Where to Find the Tadpole and Tadpole Pens Keycode

Last updated: May 26, 2026

The Tadpole is your first real submersible vehicle in Subnautica 2. It drastically increases your underwater mobility, provides an infinite source of oxygen while powered, and acts as the foundation for your mid-game exploration.

Unlocking the Tadpole requires you to scan three Tadpole Fragments. Many players also stumble upon the Tadpole Pens early on and get stuck trying to find the "keycode" for the locked door. This guide covers both mysteries with verified coordinates.

TIP

Want to see the exact locations on the map? Check out our Subnautica 2 Interactive Map for verified coordinates.

Video Route Walkthrough

You can watch the exact locations and visual guide here:

Quick Answer: How to Get the Tadpole

  • Fragments Needed: 3
  • Best Location: The Colonist Bunker (Unauthorized NoA Mod) and the trench near the Welcome Center.
  • Recipe: 2x Titanium Ingot, 1x Glass, 1x System Chip, 1x Power Cell.
  • Fabricator: You must construct a Moonpool and place a Vehicle Fabricator inside it to build the Tadpole.

Tadpole Fragment Distribution & Easiest Locations

Unlocking the Tadpole blueprint requires you to scan 3 fragments in total. While there are actually 12 fragments scattered across the game world, many are located in very deep (120m to 150m) and hazardous areas that are dangerous to reach without proper early-game gear.

To ensure a safe and efficient playthrough, this guide highlights 5 of the safest, shallowest, and closest fragments to your starting Lifepod.

TIP

If you want to find and track all 12 fragments across the entire ocean, you can visit our Interactive Map to view the complete distribution layer.

  • Coordinates: -322745, 389389 (approx. 463m North-Northeast of the Lifepod)
  • Depth: 35m
  • Details: This is the shallowest fragment in the entire game. Located on a safe plateau northeast of the Old Habitat, there are virtually no hostile threats nearby.

2. North of the Lander Garage Wreck

  • Coordinates: -313037, 401444 (approx. 401m North-Northeast of the Lifepod)
  • Depth: 45m
  • Details: Found just north of the Lander Garage wreck. Highly accessible early on without deep-diving gear.

3. Near the Old Habitat

  • Coordinates: -339070, 391576 (approx. 419m North-Northwest of the Lifepod)
  • Depth: 60m
  • Details: A very classic fragment location. It sits near the Old Habitat ruins, making it a very safe early-game scan.

Tadpole Fragment near Old Habitat

4. Colonist Bunker (West of the Big Hole)

  • Coordinates: -352967, 450530 (approx. 233m South-Southwest of the Lifepod)
  • Depth: 88m
  • Details: Look inside the small, unauthorized NoA Modification bunker. The fragment is safely sitting inside, shielding you from any aggressive fauna outside.

Tadpole Fragment at Colonist Bunker

5. Trench SW of the Welcome Center

  • Coordinates: -338250, 444410 (approx. 111m South of the Lifepod)
  • Depth: 90m
  • Details: Head southwest from the Welcome Center and dive partway down into the trench. You will find the fragment resting on a ledge.

Tadpole Fragment SW of Welcome Center

The Tadpole Pens & The "Keycode"

If you've been exploring the Graveyard biome, you have likely found the Tadpole Pens (-271618, 435346) which is located approx. 656m East of your Lifepod at a depth of 150m.

Inside the main east section, there is a locked door leading to a control room and a NoA Terminal. Many players search endlessly for a 4-digit keycode—but there isn't one!

How to Unlock the Tadpole Pens Door

The access key is digital, and you must download it directly to your PDA.

  1. Find Zip's Blackbox: The key is stored on the PDA of a colonist named Zip. You must travel to the Hot Caves (a volcanic cave system southwest of the Pens, approx. 300m southwest of the facility).
  2. Heat Tolerance Required: Because the caves are extremely hot, you will need the Heat Tolerance adaptation to survive.
  3. Dive Deep: The blackbox is located deep within the caves (around 310m). You will likely need to park your Tadpole and swim the rest of the way. Look for the PDA titled "Tziporah 'ZIP' Malk" resting on a large purple tendril.
  4. Open the Door: Once you pick up the PDA, the Kurul Level Access Key will automatically download. Return to the Tadpole Pens and simply interact with the button next to the door to open it.

Essential Upgrades: Depth Module Mk. 1

By default, the Tadpole has a crush depth of 250m. If you try to reach Zip's Blackbox without upgrading, your vehicle will take heavy damage.

You need the Tadpole Depth Module Mk. 1 to increase the crush depth to 450m.

  • Blueprint Location: The datacard for this module is located in the Needler Nest (-200191, 450554) at a depth of approximately 295m, right next to a crashed Tadpole. While it is near the Karakorum Power Plant, it is technically within the nest biome to its southwest.
  • Installation: Fabricate the module at an Upgrade Station and slot it into the panel located just behind the Tadpole's Power Cell.

With the Mk. 1 module equipped, your Tadpole will safely guide you through the mid-game!