🎓 Beginner's Essential Guide

From zero to Blue Hole expert — controls, basics, money tips, and pitfalls to avoid

🎮 Controls Reference

Underwater Controls

ActionKeyboard/MouseController
MoveWASD / Arrow KeysLeft Stick
AimMouse MoveRight Stick
Attack / HarpoonLeft ClickRT / R2
Use ToolRight ClickLT / L2
Interact / Pick UpE / FA / X
Switch Tool1-4 Keys / Scroll WheelD-Pad
Booster DashShiftLB / L1
Open BackpackTab / ISelect / Touchpad
Ascend / DescendSpace / CtrlRB+Up / RB+Down

Sushi Bar Controls

ActionKeyboard/MouseNotes
Pour TeaLeft-click guestServe tea to each table first when opening
Serve DishClick sushi, drag to tableBancho places finished dishes on the counter
Collect PaymentClick gold on tableGuests leave payment after eating
Clear TableClick dirty dishesClean tables boost rating
Pour DrinksClick drink bar then guestBoosts per-customer spending

🌊 Basic Mechanics

Game Loop

Dave the Diver revolves around two core activities that alternate each day:

☀️ Day: Dive & Fish

  • Dive into the Blue Hole to catch fish and gather resources
  • Complete main and side quests
  • Explore new areas and caves
  • Manage oxygen and backpack capacity

🌙 Night: Run Sushi Bar

  • Make sushi from the day's catch
  • Serve customers and earn gold
  • Research new recipes
  • Upgrade shop and equipment

Diving Basics

  • Oxygen is your core resource: The starting tank supports about 2-3 minutes of diving. Running out forces you to surface and lose part of your haul
  • Backpack has weight limits: Different fish take different amounts of space. Prioritize keeping high-value fish
  • Dangerous creatures: Sharks, jellyfish, and large squid will attack. Keep your distance or challenge only when properly equipped
  • Seafloor terrain: Check caves, crevices, and seagrass areas — they often hide rare creatures or quest items

Sushi Bar Basics

  • Menu setup: Set the menu before opening each day, assigning caught fish to different sushi dishes
  • Serving speed: Depends on kitchen level and chef skill
  • Shop rating: Higher rating = more customers and more frequent VIP visits
  • Income calculation: Net profit = revenue minus ingredient costs

📅 First Day Step-by-Step

💡 Day 1 Goal: Get comfortable with basic controls, catch at least 5-8 fish, complete your first sushi bar opening, and earn 1000G+.

Step 1: Tutorial (about 5 min)

Follow Coban's guidance into the Blue Hole shallow area. The system gradually teaches movement, aiming, and harpoon use. Pay attention and don't skip the tutorial.

Step 2: First Free Dive (about 3-5 min)

After the tutorial, begin free diving. With limited oxygen on day one, here's the recommended route:

  1. Start in the coral area catching Clownfish and Butterflyfish (easiest catches)
  2. Then check seagrass for Seahorses (hidden in grass, look carefully)
  3. If you still have oxygen, search for Red Snapper (sandy bottom areas)
  4. Begin surfacing when oxygen reaches about 20%

Step 3: First Sushi Bar Opening (about 5 min)

Back at the sushi bar:

  1. Give your catch to Bancho
  2. Bancho prepares basic sushi (Red Snapper Sushi is the most profitable option)
  3. After opening: pour tea → wait for dishes → serve → collect payment
  4. Day 1 has few customers (2-3 tables), so it's easy to manage

Step 4: Spending Your First Earnings

After day one, you'll have about 1000-1500G. Prioritize these purchases:

  1. Harpoon damage upgrade (top priority!) — about 500G
  2. Oxygen tank upgrade — about 400G
  3. Save the rest as working capital

💰 Fast Money-Making Tips

Early Game (Ch.1-2) Strategy

  1. Upgrade harpoon first: Once you can catch medium fish, per-fish value jumps from 60-120G to 200-500G
  2. Night dive for squid: Squid swarms appear at night — net 5-8 at once, earning 600-1000G per trip
  3. Red Snapper + Salmon reliable route: Both are common during the day with good prices — your "salary fish" in early game

Mid Game (Ch.3) Strategy

  1. Tuna is the money tree: One tuna makes 2-3 sushi servings at 500-750G each — the core mid-game income source
  2. Farm self-sufficiency: Grow your own rice and nori — cuts ingredient costs by 50%
  3. Hire Elnino: His advanced recipes sell for far more than basic dishes
✅ Core Profit Formula Profit = Dish Price × Customer Count − Ingredient Costs − Staff Wages
To maximize: raise dish prices (R&D) + increase customers (raise rating) + reduce costs (farm)

🚫 Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Mistake 1: Diving too deep with low oxygen Continuing deeper when oxygen is low → forced to surface and lose most of your catch.
Fix: Start returning when oxygen hits 30%. Leave a safety margin.
❌ Mistake 2: Ignoring the farm Buying all ingredients from shops → high operating costs, thin profits.
Fix: Start farming immediately after unlocking in Chapter 2, especially rice.
❌ Mistake 3: Not upgrading weapons Struggling to catch large fish with the basic harpoon → capture failures and wasted time.
Fix: Upgrade the harpoon as your first investment — it's the most important tool.
❌ Mistake 4: Neglecting staff Running the bar solo → slow service, poor experience, customers leave.
Fix: Hire staff when expanding past 5 seats.
❌ Mistake 5: Poor menu planning Too many dishes without enough ingredients, or all low-profit dishes.
Fix: Keep 4-5 dishes, ensure each has abundant ingredients, and mix high and low profit items.

🚀 Advanced Tips

Efficient Fishing

  • Lead your shots: The harpoon has travel time — aim slightly ahead of the fish's movement
  • Net schooling fish: Squid, Glowing Jellyfish Swarms — one net catches multiple at once
  • Sedate before capture: Use tranquilizer on large dangerous fish, then capture safely
  • Use terrain: Corner fish against walls or rocks to limit their escape routes

Restaurant Efficiency

  • Stock up in advance: Don't dive every single day — occasionally stockpile 2-3 days' worth
  • Watch the weather: Stormy days prevent diving — stock up beforehand
  • VIP first: VIPs spend more and their reviews matter more — prioritize them
  • Rotate your dives: Day for regular fish, night for special species — alternate strategically
✅ Ultimate Advice The rhythm of this game is "slow is fast" — don't rush the main story. Take time to upgrade gear, accumulate funds, and fill your guide. Better equipment makes later chapters much smoother. Enjoy the journey of diving, fishing, and running your sushi bar!