Entry
D.G. Member Lv.7
This opens the Call of Whales route and Whalefall Canyon after its story prerequisite.
Permanent Whalefall Canyon hobby
Heartopia Ocean Cleanup Guide
Unlock the Ocean Cleaner, understand the two separate level systems, handle every pollutant type, and reach Ocean Cleaning Lv.10 without wasting proficiency or tickets.
Hobby unlock
Exploration Lv.2
Raise the Whalefall Canyon Adventure Journal, then claim Ocean Cleanup and the beginner cleaner.
Completion goal
Ocean Cleaning Lv.10
This is the hobby cap tied to the Ocean Cleanup Expert achievement.
Three different levels appear in this update: D.G. Member Level controls event access, Whalefall Canyon Exploration Level advances the Adventure Journal, and Ocean Cleaning Level upgrades the hobby itself. Raising one does not automatically raise the others.
Unlock route
How to Unlock Ocean Cleanup
Open Call of Whales
Reach D.G. Member Level 7, finish the requirement shown in the live event panel, and enter Whalefall Canyon.
Open the Adventure Journal
Use the shell-shaped Whalefall Canyon progression icon. Complete its objectives and daily requests to earn exploration progress.
Reach Exploration Level 2
Claim the level reward. Ocean Cleanup and the beginner Ocean Cleaner unlock from this canyon progression, not from Oliver dialogue alone.
Equip and complete the first cleanup
Choose the cleaner from the tool wheel, approach black pollution mist, lock on, and hold the cleanup control until the gauge finishes.
Cleaner missing after talking to NPCs? Return to the Adventure Journal and claim Exploration Level 2. The progression reward is the important checkpoint; repeatedly talking to nearby characters will not replace an unclaimed reward.
Cleanup controls
How Each Pollutant Type Works
Start close to the target and keep it centered. If a pollutant flashes red or gains a red energy shield, release the control and resume when it becomes safe.
| Type | What changes | Best response |
|---|---|---|
| Normal pollutant | Black mist around coral or the seabed. | Lock on and hold until the gauge completes. |
| Cracked pollutant | Splits into several smaller targets after cleaning. | Stay in the area and clear every spawned piece. |
| Hard-shell pollutant | Resists a single cleaning cycle. | Repeat the cleaning action until it is fully removed. |
| Swirling pollutant | Uses a red energy phase that blocks safe cleaning. | Wait for the red energy to drop, then resume. |
| Large pollutant | Appears in Ocean Cleanup event objectives. | Keep enough cleaner durability and finish the full sequence; these count toward Licensed & Ready. |
If your character becomes polluted
Body Pollution increases stamina use. Move to a Clean Anemone in the canyon, use a home bath, or let another player clean the contamination before continuing a long route.
After the pollutant disappears
Collect any revealed seashells instead of swimming away immediately. Seashell discoveries contribute to the Ocean Cleanup collection and its display rewards.
Hobby progression
Ocean Cleaning Levels 1-10
Cleaning provides proficiency, while upgrades also use Ocean Cleanup training tickets earned through Whalefall Canyon exploration. Check the hobby screen when the proficiency bar is full so later cleanup actions are not wasted.
| Level | New seashell entries | Main progression effect |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 7 | Cleaner unlocked; 1-3 star shells and basic pollutant identification. |
| 2 | 3 | Identify additional pollutant types. |
| 3 | 3 | Better chance of higher-rated shells; more pollutant identification. |
| 4 | 3 | More pollutant identification and increased cleaner durability. |
| 5 | 3 | 4-star shells become available. |
| 6 | 2 | Cleaner durability increases substantially. |
| 7 | 3 | 5-star shells become available. |
| 8 | 2 | Cleaner durability increases substantially. |
| 9 | 2 | Better chance of higher-rated shells. |
| 10 | 2 | Cleaner durability increases substantially; Ocean Cleanup Expert goal reached. |
Efficient progression
A Better Daily Cleanup Loop
Claim daily requests
Prioritize Whalefall Canyon tasks because they advance exploration and ticket rewards alongside the hobby.
Clear clustered areas
Sweep nearby targets before moving zones. Pollution respawns, so a cleared route is not permanently exhausted.
Collect while moving
Gather sea plants and revealed shells on the same circuit to progress canyon objectives and recipes.
Upgrade before the next lap
Open the hobby screen when proficiency is capped, then claim Adventure Journal ticket rewards before more cleaning.
Checklist progress is stored only in this browser.
Troubleshooting
Ocean Cleanup Not Working?
Cleaner or hobby is still locked
Open the Whalefall Canyon Adventure Journal, reach Exploration Level 2, and claim the reward. Event access at D.G. Level 7 is only the first gate.
Black mist is missing
Install the latest update, leave the canyon, and reload it. A July 15 flash update addressed pollutants appearing without their black mist.
Swirling Pollutant cannot be targeted
Update and reload first because the same flash update fixed this targeting bug. If the target glows red after locking on, wait for the shield phase to end.
Proficiency is not increasing
Check whether the current level bar is full and waiting for an upgrade. Also confirm that you have claimed the dedicated cleanup tickets needed for the next level.
No pollution remains nearby
Move between the expedition camp, cave, whale-bone, and coral routes or return after the area refreshes. Cleared pollution can respawn.
Stamina drains unusually fast
Look for the Body Pollution effect. Clean it at a Clean Anemone, use a home bath, or ask another player to clean your character.
Completion goals
Ocean Cleanup Achievements
Ocean Cleanup Expert
Required hobby level: Ocean Cleaning Lv.10.
Licensed & Ready
Cumulative target: remove 60 large pollutants during Ocean Cleanup events.
No Corner Left Behind
Hidden-phase target: activate it 10 times during Ocean Cleanup.
Tides of Life
Reach the Tidal Abundance eco-fish milestone at an underwater Seamount.
Ocean Cleanup FAQ
Is Ocean Cleanup limited to Call of Whales?
The hobby is permanent. Fashionwave missions, charity activities, and some rewards can still follow event dates.
Where do Ocean Cleanup tickets come from?
Raise Whalefall Canyon Exploration Level and claim the Adventure Journal rewards. They are separate from ordinary hobby tickets.
Should I sell every seashell?
No. Keep collection and display goals in mind before selling duplicates, especially while your Ocean Cleanup collection is incomplete.
When does the underwater Seamount unlock?
The Seamount management terminal is tied to Whalefall Canyon Exploration Level 5, not Ocean Cleaning Level 5.