The Ultimate Secret of Monkey Island [SE] Walkthrough (spoiler-free)

A classic game deserves a classic walkthrough. Concise and spoiler-free. Best viewed through your mobile SteamApp for an uninterruptible game-play experience!

Intro

Ahoy, scallywags! The Secret of Monkey Island[en.wikipedia.org] is a 1990 point‑and‑click graphic‑adventure from Lucasfilm Games, set in a fantastical Caribbean during the golden age of piracy. The idea was hatched by Ron Gilbert, Tim Schafer, and Dave Grossman[en.wikipedia.org].

In this guide:
• Areas are underlined.
• Characters are italicised.
• Items appear in bold.

TIP:  
On PC, the ALT and CTRL keys are your best friends!  
Full shortcut list here:  
MISE Manual (PDF)

Best viewed in the Steam mobile app.

Part 1: The Three Trials

• enter the Scumm Bar
  
• talk to the Important Looking Pirates about ALL the three trials, then leave them to their grog
  
  
• wait for the Cook to leave the screen (past the red curtains)
  
• sneak into the kitchen
  
  
• pick up meat above the table
  
• pick up pot under the table
  
• open the rear kitchen door and head to the pier
  
• walk to edge & trip the plank inline with the bird - do it a few times
  
• pick up the fish before the bird gets back
  
• use hunk o'meat in pot o'stew - pick up hunk o'meat
  
• use fish in pot o'stew
  

   Eating cooked fish may reduce the risk of Salmonella infection[pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov] 

• pick up fish
  
• exit the ScummBar
  
• go to the lookout area and exit to the map

• go to clearing/circus
  
• agree to do a circus stunt for 478 pieces o'eight
  
• give pot to the brothers
  
• exit circus

• head to the fork (in the map)
  
• walk into forest (any path)
  
• pick up yellow flowered plant
  
• exit the forest

• head back to the village
  
• keep heading right past the ScummBar

• talk to Citizen of Melee
  
• talk about 'Dominique'
  
• buy the map for a 100 pieces o'eight

• talk to men of low moral fibre
  
• mention the sneaky man at the opposite corner
  
• agree to take the PTA for 2 pieces o'eight

• look for and enter the voodoo store (the same row as the Citizen of Melee)
  
• enter the door
  
• once inside pick up rubber chicken
  
• talk to the Voodoo Lady about everything
  
• exit voodoo store
  
• enter archway under the clock

(pssssst... entering the alley is optional)

[save game]

• enter the general store
  
• pick up shovel + pick up sword
  
• buy shovel + sword from the strorekeeper
  
• Ask about the SwordMaster
  
• exit store and follow the storekeeper

CORE TIP:
The strorekeeper will walk past the lookout
and head towards the fork on the map.
Don't lose him or you might have to start all over again from the store!

- Swordplay

• Head to the SwordMaster’s house and speak with her.
  
• Leave the SwordMaster’s house—you’ll need training from Captain Smirk first.
  
• Exit the area to return to the world map.
  
  
• Travel to the house on the far‑eastern edge of the map.
  
• A troll will stop you at the bridge.
  
• Hand the fish to the troll.
  

  Warning: eating raw fish raises the risk of Salmonella infection[pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]—no red herring here; the danger is real!

• Continue on to the eastern‑most house.
  
  
• Open the door.
  
• Ask Captain Smirk for sword training.
  
• Say “I DO SO!!” three times.
  
• Pay 30 pieces o’ eight and show your sword.
  
• Exit to the map, now slightly poorer.
  
• Head to the location shown below…

• Duel every wandering pirate on the map.
  
• Stand still and let them walk past you
  (the spot just left of the fork in the image above works best).
  
• To start a duel, say: “My name is Guybrush Threepwood—prepare to die!”

This is the game’s slowest grind—patience is key.

CORE TIP:  
New insults come without replies.  
Always open with an insult you already know the comeback to, then follow with a fresh one.  
Roaming pirates will feed you the missing replies more quickly that way.

Lose as often as needed, harvest as many insult/reply pairs as possible, and keep going!

*Credits to Masked‑Man

• Return to the SwordMaster’s house once you’ve mastered the standard insults.
  
• Defeat the SwordMaster—Carla twists the phrasing, but the replies stay the same.
  
• Leave the SwordMaster’s house and head back to the map.

- Treasure Hunt

• Head to the fork on Melee Island.
  
• Inspect the map in your inventory.
  
