Exploring the vast landscape of The Island in ARK requires more than just surviving the elements; it involves conquering its treacherous caves. These subterranean and underwater chambers are essential for progression, housing the artifacts needed to summon world bosses. Understanding the specific ark cave locations on the island is a prerequisite for any survivor aiming for the final Ascension.

This guide details the coordinates, creature threats, and essential preparations for each major cave on the map as of 2026. Whether navigating the sweltering heat of the Lava Cave or the freezing depths of the Snow Cave, proper intel is the difference between a successful run and a lost kit.

1. Lower South Cave (Artifact of the Hunter)

Located near the southern coast, this is generally considered the starting point for cave exploration. It serves as a rite of passage for new survivors.

  • Coordinates: 80.3, 53.5
  • Artifact: Hunter (Used for Broodmother Lysrix)
  • Threats: Araneomorphus, Pulmonoscorpius, Titanoboa, and Mega Piranhas in the water pools.

This cave is relatively straightforward. The primary danger stems from the sheer number of tranquilizing creatures. Bringing a small, agile mount like a Baryonyx or a high-level Raptor can make the crawl much safer. It is advisable to stay out of the deeper water pools to avoid being swarmed by piranhas. Stimberries or Stimulants are highly recommended to counter the torpor-inducing stings of the scorpions and snakes.

2. Central Cave (Artifact of the Clever)

Positioned east of the Volcano, the Central Cave offers a moderate increase in difficulty, characterized by narrow paths and vertical drops.

  • Coordinates: 41.5, 46.9
  • Artifact: Clever (Used for Broodmother Lysrix)
  • Threats: Araneo, Arthropleura, Megalania, and Megalosaurus.

Expect high humidity and cramped quarters. The Arthropleura is the most significant threat here, as its acid spit can shatter high-tier armor instantly. Using ranged weapons to clear these insects from a distance is often safer than melee combat. Because of the cave's structure, a Baryonyx is frequently the preferred mount due to its jump ability and combat prowess.

3. South East Cave / Lava Cave (Artifact of the Massive)

The South East Cave, or Lava Cave, is a high-temperature environment located on a peninsula east of Drayo’s Cove. It requires careful movement to avoid environmental hazards.

  • Coordinates: 70.6, 86.1
  • Artifact: Massive (Used for Broodmother Lysrix)
  • Threats: Onyc (Bats), Pulmonoscorpius, Dilophosaurs, and Lava pits.

Extreme heat is the primary environmental factor. Survivors should consider wearing Ghillie armor and consuming Calien Soup to manage hyperthermia. The cave features several parkour sections over lava; falling usually results in instant death for both player and mount. Grappling hooks can be invaluable here to bypass difficult jumps or retrieve loot safely. Onycs (bats) here can transmit Mega Rabies, so carrying Lesser Antidotes is a wise precaution.

4. Upper South Cave (Artifact of the Pack)

Found in the southern woods, this cave features significant water sections and complex navigation.

  • Coordinates: 68.2, 56.2
  • Artifact: Pack (Used for Megapithecus)
  • Threats: Sarcosuchus, Titanoboa, Onyc, and Araneo.

This cave is unique because a portion of the path is submerged. While scuba gear makes the journey more comfortable, it is possible to navigate the underwater sections by following the ceiling for air pockets. Grappling hooks allow survivors to skip the water sections entirely by staying on the upper ledges. The artifact is located deep within, often guarded by Sarcos and Titanoboas.

5. North West Cave (Artifact of the Skylord)

Carved into a glacier in the snow biome, the North West Cave is small but incredibly dangerous due to its narrow ledges and instant-death traps.

  • Coordinates: 19.3, 19.0
  • Artifact: Skylord (Used for The Dragon)
  • Threats: Onyc and Araneo.

Though short, the pathing is treacherous. There is a specific pit filled with spikes that deal massive damage and destroy armor immediately. Navigating this cave on foot with a grappling hook is often safer than bringing a mount. To find the artifact, hug the right-side wall until reaching the drop-off point, then use a grapple to enter the hidden hole in the wall. Cold protection (Fur armor) is necessary for the trek to the cave entrance.

6. North East Cave (Artifact of the Devourer)

Located on the infamous "Dead Island" or "Carnivore Island," this cave is a vertical descent into a pit of high-level predators.

  • Coordinates: 14.7, 85.4
  • Artifact: Devourer (Used for Megapithecus)
  • Threats: Araneo, Pulmonoscorpius, Onyc, and Megalania.

The cave is essentially one giant chamber with a spiraling path leading downward. A common strategy involves using a parachute to glide to the bottom and then using grappling hooks to ascend back to the exit. The density of bats is high, so bringing a high-damage pump-action shotgun or a strong combat tame is advisable. Be wary of the island itself, as Rexes and Alpha predators frequently spawn near the entrance.

7. Swamp Cave (Artifact of the Immune)

The Swamp Cave in the Redwoods is widely considered one of the most difficult terrestrial caves due to its toxic atmosphere and high-level spawns.

