Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire & Emerald HM Locations
Find every Hoenn HM from Cut to Dive with location, badge requirement, route value, version notes, and common missable details.
Hoenn relies heavily on field moves. Surf, Dive, Waterfall, Strength, and Rock Smash are especially important because the late game moves through oceans, caves, underwater routes, and Victory Road.
| HM | Move | Where to get it | Badge / use requirement | Why it matters | Version note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HM01 | Cut | Rustboro City - Cutter's House | Stone Badge for field use | Opens trees and optional shortcuts; not the strongest battle move. | Useful early, but avoid committing it to a long-term attacker if you dislike the move. |
| HM02 | Fly | Route 119 after the rival battle before Fortree City | Feather Badge | Major travel convenience after Fortree. | Add a dependable Fly user before late Hoenn spreads across sea and city routes. |
| HM03 | Surf | Petalburg City, from Wally's father after defeating Norman | Balance Badge | Required for major water routes and late Hoenn progression. | This is the biggest map-expansion HM; revisit earlier water edges after getting it. |
| HM04 | Strength | Rusturf Tunnel cleanup after Rock Smash reunites the separated couple | Heat Badge | Moves boulders and supports several cave routes. | Keep a Strength user ready before Victory Road and cave-heavy cleanup. |
| HM05 | Flash | Granite Cave entrance area, from the hiker near Dewford | Knuckle Badge | Useful in dark caves; less central than Surf/Dive/Waterfall. | Experienced players may skip using it, but it makes Granite Cave much easier to read. |
| HM06 | Rock Smash | Mauville City, from the Rock Smash house | Dynamo Badge | Clears cracked rocks and opens mid-game routes. | Do not forget it after Wattson; several routes and optional areas expect it. |
| HM07 | Waterfall | Sootopolis late story progression before the Pokémon League route | Rain Badge | Required for Victory Road and late travel. | Becomes important right when you are preparing for the Pokémon League. |
| HM08 | Dive | Mossdeep City, from Steven after Mossdeep story progression | Mind Badge | Required for underwater routes, Seafloor Cavern access, and Regi puzzle setup. | Players often miss that Dive is also part of the Sealed Chamber route. |
Surf opens the ocean routes, Dive unlocks underwater progression and Seafloor Cavern, Waterfall leads toward Victory Road, and Rock Smash or Strength can block cave and route cleanup if forgotten.
Do not put every HM on your main battle core if it weakens your move coverage. Split travel duties across utility Pokémon when possible, especially before Victory Road.
Related guides
Hoenn Guide Sections
Story Walkthrough
Follow Hoenn from Littleroot Town to the Champion with practical route notes.
Starter Pokémon
Compare Treecko, Torchic, and Mudkip for early, mid, and late game.
Gym Leaders
Plan each Hoenn Gym with type counters and version-aware final gym notes.
Legendary Pokémon
Catch Groudon, Kyogre, Rayquaza, Latios, Latias, and the Regis with safer prep.
Catch Rayquaza
Find Rayquaza at Sky Pillar with Emerald story notes and capture preparation.
Regi Puzzle
Unlock Regirock, Regice, and Registeel through the Sealed Chamber sequence.
Version Differences
Compare Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald story focus, Champion, and post-game value.
Version Exclusives
Plan Hoenn availability, Emerald gaps, and trade needs across Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald.
Emerald Battle Frontier
Understand Emerald's post-game facilities and how to prepare for streaks.
Gen 3 Mechanics
Learn abilities, natures, double battles, contests, berries, Secret Bases, and Dive.
FAQ
Where do you get Dive in Pokémon Emerald?
Dive is obtained through Mossdeep City story progression and becomes essential for underwater routes, Seafloor Cavern, and the Sealed Chamber path.
Where do you get Waterfall in Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald?
Waterfall is tied to late Sootopolis story progression and the Rain Badge, then becomes required for Victory Road and late travel.
Which HMs matter most in Hoenn?
Surf, Dive, Waterfall, Strength, and Rock Smash are especially important because Hoenn's late game is water-heavy, cave-heavy, and route-gated.
This guide covers the original Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald for Game Boy Advance. It keeps Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire remake mechanics, encounter changes, and story revisions separate from the original Hoenn games.