Lost Maiamai

Mother Maiamai has lost her 100 children, 50 in Hyrule and 50 in Lorule. Her cave is in Hyrule, near the Lake Hylia entrance southeast of Link's house, behind a cracked wall you open with a bomb. Visit her and she gives you a map showing how many Maiamai are left in each area. Lost Maiamai make a little crying sound when you're close.

Mother Maiamai's Rewards

• Every 10 Maiamai: she upgrades one item of your choice into a stronger "Nice" version. You can upgrade the Bow, Boomerang, Hookshot, Bombs, Fire Rod, Ice Rod, Tornado Rod, Sand Rod and Hammer. You have to own the item, not rent it, to have it upgraded.
• All 100 Maiamai: she teaches you the Great Spin attack.

None of the upgrades are needed to finish the game, but they make the later dungeons much easier.

Where to Look

Maiamai hide everywhere: clinging to trees, under rocks, in shallow water, behind walls and under sand. To get them all you'll need most of your gear:

• Pegasus Boots: dash into trees to knock down the Maiamai clinging to them.
• Power Glove and Titan's Mitt: lift rocks and big boulders.
• Zora's Flippers: dive under water.
• Merging: slip along walls to reach ledges and hidden spots.
• Sand Rod: raise the sand in the desert areas.
• Tornado Rod: lift yourself up to high ledges and clear the gray tiles.
• Hookshot: cross gaps, especially on Death Mountain.
• Bombs: blow open cracked walls.

A few Maiamai can only be picked up during the Rupee Rush minigames, so check those courses too.

How Many in Each Area

Hyrule (50):

• Lake Hylia: 6
• The swamp: 3
• Eastern ruins and canyon: 5
• North plains: 7
• Lost Woods: 8
• Death Mountain: 5
• The desert: 3
• Around Hyrule Castle: 8
• Kakariko Village: 5

Lorule (50):

• Thieves' Town and Lorule Castle: 15
• The lake around Turtle Rock: 5
• Skull Woods: 8
• Misery Mire: 3
• The eastern ruins and canyon: 10
• Death Mountain: 6
• The northern plains: 3