Carl's Sims 3 Guide - Skills, Traits, Careers, Rewards, and Lifetime Wishes for Ambitions and World Adventures

The Sims 3 Island Paradise Guide

Unlocking Uncharted Islands with Maps and Hints

by Carl and Ricalynn



The Sims 3 Island Paradise Expansion Pack
Scuba DivingResortsMermaidsDiscovering IslandsMap Fragments & BottlesLifeguard


An Uncharted Island, waiting to be discovered in The Sims 3 Island Paradise

The Sims 3 Island Paradise Expansion Pack features a new town, Isla Paradiso, surrounded by eight uncharted islands that can be discovered. Each has a requirement to unlock it based on a gameplay feature that comes with the Expansion Pack. You'll have to do a lot of work to unlock them all on a single save file. Of course there is cheat to discover all islands, but this guide is directed at people who would like to unlock one or all of the hidden islands themselves.

About Uncharted Islands
These are seen in the ocean around Isla Paradiso. They're covered in a fog that will bump your camera away if you attempt to zoom in. On all but one island, sailing up to it is useless and a tooltip simply informs, "I wonder what's down there". With this guide, you'll know all you need in order to find out and see for yourself. Most of these Islands are good for private homes or Resorts, while others have treasure as a reward for revealing them.

When you fill the requirements, you discover one of Isla Paradiso's Uncharted Islands, and it is instantly owned by your Sim's Household. All discovered islands automatically become private lots. You can click the Island's icon in map mode to move to your new island to start a home, or convert it to a Resort lot. It's all up to you. Many Sims 3 players will unlock them and choose a favorite to start a new home or build a massive luxurious resort with an amazing ocean view.

How to sell an Uncharted Island you have unlocked in The Sims 3 Island Paradise Expansion Pack
You can Sell unwanted Uncharted Islands for Profit

Selling Uncharted Islands
You can sell an Uncharted Island for profit if you know that you will not be using it. After selling them, they become private lots unowned by you and you can do nothing with them. These are worth tens of thousands, so selling some of the Islands is definitely worth considering. In order to sell a discovered Island, use your Sim's Cell Phone, select Real Estate and Travel Services then Check Real Estate. Go to the Private Lots tab, select an Island, and choose Sell at the bottom. If a lot has been converted to a Resort from Private Lot, its sell value will plummet so only convert if you'll build a good resort there as you cannot change it back to a Private Lot.

Isla Paradiso Uncharted Island Map

Here is a map showing where you find all of the Uncharted Islands in The Sims 3 Island Paradise Expansion Pack. Each picture on this page is clickable, allowing you to see the Isla Paradiso Island Map in full size. Descriptions on how to unlock each, the rewards you get when finding an island are below the map. At the bottom of the page, you can Comment and share your tips for revealing the hidden islands faster!

An Island Paradise Map marking the locations of all eight uncharted islands with their names below
Isla Paradiso Map Key
1: Beryl Shoals2: Diver's Den3: No Trouble Atoll4: Cay to the City
5: Refuge Island6: Mermaid's Secret7: Plunder Cove8: Plumbob Island


Discovery Requirements & Island Finder Rewards

Size is the size of the lot in edit town but not exactly the build area you get to work with when building a home or resort. Build Area is the estimated size of the area that is able to be used when you first receive your island. We judged the islands and categorized them into Small, Medium or Large just based on this initial look. With some extensive editing, some of the small islands could be customized to hold a larger home or resort if that is your wish.

For instance, the island of Plunder Cove rests on a 64 x 64 lot with a large hill taking up much of that space. With the creative use of certain terrain tools, you could flatten out the top to create a Pirate Lookout tower. There's the option to flatten the whole lot and then use the soften terrain tool to reform the coast line to set up your very own hidden mermaid inlet. Or maybe you'd enjoy raising the terrain on the edges to create cliffs surrounding your very own waterworld home. With any of these tools and others available in Build mode plus some planned imagination, these little islands could be any of your big dreams.

