Waterbreathing Potions

Waterbreathing Potions let you breathe underwater for 15 to 60 seconds, handy for reaching sunken chests and submerged passages.

Some of Skyrim’s treasure lies at the bottom of lakes, rivers and flooded tunnels, and the only thing standing between you and it is your lungs. Waterbreathing potions remove that problem for a while. Depending on the tier, you can breathe underwater for 15, 30, 45 or 60 seconds. They are a utility potion rather than a combat one, perfect for explorers who like to check every sunken chest and every submerged passage.

All tiers

Name Effect Value Weight Form ID
Potion of Waterbreathing Can breathe underwater for 15 seconds. 46 0.5 0003ac2e
Draught of Waterbreathing Can breathe underwater for 30 seconds. 100 0.5 0003ac2f
Philter of Waterbreathing Can breathe underwater for 45 seconds. 156 0.5 0003ac30
Elixir of Waterbreathing Can breathe underwater for 60 seconds. 215 0.5 0003ac31

Each bottle weighs 0.5.

Where to find them

These are leveled potions, found as loot, in the stock of merchants who carry potions and on characters around the province. Longer-lasting tiers become more common with your level.

Brewing your own

You can make them yourself at an alchemy lab with the Alchemy skill. Ingredients with the Waterbreathing effect:

Salmon Roe also carries the effect, and combining it with any of the three ingredients above stretches the duration considerably. That makes it the best partner when you want a long underwater trip.

Tips

Drink the potion just before you dive rather than on the shore, since even the Elixir only lasts a minute. To stay on top of the water instead, look at Waterwalking potions.

Where to find it

  • Found as loot throughout Skyrim; the strength of the tier you find is leveled to your character.
  • Sold by vendors who stock potions.
  • Brewed at an alchemy lab with the Alchemy skill.

Crafting materials

Lore notes

Dropped by

Quest reward from

Where it appears

Characters connected to it

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Sources checked: Skyrim/DLC game files (potion records: effects, weights, IDs); Elder Scrolls Fandom potion articles (prices, locations)