How to Get Waterfall in Pokémon Emerald

Getting Waterfall in Pokémon Emerald is one of those late-game moments where Hoenn looks you straight in the eye and says, “Yes, you have surfed across half the ocean already, but now please climb a vertical river.” Classic Hoenn. The good news is that HM07 Waterfall is not hidden in a random corner behind six boulders and a fisherman named Trent. The bad news is that you cannot simply grab it early and sprint toward the Pokémon League like a caffeinated Zigzagoon.

In Pokémon Emerald, Waterfall is tied directly to the main story. You receive it in Sootopolis City from Wallace after calming the legendary showdown between Groudon and Kyogre with Rayquaza’s help. After that, you still need to defeat Juan, the Sootopolis Gym Leader, and earn the Rain Badge before Waterfall can be used outside battle.

This guide explains exactly how to get Waterfall in Pokémon Emerald, what steps come before it, where to go afterward, which Pokémon can learn it, and how to avoid the most common late-game confusion. Grab your Surf Pokémon, pack some Repels, and let’s climb.

What Is Waterfall in Pokémon Emerald?

Waterfall is HM07 in Pokémon Emerald. It is both a battle move and a field move. In battle, it is a Water-type attack that lets your Pokémon charge at the opponent with force. Outside battle, it allows a Pokémon to climb waterfalls while Surfing.

In practical terms, Waterfall is your ticket to the final stretch of the Hoenn journey. Without it, you cannot reach the upper part of Ever Grande City, enter Victory Road properly, and continue toward the Pokémon League. Hoenn may be famous for water routes, but Waterfall is the moment the game upgrades from “sailing trip” to “aquatic mountain climbing.”

Quick Answer: How Do You Get Waterfall in Pokémon Emerald?

To get Waterfall in Pokémon Emerald, complete the main story events involving Team Aqua, Team Magma, Kyogre, Groudon, and Rayquaza. After Rayquaza stops the battle between Kyogre and Groudon in Sootopolis City, speak with Wallace in front of the Sootopolis Gym. Wallace gives you HM07 Waterfall as a gift.

However, receiving HM07 is only half the job. To use Waterfall outside battle, you must defeat Juan at the Sootopolis Gym and earn the Rain Badge. Once you have both HM07 and the Rain Badge, teach Waterfall to a compatible Pokémon and use it while Surfing in front of a waterfall.

Step-by-Step Guide to Getting HM07 Waterfall

Step 1: Progress Through the Story Until the Weather Crisis

Before you can get Waterfall, you need to be deep into Pokémon Emerald’s main story. By this point, you should have already explored places like Lilycove City, Mt. Pyre, Team Magma’s Hideout, Team Aqua’s Hideout, Mossdeep City, and the surrounding ocean routes.

The major story path leads you toward the conflict between Team Aqua and Team Magma. Eventually, you will reach the point where Kyogre and Groudon are awakened, and Hoenn’s weather goes completely bananas. Rain pounds down in some areas, sunlight blazes in others, and the game makes it very clear that two ancient Pokémon are having the world’s least responsible argument.

At this stage, your goal is to reach Sootopolis City, where the legendary Pokémon conflict comes to a dramatic head.

Step 2: Reach Sootopolis City

Sootopolis City is located inside a large crater in eastern Hoenn. To enter it, you need to use Dive through the underwater entrance near Route 126. Once you surface inside the crater, you will arrive in Sootopolis.

If the city feels locked down, that is normal. During the legendary Pokémon crisis, several areas become temporarily tied to story progression. You will eventually meet Steven, who guides you toward Wallace in the Cave of Origin. Wallace then directs you to the next major location: Sky Pillar.

Step 3: Go to Sky Pillar and Awaken Rayquaza

In Pokémon Emerald, Rayquaza is the key to stopping the battle between Kyogre and Groudon. After speaking with Wallace, travel to Sky Pillar, which is found near Route 131. You will need to Surf across the ocean routes near Pacifidlog Town to reach it.

Climb Sky Pillar and trigger the Rayquaza event. You do not need to catch Rayquaza at this moment. Your job is to wake it up so it can fly to Sootopolis and perform the most dramatic weather management service in Hoenn history.

Once Rayquaza leaves Sky Pillar, return to Sootopolis City. You will witness Rayquaza stop the fight between Kyogre and Groudon. The skies clear, the music calms down, and everyone collectively realizes that maybe summoning ancient forces of nature was not the finest idea.

Step 4: Talk to Wallace in Front of the Sootopolis Gym

After Rayquaza calms Kyogre and Groudon, Wallace will be standing near the Sootopolis Gym with other key characters. Speak to him. As thanks for helping save Hoenn from becoming either soup or toast, Wallace gives you HM07 Waterfall.

This is the true Waterfall location in Pokémon Emerald: Wallace gives HM07 to you in Sootopolis City after the Rayquaza event. It is not picked up from the Cave of Origin in Emerald, and it is not obtained from the Devon Corporation. Those mix-ups usually happen because Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, remakes, and random online tips sometimes get blended together like a confused Pokéblock recipe.

