Updated 25 October 2026. Facts on this page come from minecraft.wiki, minecraft.net and the live Artemis PvP server; sources are listed at the bottom.
Dolphins in Minecraft: Dolphin's Grace and Treasure
Dolphins live in pods in oceans other than frozen and cold ones (Bedrock also has them in cold oceans), between Y=50 and Y=64. Sprint-swim near one and you get Dolphin's Grace, a big swimming speed boost. Feed a dolphin raw cod or salmon and it swims to the nearest shipwreck or ocean ruin. Dolphins need air and water: they dry out on land and drown if kept underwater too long.
How does Dolphin's Grace work?
Sprint-swim within 9 blocks of a dolphin to get Dolphin's Grace for 5 seconds, renewed while you keep swimming within 15 blocks. It makes you swim much faster, great for crossing oceans. It does not work in boats, though dolphins happily chase boats. Swimming: swimming.
How do dolphins find treasure?
Give one a raw cod or raw salmon and it leads you toward the nearest shipwreck or ocean ruin; follow it with Dolphin's Grace. See buried treasure and shipwrecks.
How do you keep a dolphin alive?
- On land it starts drying out after 2 minutes, unless it is raining.
- Underwater it must come up for air; after about 4 minutes it starts to drown.
- Water Breathing stops it drowning.
- Dolphins cannot be bred; babies only appear in the wild.
- Pods are 1-2 dolphins on Java and 3-5 on Bedrock, and they never spawn in frozen oceans (on Java, not in cold oceans either).
Are dolphins hostile?
They are neutral: hit one and the whole pod attacks. They have 10 health. Dolphins also play with items you drop in the water. Ocean guide: oceans. Related: turtles and dolphins.
Frequently asked questions
How do you get Dolphin's Grace?
Sprint-swim within 9 blocks of a dolphin.
Sources
Every fact on this page was checked against these pages; the wording is ours.