After three years of Minecraft gameplay, I’ve collected over 200 axolotls across different worlds. Finding these adorable underwater creatures frustrated me initially because I searched in all the wrong places. Let me show you exactly where to look and the fastest methods to locate axolotls every single time.

Where Axolotls Spawn

Axolotls only appear in very specific locations. Understanding this saves hours of searching in the wrong areas.

Lush caves underground: This is the only biome where axolotls spawn naturally. These beautiful green caves filled with moss, azalea plants, and dripleaf are your target destination.

Below sea level: Axolotls need to be below y-level 63 to spawn. Check your coordinates by pressing F3 on Java Edition or looking at settings on Bedrock Edition.

Complete darkness: Any light prevents spawning. The water must be pitch black for axolotls to appear.

Water with nearby clay: Axolotls spawn in water blocks that have clay within 5 blocks beneath them. This detail is crucial but often overlooked.

I wasted my first week searching shallow rivers and ocean floors before learning these requirements. Don’t make the same mistake.

The Azalea Tree Method (Fastest Way)

This is the quickest technique I’ve found for locating axolotls:

Step 1: Search the surface for azalea trees. These have distinctive pink flowering leaves or regular azalea foliage. They mark lush caves directly underneath.

Step 2: Mark several azalea tree locations with torches or coordinates. Finding multiple gives you several spots to check.

Step 3: Dig straight down beneath an azalea tree. You’ll break through into a lush cave system within 20-60 blocks typically.

Step 4: Once inside the lush cave, look for water sources. Check every pool, lake, and flowing water carefully.

Step 5: Remove all light sources completely. Place torches away from water or extinguish them temporarily while searching.

Step 6: Wait a few minutes in complete darkness. Axolotls should spawn in valid water areas.

Using this method, I can find axolotls within 10-15 minutes in most worlds. It’s incredibly reliable.

Deep Cave Exploration Method

If surface azalea trees are scarce, explore existing cave systems:

Find natural caves: Enter any cave opening and head downward. Your goal is reaching below y-level 63.

Look for greenery: Lush caves are obvious once you spot them. Moss blocks, hanging vines, azalea bushes, and clay clusters mark them clearly.

Check every water source: Lush caves contain numerous water pools. Axolotls could be in any of them.

Create darkness: Break or pick up light sources near water. Give spawning several minutes to occur.

Explore thoroughly: Lush caves spread out extensively. Check connected chambers and waterways.

I’ve found some of my largest axolotl groups using this method in massive cave networks.

Mining Straight Down

For adventurous players who know nearby lush cave coordinates:

Start at the surface: Position yourself above known lush cave coordinates if you have them from websites or tools.

Dig carefully: Mine straight down, placing blocks beneath you to prevent fatal falls. Water bucket in hotbar is essential for safety.

Watch your y-level: Stop digging when you reach y-60 or so. Start exploring horizontally.

Listen for water: Water sounds indicate nearby pools where axolotls might spawn.

This method is faster but riskier. I’ve fallen into lava twice using this approach, so stay alert.

Using Coordinates and Biome Finders

Online tools make finding lush caves much easier:

Chunk Base and similar websites: Enter your world seed to see exact lush cave locations. These tools show biome distributions across your entire world.

How to find your seed: Type /seed in the chat (creative mode or cheats enabled) to display your world seed number.

Navigate to coordinates: Travel to the coordinates provided by biome finders. Dig down to the indicated depth.

Verify you’re in the right spot: Look for lush cave features like moss and azaleas once underground.

I use Chunk Base for every new world. It eliminates guesswork and shows me the nearest lush caves immediately.

What Lush Caves Look Like

Recognizing lush caves ensures you’re searching in the right biome:

Moss blocks everywhere: Bright green moss covers floors, walls, and ceilings.

Moss carpets: Thin green carpets appear on many surfaces.

Azalea bushes: Both regular and flowering azaleas grow throughout.

Clay deposits: Large clay patches appear commonly, which supports axolotl spawning.

Dripleaf plants: Big and small dripleaf plants grow in water.

Glow berries: Hanging vines with glowing berries illuminate some areas.

