There are a total of six Ancient Vaults hidden away in the Sea of Thieves. Accompanying the Ancient Vaults are six distinct Totems that act as keys to the Ancient Vault they are meant to unlock.
You see, Ancient Vaults can only be opened by their corresponding Totem. Totems are small rock statues that are carved to represent various symbols found throughout the Sea of Thieves.
Depending on the symbol the Totem represents, you’ll know the exact island the Ancient Vault can be found on.
Below are each of the six Totems and the Ancient Vault they belong to:
- Boar Totem – Devil’s Ridge
- Crab Totem – Uncharted Island at N13
- Moon Totem – Crescent Isle
- Scarab Totem – Crook’s Hollow
- Snake Totem – Mermaid’s Hideaway
- Shark Totem – Kraken’s Fall
Once on the island it can be tricky to find the exact location of the Ancient Vault. Even harder can be finding the lock you must put the Totem in that opens the vault door.
Here you’ll find a detailed explanation to the location of each Ancient Vault and its lock for the six possible Totems.
Ancient Vault on Devil’s Ridge (Boar Totem)
The Ancient Vault on Devil’s Ridge is not that hard to locate. Head to the South East beach of the island and look for the boar head rock paintings. The Totem’s lock is just off to the lefthand side of the cluster of boar head rock paintings.
Place your Boar Totem in the lock and the Ancient Vault will open!
See the vault’s location on your map:
The Ancient Vault on Devil’s Ridge
Ancient Vault on the Uncharted Island at N13 (Crab Totem)
If you are familiar with the underwater cave on the Uncharted Island at N13 then you’ll be able to locate this Ancient Vault no problem. If you are not, it can be tricky to find.
Once you are at the Uncharted Island, head to the West side of it. You’ll spot a large red plant near the water. Dive under water next to that red plant and you will see an underwater tunnel.
Head inside the tunnel and follow it until you reach the surface inside an underwater cave.
Inside this cave you will see a workbench with several crab rock paintings behind it. On the wall with the rock paintings you will find the Ancient Vault’s lock. Place your totem there and the Ancient Vault will open.
See the vault’s location on your map:
The Ancient Vault on N13
Ancient Vault on Crescent Isle (Moon Totem)
You’ll find the Ancient Vault on Crescent Isle inside the Northern cave in the middle of the island.
To get there, enter into the island’s center archway from the East and turn right to enter the Northern cave. Walk inside and quickly turn to the right yet again so you are now facing East.
You will spot a few rock paintings of moons and a torch on the East wall. This is where you will find the lock for the Ancient Vault. Place your Moon Totem to open the entrance to the vault.
See the vault’s location on your map:
The Ancient Vault on Crescent Isle
Ancient Vault on Crook’s Hollow (Scarab Totem)
There are a series of caves on the island of Crook’s Hollow. You’ll find the Ancient Vault here in the largest of the caves on the South side of the island.
Just West of the waterfall that covers the East exit of the Southern cave is the Ancient Vault. It is located on the South side of the cave near several scarab rock paintings.
If you are facing South and looking at the cave wall with the rock paintings, you will find the lock for the vault to the right. Place your Scarab Totem in the vault lock to open it up.
See the vault’s location on your map:
The Ancient Vault on Crook’s Hollow
Ancient Vault on Mermaid’s Hideaway (Snake Totem)
The Ancient Vault on Mermaid’s Hideaway can be found on the perimeter of the island. Head to the North West side of the island and you will see plenty of snake rock paintings to let you know you are in the right spot.
Across from the wall where the Ancient Vault will open is where you will find the lock. You’ll find it on the base of the arch on the West side. After you place the Snake Totem, the vault will open up.
See the vault’s location on your map:
The Ancient Vault on Mermaid’s Hideaway
Ancient Vault on Kraken’s Fall (Shark Totem)
On Kraken’s Fall, the Ancient Vault is located underneath the island’s main archway on the West side of the island.
Head to the North side of this archway, and you’ll see shark paintings nearby.
While the vault entrance is near the shark rock paintings, you’ll have to walk a little bit to the East towards some rocks nearby. These rocks will have the lock for the vault on them.
See the vault’s location on your map:
The Ancient Vault on Kraken’s Fall
Ancient Vault on Fetcher’s Rest (Eagle Totem)
This is one of the two Ancient Vaults in the Devil’s Roar. It currently is not being used by any of the Tale Tales so it is impossible to open. In the meantime, it serves as a big question mark that will nag us pirates who love to explore every inch of every island.
You’ll find this Ancient Vault on Fetcher’s Rest in the caves found in the middle of the island. North West of the volcano will be a Southern entrance to the caves. You can also enter from the North side if you choose.
Head on in and next to the large anchor sitting against the cave wall will be rock paintings of eagles. If the previous Ancient Vaults have taught us anything, it is that an Eagle Totem will eventually be used as a key to open this vault up.
Ancient Vault on Ashen Reaches (Sun Totem)
This is the second Ancient Vault in the Devil’s Roar that cannot be currently opened.
You’ll find the Ancient Vault on Ashen Reaches on the North side of the island. Just next to the Scarecrow found on the middle level of the island will be a small tunnel entrance. Follow this tunnel down to find rock paintings of suns. On the opposite side of the rock paintings will be the lock.
If our assumptions are right, a Sun Totem will be used some time in the future to open this Ancient Vault.
