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How to get Nautilus Armor in Minecraft is something you’ll need to know if you want to protect your Nautilus or Zombie Nautilus while exploring the ocean. Unlike regular armor, it cannot be worn by the player. Instead, it is equipped on a Nautilus or Zombie Nautilus, allowing you to protect your underwater mount while exploring the ocean.
There are five versions of Nautilus Armor: Copper, Golden, Iron, Diamond, and Netherite. The first four can be found as chest loot, while Netherite Nautilus Armor is obtained by upgrading Diamond Nautilus Armor at a Smithing Table.
If you want to get Nautilus Armor in Survival, here’s where to find each version and how to upgrade it to Netherite.
Where to Find Nautilus Armor
There are three types of structures you should look for when searching for Nautilus Armor: Buried Treasure, Ocean Ruins, and Shipwrecks.
Buried Treasure
Buried Treasure is one of the best places to search because its chests can contain Nautilus Armor.
The easiest way to locate buried treasure is by using a Buried Treasure Map. These maps can lead you to a chest hidden underground, usually beneath sand or gravel.
When you reach the X on the map, dig around the area until you find the chest. If the chest contains Nautilus Armor, you can take it and immediately use it on your mount.

Ocean Ruins
Ocean Ruins are underwater structures that generate in ocean biomes. Their chests can also contain Nautilus Armor.
Because Ocean Ruins are often surrounded by gravel, sand, and other underwater blocks, look carefully around the entire structure when searching for their loot.
They are particularly convenient if you’re already exploring the ocean to find a Nautilus.

Shipwrecks
Shipwrecks are another source of Nautilus Armor. They can generate underwater or partially exposed above the ocean surface and contain loot chests.
If you’re starting a new survival world, searching coastlines and oceans for Shipwrecks is a good way to combine your search for Nautilus Armor with other useful resources.

How to Get Diamond Nautilus Armor
Diamond Nautilus Armor is the highest tier that can be obtained directly from the loot chests listed above.
There isn’t a special crafting recipe or separate structure exclusively dedicated to Diamond Nautilus Armor. You simply need to explore Buried Treasure, Ocean Ruins, and Shipwrecks and check their chests.
Because the armor is obtained through loot rather than crafting, finding Diamond Nautilus Armor may take some exploration. Once you get one, however, you can use it as the starting point for the Netherite upgrade.
To get it, you need to upgrade Diamond Nautilus Armor at a Smithing Table. The process works the same way as upgrading other Diamond equipment to Netherite.
You can learn more about Smithing Templates, including what they do and how to find them, in our Smithing Templates guide.
You need three items:
- 1 Diamond Nautilus Armor
- 1 Netherite Upgrade Smithing Template
- 1 Netherite Ingot
Place the Netherite Upgrade Smithing Template in the first slot of the Smithing Table, the Diamond Nautilus Armor in the second slot, and the Netherite Ingot in the third slot. The result will be Netherite Nautilus Armor.

This upgrade is available in both Minecraft Java Edition and Bedrock Edition. You do not need a different recipe or a separate item for Bedrock.
If you don’t have a Netherite Upgrade Smithing Template yet, you’ll need to find one before you can perform the upgrade.
How to Equip Nautilus Armor
Nautilus Armor is designed for the Nautilus and Zombie Nautilus rather than the player.
First, you need a tamed Nautilus or Zombie Nautilus. In both Java and Bedrock, Nautiluses can be tamed using Pufferfish or a Bucket of Pufferfish. A tamed Nautilus can then be equipped with a Saddle and ridden.
Once you have your mount, interact with it and place the Nautilus Armor in its armor slot.
The Nautilus has an inventory screen that allows you to manage its Saddle and Armor, making the process similar to equipping equipment on other Minecraft mounts.

