Lagoon Layer SL101—also known as the second floor—is packed with 15 Banandium Gems that can all be collected during your first playthrough. Some are placed right at your landing zone, while others require solving terrain puzzles, entering challenge rooms, or swimming through newly flooded areas. Each gem contributes points that help power up DK’s Skill Tree and Bananza Mode.
This guide breaks down the exact locations, challenges, and methods to collect every pre-endgame Banandium Gem from #26 to #40.
Note: Gems #41–250 in SL101 only become available after finishing the main story.
All SL101 Banandium Gem Locations (Gems #26–40)
Lagoon Layer SL101 contains exactly 15 Banandium Gems accessible during your first story run—Gems #26 through #40. Some appear right as you enter, while others are hidden behind concrete plugs, inside challenge rooms, or become reachable after restoring water flow. Each entry below details when and how the gem becomes accessible.
1. Landed in Salvager’s Landing (Gem #26)
Location: At your landing point in SL101, after falling through the sinkhole from SL100
Challenge: None
This is a freebie gem awarded the moment you drop into SL101 from the layer above. After breaking the Void Stake in SL100 during story progression, the floor collapses and DK falls into Salvager’s Landing. The gem spawns directly in front of you and is worth 3 Banandium points—a great head start for upgrading skills.
See also: Forest Layer Ancient Record Guide – Donkey Kong Bananza
2. Shifty Smash: A Wall Hanging in Air (Gem #27)
Location: On a metal platform behind your starting point in Salvager’s Landing
Challenge: Yes – timed terrain destruction
As soon as you land in SL101, turn around. A small metal platform floats in the water behind you. Jump onto it and interact with a switch to trigger a timed challenge where shifting concrete appears on the wall. Use nearby Boom Rocks to destroy it before time runs out—two or three hits usually do it. If you fail, reactivate the switch to try again.
3. On the Ceiling of the Floor (Gem #28)
Location: Below a bridge near the SL101 entrance
Challenge: None
This one teases players early. While crossing a bridge near the SL101 entrance, look down and you’ll spot the gem embedded in the ceiling below. But you can’t reach it until you complete the reflooding sequence. Once the water is restored, swim beneath and punch upward to claim it.
4. Over the Thorny Path (Gem #29)
Location: Inside Challenge Room 2: Thorn-Choked Conveyor
Challenge: Yes
This is the first of three Banandium Gems located inside Challenge Room 2, known as the Thorn-Choked Conveyor. To access it, perform a Dive Punch near Salvager’s Landing. Inside, you’ll ride a conveyor belt filled with thorns. Use terrain chunks or Boom Rocks to smash your way forward and claim the first gem straight ahead.
See also: How to Unlock Hardest Outfits in Donkey Kong Bananza
5. Into the Thorny Nook (Gem #30)
Location: Left wall near the midpoint of Thorn-Choked Conveyor
Challenge: Yes
Continue further along the conveyor belt in the Thorn-Choked Conveyor challenge. After passing through two thorn walls, look to the left side for a hidden wall of thorns. Break it using explosives to reveal a secret nook with this second gem.
6. Through the Thorny Walls (Gem #31)
Location: End of the Thorn-Choked Conveyor challenge
Challenge: Yes
At the end of the same challenge course, more thorny walls block your way. Keep smashing forward until you reach the exit. The third gem is positioned at the far end, just before you leave the challenge room.
7. The Salvager’s Stash (Gem #32)
Location: Beneath the second hut to the right of the Style Shop in the village
Challenge: None
Talk to a Salvager NPC in the village, and they’ll mention a hidden stash below the town. The gem is buried in a sealed metal room beneath one of the huts. Head to the Style Shop, then go to the second small hut on the right. Crawl underneath to enter the secret room and collect the gem. A barrel cannon will launch you back out.
8. Battle: Concrete-Wall Clash (Gem #33)
Location: Near a green bridge just outside the Salvager village
Challenge: Yes – combat and terrain destruction
Near the green bridge just outside the village is a dais that starts a combat challenge. Slam it to begin. You’ll face two armored Crockoids separated by concrete barriers. Use Boom Rocks to break the walls and stun the enemies before punching them. Fast movement is key—the timer is tight. If time runs out, you can slam the dais again to restart the challenge. You can also use Kong Bananza punches if unlocked.
