Dire, Dire Docks

Dire, Dire Docks, commonly abbreviated DDD, is the ninth level in Super Mario 64 and Super Mario 64 DS, the game's second water-based level. Much of it is underwater, as are the majority of the stars. It consists of two main areas connected by an underwater passageway: the first is relatively empty, the other the location of the stars.

The level's first star, Board Bowser's Sub, must be collected to grant Mario access to Bowser in the Fire Sea, where Bowser is fought for the second time. After this star has been collected, the submarine it is found upon leaves the level, though it can be made to return in some versions of Super Mario 64 DS by beating Bowser in the Fire Sea by a character other than Mario.