Whether it’s being used in battle or to traverse the choppy waters necessary to reach gyms and special locations, Surf is one of the most iconic and important moves in all of Pokemon. While crossing water may be a little different in Pokemon Sword & Shield, you’ll still want to pick up this water TM as soon as you can. Here is everything you need to know about how to Surf Pokemon Sword & Shield.

How to Surf in Pokemon Sword & Shield

Unlike most titles in the series, you can actually get Surf pretty early in Pokemon Sword & Shield.

As soon as you reach the Wild Area, navigate to the exit on the other side of the water. Once you do, you’ll find a vendor dressed in black and white.

One of the TMs he is selling is none other than Surf. To purchase it, you’ll need to have 5,000 Watts.

Considering the high amount of currency it costs, it is entirely likely you’ll have to come back to this later. Once you are able to afford it though, one of the most powerful water moves in the game is at your disposal.

Water Bike Upgrade

Interestingly enough, you won’t actually use this move to navigate across water in Pokemon Sword & Shield.

Instead, you’ll get an upgrade for your bike that allows you to ride across water, surfing on your bike.

This upgrade is unlocked after you save the man who gave you your bike from Team Yell. This occurs just after the sixth gym and can’t be missed.

After you beat Team Yell in a Pokemon battle, your friend automatically equips the water mode to your bike.

To ride it, all you have to do is equip your bike and ride across the water.

Once you have the upgrade, you’ll be able to use it to go across water and reach spots with a lot of rare Pokemon. An example of this is the Lake of Outrage – an area with characters like Hitmontop and Drakloak.

To summarize, you’ll need to follow these steps to Surf in Pokemon Sword & Shield:

To obtain the Surf TM, traverse through the Wild Area and talk to the Vendor Wearing Black & White.
Purchase the TM for 5,000 Watts.
To surf across the water, beat the sixth gym.
Soon after, help the guy who gave you your bike by defeating Team Yell.
Ride your new water-equipped bike across the water.
Surfs up!

And that is just about everything you need to know about how to Surf Pokemon Sword & Shield.

For more helpful tips and tricks, be sure to check out our official guides wiki for Pokemon Sword & Shield. Here are a few to get you started:

About the author

Andrew McMahon

Andrew was Twinfinite's Features Editor from 2020 through until March 2023 and wrote for the site from 2018. He has wandered around with a Bachelor's Degree in Communications sitting in his back pocket for a while now, all the while wondering what he is going to do for a career. Luckily, video games have always been there, especially as his writing career progresses.