How To Start Dave the Diver In the Jungle DLC
To start the Dave the Diver: In the Jungle DLC, either load a save that has finished the main story and follow Dr. Bacon’s call, or use the direct-start option from the main menu if you want to jump into the DLC without completing the base game first.
The normal way to start In the Jungle is through a completed Dave the Diver save. After loading in, Dr. Bacon contacts Dave about a strange problem at a jungle lake. From there, the game points Dave toward Bancho, then back to Dr. Bacon before the trip to Utara Lake begins.
There is one important warning before starting: once Dave leaves for the jungle, the game treats it as a point of no return until the expansion is finished. Make sure the save is ready before confirming the trip.
Jump To
How The Jungle DLC Unlocks
How To Start From A Completed Save
How To Start Without Beating The Game
What To Do Before Leaving
Why The DLC Is Not Starting
How The Jungle DLC Unlocks
Dave the Diver: In the Jungle normally unlocks after finishing the main story of the base game.
That is the cleanest way to play the DLC because In the Jungle is built around Dave, Bancho, Dr. Bacon, the restaurant loop, and the fishing systems players already know from the main campaign. It is not just a tiny side quest or cosmetic add-on. It is a full expansion that sends Dave away from the Blue Hole and into Utara, a jungle village near a freshwater lake.
The DLC includes a new area, new fish, new missions, new villagers, new restaurant systems, boss fights, minigames, and a different style of progression. Because of that, players who have not touched Dave the Diver in a while may feel a little lost at first. The basic answer is still simple: finish the main story, load the save, and wait for the DLC intro to begin.
How To Start From A Completed Save
To start In the Jungle from a completed Dave the Diver save, load into the game after installing the DLC and wait for Dr. Bacon to call Dave.
Dr. Bacon explains that something strange is happening at a lake deep in the jungle. That call begins the setup for the expansion. After the call ends, go to the sushi restaurant and talk to Bancho. Dave will convince Bancho to come along for the trip.
After speaking to Bancho, Dave is told to call Dr. Bacon again. This second call is the real confirmation step. Once the trip is confirmed, Dave and the crew leave for Utara Lake, and the In the Jungle expansion begins.
The basic steps are:
| Step | What To Do |
|---|---|
| 1 | Install the In the Jungle DLC |
| 2 | Load a save that has beaten the main story |
| 3 | Answer Dr. Bacon’s call |
| 4 | Go to the sushi restaurant and speak to Bancho |
| 5 | Call Dr. Bacon again to confirm the trip |
| 6 | Leave for Utara Lake and begin the DLC |
This is the best route for returning players. It keeps the story in order and makes the DLC feel like a true follow-up to the base game instead of a separate mode.
How To Start Without Beating The Game
Players can also start Dave the Diver: In the Jungle without beating the main story by using the direct-start option from the main menu.
This is useful for players who bought the DLC and want to see the new jungle content right away. From the title screen, choose the new game option and look for the skip or direct-start option for In the Jungle. This lets Dave begin the expansion without needing to clear the full base campaign first.
That said, I would only use this option if the goal is to jump in fast or test the DLC. The better experience is still to finish Dave the Diver first. In the Jungle assumes the player already understands diving, oxygen management, catching fish, upgrading gear, and running a restaurant.
For brand-new players, the base game campaign usually takes a while to finish. The DLC is more demanding than the early game, so skipping straight into it can make the first few hours rougher than they need to be.
What To Do Before Leaving
Before leaving for In the Jungle, upgrade Dave’s oxygen tank as much as possible and finish anything important in the Blue Hole.
Oxygen matters because it also works like Dave’s health. In the Jungle has dangerous freshwater creatures, including stronger enemies that can punish sloppy movement. A weak oxygen tank makes the DLC more frustrating because every mistake becomes more expensive.
At minimum, it is worth checking these before calling Dr. Bacon the second time:
| Before Starting | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Upgrade the oxygen tank | More oxygen means more room for mistakes during dangerous dives |
| Upgrade key gear | Better tools make hunting and survival easier |
| Finish loose errands | The DLC locks Dave into the jungle until the expansion is done |
| Remember the restaurant basics | The DLC introduces a new restaurant style with different movement |
The jungle restaurant does not work exactly like Bancho Sushi. During the early DLC tutorial, Dave gets introduced to Utara Village, local characters, new jungle mechanics, and the new restaurant setup. The restaurant side gives Dave more freedom to move around and handle guests directly, so it feels different from the original sushi bar loop.
How to Fix If DLC Is Not Starting
If Dave the Diver: In the Jungle is not starting, the most likely reasons are that the DLC is not installed, the save has not finished the main story, or the player has not followed the Dr. Bacon and Bancho steps yet.
Use this checklist first:
| Problem | What To Check |
|---|---|
| No Dr. Bacon call | Make sure the main story is finished on that save |
| DLC does not appear | Confirm In the Jungle is purchased, downloaded, and installed |
| Playing on console | Restart the game or console after installing the DLC |
| New player trying to skip ahead | Use the direct-start option from the title screen |
| Talked to Dr. Bacon once but nothing happened | Speak to Bancho at the sushi restaurant, then call Dr. Bacon again |
The biggest point players miss is that the first Dr. Bacon call is not the final step. Dave still needs to talk to Bancho, then confirm the trip with Dr. Bacon afterward.
If the DLC still does not start, close the game fully and reopen it. On console, a full restart can also help if the DLC downloaded but the game has not properly refreshed yet.
Final Blurb
Dave the Diver: In the Jungle starts after the main story, but players can also use a direct-start option from the main menu if they want to jump straight into the DLC. The normal route is to load a completed save, answer Dr. Bacon’s call, speak to Bancho, then call Dr. Bacon again to leave for Utara Lake.
Before confirming the trip, upgrade Dave’s oxygen tank and finish anything important in the Blue Hole. Once the jungle trip begins, Dave cannot freely return until the expansion is over.
