island. When you are visiting the Island you can rent one from the gyroid for the duration of your visit for free. With the wet suit equipped, press 
when facing the ocean. If you have the Fishing Rod equipped at the same time, it will take priority and you will cast your line into the sea instead.
Deep Sea Creatures appear as dark shadows under the water and often you will see air bubbles on the surface. When you are close to a shadow press 
to dive. You will now go under and appear as a larger shadow. Swim towards the creature (you may have to chase them!) and when you reach the shadow you will automatically surface with the creature. You will not run out of air, the player will come up to the surface after a short period - this can be a hindrance when you are chasing octopi as it can mean you miss your chance. It's a good idea to dive as close to the shadow as you can to avoid this problem.
The Deep Sea Creatures available to catch depend on several different factors such as time of day and which month it is. If you are trying to get a particular creature be sure you are diving at the right time of day.
This is a list of the different times of day you can catch Deep Sea Creatures.
- Morning: 4:00am-9:00am
- Noon: 9:00am-4:00pm
- Evening: 4:00pm-8:00pm
- Night: 8:00pm-4:00am
Location
All Deep Sea Creatures are found in the Ocean both in your Town and on the Island. Watch out for Jelly Fish - they can give you a nasty sting when swimming.
What to do with Deep Sea Creatures
Like the fish & bugs, there are a few different things you can do with them.
- Donate them to the museum: The museum is empty until you start donating things. Blathers will accept a newly caught Deep Sea Creature from you, as long as you haven’t already donated that specific breed. Once you’ve donated the Deep Sea Creature you can check the Deep Sea Creature section of the museum and see all the creatures you have donated.
- Sell them: You can sell any Deep Sea Creatures you have at Re-Tail or Nookling Junction, preferably at Re-Tail as they pay more for your items. The price differs depending on species and whether you have the Wealthy Town Ordinance enacted. Some bugs sell for 100 bells, while others (like the Giant Spider Crab) can sell for 10,000 bells! This is handy to help pay off that mortgage!
- Give them to a villager: Every so often villagers in your town will want certain items. Usually these items are clothes, furniture, bugs or fish. If you are able to provide the villager with the item they requested you will usually receive a reward. This can be money or another item.
- Display them in your house: There are certain Deep Sea Creatures that you will be proud of catching. They can make interesting talking points when you have friends in your town via Wi-Fi.
List of Deep Sea Creatures
Please note that if you have the Wealthy Town Ordinance enacted in your town, these prices will increase by 20%.
| Name | Image | Price (Bells) | Months available | Times available |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abalone | 
|
400 | ||
| Acorn Barnacle | 
|
200 | ||
| Chambered Nautilus | 
|
900 | ||
| Clam | 
|
400 | ||
| Ear Shell | 
|
300 | ||
| Flatworm | 
|
200 | ||
| Giant Isopod | 
|
9,000 | ||
| Giant Spider Crab | File:ACNL giantspidercrab.png | 10,000 | ||
| Horsehair Crab | File:ACNL horseshaircrab.png | 4,000 | ||
| Horseshoe Crab | 
|
1,500 | ||
| Lobster | 
|
2,500 | ||
| Mantis Shrimp | 
|
1,250 | ||
| Octopus | 
|
1,000 | ||
| Oyster | 
|
400 | ||
| Pearl Oyster | 
|
1,600 | ||
| Red King Crab | File:ACNL redkingcrab.png | 6,000 | ||
| Spiny Lobster | File:ACNL spinylobster.png | 3,000 | ||
| Scallop | 
|
1,000 | ||
| Sea Anemone | 
|
100 | ||
| Sea Cucumber | File:ACNL seacucumber.png | 150 | ||
| Sea Grapes | 
|
600 | ||
| Sea Slug | 
|
200 | ||
| Sea Star | 
|
100 | ||
| Sea Urchin | 
|
800 | ||
| Seaweed | 
|
200 | ||
| Snow Crab | File:ACNL snowcrab.png | 4,000 | ||
| Spotted Garden Eel | 
|
600 | ||
| Sweet Shrimp | File:ACNL sweetshrimp.png | 650 | ||
| Tiger Prawn | 
|
1,600 | ||
| Turban Shell | 
|
