In Subnautica, Tablets are special alien keys used to unlock Precursor doors and access important story areas. There are three types of tablets: Purple, Orange, and Blue and each one is found in different parts of the map. Some are easy to grab, while others require advanced gear like the Seamoth, Cyclops, or Prawn Suit. In this guide, we’ll go over where to find every single Tablet, what you’ll need to reach them, and a few tips to make the journey safer.
All Purple Tablet Locations in Subnautica
Purple Tablets are alien keys used to unlock Precursor doors around the map. There are nine terminals that require them, but since two are linked, you’ll only really need them for eight doors. Don’t worry if you use them up; you can craft more with two Diamonds and one Ion Cube. To finish the story, you’ll actually only need two tablets, but if you want to unlock everything, you’ll need more.
Before you start collecting them, make sure you’re prepared:
- A high-capacity O₂ tank is enough for the dives.
- A Seaglide and a flashlight will make things easier.
- A Propulsion Cannon is handy for clearing out Cave Crawlers.
Tablet 1 – Cave by the Beach (320, -90, 850)
Head to the mountain island (the one with the Quarantine Enforcement Platform). Land on the beach, then take the cave entrance on the right side. Follow the stalagmites down until you find a circular hole in the ground. Inside, you’ll discover your first Purple Tablet.
Tablet 2 – Underwater Cave (388, -119, 1150)
From the beach, swim towards the Quarantine Enforcement Platform. On the first bend of the big underwater pipe, you’ll spot a cave entrance. Inside that cave, you’ll find your second Purple Tablet.
Tablet 3 – Inside the Quarantine Platform (418, -81, 1113)
Enter the moonpool area of the Quarantine Enforcement Platform. Head inside and climb the ramps. Along the way, you’ll also find an Ion Cube (keep this for later). At the top, you’ll spot your third Purple Tablet.
Tip: If you don’t want to swim back, you can unlock a nearby terminal with one of your tablets. It activates an elevator that takes you outside, and it also opens the beach entrance.
Tablet Fragment – Learn the Blueprint (369, 7, 1117)
Right in front of the Quarantine Platform, you’ll find a broken Purple Tablet fragment.
- Scan it to unlock the crafting blueprint.
- From now on, you’ll be able to build more tablets whenever you need them.
Tablet 4 – Mountain Path (382, 20, 1087)
Climb up the mountain path near the Quarantine Platform. Stick to the main trail until you come across a lit area. Inside, you’ll find your fourth Purple Tablet.
Tablet 5 – Deeper Mountain Caves (363, 56, 1015)
Keep following the mountain paths. When you find another cave entrance, go inside and head left into a pipe-like tunnel. Around the corner, you’ll spot your fifth Purple Tablet.
Tablet 6 – Floating Island Base (-755, 16, -1107)
Inside the mountain caves, you’ll eventually reach a Precursor Warp Gate. Activate it using an Ion Cube, and it’ll connect to the Floating Island. Once there, stick to the path along the lagoon. Go under a stone arch, then turn left at the intersection. You’ll come across an abandoned base. At the back of this base lies your sixth Purple Tablet.
Tablet 7 – Final Mountain Cave (292, 33, 850)
After collecting Tablet 6, backtrack through the Warp Gate to return to the mountain island. Instead of heading back out, take the second cave path deeper inside.
The tunnels may feel like a maze, but don’t worry, they all loop around. Keep heading upward and to the right until you see daylight. Outside, you’ll discover the seventh and final Purple Tablet.
All Orange Tablet Locations in Subnautica
To reach the Orange Tablet, you’ll need a Seamoth. You can’t get there with just a Seaglide, since the base is too deep. Make sure your Seamoth has a depth upgrade; otherwise, you won’t survive the pressure.
Tablet 1 – Hidden Base (-693.3,-505.8,-942.2)
Start from your Lifepod and turn away from the Aurora. Head in the direction of the Floating Island, and you’ll see a big cloud on the horizon marking where it is.
As you get closer, keep an eye on the water; you’ll start to see the island reveal itself. Before reaching it, dive down towards the Deep Grand Reef. Once you descend, you’ll notice glowing blue bulb-like plants. This is how you’ll know you’re in the right place.
Follow the seabed and keep going deeper until you find a large opening that leads even further down. Be careful here:
- The area is full of Crabsquids (the octopus-looking creatures).
- They can disable your electronics with an EMP blast, so keep your distance when possible.
As you go deeper and slightly turn to the right, you’ll come across the Degasi Seabase. It’s a large structure built on the seafloor with multiple sections. You may also encounter Warper enemies nearby, so stay alert.
Head inside the middle part of the base. Inside, you’ll find:
- PDA logs with Degasi lore
- Scanable items for your databank
- And most importantly, the Orange Tablet sitting on a table
Grab it, and you now have the Orange Tablet.
All Blue Tablet Locations in Subnautica
You won’t be able to reach the Blue Tablet early in the game. To get there, you’ll need:
- The Cyclops submarine
- The Prawn Suit
These are required to dive deep enough into the Inactive Lava Zone where the tablet is hidden.
Also, make sure you bring at least one Purple Tablet with you; you’ll need it to unlock the chamber where the Blue Tablet is kept.
Tablet 1 – Inactive Lava Zone
Once you’ve reached the Inactive Lava Zone, you’ll notice a massive alien-like structure known as the Lava Castle. This is where the Blue Tablet is located. There’s a Sea Dragon Leviathan in the area that can spit fireballs at you, so be careful as you approach.
Look for one of the tunnel entrances on the side of the Lava Castle. Go inside carefully; there are hostile creatures that may attack you on the way. Keep moving through the tunnels until you reach the Alien Thermal Plant, one of the key Precursor facilities in the game.
Once inside the Thermal Plant:
- Move upwards around the structure until you spot a sealed entrance with a force field.
- Insert your Purple Tablet into the terminal nearby.
- The force field will drop, and inside you’ll find the Blue Tablet waiting for you.
And just like that, you’ve got your very first Blue Tablet.
