How to Get Mew in Emerald (Faraway Island & the Old Sea Map)

Mew is a real Lv 30 catch on Emerald's Faraway Island — but the Old Sea Map was a Japan-only 2005 event. How it worked, and what that means today.

Mew is a level 30 wild encounter on Emerald’s Faraway Island. Reaching it requires the Old Sea Map, a historic event item distributed to Japanese Emerald cartridges in 2005 and in Taiwan in 2006. Those GBA distributions have ended.

Faraway Island is not mapped on PokéMaps yet. Use Mew’s Pokédex page, Mew’s location page and the event’s departure point in Lilycove City.

Find Mew in the island grass

  1. Depart from Lilycove With the Old Sea Map in the Bag, show it at Lilycove harbor and take Mr. Briney’s ferry.
  2. Enter the tall grass Follow the island path to the single field where Mew is hiding.
  3. Follow the tail Watch for Mew’s tail above the grass and move toward its latest position until the battle starts.
  4. Catch the level 30 Mew It battles normally instead of fleeing. Apply sleep or paralysis and save before the chase.
Lilycove City on the PokéMaps Hoenn map with a player marker near the harbor
The Old Sea Map event departs from Lilycove City’s harbor.

The level 30 battle

Mew has Synchronize and the moves Pound, Transform, Mega Punch and Metronome. Transform can copy your lead’s moveset, so bring a lead whose attacks are safe to face.

Quick answers

Can a normal new Emerald save reach Faraway Island today?
No. The required GBA event distributions ended and were region-limited.
Does Mew flee like a roaming Pokémon?
No. Once cornered, it starts a normal level 30 battle.
What happens if Mew is defeated?
It can return after you re-enter the Hall of Fame.