The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time – Ice Cavern Walkthrough

Learn how to complete the Ice Cavern in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time for the Nintendo Switch 2. This walkthrough includes an interactive map to help you navigate, information on how to thaw King Zora, and how to reach the Water Temple.

Cooling off from the Fire Temple

After defeating Volvagia and freeing the Gorons from the Fire Temple, you should start making your way to Zora’s Domain to cool off.

Your next destination is exactly what you’ll need, unfortunately it comes at the cost of Zora’s Domain being frozen (and all of the Zoras along with it).

King Zora is frozen in a strange red ice. Try as you might, you will not be able to melt this strange ice with Din’s Fire. Go outside to Zora’s Fountain to find that Lord Jabu-Jabu is missing, instead there’s a large ice platform you can walk on.

Use these to reach a cave on the north side of the fountain. You can also find a Piece of Heart on then east side of the fountain on one of the ice chunks.

Map of the Ice Cavern

The following map features items and order of events needed to complete the Ice Cavern.

1. Freezards

A unique enemy found in the Ice Cavern is the Freezard (like Freeze and Wizard). Use your shield to block them as they slide to you, and avoid their icy breath.

2. Silver Gems

5 Silver Gems are found throughout the room with the spinning ice blades. They’re easy to find in this rather small room.

Like with any spinning circular object, sticking close to its center means you can go slower and not get hit by the blades as often, if at all.

3. The Blue Fire

In this room, you can find a brazier with a strange blue fire. Use an Empty Bottle on it to get a bottle of Blue Fire. This can be used to thaw the red ice you’ve been seeing around the Ice Cavern. Be sure to open the chest in this room for the Map!

Bring some Blue Fire with you back to the room with the spinning ice blade, then thaw the path to the east. This will lead you to the Compass, a Gold Skulltulla, and another brazier of blue fire.

Bring at least 2 more Blue Fires with you, then thaw the west path of the spinning blade room to find a second room with silver gems to collect.

4. Sliding Block and Silver Gems

First off, shoot the Ice Keese down before you start this puzzle, they’ll make things annoying to complete. To get all the Silver Gems in this room, you’ll need to do the following:

1. Grab the first gem on the low pillar.
2. Push the ice block west then north, then jump up and thaw the red ice around the second silver gem.
3. Push the block into a corner to reset it.
4. Push the block south and climb up the pillar to reach the silver gem.
5. Push the block west and and climb up to the fourth gem.
6. Push the block north then east to get the fifth silver gem. You’ve essentially pushed this ice block around in a spiral.
7. Push the block south and climb up.

There’s another brazier of Blue Fire tucked away in an alcove along the left wall. Grab some to thaw the red ice blocking the path ahead.

5. White Wolfos

In the icy arena, defeat the White Wolfos to get the Iron Boots. With these boots, you can sink underwater. The problem with that is the lack of air, but this will be remedied soon enough.

Serenade of Water

Sheik will appear after you get the Iron Boots to teach you the Serenade of Water. This will save you a somewhat lengthy trip to Lake Hylia once you’ve concluded your business in Zora’s Domain.

On your way out, you’ll find some water ahead and one final brazier of Blue Fire to your right. Bring one bottle of Blue Fire with you then exit by sinking underwater. Return to Zora’s Domain and thaw King Zora.

Talk to him and he’ll give you a free Zora’s Tunic. With this, you’ll be able to breathe underwater without fear of drowning.

Time for an Upgrade

Now that King Zora is thawed, this would be a great time to do the trading sequence for the Biggoron Sword. This two-handed greatsword will help you defeat tough enemies ahead.

Diving in Lake Hylia

With your Iron Boots and Zora Tunic, you should be able to safely reach the Water Temple at the bottom of Lake Hylia. Gather any supplies you may need, then play the Serenade of Water to teleport to Lake Hylia.