1: Beryl Shoals

The Sims 3 Island Paradise Expansion: Uncharted Islands - Beryl Shoals
Beryl Shoals
Size64x64
Build AreaSmall
Unlock
Requirements
To unlock this Island, simply take a boat nearby and it will be automatically discovered. It is the only island you can unlock through naval exploration.
RewardYou'll own an Island that could be your new home. Unfortunately, the only spawner is a Common Sea Shell spawner.


2: Diver's Den

The Sims 3 Island Paradise Expansion: Uncharted Islands - Diver's Den
Diver's Den
Size50x60
Build AreaMedium
Unlock
Requirements
Reach level 10 in the Scuba Diving. Go to that Guide to learn more about this and the cave you need to enter in order to find the island.
RewardTreasure Chest with $1200, gold, iron, palladium, and silver. Aside from that, there are a couple spawners.


3: No Trouble Atoll

The Sims 3 Island Paradise Expansion: Uncharted Islands - No Trouble Atoll
No Trouble Atoll
Size60x60
Build AreaLarge
Unlock
Requirements
Create a Five-Star Resort to unlock this island.
RewardA huge build area to make a Mega-Resort and upgrade your business.


4: Cay to the City

The Sims 3 Island Paradise Expansion: Uncharted Islands - Cay to the City
Cay to the City
Size30x40
Build AreaMedium
Unlock
Requirements
Rescue 35 Sims as a Lifeguard. This will take a long time, as CPR does not count - only pulling Sims out of the water, and the job can be slow-paced to begin with.
RewardA decent Resort area. I saw no good Spawners. Shame, since this one takes one of the longer time investments.


5: Refuge Island

The Sims 3 Island Paradise Expansion: Uncharted Islands - Refuge Island
Refuge Island
Size25x30
Build AreaSmall
Unlock
Requirements
Talk to a clerk at the sparkling sands resort and check in to the cheapest room available for two days. Talk to the clerk and ask for adventure. You'll be sent on an opporunity chain to talk to an old Sim, the Science Faciity, collect 3 Kelp (grows underwater), and Firewalk. I suggested this Resort because it has a Firewalking pit. Afterward, you'll need to fight a Shark. Carry lots of fish and Watch Shark until they finally attack you. The more raw meat on you, the more likely the attack. Save just in case your Sim dies to the Shark. Finally, return to the Science Facility to unlock the Island.
RewardThere's nothing major here, just another accomplishment for completionists. The Resort building area is tiny and the only thing I saw was a lone Fishing spot that looked decent. There could be more.


6: Mermaid's Secret

The Sims 3 Island Paradise Expansion: Uncharted Islands - Mermaid's Secret Island
Mermaid's Secret Island
Size30x30
Build AreaMedium
Unlock
Requirements
Befriend a Mermaid. Once your Sim knows one, you can Click your Sim to do an interaction to call a Mermaid to you if they're available. Get relationship over 70% and hang out with the Mermaid - scuba diving worked for me. Do nothing, but wait for the Mermaid to decide to show you the secret entrance.
RewardMermaid's Secret Island has a couple of great Sea Shell spawners and a decent area for you to build a beautiful Resort or make your Sim a Fantasy home on the shore.


7: Plunder Cove

The Sims 3 Island Paradise Expansion: Uncharted Islands - Plunder Cove
Plunder Cove
Size64x64
Build AreaSmall
Unlock
Requirements
In order to gain access to Plunder Cove, you must assemble the four map pieces. Two can be found using the Scuba Diving skill, and I've got pictures to help you find those map parts in treasure chests. Trouble is, that is only two of the four you need. Afterward, you must get them from Sea Shell spawners. Given the annoyance of finding them, I created a page with information on getting the last two map pieces to unlock the island.
RewardPlunder Cove contains a Treasure Chest that holds $1,200 Simoleons and a variety of colorful gems. Look for it hidden in the bushes on the Island.


8: Plumbob Island

The Sims 3 Island Paradise Expansion: Uncharted Islands - Plumbob Island
Plumbob Island
Size64x64
Build AreaSmall
Unlock
Requirements
Find a special Message in a Bottle that contains a riddle which leads to the Island. This can take a while, so I suggest you follow the link to a guide which will help you find that bottle.
RewardTreasure Chest with $3,333 in it, an Evolution of the Plumbob painting worth $12k Simoleons, and a Plumbob Cut Rainbow Gem


Isla Paradiso Map

Here is the same map from before, only with all islands revealed so you can see a full view of Island Paradise's World. Simmers who find all the Islands in IP will get many treasures, skill, and job experience along the way and unlock many spawner locations to find great collectibles.

