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How to get radar in How to Fish

The in-game radar is a navigation tool for the island route, not the centerpiece of the fishing loop. Get the first handoff right, then use coordinates to find the next destination without mistaking a missing quest item for a broken map.

Source-backed routeExact shop details are version-boundUpdated 25 Aug 2026
Quick answer: complete the Lighthouse request, defeat the Spider Crab, and return the required shell to the Lighthouse Keeper. Take the boat key and check the boat or upgrade path for the radar, then use the resulting coordinates to locate the next island. If the radar or coordinates are missing, verify the handoff before replacing the save.

Unlock sequence

  1. Finish the Lighthouse request. The first island's NPC dialogue establishes the opening route.
  2. Start and defeat Spider Crab. Keep the shell or required trophy after the encounter.
  3. Return to the Lighthouse Keeper. The boss kill alone is not the complete progression step; the handoff moves the route forward.
  4. Take the boat key. Check the boat and available upgrade interaction after the NPC accepts the item.
  5. Equip or use the radar in the current build. Exact shop, mounting, and price details can change, so follow the visible current prompt rather than an old screenshot.

What the radar does

Radar is forRadar is not for
Reading or locating the next island coordinates after a quest handoff.Finding every fish, leech, rare creature, or boss spawn automatically.
Confirming that the route has produced a destination.Replacing the NPC dialogue or the item delivery that unlocks that destination.
Navigation between the current island and the next route stop.Proving that a missing coordinate is a graphics or save failure before the quest state is checked.

If the radar does not work

  1. Return to the last quest NPC and verify the boss trophy was accepted.
  2. Check that you are using the boat or navigation interaction rather than looking for a fish-finder screen.
  3. Compare the current stop with the full island route and confirm the next handoff.
  4. If the item disappeared after death or a crash, use the lost-items and radar checklist.
  5. Do not overwrite the only save while testing a missing navigation item.

Radar and the island route

The first radar question is usually a progression question: did the game receive the Spider Crab handoff, and did the boat key or next coordinate appear? Later stops follow the same pattern. Defeat the boss, keep the distinctive drop, deliver it to the NPC, then use the new route information.

Normal-route boundary: this is for ordinary island progression. A Bean speedrun may deliberately skip or avoid Radar depending on the current route, but older direct-travel advice must be checked against the 1.0.5 unlock changes.
Primary route referenceCommunity Steam guide supplied for this guide hub; Lighthouse handoff, boat key, radar, and island route.Open the Steam guide →
Official version boundarySteam News patch notes used to separate current save and progression behavior from older advice.Read the patch note →