Where to find Princess Ruto in Ocarina of Time

To find Princess Ruto in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, you must first obtain the Silver Scale. This requires talking to King Zora in the southeastern side of Zora Domain, who informs you that Princess Ruto is missing and suggests you seek her at Lake Hylia.

By conversing with a Zora near the entrance of Zora Domain, you'll learn about an underwater tunnel connecting the domain to Lake Hylia. However, diving that deep without assistance is not possible. To enable this, you must complete a diving training challenge by collecting five scales underwater at the top of a waterfall. Upon successful completion, you'll receive the Silver Scale from the Zora.

With the Silver Scale in hand, exit the room where you met King Zora and head northwest to find a Zora at the top of a waterfall. Engage in the diving training, collecting the necessary scales to obtain the Silver Scale. Dive into Lake Hylia using the scale.

Once submerged, look for an object emitting a blueish glow near Zora swimmers at the entrance to the area. Dive to collect a bottle containing a scroll inside. Return to Zora Domain and, after resurfacing, open the bottle to read the letter inside. The letter reveals that Princess Ruto is inside Lord Jabu-Jabu's belly, and while she requests confidentiality, this information must still be conveyed to King Zora.

Approach the King with the information in hand, selecting the bottle using either R or L and using it in front of him by pressing ZR. Upon doing so, King Zora will take the letter, open it, and arrange a way for you to access Lord Jabu-Jabu's belly dungeon. There, you can save Princess Ruto.