The Starmie Doll is one of the trickier collectibles in Bubbly Basin, the underwater town added in the first part of the Pokémon Pokopia Expansion Pass. Unlike most Dolls, it doesn’t sit out in the open. It’s buried as hidden treasure inside a cave, so you won’t see it even when you’re standing right on top of it. Finding it is tied directly to the main story, and it opens the door to a new Dream Island packed with local resources.
Quick answer: Raise the Bubbly Basin environment level to three, talk to Popplio to continue the story, choose the hint “The floaty pink one” to meet Frillish, then complete Frillish’s treasure hunt into the northwest underwater cave and use Rock Smash on the breakable rocks to claim the Starmie Doll.
What you need before the Starmie Doll appears
The doll is gated behind story progress, so a few things have to be in place first. Frillish, the Pokémon who leads you to it, can’t be met until the questline unlocks. Technically the doll exists in the cave before that point, but there’s no reason to rush it. Waiting for Frillish clears a key story beat at the same time.
| Requirement | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Expansion Pass and Ver. 2.0.0 update | Bubbly Basin and the Dive move are only available with the DLC and the free update installed. |
| Bubbly Basin environment level 3 | Advances the main story so Popplio hands you the next request. |
| Rock Smash move | Needed to break the rock pile hiding the doll. |
| Dowsing Machine | Pinpoints the exact treasure spot once you’re near it. |
How to unlock the Starmie Doll in Bubbly Basin
Starmie Doll cave location
The doll sits inside an underwater cave near the upper northwest corner of Bubbly Basin. Frillish walks you to the right region during the quest, so trail behind them to reach the general area. Inside the cave, look for the stretch lined with minecart tracks. Most of the walls and rocks there can’t be destroyed, but one stack of rocks can, and that’s where the treasure is tucked away.
Because the doll stays invisible even up close, the Dowsing Machine is the fastest way to lock onto the exact tile. A Pokémon with the Search ability helps steer you toward the spot as well.
You’ll know it worked when the Starmie Doll enters your inventory and the Frillish request updates as complete, which also nudges Popplio’s construction storyline forward.
What the Starmie Doll does
Like every Doll in Pokémon Pokopia, the Starmie Doll doubles as a decoration and a travel tool. Place it and interact with it to summon Drifloon, who carries you off to a Dream Island tied specifically to this doll. You can also visit the island in multiplayer mode to swim and play underwater with friends.
The Starmie Doll’s Dream Island is stocked with resources exclusive to the Bubbly Basin theme, useful for building out the town further. Expect materials such as sea grapes, small coral, and grubby pearls, along with drops like gold and iron ore. Phione can also appear and be recruited here, though its spawn is down to chance rather than guaranteed.
| What the Dream Island offers | Details |
|---|---|
| Exclusive resources | Sea grapes, small coral, grubby pearls, plus gold and iron ore. |
| Recruitable Pokémon | Phione, appearing at random. |
| Multiplayer | Visit with friends to swim and play underwater. |
With the doll secured and the Dream Island unlocked, you’ll have a steady pipeline of underwater materials to keep developing Bubbly Basin, from new habitats to cooking recipes and Portal Pods.
