Those little boats in Resident Evil Village by the dock aren't just decorative. There are ways to navigate through the rivers and lakes to find some treasure and secret areas by boating. But the big issue is that doing so requires a key and there is only one Boat Key in the entire game.
So in order to these rewards and uncover some of the game's biggest mysteries and advantages, Ethan needs the Boat Key. But it's not a simple task of finding it outright. It can only be acquired at a certain place and at a certain time. So hold onto your life preserver and get ready to go sailing in a post-apocalyptic world.
Trigger The Moreau Encounter
Sadly, boating is going to have to wait for a while. Enticing as it is to hit the open seas right away, the Boat Key is in an area that can't be accessed until after dealing with Lady Dimitrescu and Donna Beneviento. Thankfully, Morneau is not a missable encounter and players will be directed that way right after coming back from House Beneviento.
Just follow the snot-covered path and Ethan will reach his destination. After a brief interaction with Moreau, Ethan will be in a ton of trouble, but the path to the Boat Key will finally become available.
Go Back Toward The Entrance
Go back the same way that Ethan came in from. There is some slime that will pop up, but at this moment in the game, it doesn't block the way to the Boat Key, so don't waste any bullets or time trying to destroy it.
Eventually, the path back will divert. Ethan has absolutely no jumping capabilities, so there is no way he's going to long jump over the chasm that comes up, but there is some wood with yellow tape on the right. Smack the wood with a knife and a bridge will fall in place, allowing Ethan to cross over it.
This ends in an ambush attack underneath a dead tree. After killing these enemies, look to the right from when first entering. On the right, there is a shack and that shack has some key rings right next to the door. It's odd to have somebody put the keys back where they're supposed to be, but Ethan shouldn't complain about some rare good news. Pick up the Boat Key and leave the mine.
Get To The Boat
After defeating the zombie ambush, press on and find a small dock by the shore. There is a note on the table that states the Boat Key is to be left in a shack in the mine. Many players only now realize that the Boat Key was accessible earlier and now have to backtrack. Why the game puts the hint here instead of earlier is anybody's guess, but at least it's something.
All that's left to do is hop in the boat and sail to freedom. Well, not freedom so much as the place that the real fight with Moreau begins. That "eaten by a giant fish" comment wasn't an exaggeration.
The Boat Key is not a single-use item, though it can look like it's mostly cinematic at this point. Remember going forward that seeing a boat in the water means a secret might be around. Enjoy the waves and stay safe!