How to Use Waterfall Outside Battle

After getting HM07, open your Bag, go to the HMs section, select Waterfall, and teach it to a compatible Pokémon. But do not celebrate too early. In Pokémon Emerald, you also need the Rain Badge before using Waterfall outside battle.

The Rain Badge comes from defeating Juan, the Gym Leader of Sootopolis City. Juan specializes in Water-type Pokémon, so prepare your team before entering the Gym. Electric-type and Grass-type moves are very useful, though you should watch out for coverage moves and Pokémon that can make the battle trickier than it looks.

Once Juan is defeated, you receive the Rain Badge and TM03 Water Pulse. The Rain Badge allows you to use Waterfall outside battle. Now you can finally Surf up waterfalls and access the path toward Ever Grande City, Victory Road, and the Pokémon League.

Where to Go After Getting Waterfall

Head Toward Ever Grande City

After getting HM07 Waterfall and the Rain Badge, your next major destination is Ever Grande City. This location leads to Victory Road, the final test before the Elite Four. To get there, Fly to Mossdeep City or another nearby location, Surf south and east through the ocean routes, and make your way toward Route 128.

At the base of Ever Grande City, you will see a large waterfall blocking the way forward. Surf up to the waterfall, press the action button, and choose to use Waterfall. Your Pokémon will climb it, giving you access to the Pokémon Center and the entrance to Victory Road.

Prepare for Victory Road

Victory Road is not a place to wander into with three fainted Pokémon, twelve Poké Balls, and blind optimism. Bring healing items, Repels, and a balanced team. You will need HMs such as Surf, Strength, Rock Smash, and Waterfall at different points. Flash is also helpful if you do not enjoy navigating caves like a Zubat with a blindfold.

By the time you reach Victory Road, Waterfall has shifted from “new cool move” to “necessary passport.” It is one of the last major field abilities you unlock before challenging the Pokémon League.

Best Pokémon to Teach Waterfall in Emerald

Many Water-type Pokémon can learn Waterfall, but the best choice depends on your team. Since HMs cannot be forgotten normally without visiting the Move Deleter, you should teach Waterfall carefully. Do not slap it onto your favorite battler without thinking, unless that Pokémon actually benefits from the move.

Good Waterfall Users

Swampert is one of the most convenient options if you chose Mudkip as your starter. It has strong Attack, useful typing, and can handle multiple HMs if needed. Waterfall is a physical Water-type move in Generation III mechanics, so a physically strong Pokémon uses it well.

Gyarados is another excellent choice. It has a high Attack stat and naturally fits the role of a strong Waterfall user. The downside is that Gyarados has a limited selection of physical Water-type options in older games, so Waterfall can be a useful addition.

Azumarill, Wailord, Sharpedo, and Tentacruel can also carry Waterfall depending on your team needs. Some players prefer assigning HMs to a utility Pokémon so their main battle team keeps stronger move coverage. Others like giving Waterfall to a Pokémon that can use it in both travel and battle.

Should You Teach Waterfall to Your Main Pokémon?

If your Pokémon has a strong Attack stat and you need a reliable Water-type move, Waterfall can be worth keeping. If your Pokémon is more specially oriented, Surf may be better for battle because of how Generation III calculates move categories. In Pokémon Emerald, all Water-type moves are special attacks, right? Actually, this is where many players get tangled. In Generation III, move category is based on type, so Waterfall is a special Water-type move despite feeling physical in animation. That means Pokémon with better Special Attack often use it more effectively in battle.

Still, Waterfall’s main value is field progression. Even if it is not your strongest battle option, someone on your team needs it to reach the League.

Common Mistakes When Looking for Waterfall

Mistake 1: Searching the Cave of Origin in Emerald

One of the biggest mistakes is looking for HM07 as an item inside the Cave of Origin. That applies to some Ruby and Sapphire information, but Pokémon Emerald handles the event differently. In Emerald, Wallace gives you HM07 after Rayquaza stops Kyogre and Groudon.

Mistake 2: Beating Juan Before Checking the Story Event

Some players think the Sootopolis Gym Leader gives Waterfall. Juan gives the Rain Badge and TM03 Water Pulse, not HM07. The badge lets you use Waterfall outside battle, but Wallace is the person who gives you the HM.

Mistake 3: Trying to Use Waterfall Without the Rain Badge

If you have HM07 but cannot climb waterfalls, you probably have not earned the Rain Badge yet. Teach Waterfall to a compatible Pokémon, defeat Juan, and try again while Surfing directly in front of a waterfall.

Mistake 4: Playing a ROM Hack or Modified Version

If your game has different locations, changed dialogue, unfamiliar items, or newer-generation Pokémon, you may not be playing standard Pokémon Emerald. ROM hacks often move HMs around. In that case, normal Emerald instructions may not apply.

