Last Harbor Guide
Last Harbor expedition guide
How to plan a Last Harbor expedition: route planning, risk tiers, what to bring, and how to extract with a full hold.
An expedition in Last Harbor is a structured scavenging run with a defined start, a route, a target and an extraction plan. Done right, it is the most efficient way to fill your hold with high-tier loot. Done wrong, it is the most common way to lose your boat. This guide covers the planning framework we recommend.
The expedition framework
Every Last Harbor expedition has four phases: plan, sail, scavenge, extract. The plan phase is non-negotiable. The sail phase is the easiest. The scavenge phase is the most variable. The extract phase is where most expeditions go wrong — players over-stay, run out of stamina, and have to leave loot behind.
Planning: target selection
Pick one island per expedition. Don't chain islands — the time cost is too high. The target should be the highest-tier island you can reach and return from within your fuel budget. If you can't extract in 2× the time it took to reach the island, you are over-extending.
Planning: what to bring
Bring 2 repair kits, 1 melee, 1 ranged, 4 bandages, 1 antibiotic, empty containers, and a fishing rod (always). The total weight should not exceed 50% of your carry capacity — you need room for the loot you are bringing back.
Sailing: route
Sail with the current, not against it. Approach the target island from the lee side (the sheltered side). Drop anchor 50 meters offshore and listen before you commit. If the island is overrun, move on — don't force a bad expedition.
Scavenging: target priority
Prioritize fuel, then high-tier materials, then weapons, then everything else. The 80/20 rule applies: 80% of the loot is in 20% of the buildings. Find the high-density building (the one with the most containers) and clear that first.
Extraction
Extract with a half-empty hold if it means leaving in daylight. Never extract at night. Always leave 20% of your stamina in reserve for the swim back to the boat if the engine dies. If the engine dies on the approach, do not board — drop the loot, sail back manually, and come back for it later.