Subnautica 2: Unleash Swift Travel with the Wakemaker

Navigating the depths in Subnautica 2 can feel painfully slow at first. While early mobility tools like the Air Bladder and Dash ability offer limited bursts of speed, you'll spend most of your time crawling through the water. The Wakemaker, a direct successor to the original game's Sea Glider, transforms your underwater experience—granting a significant and sustained speed boost. Crafting this essential device requires a few steps, but once you have it, exploration becomes far more efficient. This guide breaks down everything you need to know to build your own Wakemaker, from finding its fragments to gathering the necessary materials.

1. What Exactly Is the Wakemaker in Subnautica 2?

The Wakemaker is a handheld propulsion device that dramatically increases your swimming speed. It functions like a high-tech sea scooter, allowing you to glide through water much faster than by swimming alone. Unlike the temporary speed boosts from the Air Bladder or the short-range Dash, the Wakemaker provides a continuous, stamina-free acceleration. It is an equipment item you equip and activate, consuming a small amount of battery power. For anyone exploring the vast biomes of Subnautica 2, the Wakemaker is an indispensable tool that cuts travel time in half and makes escaping predators far easier. Think of it as the upgraded cousin of the original game's Sea Glider—same concept, but with a fresh design and integration into the sequel's crafting system.

2. How Do You Obtain the Wakemaker Crafting Recipe?

You unlock the Wakemaker by scanning its fragments, just like many other advanced tools in Subnautica 2 (such as the Tadpole and Habitat Builder). In total, you need to scan three Wakemaker fragments. Each fragment scan progresses your blueprint toward completion; after all three are scanned, the recipe becomes available in your Fabricator. Fragments are scattered across the early-to-mid game areas, particularly near wrecks and rocky outcrops. They emit a faint blue glow and can be spotted with the scanner's range upgrade. Keep an eye out for metallic debris and listen for the distinctive scanning ping. Once you have all three, you can permanently craft the Wakemaker.

3. Where Are the Best Locations to Scan Wakemaker Fragments?

Wakemaker fragments are most commonly found in two biomes: the Kelp Caves and the Thermal Vents. In the Kelp Caves, search inside underwater caverns near abandoned equipment crates. The twisty tunnels often hide fragments behind kelp stalks. In the Thermal Vents region, fragments rest on the sandy floor close to heat-emitting structures. Be cautious of aggressive fauna like the Stalker. Additionally, check small wreck sites in the Safe Shallows; sometimes a fragment will spawn near a broken lifepod. If you're having trouble finding all three, craft the Scanner Room's range upgrade and set it to search for fragments. The HUD will then mark nearby fragments, making the treasure hunt much easier.

4. What Materials Do You Need to Craft the Wakemaker?

Once you have the blueprint, head to a Fabricator to assemble the Wakemaker. The required materials are:

• Copper Ore × 2
• Titanium × 1
• Battery × 1

Copper Ore is abundant in limestone outcrops found across the Safe Shallows and Kelp Forests. Titanium is even more common, salvaged from metal scrap or limestone chunks. The Battery is the trickiest component—you'll need to craft it separately using Copper Ore and Acid Mushroom samples. Gather Acid Mushrooms in the Safe Shallows cave systems. Once you have everything, the Wakemaker can be built in just a few seconds. It's a relatively cheap craft for such a transformative item, so prioritize making it early.

5. How Do You Equip and Use the Wakemaker Effectively?

To use the Wakemaker, place it in your hotbar and select it. When activated, it will automatically propel you forward at a steady speed, draining battery power gradually. You can toggle it on and off by pressing the use button again. While active, you still have full control of your movement—steer with the mouse or analog stick. The Wakemaker does not work on land, so hop out of the water first. To conserve battery, turn it off when you're not actively traveling long distances. It's also smart to carry a spare battery, especially when exploring deep or dangerous areas. The speed boost makes escaping predators like the Stalker or Crabsnake much more reliable than relying on the Dash ability alone.

6. How Does the Wakemaker Compare to the Sea Glider from the Original Subnautica?

While the Wakemaker is clearly inspired by the Sea Glider, there are a few key differences. First, the Wakemaker uses a standard Battery instead of a Power Cell, making it easier to recharge and replace early in the game. Second, its animation and sound design are updated to fit Subnautica 2's more refined visual style—the Wakemaker emits a subtle blue thrust trail. Performance-wise, the Wakemaker offers slightly higher top speed but consumes battery a bit faster. The overall feel is smoother and more responsive. Importantly, the Wakemaker's fragments are placed in less dangerous biomes than the Sea Glider's sometimes tricky locations, so you can acquire it sooner. Both tools serve the same purpose, but the Wakemaker is fine-tuned for Subnautica 2's new ecosystem.

7. What Tips Can Help You Get the Wakemaker Early in Subnautica 2?

To craft the Wakemaker as quickly as possible, follow this priority list:

1. Build a Scanner immediately after your first dive. You need it to scan fragments.
2. Explore the Kelp Caves as soon as you have a Seaglider (or even without it). Use your knife to cut through kelp and reveal hidden nooks.
3. Craft a Battery using Acid Mushrooms and Copper Ore. Mushrooms are plentiful near your pod.
4. Keep an eye on your oxygen. Some fragments are in deeper water; bring a spare oxygen tank or use a Seamoth if you have one.
5. Don't bother with the Air Bladder as a speed tool—it's better for emergency ascent. The Wakemaker is far more reliable.

By following these steps, you'll have the Wakemaker within your first hour of gameplay, drastically speeding up all future exploration.

8. What Are the Main Benefits of Using the Wakemaker?

The Wakemaker's primary benefit is time efficiency. Swimming at base speed takes twice as long to cross distances, which can be tedious when gathering resources or returning to base. The Wakemaker cuts travel time by at least 50%, allowing you to cover more ground per dive. Second, it enhances safety: when a predator chases you, activating the Wakemaker gives you a reliable escape option that doesn't depend on stamina or cooldowns. Third, it frees up your hands—since it's a handheld item, you can still carry a tool in your other hand (like a knife or scanner) while using it. Finally, its low material cost makes it one of the best early-game investments in Subnautica 2. For any player looking to explore faster, survive longer, and enjoy the ocean more, the Wakemaker is an essential piece of equipment.