Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon - Route 3, Melemele Meadow, Seaward Cave

Route 3, Melemele Meadow and Seaward are the next key locations on your path through the Island Challenge.

Here on this page we'll explain all you need to know about the story and main events as they unfold here, and as with all pages of our walkthrough we'll highlight any and all trainers, items and wild Pokémon available to catch as well.

For more general guides and other walkthrough pages like this meanwhile, head back to our main Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon walkthrough and guide hub.

Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon Route 3

After finishing Captain Illima's Trial in Verdant Cavern, head to the north and you'll be on Route 3, a coastal path round the north end of the island that features some interesting wild Pokémon and a collection of Trainers.

The first part of the route functions quite normally, but as you get around the bend and start heading south back down the eastern side of the island, you'll notice a stressed-out Lillie and a path into the hills to the west.

That's the way to Melemele Meadow, and beyond that the intriguing Seaward Cave - we cover those just below - but when you're done there, continue back on southward in Route 3.

Crossing the bridge to the south, you'll find one last patch of grass. Here, you want to take a moment to pause, because in that specific patch you can find a Bagon, which evolves into Shelgon and then Salamence, one of the most powerful non-legendary Pokémon not just in Gen 7 but the entire series.

If you want a Dragon-type on your team, this is the one to get! (In fact, there's a tiny chance that Salamence itself will show up via SOS-chaining a Bagon, but as it's too early to really SOS-chain reliably at this point, we recommend you just go for a regular Bagon for now).

For more on Pokémon Ultra Sun and Moon, head to our main Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon walkthrough and guide hub, which includes guides to new Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon Pokémon and Pokédex changes, the Festival Plaza, a list of Global Missions and rewards, an explainer on Pokémon Bank, a dedicated page on Pokémon Competitive Training, including IV Training, EVs and hidden stats, Breeding 6IV Pokémon explained and how to farm Bottle Caps fast for Hyper Training. What's more, we have pages on the Rockruff event for getting Dusk Form Lycanroc and, last but not least, a full Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon QR codes list for adding all Pokémon to your Pokédex.

Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon Melemele Meadow and Seaward Cave

When you find the distressed Lillie at the entrance to Melemele Meadow, she'll tell you Nebby's run off again. Wade into the long yellow grass and you'll eventually find it.

In the far left of the meadow you'll also find a small hole in the wall. Head through it to find Seaward Cave, which leads down to another water route, Kala'e Bay, that you can explore later on when you have the Lapras Surf ability.

Inside the cave you'll encounter the Ultra Recon Squad once more, this time they'll actually battle you, but otherwise this is really a place for exploring and finding a few interesting Pokémon and items.

Outside it at the far end, note that you can read a strange note in a bottle that's washed up onto the shore. Talk to a woman in a house back in Iki Town, and she'll give you a Stardust in thanks!

Next up: Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon - Kahuna Hala Grand Trial, Fightinium Z and Tauros Charge

When you're all done, head back onto Route 3 and continue the southward journey. There's a trainer who'll only battle you if you've defeated every other on the Route (one easily missed trainer is actually past this one to the south, so you know), and note that this is the norm for a lot of Routes in Alola. It's worth doing, as they're a bit more of a challenge and you usually get a handy item as a reward!