The Beach is the first course on Pokémon Island and the only one open at the start of the game. The ZERO-ONE follows a railway that runs along the coast, passes under a hill and crosses a bridge over the sea. Twelve species live here, several of which only show their best side with the right items: you will therefore need to come back to the Beach several times during the adventure.
The Pokémon of the Beach
Here are the twelve species you can photograph on this course, in the order you most often meet them.
#0016PidgeyNormalFlying
#0084DoduoNormalFlying
#0025PikachuElectric
#0012ButterfreeBugFlying
#0131LaprasWaterIce
#0143SnorlaxNormal
#0052MeowthNormal
#0123ScytherBugFlying
#0133EeveeNormal
#0113ChanseyNormal
#0129MagikarpWater
#0115KangaskhanNormal
The course step by step
1. The start: Pidgey, Doduo and the first Pikachu
From the very first seconds, Pidgey fly above the track: a well-centered group shot earns more than a lone bird. Just after, a Doduo bursts from behind a corner and races across the sand. It is fast: shoot as soon as it appears.
A Pikachu strolls near a surfboard abandoned in the sand. If you have the Pokémon Food, throw one or two Fluffruit between Pikachu and the board to lure it there. Once it climbs on, it strikes a pose as if it were surfing: this is a special photo that adds 1,000 bonus points to Professor Oak’s rating.
2. Meowth on its ledge
A Meowth makes faces at the top of a rocky ledge. A well-placed Pester Ball knocks it down; it gets back up and goes through several different expressions, all more photogenic than the first. A little further on, other Meowth chase Pidgey: keep your camera raised, the scene is short.
3. The tall grass: Scyther and the two Pikachu
Midway through, a clump of tall grass shakes as if something were slicing it from the inside. Throw a Pester Ball into the middle of the area: a Scyther escapes from it while performing an attack, the ideal moment to photograph it.
Scyther’s escape has a consequence: two Pikachu then appear on tree stumps. Take them together to benefit from the “same species” bonus. With the Poké Flute, they launch an electric attack as a duo. This photo of the Pikachu on the stumps is a special photo worth 1,300 bonus points.
4. Snorlax, the sleeping giant
A huge Snorlax sleeps at the edge of the track. A Pester Ball only gets a slight movement out of it. You need the Poké Flute to wake it up: it then starts to dance, and each of the flute’s three tunes triggers a different dance. A photo of Snorlax standing and dancing is worth far more than a photo of the sleeping Pokémon.
5. Eevee, the pink ball and Chansey
Between big rocks, an Eevee plays with a curious pink ball. Pokémon Food attracts it toward you and puts it at ease. Then throw an item at the “pink ball”: it was actually a Chansey curled into a ball, which reveals itself. Two species for the price of one: don’t miss it.
6. The bridge, the Butterfree and Lapras
Butterfree fly around the course. With the Dash Engine (obtained later in the adventure), you reach the bridge fast enough to catch four of them together, an excellent group photo.
Out at sea, on the horizon, Lapras swim in small groups. They are tiny in the frame, so they pay little. But if you photograph the first three groups, three Lapras come swimming close to the shore toward the end of the course: that is where you will get a decent rating.
7. The end of the course: Pidgey versus Meowth, Kangaskhan
Near the finish, two Pidgey return to their nest and attack a Meowth with Gust. To get a shot of Meowth dancing, hit the two Pidgey with Pester Balls before their attack: they scatter and leave the scene to Meowth.
A Kangaskhan stands with its back to you. A Pester Ball makes it turn around: it approaches the ZERO-ONE roaring, which gives a very well-rated front-facing portrait. With the Poké Flute, it dances too.
Magikarp, wherever there is water
As on all courses, throwing a Fluffruit or a Pester Ball into any body of water makes a Magikarp leap out. It doesn’t bring in many points, but it counts for the Pokémon Report.
The Beach’s Pokémon Sign: Kingler Rock
Shortly after the start, a group of moss-covered rocks and a wooden structure form, from the right angle, the silhouette of a Kingler. Zoom all the way in to the right as you pass in front of it. It is one of the six Pokémon Signs you must photograph to open the secret Rainbow Cloud course (see our page on the Pokémon Signs).
Recommended order and goals
| Run | Items available | Goal |
|---|---|---|
| 1st run | Camera only | Photograph at least 6 species to open the Tunnel |
| With the Pokémon Food | Fluffruit | Pikachu on the surfboard, Eevee from the front |
| With the Pester Balls | Fluffruit, Pester Balls | Scyther, the two Pikachu on the stumps, Meowth, Kangaskhan from the front, Chansey |
| With the Poké Flute | All items | Dancing Snorlax, Pikachu’s double attack |
| With the Dash Engine | All items | The four Butterfree on the bridge, score records |
Next course: the Tunnel walkthrough. Find all the courses: the complete Pokémon Snap guide. Our old 2016 walkthrough, in table form, is still available: Pokémon Snap walkthrough.