• Follow the map directions — the first turn is up/north.

back  = the path heading up/north  
right = the path on the right‑hand side of your screen  
left  = the path on the left‑hand side of your screen  

• Use the shovel on the giant X.
  
• Leave via the forest path.

- Thievery

(because pirates can’t spell “thievery”—’tis an honor among ’em!)

• Head back to the village.
  
• Go to the governor’s mansion.
  
• Open your inventory, combine the yellow flower with the meat.
  
• Give the resulting poisoned‑meat to the poodles.
  
• Enter the mansion.
  
• Open and go through the door beside the vase.
  
• Exit the mansion.

(You might need something…)

• Head to the prison.
  
• Talk to the prisoner.
  
• Leave the prison.
  
• Enter the store.
  
• Speak with the storekeeper.
  
• Buy the breath mints.
  
• Return to the prison.
  
• Give the breath mints to the prisoner.
  
• Hand over the gopher‑repellent (from your inventory) to the prisoner.
  
• Open the carrot‑cake in your inventory.
  
• Go back to the mansion.
  
• Re‑enter the gaping hole in the wall.
  *(Finish the scene.)*
  
• Attempt to leave the mansion.
  
• Pick up the fabulous idol.

Part 1.5: Ship & Crew

• Go to the SwordMaster’s house, talk about the governor, then leave the forest.
  
• Enter the ScummBar.
  
• Pick up every mug.
  
• Talk to the cook.
  
• Step into the kitchen.
  
  [save game]
  
  

  ⚠ GROG MELTS YOUR MUG! ⚠  
  If you run out of mugs, return to the ScummBar and grab new ones.  
  
  

  
  
• Use a mug on the barrel.
  
• Leave the ScummBar and head toward the prison.
  
• En route, pour the grog‑filled mug into an empty mug.
  
• Use the fresh grog on the prison lock.
  
  
  
  
• Leave town and exit to the map.
  
• Travel to the island northeast of the map.
  
• In your inventory, use the chicken on the cable.
  
• Open the door and enter the house.
  
• Discuss the governor and ask for a crew.
  
• Accept the challenge and open the door/grate.
  
• Poke the murderous‑winged‑devil.
  
• Exit the house and use the rubber‑chicken on the cable.

• Exit to the map and head to the shipyard (the lights).
  
• Tell Stan, “I really don’t have much to spend.”
  
• Ask about getting a ship “on credit.”
  
• Say, “This isn’t the ship for me,” and leave.
  
• Say, “You need to think about it,” and leave again.
  
• Stan hands you his card.
  
  

  SAVE GAME and have your phone ready to record video.
  

  
  
• Return to the village and enter the general store.
  
• Tell the Storekeeper you need a note of credit and that you have a job.
  
  

  Record a video of the Storekeeper opening the safe with your phone,  
  or use this link (thanks to  
  Anderson!).
  

  
  
• Claim your occupation is “cleaning ships at Stan’s.”
  
• Ask about the SwordMaster so the Storekeeper leaves the shop.
  
• Attempt to open the safe.
  
  

  • Study your recorded video.  
      push = clockwise  
      pull = counter‑clockwise  
  • Repeat the combination.  
  • Works every time!
  

  
  

• Return to the Used Ship Emporium (Stan’s shipyard).
  
• Ask Stan “…about the cheap one.”
  
• Tell him, “I have credit from the Storekeeper.”
  
  
• Ask Stan how much it’s worth — $10,000.
  
• Discuss every extra and reply, “…I can live without it.”
  
• Say, “Enough about extras.”
  
• Ask again how much it’s worth — $7,300.
  
• Tell Stan, “Forget it…”
  
  NOW WAIT A SECOND!
  
  
• Say, “Maybe you’re right.”
  
• Restart the bargain.
  
• Run through all the extras again, saying you can live without each one.
  
• When he asks, say, “Enough about extras.”
  
• Ask the price again — $6,300.
  
• Make an offer: $5,000. (Heh‑heh!)
  
  
• Examine the Grog‑machine; note the root beer.
  
• Leave to the map and head back toward the town/village.

Part 2: The Journey

You will begin in the captain’s cabin.

• Open the drawer on the table.
  
• Look inside the drawer — take the book.
  
• Pick up the feather‑pen.
  
• Pick up the ink.
  
• Leave the captain’s cabin and head to the ship deck.
  
• Climb the rope ladder beside the cannon.
  
• Take the jolly roger (flag).

• Return to the ship deck.
  
• Enter the hatch behind Meathook (left of the rope ladder).
  
• Go through the lower hatch to the bottom of the ship.
  
