Shallows Shallows , also called Shallow Waters , are a recurring type of terrain used on the world map in the " Final Fantasy " series . Shallows appear in areas of water near to the land . They cannot be traversed on foot , but can often be traversed without need of a specifically purposed water vessel . They are often denoted on the world map by areas where the water is dotted with stones or a lighter shade of blue . Appearances . " Final Fantasy IV " . Various areas of water between landmasses have shallow water that can be traveled over while in the hovercraft . Edward gives the party the hovercraft so they can reach the Antlion ' s Den . " Final Fantasy IV - Interlude - " . Shallows return but only as cosmetics , and the party cannot travel over them since they are not in possession of the hovercraft . Shallows return , but as the hovercraft is no longer used they are an aesthetic feature and serve no practical purpose . Tidal shifts have occurred between games , due in part to the Red Moon leaving the Earth ' s orbit , and as a result the two main areas once only reachable by the shallows , the Adamant Isle Grotto and the Cave of Eblan , can be reached on foot . " Final Fantasy VII " . Shallow water cannot be traversed on foot , but when the party obtains the buggy they can travel across the lightest shallows in rivers . The party cannot reach Nibelheim before obtaining the buggy . All vehicles which travel on water can also travel through shallows , except for the submarine . These vehicles are the Tiny Bronco , and the blue , black and gold chocobos . Shallows in rivers connect the Gold Saucer Area to the Costa del Sol portion of the Corel Area , and the Gold Saucer Area to the Gongaga Area . The Gongaga Area is connected to the Cosmo Area via shallows on the west . The Cosmo Area is connected via shallows at its north to the Nibel Area . There is also an area of shallows in the Junon Area , connecting the main portion of the Junon Area to the portion with the Old Man ' s House . Although there are no shallows that the buggy can cross back to the Junon Area , the player can board the Cargo Ship at Costa del Sol back to the Junon area with the buggy . The blue chocobo and the Tiny Bronco can also traverse through the shallow water near coastlines . This shallower water surrounds all continents , with certain " paths " that cross between continents so the player can get to Wutai or the Northern Continent with the Tiny Bronco . In the Mideel Area , the player needs the airship to access Mideel , because the only area connected to other continents by shallow water is on a different ground level to the town . The Materia Cave in the Mideel Area can also be accessed without airship , and can be reached by blue chocobo by following the coastline . " Final Fantasy VIII " . The chocobo can cross shallow waters near coastlines . Sometimes these shallow portions cross over so the player can travel between continents on a chocobo . This is required if the player wants to go to the Chocobo Sanctuary , or salvage the " Ragnarok " during endgame . " Final Fantasy IX " . After becoming a blue chocobo , Choco may pass through shallow waters , but not deep waters , and can even dig for treasure buried in the shallows . Once Choco becomes a blue chocobo , the player may also visit Chocobo ' s Lagoon by using the " Blue Narciss " or an airship in conjunction with Gysahl Greens to call Choco at a spot close to the lagoon . Because the Lagoon is located in a cove at sea level beneath an island , the lagoon can only be visited by Choco crossing shallow water to find it . " Final Fantasy Type - 0 " . Innsmouth Region is to the east of Akademeia that has shallows . Innsmouth Coast is a location in the region . The player needs to ride a chocobo across the shallow waters to get there . The only enemies fought on the sand banks reached only by chocobo are the Megamarina flan that appear as fixed encounters . They are level 99 but due to the ease of triggering their Breaksight strike chance they can fairly easily be felled on any level . " " . Kamiizumi ' s boat can ply shallow , coastal waters . Etymology . Shallows is a type of or , which is shallow compared to its surroundings .