Metal Ore

Underwater reef walls surrounding ordinary islands, where Metal Ore nodes appear beside the island foundation.

Before you go

Anchor the raft near shore and note which side of the island you will start from.
Enter the water with the Hook equipped and follow the reef wall rather than swimming into open water.
Look for the distinct Metal Ore deposits attached to the reef and harvest each with the Hook.
Pick up the ore and gather nearby Clay, Sand, Copper or Scrap if your air and supplies allow.
Return to the raft before oxygen runs low; make another pass after recovering if reef nodes remain.
Place Metal Ore in the Smelter and collect the resulting Metal Ingots when processing finishes.
Use ingots for the metal tools, parts or upgrades you are currently preparing.

A consistent circle around the reef makes it easier to notice missed nodes and return to the raft.
Bring enough food and water for the island stop so a long collection trip does not interrupt your return.

Repeat the reef sweep on later island visits; collect ore nodes you find and smelt each load at the raft.

Leaving ore behind while chasing nodes into open water: stay close to the reef wall and surface for air breaks.
Expecting raw ore to work as an ingot: smelt it before using recipes that call for Metal Ingots.
Spending the whole dive on one resource: collect nearby reef materials on the same safe pass when useful.

Stop when you have enough ingots for the next planned recipe or upgrade, then resume reef mining when another metal project needs materials.

Sources & fact checks

Open a guide to find other locations and see what the item is used for.

Ocean and island materials

Metal Ore is a renewable reef resource for crafting and equipment upgrades; smelting turns it into Metal Ingots.