Final Fantasy VIII - Side Quests & Secrets

Cactuar Island is a small island located south of Esthar; it is recognizable by it being a desert with a randomly appearing (and disappearing) cactus. This "Cactus" is the Jumbo Cactuar, a cactuar that has grown to immense size.

This quest becomes available when you obtain the Ragnarok (Disc 3).

Ruins located on the Centra continent in the south; home of Odin and the Tonberry King GFs.

This quest can be done when Balamb Garden is mobile (Disc 2).

You can find Chocobo's to ride in Chocobo Forests; there are seven on the map you can go to once you have the flying Garden. In order to catch a Chocobo, you must solve a puzzle in the forest you are visiting.

These can be started when Balamb Garden becomes mobile (Disc 2).

In the very south-western corner of the map is a small, wrecked facility.

Here you can obtain 2 powerful GFs; Bahamut & Eden.

This quest is available when you obtain the Ragnarok (Disc 3).

The Obel Lake quest is a big scavenger hunt for two items; Three Stars and Luck-J Scroll.

This quest can be done when you obtain the Ragnarok (Disc 3).

Shumi Village is located due North of Balamb on a small island off the coast of the Mainland.

The side quest becomes available to you from Disc 2 (When Balamb Garden can move).

UFO's have been spotted, let's go alien spotting!

This quest is available when you obtain the Ragnarok (Disc 3).

Winhill is a town to the south west of Timber and can be visited once Balamb Garden becomes mobile (Disc 2).

Zell has a secret admirer who is a member of the Garden Library Committee.

During the game, there are several optional scenes that lead to gaining stock of a magic but, more importantly, Combat King 003.

This quest lasts for a while and there are things to do at certain points in the game.