How to Breathe Underwater in Minecraft

Guide Java Bedrock

Quick answer: Four real ways: a water breathing potion (pufferfish + awkward potion, 3 or 8 minutes), a turtle shell helmet (10 extra seconds per dive), a conduit (unlimited breathing in range), and the Respiration enchantment (slower air drain).

What you need

Pufferfish + brewing stand (potion route)
5 scutes (turtle shell route)
Prismarine + nautilus shells + heart of the sea (conduit route)

Step by step

Option 1 - water breathing potion: brew an awkward potion (nether wart + water bottle) with a pufferfish at a brewing stand for 3 minutes of water breathing; add redstone to extend it to 8 minutes.
Get pufferfish: fish in any ocean or warm water with a fishing rod - pufferfish are an uncommon catch, so plan on a few minutes of fishing.
Option 2 - turtle shell: breed two seagrass-fed turtles, protect the eggs, and collect 5 scutes when the babies grow up. Craft the 5 scutes into a turtle shell helmet - it gives 10 seconds of water breathing every time you dive.
Option 3 - conduit: the endgame answer. Build a conduit frame underwater (prismarine ring, 16-42 blocks) and conduit power gives unlimited water breathing, night vision and faster mining in a huge radius.
Option 4 - Respiration enchant: Respiration III on a helmet slows your air drain to about 60 seconds of diving - combine it with a turtle shell for 70+ seconds.
Emergency air in Java: a door placed underwater provides a breathable space. Do not assume signs, ladders, trapdoors or fences will do the same: those blocks can be waterlogged. Doors also waterlog in Bedrock, so use potions or bubble columns there.
Bubble columns: magma block columns pull you down fast and restore your air as you travel; soul sand pushes you up. They refill bubbles, so build them into your underwater bases.
Do not forget light: underwater visibility is dark - water breathing plus night vision (golden carrot potion) is the real ocean monument combo.

Java vs Bedrock

Doors provide underwater air pockets in Java, but waterlog in Bedrock. Signs, ladders, trapdoors and fences can be waterlogged in both editions. For longer dives, use Water Breathing potions, a turtle shell, Respiration or an active conduit.

Versions: Describes the current Java and Bedrock releases. See the edition note above for differences.

Frequently asked questions

How do you make a water breathing potion in Minecraft?

Brew a water bottle with nether wart to get an awkward potion, then add a pufferfish: that is a 3-minute water breathing potion. Add redstone dust to extend it to 8 minutes.

What helmet lets you breathe underwater?

The turtle shell - 5 turtle scutes crafted like a helmet. It grants 10 seconds of water breathing that refreshes every time you surface, and pairs with Respiration III for long dives.

Can you breathe underwater forever in Minecraft?

Yes, with a conduit: inside its range (up to 96 blocks) conduit power gives permanent water breathing, underwater night vision and faster mining. Outside a conduit, chain 8-minute potions.

Can you use doors to breathe underwater?

In Java Edition, a door placed underwater creates a breathable space. In Bedrock Edition, doors waterlog, so use a Water Breathing potion, a bubble column or an active conduit instead.