After the Fire Temple in Ocarina of Time, the next dungeon is the Water Temple at Lake Hylia. Before you go, use the Megaton Hammer you just earned to open the Great Fairy fountain in Death Mountain Crater, because it doubles your magic meter and you are about to need it.
The Detour First
From the Goron City entrance into Death Mountain Crater, cross the bridge to the right and look for a cave blocked by two rocks. The Megaton Hammer breaks them.
The Great Fairy inside doubles your magic, which matters for every special arrow and every spell from here on. Our guide on all Great Fairy locations covers the other five, several of which are also worth collecting now rather than at the end.
Getting to the Water Temple
Lake Hylia is at the southern end of Hyrule Field, and adult Link finds it drained. That is a story consequence rather than a problem to solve on arrival.
You need the Iron Boots to sink and the Zora Tunic to breathe underwater. Both come from Zora’s Domain, which is frozen over in the adult era, so the route runs through thawing King Zora with hot spring water before you can get what you need.
Our guide on how to get to Lake Hylia covers the three ways in, including the Serenade of Water once you have it.
The Fire Arrows
While you are at the lake: standing on the island in the middle of Lake Hylia at dawn and shooting the rising sun gets you the Fire Arrows.
They are not required, but they are among the more useful items in the game and easy to miss entirely. Our guide on where to get the bow covers the arrow types and where each comes from.
The Water Temple Itself
This is the dungeon with the reputation, and it is mostly about the three water levels rather than the combat. Our guide on how to beat the Water Temple covers the approach that makes it manageable, and the Dark Link fight inside has its own guide on how to beat Dark Link.
Keep the Trade Sequence Moving
If you started the Biggoron’s Sword trade, this is a good window to push it along, because several legs are timed and the sword is worth having before the late-game bosses. Our guide on the Biggoron Sword covers the twelve steps.
If you have not started it, now is late but not too late. Our guide on the best order to do the temples covers how much of the game is left.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which temple comes after the Fire Temple? The Water Temple, at Lake Hylia.
What does the Megaton Hammer open? Rusted switches, cracked rocks, and the Great Fairy fountain in Death Mountain Crater.
What do you need for the Water Temple? The Iron Boots and the Zora Tunic, both from Zora’s Domain.
Where are the Fire Arrows? Shoot the rising sun from the island in Lake Hylia at dawn.