Why Waterfall Matters in Pokémon Emerald

Waterfall is more than just another HM to squeeze into your moveset. It represents the transition from late-game story resolution to the final challenge. By the time you receive it, you have already dealt with Team Aqua, Team Magma, Kyogre, Groudon, Rayquaza, and the Sootopolis crisis. Waterfall is the game’s way of saying, “Nice job saving the weather. Now prove you can become Champion.”

It also unlocks a sense of vertical exploration that Surf and Dive do not cover. Surf lets you cross water. Dive lets you explore below it. Waterfall lets you climb it. Together, these HMs make Hoenn feel like one big aquatic puzzle box, occasionally interrupted by trainers who insist on battling while floating in the middle of nowhere.

Extra Tips Before You Climb Toward the Pokémon League

Before heading to Ever Grande City, make sure your team is ready. Stock up on Hyper Potions, Full Heals, Revives, and Ultra Balls if you plan to explore or catch Pokémon along the way. Victory Road includes strong trainers and wild Pokémon, so arriving underprepared can turn your heroic League march into a long walk back to the Pokémon Center.

It is also smart to review your HM coverage. You will likely need Surf, Waterfall, Strength, and Rock Smash. If you do not want to overload your main team, bring a dedicated HM user. Just remember that every slot matters in Victory Road, so balance convenience with battle strength.

Finally, save your game before major battles and story moments. Pokémon Emerald is not cruel, but it does enjoy testing players who rush ahead without healing, planning, or reading dialogue. The game gives hints; it just expects you to listen instead of mashing the A button like a Machamp playing whack-a-mole.

Personal Experience: What Getting Waterfall Feels Like in Pokémon Emerald

The first time many players hunt for Waterfall in Pokémon Emerald, they are not calmly following a perfect route. They are usually lost somewhere between Sootopolis City, Sky Pillar, and a water route that looks suspiciously like the last six water routes. That is part of the Emerald experience. Hoenn’s ocean is beautiful, but it can also make you feel like you accidentally enrolled in a maritime navigation exam.

One memorable part of getting Waterfall is how naturally it fits into the story. You are not just handed the HM after a random errand. You earn it after helping resolve one of the biggest conflicts in the game. Team Aqua and Team Magma push Hoenn to the edge, Kyogre and Groudon turn the weather into chaos, and Rayquaza descends like the world’s most intimidating referee. After all that drama, Wallace giving you HM07 feels like a proper reward.

What makes the moment even better is that Waterfall immediately changes your sense of progress. For most of the game, waterfalls are just scenery. You pass them, stare at them, and wonder when the game will finally let you go up. Then, once you have HM07 and the Rain Badge, those same waterfalls become doors. The route to Ever Grande City opens, and suddenly the Pokémon League feels close enough to touch.

There is also a funny emotional shift. Before getting Waterfall, the player is focused on saving Hoenn from ancient Pokémon chaos. After getting it, the mood changes to practical concerns: Which Pokémon should learn this? Do I have enough Revives? Why did I teach three HMs to the same poor Pelipper? Pokémon Emerald has a wonderful way of mixing epic storytelling with very ordinary trainer problems.

For players returning to Emerald years later, Waterfall can be surprisingly easy to misremember. Some remember finding it in a cave. Others think Juan gives it after the Gym battle. A few wander around Sootopolis talking to every NPC like they are investigating a tiny crater-shaped mystery. The confusion is understandable because different Pokémon games handle HM locations differently. Emerald’s version is specific: Wallace gives it after the Rayquaza event, and Juan’s Rain Badge unlocks its field use.

The best experience comes when you treat Waterfall as part of the late-game rhythm rather than just another checklist item. Finish the legendary storyline, appreciate the Sootopolis scene, beat Juan, then head east toward Ever Grande City. That climb up the waterfall near the League entrance feels like a final curtain rising. You have crossed oceans, explored caves, fought villains, awakened legends, and probably heard the Surf theme enough times to hum it in your sleep.

In a way, Waterfall is the perfect final HM for Pokémon Emerald. It captures the whole personality of Hoenn: dramatic, water-heavy, slightly inconvenient, but deeply satisfying once everything clicks. When your Pokémon finally carries you up that roaring wall of water, it is not just transportation. It is a victory lap with splash damage.

Conclusion

To get Waterfall in Pokémon Emerald, advance through the main story until the Kyogre and Groudon crisis reaches Sootopolis City. Speak with Wallace, travel to Sky Pillar, awaken Rayquaza, and return to Sootopolis to watch Rayquaza calm the legendary Pokémon. Afterward, talk to Wallace near the Sootopolis Gym to receive HM07 Waterfall.

Then defeat Juan in the Sootopolis Gym to earn the Rain Badge, which allows Waterfall to be used outside battle. Teach the HM to a compatible Pokémon, Surf to a waterfall, and climb toward Ever Grande City and Victory Road. It is a simple reward once you know the order, but the story around it makes it one of the most memorable progression moments in Pokémon Emerald.