Rooted dirt: This block type appears frequently in lush caves.

The first time you enter a lush cave, the greenery is unmistakable. No other biome looks similar.

Common Mistakes When Searching

Searching in regular caves: Normal caves don’t spawn axolotls no matter how much water they contain. You must find lush caves specifically.

Too much light: A single torch can prevent spawning in nearby water. Darkness is mandatory.

Wrong depth: Searching above y-level 63 wastes time. Always go deeper underground.

Not enough patience: Spawning isn’t instant. Wait 3-5 minutes in complete darkness for axolotls to appear.

Ignoring clay: If there’s no clay near the water, axolotls won’t spawn there. Look for clay deposits.

I spent two hours searching a beautiful regular cave system before realizing it wasn’t a lush cave. Check for moss and azaleas first.

Best Time to Search

Any time works: Unlike some mobs, axolotls spawn regardless of day/night cycle or moon phase.

After world generation: Newly generated worlds have fresh spawn chances. Older worlds might have spawns already occurred.

After clearing areas: If you previously visited a lush cave and took axolotls, new ones spawn over time.

I typically search during in-game night since I’m underground anyway and can’t do surface tasks.

Signs You’re Getting Close

Azalea trees above: Surface azaleas mean lush caves below.

Water sounds underground: Hearing flowing water while mining often leads to lush cave systems.

Moss blocks appearing: Finding moss while caving means you’re near or in a lush cave.

Dripleaf plants: These only grow in lush caves, confirming you’re in the right biome.

How Many Axolotls Spawn

Groups of 1-4: When spawning occurs, you’ll find between one and four axolotls together.

Multiple spawn points: Large lush caves might have axolotls in several different water pools.

Respawning: After taking axolotls, new ones eventually spawn in the same locations if conditions remain correct.

My best find was 11 axolotls in one large underground lake. That cave had perfect conditions with extensive clay and water.

Equipment to Bring

Water buckets: Carry at least 3-5 empty buckets for catching axolotls you find.

Torches: Light your path but remove them near water when ready to search.

Food: Cave exploration takes time and hunger depletes.

Weapons and armor: Hostile mobs spawn in dark caves. Protect yourself.

Pickaxe: Mine through obstacles and collect resources.

Coordinates tracker: Note successful locations for future visits.

After Finding Axolotls

Scoop them immediately: Right click with an empty bucket to catch axolotls before they wander away.

Mark the location: Save coordinates of productive lush caves for return trips.

Check for colors: Axolotls come in pink, brown, gold, and cyan. Collect multiple colors.

Transport safely: Axolotls in buckets are completely safe during travel.

Build a home: Create a suitable water tank at your base before releasing them.

I always catch more axolotls than I need initially. Having extras for breeding and decoration is useful.

Troubleshooting No Spawns

Confirm lush cave biome: Look for moss, azaleas, and clay to verify biome type.

Remove all light: Even dim lighting prevents spawns. Make it completely dark.

Check y-level again: Ensure you’re below 63. Press F3 and look at your coordinates.

Wait longer: Sometimes spawning takes 5-10 minutes. Be patient.

Try different water sources: If one pool has no spawns, check others in the same cave.

Clear hostile mobs: Too many mobs might fill the mob cap. Kill zombies and skeletons nearby.

Creating Your Own Spawn Area

You can build artificial axolotl spawning locations:

Place clay blocks below y-level 63 in complete darkness. Add water above and around the clay. Remove all light sources. Wait several minutes and axolotls should spawn, even outside lush caves.

This works when natural lush caves are distant or hard to access.

Final Thoughts

How to find axolotls in Minecraft? Search for surface azalea trees, dig down beneath them into lush caves, locate water sources with nearby clay, remove all lighting, and wait in complete darkness below y-level 63.

After three years of playing, this method works in every world consistently. The azalea tree surface marker makes finding lush caves simple, and understanding spawning requirements ensures you actually find axolotls once you’re in the right location.

Start your search today using these techniques. Within an hour, you’ll have your first axolotl companions ready for breeding, combat, and decoration. Happy hunting!