Surf changes Ditto into the form of Lapras so you can travel across deep water. You learn it during the story in Bleak Beach; you do not need the expansion pass to use it.
Meeting the Pokémon that teaches the move
- Continue the requests in Bleak Beach, including the encounter with Zorua.
- Speak to Piplup when it suggests learning to swim. Follow that request to meet Lapras.
- Complete the request from Lapras and finish the conversation that teaches Surf. Simply seeing the species is not enough.
Using the transformation
Press B in the water to take the swimming form. Steer towards your destination and find a usable stretch of shore before ending the transformation. Start with a short crossing near land so you can practise without searching for an exit at the same time.
You need energy to start Surf. If your PP run out while you are already transformed, the transformation continues until you end it. Head back to land to eat before trying to transform again.
Reaching deeper or higher areas
Ordinary Surf is surface travel. Underwater exploration requires a separate move, and climbing waterfalls requires learning Waterfall from Gyarados later. Neither action is unlocked merely by holding the swimming button. In the expansion, smoothies can enhance underwater swimming, but they are not required for the basic ability.
