Cloud Islands

Cloud Islands are a unique online mode where you get a special Cloud Island that you can sculpt with as you please. You have the ability to create your own island to share and to invite people in, as well as being able to join other people's islands. This requires a Nintendo Switch Online subscription

The islands are basically a reset and one giant map for you to create whatever you want. All your items from the main story do not carry over and so it is starting anew, but your Pokédex and recipes lists remain. The island you enter is its own thing and has materials from every area and biome in the game allowing for you to use them how you see fit.

All Pokémon can be summoned in the area, including standard Tangrowth and the Pokémon Center has a Pokédex within which to track your Pokédex. Like the other areas, it also has its own shop and Environment Level.

Any items you procure during the Cloud Island will remain there, even if they are done by your friends

Some Cloud Islands are essentially read only, offering a virtual way to look through them and explore so that other players can go in, not interact with eachother and you can basically explore the island without damaging it. To do this, you need to purchase the Mysterious Goggles item from the shop and use them. From there, you can explore the islands virtually. When you create a Cloud Island, you have the ability to set it to be a Virtual Island as well.

Periodically, official Cloud Islands are released to explore by The Pokémon Company.