See also: Spinning Laser Zone Donkey Kong Bananza: All Gem Locations
9. Up, Over, and Across (Gem #34)
Location: Left of the bridge leading to the Elder’s Court
Challenge: None
This gem is tied to the story mission to restore water flow. After destroying one of the concrete plugs, you’ll be directed toward the Orangu-Hang Highway. Climb the path to the left of the bridge leading to the Elder’s Court. There’s a mesh ceiling here—cross it to find the gem embedded in the ground near a barrel cannon.
10. Within the Fast-Growing Grass (Gem #35)
Location: Back edge of the same island as Gem #34
Challenge: None
From the same area as Gem #34, head to the back edge of the island instead of taking the cannon. You’ll find a patch of yellow grass and a hanging mesh. Grab it and move quickly—thorns will regrow behind you and knock you off if you hesitate. At the fork, go right and circle around to reach the gem.
11. Hanging on the Orangu-Hang Highway (Gem #36 – x3)
Location: Directly ahead after falling into SL101 again from SL100 (via second Void Stake)
Challenge: None
After revisiting SL100 and returning via the second concrete plug’s Void Stake, you’ll automatically fall back into SL101. A trio of Banandium Gems awaits directly at the landing point, giving you 3 upgrade points instantly.
12. Concrete Wall on the Moving Floor (Gem #37)
Location: Above Orangu-Hang Highway platform with explosive terrain enemy
Challenge: Yes – terrain puzzle
Found at the far side of the Orangu-Hang Highway. After crossing the highway, you’ll see a platform with an enemy that spawns pillars of explosive terrain. First, use Boom Rocks to destroy a wall above the highway. Then bait the enemy to spawn a pillar beneath the opening. Climb it, grab terrain, and double jump through the hole. Ride the moving platform inside to get the gem.
See also: Donkey Kong Bananza Skill Tree: How to Open and Use It
13. Outskirts of the Fishing Village (Gem #38)
Location: Reachable by sinkhole from SL100’s Reservoir Bank
Challenge: Yes – exploration and hidden path
This is one of the trickiest in SL101. Start from SL100’s Reservoir Bank checkpoint and hike over the hills toward the edge of the island. You’ll find a crater. Dive Punch into it to reveal a hidden Void Stake. When broken, the Banandium Gem falls into SL101. Jump in after it to collect it.
14. Crossed to the Kong Elder’s Court (Gem #39)
Location: In front of Elder Kong after raising the bridge
Challenge: None
Progress through the main objective by destroying two of the three concrete pillars that block water flow. Once that’s done, the bridge to Elder Kong’s Court will rise. The gem is directly in front of the elder when you cross over.
15. The Ship Stern’s Snack (Gem #40)
Location: Behind Elder Kong, past stacked shipping containers
Challenge: Yes – mild climbing
Behind Elder Kong is a wall of shipping containers. Wrap around them to the far back-left corner. You’ll need to climb a bit, but the gem is easy to spot once you reach the end.
Total Pre-Endgame Gems: 15/15
All 15 Banandium Gems listed above can be obtained before clearing the story. They cover Gems #26 to #40, and each contributes to skill tree upgrades and Bananza ability growth. None require post-game tools or transformations.
After completing the main story, new collectibles become available across SL101—Gems #41 through #250. These include tougher challenge rooms, sealed gates, and late-game traversal puzzles, expanding exploration significantly.
Why You Should Collect Banandium Gems Early
Banandium Gems are more than just optional rewards—they’re essential for progression and long-term power scaling. Each gem grants 1 or 3 Banandium points, which are used to unlock nodes on DK’s Skill Tree and enhance Bananza Mode abilities. These upgrades can improve combat effectiveness, traversal skills, and even unlock new movement types.
Related Guides You Might Like:
- Donkey Kong Bananza Jump Shot Guide (Double Jump Tips)
- Donkey Kong Bananza Beginner Tips and Tricks Guide
- Get the Last Banana in Bramble Country – Donkey Kong Bananza
- Donkey Kong Bananza Skill Tree: How to Open and Use It
- Spinning Laser Zone Donkey Kong Bananza: All Gem Locations
While not mandatory to complete the story, collecting them early allows players to tackle tougher challenges with greater ease and flexibility. In late layers—especially during post-game—having spent Banandium wisely can mean the difference between survival and frustration. Play Now!
