How To Unlock The Pirate Cove In Stardew Valley

Stardew Valley is filled to the brim with content. As you live your life in the valley, a lot of this content will be readily available while some will need to be unlocked. The Pirate Cove, located on Ginger Island, requires a few steps to unlock.

In this guide, we are going to go over everything you need to know about the Pirate Cove, including where it is, how to unlock it, and what to do there. First, let’s take a look at the location of this cove. Remember, this is late-game content, so this guide may contain spoilers!

Updated February 11, 2025 by Jacqueline Zalace: Getting to Pirate Cove in Stardew Valley can be quite a trek, and we know that. As such, we’ve updated this guide with a bit more information on unlocking this Ginger Island location to help you get there as quickly as possible.

How To Get To Ginger Island

Prior to visiting the Pirate Cove, you will need to have access to Ginger Island. This is a late-game goal that will only become available after finishing the Community Center (or the JojaMart Warehouse).

After the Community Center is complete, Willy will send you mail explaining that he has a little boat in the back of his fishing shop that needs repairs. To repair the boat, you will need the following materials.

After delivering all these materials, Willy will repair the boat. Now, you will be able to travel to Ginger Island for just 1,000g.

How To Unlock Pirate Cove

As you make your way around Ginger Island, you may notice little stands where parrots can perch. Here, you will be able to unlock certain upgrades for the island with Golden Walnuts.

To unlock the Pirate Cove, there are a few additional areas that you will need to upgrade first. Below, you can see the chain of upgrades that you need to complete before unlocking the Pirate Cove.

Below, you can find a quick checklist of what to do; we’ll cover each one in-depth afterwards.

• Meet and Speak with
  Leo

• Unlock Island West (where the farmhouse is)
• Upgrade The Farmhouse
• Unlock The Resort

In total, this requires 51 Golden Walnuts. This is a lot, which means that even after completing the Community Center, you still have a long way to go.

Speak To Leo

First, you will need to speak with Leo in his hut on the right side of the main beach where Willy’s boat is. The parrot in Leo’s hut will need to receive one Golden Walnut

before the second step unlocks.

Unlock Island West

Next, you will need to unlock the west area of the island. The entrance is located on the left side of the main beach, guarded by a giant turtle. Give the parrot perched nearby ten walnuts; this will cause the turtle to wake up and move.

The farmhouse here functions just like your house in the valley. You can sleep here to pass the night into the following day. Eventually, you can even upgrade the area to get a mailbox.

Upgrade The Island Farmhouse

Almost there! Now, you will need to upgrade the island farmhouse within the west area that you just unlocked. This will cost 20 Golden Walnuts.

Unlock The Beach Resort

With the island farm unlocked, you can head back to the beginning beach and unlock the Beach Resort. This will also cost 20 Golden Walnuts. The framework of the resort can be spotted right after you visit the island for the first time, but you’ll need to upgrade the farmhouse before it can be repaired.

The Beach Resort is a tropical area where you can find several residents of Pelican Town.

How To Find Pirate Cove

When the beach is cleaned up to make room for the Beach Resort, you may notice that the pile of debris in the lower right-hand corner will be gone as well. In the image above, you can see the area clear of debris.

Going through this entrance will place you in a hidden area with a star-shaped pond. In this outdoor area, you will be able to solve the mermaid puzzle.

On the right-hand side of the star pond, you will see planks that seem to head into the wall. This is the secret entrance to the Pirate Cove. Head through this opening and you will be inside the Pirate Cove!

What Can You Do At The Pirate Cove?

If you visit the Pirate Cove during the day, you will enter an indoor area with nobody in sight; the real action begins at night.

On even-numbered days without rain, you can find a band of pirates hanging out inside the cave after 8 pm. These NPCs can’t be given gifts, however, you will be able to interact with them.

How To Get Free Mead

With a piece of pirate-themed clothing on, you will be gifted Mead

at the bar. Below, you can find the clothing items to wear for free mead.

How To Play Darts

When the pirates are present, you will also be able to play darts. As a reward for winning the first three games, you will be rewarded with Golden Walnuts. After three games, you will still be able to play and win, but you will not receive any rewards.

The Mermaid Puzzle

While not inside Pirate Cove, one other feature that you will gain access to is the mermaid. This is part of what is known as the Mermaid Puzzle, located just outside the cove.

Once you solve this puzzle, you’ll get five Golden Walnuts. This isn’t the most, but it’s still necessary if you want to reach 100 percent completion.

Can You Fish In Pirate Cove?

Yes! You will be able to fish in the waters within the cove. If the pirates are not present, you can still visit the cove and fish. Below, you can check out each fish; these are available regardless of season.

In addition to the fish listed above, you will have a chance to catch the Gourmand Statue

. This is a decoration shaped like a frog that you can place anywhere on the island or in the valley. The Gourmand Statue has no other uses besides being used as a decoration.

This is the only place in the game where you can find a stingray, so be sure to unlock this area quickly!