• Open the kegs.
  
• Pick up the giant piece of rope.
  
• Open the chest in the lower‑right corner.
  
• Look inside the chest — take the wine.
  
• Exit via the upper hatch.

• Enter the kitchen door nearby.
  
• Open the cupboard.
  
• Take the cereal.
  
• Open the cereal in your inventory.
  
• Open the prize you find inside.
  

• Return to the captain’s cabin.
  
• Use the key on the cabinet to the right.
  
• Pick up the chest.
  
• Open the chest.
  
• Examine the chest.
  
• Read the piece‑of‑paper now in your inventory.

Head back to the kitchen and add these to the cooking pot:
• cinnamon sticks  
• breath mints  
• jolly roger  
• ink  
• fine wine  
• rubber chicken  
• gun powder  
• cereal  

• Use the map with the red‑hot fire under the pot, then leave the kitchen.
  
• Head down the lower hatch again.
  
• Scoop more gunpowder from the kegs.
  
• Return to the main deck.
  
• Use the giant piece of rope on the cannon.
  
• Pour the gunpowder into the cannon nozzle.

[save game]

• (Optional) Touch the flaming mass to the fuse.
  
• Place the pot near the cannon.
      *Credits to Boober*

Part 3: Monkey Island

There are four beaches on this island (see the map above):
– north beach
– west beach
– south beach
– east beach

• Read the note and take a banana.
  
• Enter the jungle path.
  
• Head to the west beach.
  
• Pick up the note.
  
• Return to the jungle.
  
  
• Go to the fort near the volcano’s rim.
  
• Push (or pull) the cannon.
  
• Take the rope.
  
• Grab the spyglass.
  
• Pick up the cannon ball.
  
• Scoop up some gunpowder.
  
• Head back into the jungle.

Save the game—you’ve been warned!

• Go to the river fork.
  
• Lift the rock on top of note.
  
• Climb to the footholds above the river.
  
• Read the note.
  
• Pull the lever twice.
  
• Climb higher via the footholds and push the rock.
  Aim only for the banana tree on the beach below.
  

  Watch the animated GIF carefully:  
  
  

Hitting the Sea Monkey changes a scene but not the ending.  
Saving now lets you explore both outcomes.

If you don’t mind spoilers, see this  
link (thanks to  
Russ).

• Return to the river fork.
  
• Use gunpowder on the dam.
  
• Ignite it with the cannonball and flint.
  

• Head to the Pond (if you’re not already there).
  
• Pick up the second rope.
  
  
• Exit the area and go to the south beach with the banana tree.
  
• Take the bananas.
  
• Re‑enter the jungle.
  
  
• Head to the crack.
  
• Tie both ropes together and descend to the valley floor.
  
• Pick up the oars.
  
  
  
• Return to the south beach.
  
• Use the oars on the rowboat (later, just click the boat to row).

• Row northeast around the island.
  
• Beach the boat at the east beach.
  
• Pick up the note in the bottle.
  
• Row north.
  
  
• Dock at the north beach.
  
• Pick up the bottle.
  
• Enter the jungle.
  Don’t bother crossing the island from here—trust me.
  
  
• Go to the village.
  
• Move to the far‑left screen with the main hut.
  
• Take the bananas from the fruit bowl.
  
• Attempt to leave.
  
• Talk to the cannibals; mention a three‑headed monkey twice.
  
• Pick up the skull, memo, and loose board.
  
• Exit the jungle.

• Board the rowboat.
  
• Return to the south beach.
  
• Head into the jungle.
  
• Find the monkey on the southern island.
  
• Feed the monkey all your bananas—monkey eat, monkey follow.
  
  
  
• Lead your new friend to the clearing with the Monkey Head.
  
• Walk past the ‘private property’ sign toward the Monkey Head.
  
• Note the totem pole with a nose.
  
• Pull the nose—monkey see, monkey do.
  
  
• Enter the Monkey Head area.
  
• Examine the idols and take the wimpy‑little idol.
  
• Exit to the jungle.
  
• Row to the north side of the island.
  
  
  
• Return to the cannibal village; approach the main hut, then try to leave.
  
• Get captured again.
  
• Declare you’re “…a mighty pirate.”
  
• Give the wimpy‑little idol to the cannibals.
  
• Enter the main hut, grab the banana‑picker, and exit.
  
• Meet Herman Toothrot and hand over the banana‑picker.
  
• Leave the village.
  
  
  
• Row to the east beach.
  
• Go to the clearing with the big Monkey Head.
  
