Using Nether Portals While Submerged in Java Edition
For builders and explorers who love submerged bases and submerged tunnels, testing how a portal behaves underwater opens a new world of design options. In Java Edition you can place a standard portal frame underwater and light it with flint and steel. The portal itself glows with a familiar dark rectangle and lights the surrounding water with a gentle amber glow. Activation happens just as it does on land, but you will feel the water around you shift as the gateway appears. It is a playful challenge that rewards careful planning and a bit of underwater endurance.
Why underwater portals matter for your builds
The ability to deploy a Nether gateway underwater expands how you connect ocean bases to the wilds of the Nether. You can link a submerged observatory to a lava-lit fortress or route a shortcut beneath a seafloor trench. The portal block itself comes from the Nether Portal block using a 4 by 5 frame, and it emits light to help you see through the blue water haze. Orientation matters too as axis direction affects how you place the frame in tight underwater passages.
How to build an underwater Nether portal
Start by gathering obsidian and a reliable way to light the frame. A standard frame uses ten obsidian blocks to form a rectangular doorway that is four blocks tall and five blocks wide on the interior. Place the frame underwater, taking care to keep the interior space clear of water as you complete the top and sides. The frame sides must be straight, with the corners optional since they are not required to complete the boundary.
- Decide the axis orientation you want. In Java Edition you can align the frame along the X axis or the Z axis. This choice affects how you couple the portal with nearby tunnels and rooms.
- Clear a little space around the frame so you can place blocks without clumsy water currents pushing you around. You can use potions like Water Breathing or wear a Helmet with Respiration to stay under water while you work.
- Light the portal with flint and steel once the frame is complete. When you activate it underwater, water near the frame will recede and the portal blocks will appear. You may still feel a bit of pressure from surrounding water as the gateway forms.
Water can complicate an underwater build. A few practical tricks keep the process smooth. Use a Water Breathing potion or a carved helmet with Respiration to stay underwater longer during construction. If you have access to sponges or a conduit, you can clear water around the frame to make the activation smoother. In a pinch you can create a temporary air pocket by placing a few blocks above the frame, ensuring air for you to breathe while you finish the setup.
- Work with a partner to manage water flow and to watch for mobs while you focus on the activation.
- Place light sources around the frame so you can see clearly through the streaming water and the dark portal when it activates.
- Be prepared for lava and hostile mobs on the Nether side after you step through. A quick escape route and some fire resistance can save the day.
After activation you can swim into the Nether gateway just like a normal portal. On the Nether side you may land near lava pools or hostile environments, so plan your exit route carefully. It helps to build a small air pocket near the portal in the Nether that lets you recover before stepping out into the hazardous terrain. Remember that water does not flow through the portal itself in the Nether, but it can complicate your navigation as you reenter the overworld.
The Nether Portal block is a transparent block that emits light and interacts with the world in a standard frame. In code terms it carries an axis property with values x or z which determines the portal’s orientation. This makes underwater installations predictable and compatible with nearby underwater bases or sea temples. For players who love tinkering with the game, mods and datapacks often enhance portal behavior or add new portal types with alternative dimensions. The core feel remains the same yet the tools available for underwater mapping and travel expand with the community creativity.
If your goal is a reliable underwater gateway network, consider pairing multiple underwater bases with a few carefully placed portals. You can create a neat grid of sea bases connected by short Nether routes that minimize long underwater swims. For builders who enjoy aesthetics, frame choices near coral reefs and kelp forests can create dramatic entrances. The glow from the portal combined with underwater lighting creates a striking effect that blends engineering and atmosphere.
For the community that loves sharing projects and tips, underwater Nether portals are a favorite topic. They demonstrate how a single block type can unlock new travel patterns and inspire clever base design. Whether you are creating a deep sea fortress or a floating city with submerged access points, a Nether portal built underwater adds a layer of immersion that heightens the sense of exploration.
If you are exploring this topic in more depth, you may want to look into related reads from fellow builders and explorers in our network. The next steps are about experimentation and sharing your layouts with the wider community.
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