Dave the Diver’s In the Jungle DLC is the biggest content expansion the game has received, and it is well worth jumping into as soon as possible. However, getting started works a little differently depending on where you are in the base game. Whether you have a completed save ready or are starting completely fresh, here is everything you need to know to get into the jungle without wasting any time.

Dave the Diver’s In the Jungle DLC Release Date, Price, and Platforms

Dave the Diver: In the Jungle released on June 18, 2026. You can purchase the DLC for $9.99 USD on your preferred platform. The expansion is available on the following platforms:

Platform	Available
PC (Steam)	Yes
PlayStation 5	Yes
Xbox Series X/S	Yes
Xbox One	Yes
Xbox Cloud Gaming	Yes
Nintendo Switch 1 and 2	Yes
iOS	Yes

It is also an Xbox Play Anywhere title, meaning a single purchase covers both Xbox console and PC on that platform.

How Long Is the In the Jungle DLC?

The In the Jungle expansion is far larger than any previous Dave the Diver content pack. The main storyline takes around 7 to 8 hours to complete, while finishing all side quests, mini-games, and additional content pushes total playtime to approximately 18 to 20 hours. For context, the base game’s campaign takes roughly 20 to 30 hours, putting this expansion close to the scale of a full standalone game.

Do You Need to Finish the Base Game to Play the DLC?

This is one of the most common questions players have, and the answer is: not strictly, but it is strongly recommended. Mintrocket has built in an option for players who want to jump straight into the DLC without a completed save, which is helpful if you no longer have access to your original save file or are playing on a new platform.

However, the developer recommends completing the base game first since the DLC takes place after the main story’s events and references characters and plot threads you will only know if you played through the original campaign.

How to Start In the Jungle from a Completed Save

If you have already finished Dave the Diver and reached the epilogue, starting the DLC is straightforward.

Follow these steps:

1. Load your existing save file that has reached the base game’s epilogue.
2. Once Dave is on the boat at the Blue Hole, Dr. Bacon will appear and tell him about strange happenings in a lake deep in the jungle.
3. After the conversation ends, head to Bancho Sushi and speak to Bancho. Dave will automatically convince him to join the expedition.
4. Call Dr. Bacon again on your phone to confirm you are ready to leave.
5. A cutscene will play, and the group will travel to Utara Village, kicking off the DLC.

If Dr. Bacon does not appear when you board the boat, try skipping time or performing a dive and returning to the surface. This should trigger his arrival.

Important: Calling Dr. Bacon to confirm is a point of no return. Once you leave for the jungle, you cannot return to the Blue Hole until the expansion’s story concludes. Make sure you have completed everything you want to do in the base game before confirming your departure.

How to Start In the Jungle Without Beating the Base Game

If you do not have a completed save, Mintrocket introduced a Skip to Jungle option specifically for this situation. Here is how to use it:

1. From the title screen, select New Game.
2. Choose the Skip to Jungle option when prompted.
3. The game will take you directly to the boat with Cobra, and Dr. Bacon’s introductory visit will trigger as normal.
4. Follow the objectives of the opening To a New Place quest to begin the DLC.

Before confirming this option, be aware that starting a new game will overwrite all autosave files. If you want to preserve an existing save, select the Backup option when prompted and create a manual save before proceeding.

Should You Start from a Completed Save or Skip to Jungle?

If you have the option, starting from a completed save is the better choice. Here is why:

Starting Method	Key Advantage
Completed save	Carry over upgraded gear, Air Tank, and iDiver upgrades
Skip to Jungle	Jump in immediately without needing the base game progress

An upgraded Air Tank in particular makes a significant difference early in the DLC, since the freshwater enemies in Utara Lake deal more damage than the creatures you faced in the Blue Hole. Going in with better O2 capacity means less risk of getting wiped out by crocodiles, electric eels, or aggressive catfish while you are still finding your footing.

What to Expect Once You Arrive in Utara Village

After the opening cutscene, the DLC’s prologue puts you on a mostly guided path through Utara Village, introducing you to the new villagers, the freshwater lake, and the mechanics that make this expansion feel like a separate game within a game. Key new features include:

• Freshwater lake diving replacing the Blue Hole as your main dive zone
• Bancho Grill, a jungle restaurant replacing Bancho Sushi, where you cook freshwater and jungle-sourced dishes
• Village relationship systems with Utara residents that unlock new guests and menu items
• Ancient ruins beneath the lake with hidden dangers and loot
• Jungle Gun, a versatile new weapon that can switch between multiple combat forms
• Turn-based jungle combat encounters on land
• More than 30 new characters to meet

Once your first Bancho Grill service night is done, the researcher Muna gives you your first proper quest and the DLC opens up fully.

Key Takeaways

• In the Jungle launched June 18, 2026, and costs $9.99 USD on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and iOS.
• The main story runs 7 to 8 hours, with full completion around 18 to 20 hours.
• Players with a completed base game save start the DLC by loading their epilogue file and waiting for Dr. Bacon to appear on the boat.
• Players without a save can use the Skip to Jungle option from the New Game menu on the title screen.
• Leaving for the jungle is a point of no return, so tie up any loose ends in the base game first.
• Upgrading your Air Tank before departing is strongly recommended, since Utara Lake’s enemies are more aggressive than the Blue Hole’s.
• Mintrocket describes this expansion as closer to a full standalone experience than a typical DLC, and the playtime reflects that.