A map of Isla Paradiso with all Uncharted Islands revealed so you can see the landscape of the entire world


Share Tips and FAQs (126)

Our Sims Forum is the place to go for faster answers to questions and discussions about the game. Use the form below to share your own experiences and provide helpful tips to other readers.

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First < 1 2 3
Thesimsplayer says...
I bought the lifetime happiness reward 'Uncharted Island Map' ( or something like that, don't play in english), and since it wasn't mentioned, i want to know which of the islands was unlocked. In the portuguese version it's called ' Angra do Saque'.
Admin:
That would be Plunder Cove same as the one you get map fragments for.
5th July 2013 10:56am
Carmen says...
I checked into Sparkling Sands resort for 2 nights and tried to ask about adventure at the front desk but when I click on the front desk, there is no option for that. There is only 'ask about diving spot'.
Admin:
Please remember that these comments have to go through the Admin to get posted. We received all four copies of this message. 

Do you have the special opportunity slot already filled?
5th July 2013 12:15pm
Carmen says...
No. My special pop slot is empty.
Admin:
Have you tried any of the other resorts?
5th July 2013 12:59pm
Carmen says...
Yes, I've tried 2 resorts.
5th July 2013 2:34pm
Rose says...
On Diver's Den, where is the treasure chest? I've searched a lot of it but still can't seem to find the chest.
Admin:
It's right in front of the rocks on the beach.
5th July 2013 5:15pm
Denise says...
I can't find a mermaid!!!!:(
1st August 2013 5:37am
Heather says...
Does anyone know why my Grand Explorer lifetime wish isn't fulfilled after I found all the islands? :( I do have other sims in my house, but I don't think that matters...?
25th August 2013 4:10pm
Knazzer says...
Can I add that CPR does count towards unlocking one of the island. The last three Sims I had to perform only CPR and the island unlocked for me.
30th July 2013 2:08pm
Linda says...
First I bought the lifetime reward of an uncharted island. Then later I found 4 map pieces in only treasure chests. When I wanted to reconstruct is, my game says the island already exists or something and I couldn't use the completed map. Do you know why I got that message?

Now I found one map piece in an bottle. But is it still possible for me to get all the 4 pieces? Because I already reconstructed one map. I really want Plunder Cove.
Admin:
You get that message because you already have the island. The lifetime reward and the four map fragments are the same island.
11th July 2013 5:18am
Geo says...
I found 3 map pieces while scuba diving. There are plentry of chests that I havent seen when I was examining the area before.I believe they appeared later on...
Admin:
There are actually a limited number of chests and they are always in the same locations.
18th July 2013 12:26pm
Tara says...
Thanks for the great guide! In the opportunity chain to discover Refugee Island my sims bought the three kelp in the grocery store (no need to find them underwater) and firewalked at their own resort with cool temperature.
17th July 2013 9:11am
Jackson says...
This will probably sound like a stupid question, but do the islands travel to each save file? I mean, do you have to unlock each island each save file? If so, that sounds like it would get rather tedious.
Admin:
Yes they are hidden in every save file until they are unlocked.
12th July 2013 8:59pm
Frances says...
Hi there, my Sim found a message in a bottle. When I hover my mouse over it in the Sim's inventory, it reads: "A strange riddle is scrawled on a piece of paper. It appears to be referring to an uncharted island nearby!" However, I can't interact with it. I tried clicking on it while in the inventory but nothing happens. I also tried taking it out of the inventory and placed it on a table but I can't click on it still. Help?
12th July 2013 8:45pm
Toradora says...
So does that mean you even x out the interactions the mermaid starts ?

Do you have to be underwater to find the mermaid's islands?

Can you be in any diver's port ?