  • Coordinates: 62.7, 37.3
  • Artifact: Immune (Used for The Dragon)
  • Threats: Araneo, Arthropleura, Meganeura, Titanoboa, and Leeches.

A high-quality Gas Mask or a full set of Scuba Gear (minus the flippers, replaced with ghillie/fur) is mandatory to survive the poisonous air. The creatures here can spawn up to level 300 and are generally untameable. The Meganeura (dragonflies) will swarm in massive numbers once a corpse is present, so a creature with an AOE attack—like a Megatherium—is highly effective. The Megatherium's "Insect Killer" buff makes it the premier choice for clearing this cave.

8. Snow Cave (Artifact of the Strong)

Located at the base of the mountain in the winter biome, this is the most challenging land cave on The Island.

  • Coordinates: 29.1, 31.8
  • Artifact: Strong (Used for The Dragon)
  • Threats: Purlovia, Direwolves, Sabertooths, Yetis, and Polar Bears.

Extreme cold will drain health rapidly without high-quality Fur armor and Fria Curry. The Purlovias are the most dangerous threat, as they hide underground and will dismount and stun players. Using a high-level Yutyrannus to fear-roar the Purlovias out of the ground, or a group of bred Allosaurus, is a common tactic. The path is narrow in places, so many survivors choose to cryopod their larger tames inside.

9. Caverns of Lost Faith (Artifact of the Brute)

This is the first of two major underwater caves, located off the western coast. It is a test of aquatic combat strength.

  • Coordinates: 53.7, 10.4
  • Artifact: Brute (Used for Megapithecus)
  • Threats: Cnidaria (Jellyfish), Electrophorus (Eels), Mosasaurus, Megalodon, and Alpha predators.

Scuba gear is required. The greatest danger is being stunned and dismounted by jellyfish or eels. For this reason, an imprinted Basilosaurus is the most reliable mount, as it is completely immune to shock stuns. While it may be slower than a Mosasaurus or Tusoteuthis, the safety it provides against stun-locking is invaluable. The cave also contains high-level loot crates.

10. Caverns of Lost Hope (Artifact of the Cunning)

Located off the eastern coast, this is the final and hardest underwater cave. It is densely packed with elite sea creatures.

  • Coordinates: 45.9, 88.9
  • Artifact: Cunning (Used for The Dragon)
  • Threats: Tusoteuthis (Squid), Mosasaurus, Alpha Megalodons, Cnidaria, and high-level Dunkleosteus.

Only the most powerful aquatic tames should enter. A pack of high-level, bred Basilosauruses or a highly specialized Tusoteuthis is recommended. This cave is relatively short but features an overwhelming density of predators. Survivors often use an Ichthyosaurus for a high-speed "suicide run" to grab the artifact and exit, though this is high-risk. High-durability scuba tanks are essential, as the encounter can last a significant amount of time.

11. The Tek Cave and Ascension

Once all artifacts are collected and the three island guardians (Broodmother, Megapithecus, and Dragon) are defeated, survivors can challenge the Tek Cave located at the summit of the Volcano.

  • Coordinates: 43.1, 39.1
  • Requirements: Trophies from the three bosses.
  • The Goal: Reach the end of the cave and defeat the Overseer to undergo Ascension.

The Tek Cave is a gauntlet of every high-level creature found on the island, including Giganotosaurus and high-level Alphas. It is timed, and once the door closes, no more players or tames can enter. Most successful attempts involve a large group of Rexes, Therizinosauruses, and a Yutyrannus for buffs. Managing the heat at the entrance and the cold at the end of the path (inside the space station) requires swapping between Ghillie and Fur armor.

Resource Caves and Hidden Grottos

In addition to the artifact caves, The Island features 12 resource caves hidden underwater. These do not contain artifacts but are rich in Silica Pearls and Oil.

  • General Locations: Most are found along the map's perimeter at the ocean floor. Small bubbles rising from the seabed often indicate an entrance.
  • Notable Coordinates: 10.2, 21.8; 52.8, 91.8; 90.1, 36.7.

These caves are generally safe from large predators once you enter the air pocket, making them excellent locations for small, hidden bases in PvP or for mass resource farming.

Essential Gear for Every Cave Run

While every cave has unique requirements, a few items are universally useful for any survivor heading underground:

  1. Grappling Hooks: Necessary for navigation and escaping traps.
  2. Medical Brews: Crucial for healing through environmental damage or combat.
  3. Sleeping Bags: Placing a few at the cave entrance allows for a quick recovery if things go wrong.
  4. Cryopods: Used to bring larger tames through narrow entrances or into underwater air pockets.
  5. Otters: These shoulder pets provide excellent thermal insulation (both heat and cold) and can carry multiple artifacts at once.

Conquering the caves of The Island is a methodical process. Starting with the Lower South and working toward the Snow and Underwater caves allows survivors to build the gear and tame the creatures necessary for the final challenge. Understanding these ark cave locations on the island is just the first step toward mastering the map and achieving Ascension.