Grand Theft Auto 5 offers an incredibly vast ocean floor packed with hidden secrets and lucrative collectibles waiting to be discovered. Tracking down all 30 submarine parts is an essential step for completionists who want to solve a mysterious side quest tied to Abigail Mathers. Navigating the deep waters around San Andreas requires a solid mechanical setup and a clear understanding of the geography to locate every piece efficiently.
How to Unlock the Submarine Scrap Mission
Before you begin diving into the depths of Los Santos, you must fulfill specific story prerequisites to make the collectibles appear. Players need to complete the Blitz Play heist and subsequently purchase the Sonar Collections Dock property located in Paleto Cove. Once the property is secured by Michael, a unique Strangers and Freaks mission marker will appear right on the shoreline.
Meeting with Abigail Mathers at the wooden pier initiates the search for the scattered pieces of her late husband's ruined vessel. She will provide an equipped Nagasaki Dinghy that automatically grants you access to full scuba gear whenever you submerge. Utilizing the on-board Trackify application on your phone makes scanning the immediate seafloor significantly easier during your maritime travels.
Navigating the Northern Coastline and Paleto Bay
The first major cluster of wreckage is situated around the deep northern waters stretching out near the rural community of Paleto Bay. Several components are scattered directly inside the fragmented hull of a massive sunken cargo plane on the ocean floor. You will need to carefully swim through the submerged fuselage sections to grab the glowing pieces hidden in the silt.
Moving slightly down the coastline leads explorers toward the heavily guarded military zone of Fort Zancudo. The waters surrounding this area feature multiple pieces resting near a decayed Olifantus shipwreck and an older plane crash site. Maintaining structural awareness is crucial here, as some collectibles are wedged beneath large sheets of rusted metal plating.
Scouring the Eastern Docks and Terminal
The industrial zones of Elysian Island and the Terminal region contain another dense concentration of missing mechanical components. Finding these items requires navigating complex underwater structures such as the Los Santos Storm Drain and regional bridge pillars. Many scrap pieces are located right beneath the massive Lando-Corp cranes that dominate the active shipping harbors.
You should keep a close eye on your radar for sonar pings as you explore near large commercial freighters like the Ocean Motion. Some parts are tucked inside tight concrete crevices and hidden caves bordering the naval port boundaries. Successfully clearing this urban grid demands patience since low visibility can sometimes obscure the small metallic items.
Finishing the Collection at Palomino Highlands
The final stretch of your underwater journey shifts toward the jagged rocks and deep trenches of the Palomino Highlands. This coastal region is famous for a historic freighter shipwreck that holds multiple components near its bow and broken upper decks. Navigating the decaying ruins requires precise swimming inputs to avoid getting caught on the coral growth.
The last remaining pieces are located further north near Mount Gordo, sitting around the fragmented remains of a downed cropduster aircraft. Once you secure the final piece, Abigail will pop back up on your map at the primary dock to conclude the mystery. Returning to her location allows you to finish the narrative arc and decide the ultimate fate of the suspicious widow.
