How to Reach Booty Bay in WoW 1.12.1

Section: World & travel 5 min read Vanilla 1.12.1 · x5 Updated 11.10.2026

How to get to Booty Bay is a question every player above level 30 asks sooner or later: this is where dozens of Stranglethorn Vale quests are turned in, where the fishing tournament takes place and where the boat from Kalimdor docks. Booty Bay is a neutral goblin port open to both Alliance and Horde. Here are all the routes on the WoW x5 server (Vanilla 1.12.1).

Booty BayNeutral port in southern Stranglethorn Vale

Steamwheedle CartelGoblin guards and a meeting point for both factions

Contents

Where Booty Bay Is
How to Get to Booty Bay as Alliance
How to Get to Booty Bay as Horde
Where the Booty Bay Entrance Is
Booty Bay: Summary Table
Hearthstone and Fast Travel
Why Go to Booty Bay
Related Guides

Where Booty Bay Is

The port stands at the southernmost tip of Stranglethorn Vale in the south of the Eastern Kingdoms. The town is built on wooden tiers around a lagoon and is shielded from the land by cliffs. Nearby landmarks are Janeiro's Point with its goblin statue at the mouth of the bay and the Bloodsail Compound on the coast to the north. The surrounding area is meant for roughly levels 40–45, so walking here through the jungle at a low level is risky.

Booty Bay at sunset: the tiers of the goblin port above the lagoon

How to Get to Booty Bay as Alliance

From Stormwind, take a gryphon to Darkshire in Duskwood.
From Darkshire, head west and then south along the main road into Stranglethorn Vale.
Follow the road through the whole vale to the south, past the Gurubashi Arena, to the coastal cliffs.
Go through the tunnel and learn the flight path from the gryphon masters on the upper tiers.
From then on you can fly to Booty Bay directly, for example from Stormwind or Westfall.

From Kalimdor, the easiest Alliance option is the boat from Ratchet; the port is covered in the Ratchet guide. The full overland route is in how to get to Stranglethorn Vale.

How to Get to Booty Bay as Horde

In Orgrimmar or Undercity, board the zeppelin to Grom'gol Base Camp on the west coast of Stranglethorn Vale.
Learn the flight path there and set your hearthstone.
Follow the road south through the jungle to the Booty Bay tunnel and learn the Horde flight path.
From then on, take a wind rider from Grom'gol, Stonard or Kargath.

If you are leveling in the Barrens, there is a shorter way: the boat from Ratchet arrives straight in Booty Bay. The route to the port is in how to get to the Barrens.

A ship at the pier: the route between Ratchet and Booty Bay

Where the Booty Bay Entrance Is

From land, the only way in is a tunnel whose entrance is shaped like the jaws of a giant shark. The road from Grom'gol and from the north of the vale leads straight to it.
The boat from Ratchet docks at a pier inside the lagoon.
The town is neutral: goblin guards attack whoever starts a fight inside, unless you have ruined your own reputation with Booty Bay. Killing goblins lowers it, killing Bloodsail pirates raises it; see Booty Bay reputation.
Alliance and Horde use separate flight masters, but the inn, bank and auction house are shared.

Booty Bay: Summary Table

Route	Alliance	Horde
On foot	Darkshire and the road south	Grom'gol Base Camp and the road south
By air once discovered	Gryphons from Stormwind, Westfall	Wind riders from Grom'gol, Stonard, Kargath
From Kalimdor	Boat from Ratchet	Boat from Ratchet
Hearthstone bind	The Salty Sailor Tavern	The Salty Sailor Tavern

Hearthstone and Fast Travel

The Booty Bay inn is the Salty Sailor Tavern, run by the goblin Innkeeper Skindle. Bind your hearthstone here if you spend a week leveling in the south or running Zul'Gurub. Hunters can shorten jungle travel with a class aspect.

The Salty Sailor Tavern on the tiers of Booty Bay

HearthstoneBinds when picked upUniqueUse: Returns you to your home location. Speak to an Innkeeper in a different place to change your home location.

Aspect of the CheetahHunter, level 2040 ManaInstantThe hunter takes on the aspects of a cheetah, increasing movement speed by 30%. If the hunter takes damage, he will be dazed for 4 sec. Only one Aspect can be active at a time.

Why Go to Booty Bay

The port is where the cartel and Stranglethorn Vale quests are turned in, including the famous hunt the Green Hills of Stranglethorn, and on Sundays a fishing tournament is held off the coast; gear and tips are in the fishing guide. It is also a convenient base for raiding: see how to get to Zul'Gurub. The bank, trainers and shops are described in the Booty Bay city guide, and all the world's ships and zeppelins in the travel guide and the flight paths guide.

Related Guides

Ready for the goblin port? Create an account and connect to the server on WoW x5 — Booty Bay awaits.

FAQ

Where is Booty Bay?

At the southern tip of Stranglethorn Vale in the south of the Eastern Kingdoms. It is a neutral goblin port of the Steamwheedle Cartel, open to both factions.

How do I get to Booty Bay from Kalimdor?

Take the boat from Ratchet in the Barrens. It sails between the two goblin ports with no stops and carries Alliance and Horde players alike.

Does Booty Bay have a flight path?

Yes, two of them: gryphons for the Alliance and wind riders for the Horde. Each faction uses only its own flight master, and you have to discover the flight path by visiting the town first.

Is Booty Bay dangerous for the other faction?

The town itself is neutral: goblin guards attack whoever starts a fight and protect visitors. But if your reputation with Booty Bay has dropped to hostile, the guards will attack you instead.