The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Guide | How to Find Princess Ruto

Here’s a guide on how to find Princess Ruto in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.

Game Guide by Ragib Rawnak on Nov 08, 2026

Tracking down Princess Ruto is a required step to earn the Spiritual Stone of Water in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.

Finding her takes a bit of detective work across multiple regions. You will need to upgrade your diving depth, retrieve a sunken message, and prepare an offering to reach her true hiding place in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.

Get Silver Scale in Zora's Domain

Before you can search for clues outside the domain, you must learn to dive deeper. Climb the winding path to the throne room where King Zora sits, then follow the upper walkway to the left to find a Zora perched at the edge of the waterfall.

Speak to him to play the Diving Game for 20 Rupees. Once you have collected all the coins during the game, return to the ledge and speak to the host to get the Silver Scale. This upgrade extends your diving depth from three meters to six meters.

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Get Silver Scale in Zora's Domain

Finding Princess Ruto's Letter

Jump down into the central pool of Zora's Domain. At the bottom of the water, you will spot an underwater opening that was previously too deep to reach. Dive through this submerged portal to warp directly into Lake Hylia in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.

As soon as you emerge into the lake, dive back down toward the shallow floor right in front of the warp shortcut. You will see a glowing object resting on the lakebed. Dive down to pick up the Bottle containing Ruto's Letter and open it

Showing Letter to King Zora

Swim back through the underwater portal to return to Zora's Domain. Climb the long stone stairs leading back up to King Zora's Throne.

Stand directly in front of King Zora, assign the bottle with Ruto's Letter to one of your active item buttons, and use it.

Once he reads his daughter's frantic plea, he will spend a moment sliding himself aside. This unblocks the doorway behind his throne, granting you full access to Zora's Fountain in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.

Entering Lord Jabu-Jabu's Belly

Before stepping into the fountain area, you need an offering for the giant fish deity. Head down into the shallow water near the domain's lower shops, take out your now-empty Bottle, and scoop up one of the live swimming Fish.

With the fish safely stored in your bottle, head up past King Zora and go through the tunnel into Zora's Fountain. Walk across the wooden walkways until you reach the front of Lord Jabu-Jabu.

Stand on the platform directly in front of his face, pull out your bottled Fish, and release it onto the ground.

The giant creature will open his mouth to inhale the meal, sucking Link inside and dropping you straight into the dungeon where Princess Ruto awaits in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Entering Lord Jabu-Jabu's Belly

FAQ

Q. How do I reach Lake Hylia if I don't use the underwater portal?

A. You can run across Hyrule Field to the far southwest corner and enter the lake on foot, but using the underwater tunnel in Zora's Domain with the Silver Scale is much faster and drops you right on top of the letter.

Q. What happens to the Bottle after showing King Zora the letter?

A. Once King Zora reads Ruto's Letter, the paper disappears and you permanently keep the empty Bottle in your inventory to hold potions, fairies, and other creatures.

Also, check our The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Remake Review and other guides below: