In Minecraft, players always have something to do, whether it's building something creative or setting off on adventures: clearing dungeons, visiting another dimension, or simply treasure hunting. If the latter interests you, you're in the right place, as we'll guide you on finding buried treasures in Minecraft.

Step 1: How to Find a Buried Treasure Map in Minecraft

The first thing you need for treasure hunting in Minecraft is a map. It's quite easy to find if you know where to look, and we'll help you with that. Treasure maps in Minecraft are mainly located in shipwrecks or underwater ruins.

Shipwrecks

Shipwrecks can be found in various large bodies of water, including rivers, oceans, or coasts. These ships are mostly fully submerged in water and partially damaged. Sometimes, ships appear in deserts or on shores. They are hard to miss as they typically look like sunken ships and can contain up to three chests.

• Treasure Chest: Usually contains valuable items like gold, emeralds, iron, and other precious resources.
  
  
• Supply Chest: Contains essential materials such as food, armor, and tools.
  
  
• Map Chest: This is where you can find the treasure map leading you to the hidden treasure. It is usually located in the lower decks of the ship. The chance of having such a chest on a ship is 100%, and it will definitely have a map that you can take.

Underwater Ruins

Underwater ruins are structures located underwater that resemble a sunken village, near which there may be some dangerous creatures, as well as chests with interesting items, including the treasure map you need. You can come across small ruin chests (chance - 41.7%) and large ruin chests (chance - 43.5%). Underwater, you might need night vision potions for better visibility.

Tips: 

Once submerged, you can feed raw fish (salmon or cod) to dolphins, which may lead you toward a shipwreck or underwater ruins. If these zones are quite far, you may need to feed them again until you are led to the desired location.

Underwater, you might need a "Breathing" potion to be more resilient and not die from lack of oxygen, which is useful if the depth is significant.

Step 2: How to Find Treasures in Minecraft with a Treasure Map

Once you have the treasure map in Minecraft - open it. You will see a large red marker in the shape of a cross. If you are far from the treasure, the map will be empty, showing only the X mark and your location.

How to Read a Treasure Map

• Your position: You will be represented by a white dot on the map.
  
  
• X marks the spot: The red "X" on the map shows the exact location where the treasure is buried.
  
  
• Orientation: The map is always oriented north. If your dot is at the bottom of the map, you need to move north to approach the treasure.

Buried treasures are usually found on beaches, coasts, or sometimes underwater. Depending on the map, you might need a boat to cross the water or explore the coast.

Start moving towards the cross. As you get closer to the treasure mark, the map will reveal the terrain, assisting in navigation.

Step 3: Treasure Hunting in Minecraft

Once you arrive at the location and stand directly on the marker, start digging until you find the treasure chest. However, locating the exact spot can be a bit tricky. Here are some tips to assist you:

1. Y Level. Buried treasures usually appear between Y levels 45 and 50 in sandy or gravel areas. You can check your current Y level by pressing F3 (in Java Edition) or looking at the map coordinates in Bedrock Edition.
   
   
2. Block Type. Treasure chests are generally hidden under sand, gravel, or sometimes soil. Focus your digging on these soft materials.
   
   
3. Digging Radius. If you don't find the treasure right away, expand your search radius to a 3x3 block area around the X mark. Buried treasures sometimes appear slightly off the mark, so extending the search area might help.
   
   
4. Use a Shovel. Make sure you have a shovel to speed up the digging process, as it'll help you clear sand or gravel more quickly.

Once you've dug up the chest, you can open it and collect your treasures. Here's a table of treasures and their drop chances.

Items from the Treasure Chest in Java Edition Minecraft

Items from the Treasure Chest in Bedrock Edition Minecraft

Heart of the Sea and Crafting a Conduit

One of the rarest and most valuable items that can be found in a hidden chest is the Heart of the Sea. This item is essential for crafting a Conduit – a powerful underwater structure that provides nearby players with underwater breathing, night vision, and speed effects after activation.

How to Craft a Conduit

To craft a Conduit, you need:

• 1 Heart of the Sea
• 8 Nautilus Shells

Place the heart of the sea in the center of the crafting table and surround it with nautilus shells to create a conduit. After this, you can activate it by placing it in a special structure made of prismarine blocks underwater.

Tips for Effective Treasure Hunting

Here are some additional tips to make your treasure hunting in Minecraft more effective:

• Multiple Treasure Maps: Shipwrecks and underwater ruins sometimes point to treasures at the same location. Once you find a treasure, discard or store the map to avoid repetitive, fruitless searches. Some maps might also lead to empty chests.
  
  
• Bring Essentials: Ensure you have enough food, a shovel, torches, and possibly a boat. If the treasure is underwater, consider bringing water breathing potions or a helmet with a respiration enchantment or aquatic gear.
  
  
• Beware of Drowned: When exploring shipwrecks and underwater ruins, watch out for drowned creatures that may attack you. If you're in deeper waters, be cautious of drowned with tridents, which can be particularly dangerous.
  
  
• Set Up a Base Nearby: If you find a region rich in treasures with many shipwrecks or ruins, consider setting up a temporary base to store your findings and resources.

At What Depth Are Buried Treasures in Minecraft?

Generally, treasures in Minecraft can be found at depths of 40-50 blocks, but this often depends on the terrain type, and there is no exact value.

Can You Find Treasures Without a Treasure Map in Minecraft?

Yes, you can find treasures without a map, but it is a much longer and not very rational method.

What Coordinates Are Buried Treasures in Minecraft?

Buried treasures almost always appear at chunk coordinates 9 ~ 9. Therefore, by pressing F3 in the game, check your coordinates. If the first and third coordinates are 9, you are standing over the treasure.

Can Treasures Appear Under Stone or Soil?

Treasures always generate under sand, gravel, or, in very rare cases, directly below the water surface. If you are digging in stone or soil, you have likely deviated from the target.

Can You Find Treasure Only on Beaches?

Although treasures are most commonly found on beaches, they can also appear in coastal areas, including shallow oceans.