• Use the monkey‑head key on the gigantic monkey ear.
  
• Enter the gigantic monkey head (exploration optional but encouraged).
  
  
  
• Revisit the cannibals.
  
• Say, “Well, actually there is something…” → “30 dead people + 1 woman.”
  
• Ask for the “…POTION.”
  
• Hand over the green leaflet.
  
  
  
• Head back to the east beach.
  
• Re‑enter the catacombs beneath the giant monkey head.
  
• Use the head of the navigator to choose your path—good luck!
  
  
  Once you locate the ship:
  
• Before boarding, USE the necklace from navigator in your inventory.
  
• Talk to the navigator head in your inventory.
  
• Beg for the necklace four times (“please… pretty please…”).
  
• Wear the necklace (Guybrush should glow blue).
  
• Board the ship.
  
  
  
• On deck, enter the hatch below (right of the ghost band).
  
• Walk past the right‑hand passage.
  
• Pluck a ghost feather from the chicken.
  
• Return to the previous room.
  
• Tickle the sleeping ghost crew twice with the ghost feather (while his right arm is extended).
  
• Take the jug o’ grog.
  
• Climb the ladder out of the hatch.
  
  
  
• Move to the ship’s left side.
  
• Open the door and enter LeChuck’s cabin.
  
• Use the magnetic compass on the key.
  
  
  
• Return to the storage room with the ghost chickens/pigs.
  
• Unlock the hatch with the key.
  
• Descend into the lower hatch.
  
• Pour the jug o’ grog into the dish.
  
• Collect the cooking grease.
  
  
  
• Go back to the upper deck.
  
• Lubricate the squeaky door with the grease.
  
• Take the ghost tools.
  
  
  
• Return to the storage room.
  
• Use the ghost tools on the glowing crate in the right corner.
  
• Look inside the opened crate.
  
• Take the root.
  
• Leave the ship and head for the caves/catacombs.
  
  
• Speak with the cannibals once more, then exit the village.

Part 4: ... 4Elaine

[save game]

• Zap every ghost, then head for the church on High Street.
  
• Pick up the bottle at Stan’s Shipyard.
  
• Use the root‑beer bottle (from inventory) on LeChuck.
  

GG

The Secret of Monkey Island is…


Zzzzz…

Outro

Ahoy there, ye daring seadogs, seasoned salts, and fearless buccaneers!

Three hearty cheers—you’ve bested the quest! 🏴‍☠️⚓️

If this humble guide kept your course true, drop anchor in the comments and smash that 💗. Every shout‑out fills my sails and charts a path to new adventures!

May your rum stay strong, your compass point true, and the wind forever favor your sails.

Fair winds and following seas,

Ready for the next voyage? Raise anchor for Monkey Island 2!

Monkey Island 2
https://store.steampowered.com/app/32460/Monkey_Island_2_Special_Edition_LeChucks_Revenge/

[leahcim4686]

That's why I prefer this walkthrough. If a guide includes all dialogue and/or story then there's no point playing the game, imho.

[Skapelboi]

@KraftBert

I asked myself the same question! A text guide can be considered spoiler-free as long as it avoids revealing key story details, major plot twists, or important cutscenes. It simply provides the steps needed to progress without giving away the surprises—making it a much better option than a video walkthrough!

"But I can only show you the door. You're the one that has to walk through it."
-Morpheus

[Kraft Bert]

How can a walk-trough be spoiler free?

[leahcim4686]

The instruction to tickle the ghost mentions his arm which led me to believe that his armpit needed to be tickled. I stared at the game for nearly 5 minutes waiting beside the ghost for him to extend his arm before looking up another guide that specified his feet.

[Baka_Wisdom]

How is the monkey island map not on the wiki! Its so good! I gave up and found a speedrun of the game to find the stinking fort!

[DELIBRIUM]

you don't need to cook the fish before you give it to the troll on the bridge, it is after all a red herring...

[N1nj4 1T]

Great guide without spoilers, if game's help is not enought

[Heckate]

Loved the guide. It helped me out a lot in more than a few places where I got tripped up.

[Boober]

This is a great guide! Just wanted to say at the end of Part 2, you can use the pot on yourself without lighting the cannon fuse and it will automatically go through the motions of lighting it and getting inside.

Also, once you get the Monkey Key from Toothrot, you can simply re-enter the cannibal village to go through the process of getting the navigator head. Hope this helps streamline a little bit :)

[Leybi]

Thanks for this guide ! It helped me to finally finish this game :)