What should I do first?

After the tutorial, focus on the basic loop — dive for fish during the day, serve them as sushi at night. Use the money to upgrade your oxygen tank and harpoon, and watch for new recipes from Bancho (the head sushi chef) at the end of each day.

What's the upgrade priority?

Oxygen tank (longer dives) first, then harpoon (more damage), then extras like the spear gun and knife. A bigger oxygen tank means deeper dives and longer stays, and a stronger harpoon lets you take down larger fish. Get both of these up first in your opening days.

Any tips for running the sushi restaurant?

Always season your sushi — wasabi and soy sauce push prices up 1.5-2x. Pair a few fancy signature dishes with a broader menu of simpler sushi for balance. Train your staff and assign roles for cooking, drinks, and cleaning so the kitchen flow stays smooth.

What do I do with surplus fish?

Send extras to the Fish Farm to multiply them, or stockpile them for busy nights. Check the farm daily, and as money builds, invest in farm expansions for a steady restaurant supply.

Dave the Diver Beginner Guide｜Daily Cycle, Diving, and Sushi Service

The Daily Cycle

Dave the Diver moves through a three-part day — daytime, evening, and the night shift.

1

Day — dive for fish

Head into the Blue Hole to gather fish. Watch your oxygen and weight.
2

Evening — prep and upgrade

Upgrade gear, check the Fish Farm, and review new recipes.
3

Night — sushi service

Turn the day's catch into sushi and serve customers. Seasoning raises prices.
4

Next morning — review

Check sales and decide what to upgrade next.

While diving, oxygen and weight are the two things you have to manage. The deeper you go, the faster oxygen drains, and going over-weight slows you down. Don't push your luck — head back early when limits get close.

Early-Game Upgrade Priority

Oxygen Tank More dive time directly translates to deeper exploration and bigger hauls Harpoon Stronger harpoon lets you take down larger fish for more revenue

Secondary Weapons (Spear Gun, etc.) Handles boss-tier and special fish Fish Farm Upgrades Stabilizes your restaurant's supply chain

Sushi Restaurant Basics

Element	Effect	Key Point
Seasoning (wasabi, soy)	1.5-2x price multiplier	Apply to every piece — never skip
Fancy dishes	High price but slow to prepare	Cap at a few signature items
Standard menu	Fast service for table turnover	Main fillers — keep several available
Staff training	Better cooking, drinks, cleaning	Specialize each employee

Forgetting to season a sushi piece literally halves its price. Make it a habit to season every piece from day one. Automation systems unlock later, but in the early game you have to think about it consciously.

Next Steps

Once the cycle clicks, dig deeper into each side. For restaurant operations, see the Sushi Restaurant Guide, and for diving and weapon upgrades see the Diving and Weapons Guide. For an overall take, the Honest Review is also worth a read.

★Honest Take — Once the Loop Clicks, the Night Disappears

Honestly, Dave the Diver is the kind of game where the day-night cycle clicks and you suddenly realize hours have evaporated. There's always a "next fish, next recipe, next upgrade" pulling you forward. Get the first few daily loops in place and the rest of the game naturally takes over.