By 2026, the hidden hot springs of Death Stranding 2: On the Beach had become one of the game's most useful secrets. Sam's journey across the shattered continent was never simple, but these pools offered rare moments of peace—and practical advantages. A lone porter learned quickly that they were not just scenery. They functioned as fast-travel points, temporary buff stations, and the key to a useful relationship with the Hydrologist at Heartman's Lab.
♨️ How the Hot Spring System Works
The first two locations—Motherhood and Heartman's Lab—unlock in sequence during the campaign. Once Heartman's Lab is linked to the Chiral Network, the Hydrologist gives access to the Hot Spring Digger, a buildable structure that reveals the remaining springs. With a PCC level 2 equipped, a porter could hold L2 to preview the digger, listen for a beeping signal, and scan for a strong response. Placing the digger at the correct spot permanently made the waters flow for the rest of the playthrough.
A hot spring also functioned as a fast-travel point. Pressing and holding Square allowed a Hot Springs Jump to any previously unlocked spring, but there was a tradeoff. Vehicles and most cargo could not come along. Only equipped items and gear stored in the tool rack, boot clip, or utility and grenade pouches survived the trip. Everything else was left behind in the private locker of the terminal.
🚿 Unlocking the First Springs
Motherhood: The first spring waited directly in front of the main building once the facility joined the Chiral Network. It had no buff, but placing the bucket on Sam's head triggered an instant teleport to Heartman's Lab.
Heartman's Lab: This spring suppressed nausea and boosted stamina. More importantly, the Hydrologist there unlocked the Hot Spring Digger. Returning to her after each new discovery yielded unique rewards, and those items offered bonus buffs when selected through a spring's terminal.
🧭 The Hidden Springs and Their Buffs
Each remaining spring had a specific location and a temporary benefit. The following table summarizes what a diligent courier would find.
| Location | Spring Effect | Hydrologist Reward |
|---|---|---|
| The Dowser / Heartman's Lab mountain range | Increases cargo carrying capacity | Chiral Tea: boosts max stamina |
| Animal Shelter cliffside | Heals injuries and rapidly restores stamina | Apples: faster health/blood rejuvenation |
| Chronobiologist south slope | Repairs cargo containers placed in the water | Yuzu: increases cold resistance |
| Lone Commander northeast cliff | Improves effects of eaten or drunk items | Tangerines: boosts canteen and cryptobiote effects |
| Eastern Environmental Observatory ridge | Increases awareness of surroundings and nearby items | Ludens Ducks: cute rubber ducks for Lou |
| Rocky outcropping between Tar Therapist and Mine North of F6 | Makes it harder for BTs to detect the player | Sweet Flag Leaves: reduces BT detection |
| Snowed-in valley between BPAS and Phantom Smith | Recharges batteries | Eucalyptus Leaves: boosts stamina replenishment rate |
A porter seeking the Dowser spring would climb the mountain range between Heartman's Lab and the Dowser's base, where a hologram of the Hydrologist requested the digger. The Animal Shelter spring lay north of the shelter, tucked along a cliffside. The Chronobiologist spring sat behind the camp, up a sloping path to the south. From the Lone Commander's camp, a northeastern trek across rocky ground led to a cliff overlooking the Tar Lake. The Eastern Environmental Observatory spring required a Tri-Cruiser for the steep ridge line south-southeast of the facility, or completing Order 39. The BT-deterrent spring hid on a rocky outcropping between the Tar Therapist and the mine north of F6. Finally, the battery-recharging spring waited in a snowed-in valley due north of the BPAS camp, between BPAS and Phantom Smith territory.
🌌 The Completion Reward and a Starry Trophy
After discovering all the springs, returning to the Hydrologist at Heartman's Lab granted the Custom Hologram: Kangaroo. There was also one more reason to linger in the water. The "Written in the Stars" trophy required a porter to look up at the stars and constellations while bathing in a spring during the evening. The sky had to be clear, so rainy thunderstorms, snow, and blizzards were out. Snowy springs in the center of the map were unsuitable. The Chiral Spring near the Dowser, the Healing Spring near the Animal Shelter, and the Tar Spring near the Tar Therapist offered the best conditions. A private room rest could shift the day-night cycle to nighttime.
For Sam, the hot springs were more than a fast-travel network. They were small pockets of relief in a world that rarely paused. Finding them all meant better tools, stronger buffs, and a deeper understanding of the landscape. A patient porter who followed the beeping signal of the Hot Spring Digger would eventually sit back, watch the stars, and know the journey had been worth it.