Does it matter the order in which you find the islands ?
Admin:
No you just let the mermaid talk to your Sim. Eventually one of them will be "Show to Hidden Island." I don't think you can be taken there just floating on top of the water. I think it needs to be on a lot so diving underwater or on land.
11th July 2013 12:16am
I have a big BIG problem says...
I was dumb enough to make more than 1 sim, and now one of my sims has 3 pieces of the map and another sim has 1 piece, and now I cannot put them together.. What do I do?
Admin:
Kick out the Sim that only has one piece or go find a fourth piece.
10th July 2013 10:11am
Bonnie says...
My sims befriended mermaids after mermaids, even the king and still cant get invited to Mermaid island. She just keep treading water for hours upon hours. Any advice? Poor little human, never invited to the cook places
Admin:
Did you do it while diving or even while at the house?
8th July 2013 5:28pm
Bonnie says...
while diving. I invited them to dive, went under and talked with them awhile and then surfaced and waited. Am I missing anything? Thanks this site has been a great help!
Admin:
Once you have the right amount of relationship, You have to make sure you're not dominating the conversation.  This can be done in a dive spot (while actually diving not just above the dive spot) or at home.
10th July 2013 10:11am
Bonnie says...
ooooo, I will try that. thanks
11th July 2013 11:54am
Bonnie says...
it worked! Thanks Carl! My person let the mermaid do some talking and she showed her the island. Didnt even have to tread water for it. :-)
21st July 2013 3:57pm
K-Kat says...
If i want to make a building space bigger on an uncharted island and go to edit town and do make the building space bigger will it change the island like its surrondings and terrian and also does it have to be uncharted to actually change the building space?
Admin:
If you delete the lot that's available and place a bigger lot - it will change the the surroundings that had not been within the lot before. You can do this when you own the lot, too but you will lose ownership by deleting the lot. However, you should be able to just buy it back once you're in live mode again.
7th July 2013 6:51am
Shannon says...
My sim cannot greet Ethan Parrott to ask about refuge island
Admin:
It's random who they choose to be greeted.  Is he a celebrity?  What is your Sim doing and what is he doing when it happens?
24th July 2013 11:52am
KatzMeowz says...
I'm having an issue with this too. The first time I got the opportunity, the game canceled it because the sim was no longer available (he was a ghost, but had been a ghost for a while). I tried a 2nd time and I couldn't ask the sim b/c the relationship wasn't high enough. However, there are NO other interactions possible. I canceled it and tried again and the same thing happened again. The sims in the 2nd/3rd attempt are resort workers.
4th November 2013 7:10am
Roshiidewl says...
Hello, I'm confused right now about the Cay to the City. You mentioned there that the sim need to rescue 35 sims which is so hard to wait lol but I unlocked the Cay to the City saving only 25 sims. um I'm not sure if my game is glitch. i'm just confused. :)
Admin:
For me it was 35 Sims and I had wished it was 25. One of us is glitched but I'm not sure which one.
6th July 2013 2:24pm
Shay Mitchell says...
I'm trying to unlock The Mermaid Secret and I'm best friends with a mermaid. He hasn't asked me to the island yet, should I keep socializing with him? I've been doing it for a while but I can't figure it out!
Admin:
If you keep socializing with him, he won't be able to ask you. It's something he'll do of his own free will as long as you're not queueing up actions.
6th July 2013 3:11am
AyeAye says...
For PlumBob island, I actually didn't know you had to use a riddle or a bottle...

For some reason, I assuumed like some of the islands, that if you can naval navigate close enough near the island and then somehow click and zoom carefully, my Sim would be able to find the island.

Lo and behold it worked. I clicked as much as I could (boat here, or go here) but it's tricky as you can't use your mouse to move around otherwise it'll kick you off viewing your Sim, and end up looking at the ocean.

So just a note that you can reach this island without solving the riddle. But that sounded a bit more fun...lol!

Thanks for this page again!
Admin:
Do you have mods or anything? Do you know for sure it was Plumbob Island? I tried doing exactly what you just said.  My Sim was practically sitting in his boat on the shore and I cannot discover this island this way. I also can't get the camera that close to the island because the fog is pushing me back no matter what I try.
30th June 2013 7:55pm
ClumsyBlond says...
I asked the front desk at my resort about the adventure but it didn't do anything. Is that a bug or do I need to go to a different resort to ask?
10th March 2014 9:37am
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