You can also remove Nautilus Armor with Shears. In Bedrock Edition, using Shears on a Nautilus removes its armor first and then its Saddle.
What Is Nautilus Armor Used For?
The main purpose of Nautilus Armor is to equip and protect your underwater mount.
This becomes particularly useful because the Nautilus is designed specifically for ocean exploration. It can be tamed, ridden with a Saddle, and used to move quickly through the water.
Riding a Nautilus also gives the player the Breath of the Nautilus effect. This effect pauses oxygen consumption while you are mounted, although it does not replenish your existing oxygen supply.
That makes a Nautilus particularly useful when exploring underwater areas for extended periods.

Which Nautilus Armor Is Best?
Netherite Nautilus Armor is the highest-tier version available.
However, you don’t need to collect every tier before obtaining it. If you find Diamond Nautilus Armor, you can use it directly as the basis for your Netherite upgrade.
The five versions are:
| Nautilus Armor | How to Get It |
|---|---|
| Copper | Chest loot |
| Golden | Chest loot |
| Iron | Chest loot |
| Diamond | Chest loot |
| Netherite | Upgrade Diamond Nautilus Armor |
The first four versions can be found in Buried Treasure, Ocean Ruins, and Shipwreck chests, while Netherite is obtained through the Smithing Table.

Best Way to Find Nautilus Armor
If you’re actively looking for Nautilus Armor, the most efficient approach is to combine your search with normal ocean exploration.
Start by exploring oceans and looking for Shipwrecks and Ocean Ruins. Whenever you find a Buried Treasure Map, follow it as well, since Buried Treasure is another source of Nautilus Armor.
You don’t need to stop searching as soon as you find a lower-tier version. If your eventual goal is Netherite Nautilus Armor, keep looking for Diamond Nautilus Armor instead.
Once you have Diamond Nautilus Armor, your next objective is finding a Netherite Upgrade Smithing Template and collecting a Netherite Ingot. You can then perform the upgrade at a Smithing Table.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Is Nautilus Armor craftable in Minecraft?
No. Nautilus Armor cannot be crafted. Copper, Golden, Iron, and Diamond versions are obtained from chests in Buried Treasure, Ocean Ruins, and Shipwrecks.
Where can you find Nautilus Armor?
You can find Copper, Golden, Iron, and Diamond Nautilus Armor in chests located in Buried Treasure, Ocean Ruins, and Shipwrecks.
How do you get Diamond Nautilus Armor?
Search Buried Treasure, Ocean Ruins, and Shipwrecks for their loot chests. Diamond Nautilus Armor is one of the versions that can appear as chest loot.
How do you get Netherite Nautilus Armor?
Upgrade Diamond Nautilus Armor at a Smithing Table using a Netherite Upgrade Smithing Template and a Netherite Ingot.
Can you put Nautilus Armor on a Zombie Nautilus?
Yes. Nautilus Armor can be equipped on both Nautilus and Zombie Nautilus mounts.
Can you remove Nautilus Armor?
Yes. In Bedrock Edition, Shears can be used to remove the armor from a Nautilus before removing its Saddle.
What is the best Nautilus Armor?
Netherite Nautilus Armor is the highest-tier version. You obtain it by upgrading Diamond Nautilus Armor at a Smithing Table.
Is Nautilus Armor available in Java Edition?
Yes. Nautilus Armor was added to Java Edition with Minecraft 1.21.11 as part of the Mounts of Mayhem game drop.
Is Nautilus Armor available in Bedrock Edition?
Yes. Nautilus Armor was added to Bedrock Edition with Minecraft 1.21.130 as part of Mounts of Mayhem.
Final Thoughts
Nautilus Armor is one of the more useful additions from Minecraft’s Mounts of Mayhem update if you spend a lot of time exploring the ocean.
The important part is that you don’t craft Nautilus Armor. Instead, search Buried Treasure, Ocean Ruins, and Shipwrecks for Copper, Golden, Iron, and Diamond versions. If you want the strongest option, keep an eye out for Diamond Nautilus Armor and upgrade it to Netherite at a Smithing Table.
The Nautilus itself makes the search worthwhile. Its ability to carry a player underwater while providing the Breath of the Nautilus effect gives it a useful role in ocean exploration, especially when you’re spending a long time away from the surface.



