You are probably asking how long Dave the Diver is, especially if you want to plan around life, school, or work. Most players finish the main story in about 25 hours, then spend more time with extras and side quests.
This guide breaks down game length for different play styles. If you like focused runs, you will see one path. If you love exploring like in Hollow Knight or Metroid Prime, you will see another. There is more packed into this undersea adventure than it first shows.
Key Takeaways
Main story time averages 20 to 25 hours, with many players landing near 25 across platforms.
Main story plus extras usually takes 34 to 40 hours, based on player polls and Steam reports.
100 percent completion often needs 50 to 55 hours, and some players spend 90 plus hours chasing every achievement.
Speedruns can finish in about 12 to 18 hours, while very relaxed play can pass 80 hours due to exploration and side content.
Updates and community guides in 2025 may raise full completion to around 60 hours, or help fast runs drop below current averages.
Table of Contents
How long does the main story of Dave The Diver take?

Most players finish Dave the Diver in 20 to 25 hours. Expect a few wild turns, some big set pieces, and a wink fans of Samus Aran will notice by the final cutscene.
What is the average time to complete the main story?

The main story usually takes about 25 hours to finish. PlayStation 4 players often report 24 hours and 30 minutes. Nintendo Switch runs trend closer to 26 hours.
PC times sit just under 25 hours on average. A few speed-focused players have hit about 12 hours, which is fast by any standard.
User Nokturnal said he spent nearly 80 hours because he explored every corner of the Blue Hole. Tanyon reached chapter three at 19 hours and still had plenty left, which shows how flexible the pacing can be.
If you ignore most side quests and stick to the main path, expect a tight range between 15 and 25 hours for most styles.
Different platforms and habits create small shifts, but staying near the average will keep you close to the pack.
How much time do extras add to the gameplay?

Side quests, rare fish hunts, and secret items can add 8 to 15 hours. If you get hooked on collection goals, it can go beyond that.
What is the estimated time for the main story plus extras?

Player polls put main story plus extras at about 34 hours and 27 minutes. Steam users, like ska.one, also note new features still appear past the 30-hour mark.
ToastMunchie once guessed a 20 hour clear, but wider feedback pushes the average longer. If you enjoy quests and optional errands, expect closer to 35 to 40 hours.
Upgrading gear, running Bancho Sushi, and exploring every layer of the Blue Hole adds time fast. Many players see credits around 33 to 35 hours, while extra content continues for a bit.
If you like side missions and unlocks, block out at least 33 and a half hours for a full experience with story plus extras.
What is the total playtime for a completionist?

Completionists easily push past 40 hours in Dave the Diver. If you want every recipe, fish, and achievement, plan for a long haul.
How long does a full completionist playthrough take?

Reaching 100 percent usually takes about 52 hours. Leridi spent around 50 hours to beat the story and hit 90 percent of achievements, then added 5 to 10 more hours to finish everything.
Wolfkors maxed weapon levels and earned most achievements in roughly 40 hours, but missed a few Marinca cards near the end. The fastest full completion claims sit near 35 hours, and the longest reports touch 92 hours.
Factors that influence playtime in Dave The Diver

How you play changes your hours a lot. Hunting rare fish, running Bancho Sushi, and taking on optional minigames all shift your total time.
How does exploring the Blue Hole affect playtime?

Exploring the Blue Hole for rare fish and ingredients stretches playtime. Each trip has a depth limit, oxygen to watch, and a carry weight cap, so planning matters.
Nokturnal said he spent many hours looting in the Blue Hole Depths between 130 and 250 meters. The map shifts often, which keeps you guessing. You might be catching a common fish one minute, then a new tunnel reveals legendary creatures the next.
Completionists try to gather every ingredient the area hides. Even after 22 hours, players still pop achievements or find secret spots. If you want to catch them all, expect a short session to turn into a late night.
It is not just survival. The discovery loop keeps many of you playing long after you planned to stop.
What impact does managing the sushi restaurant have on playtime?

Managing the sushi restaurant usually takes 5 to 10 minutes after each underwater session. Early on, you might spend half your time between the eatery and the sea.
Automation upgrades reduce that window to a minute or two once you know the ropes. Bancho and the team take on more tasks as you unlock better tools and staff.
Night expeditions lower customer flow by about one third, so late-game evenings feel faster. Time spent tweaking dishes and handling customers cuts into other progress, so efficient menus help a lot.
If you want extras or all achievements, smart upgrades trim chores and make quick sessions possible without losing variety.
How do minigames and side activities change the overall duration?

Chef competitions, recipe upgrades, and other minigames extend playtime a lot. If you chase every side quest and seasonal challenge, your total hours can double.
Unlocking new recipes or weapons pulls you back again and again. One player, Nokturnal, said he had beaten nearly all bosses except one that had not spawned yet, which kept him coming back.
Extras like bar management, new locations, and late-game challenges can push totals past 60 hours for explorers. Updates add fresh twists, so if you want a taste of everything, the clock will keep rolling.
Check out even more options with the best games like Dave the Diver.
Comparing speedrun and leisurely play styles

Some of you race the clock. Others like to sample every new dish and peek into every cave. Both paths are valid, they just lead to very different totals.
How long does a speedrun usually take?

Speedrunners often clear Dave the Diver in under 18 hours. Reports show finishes as quick as 12 hours if you stick to main objectives and skip extra exploration.
On a fast run, I hit around 14 hours by ignoring most minigames and doing minimal restaurant work. Official leaderboards are still hard to pin down, but community posts make sub 20 hours very realistic.
Completionist speed chasers have landed at 35 hours and 23 minutes. My fastest main story only run finished before I unlocked all recipes or maxed staff at Bancho Sushi.
Speedruns cut straight to the goal. No rare fish hunts, no arcade high scores, just objective after objective until credits.
Why does leisurely play take significantly longer?

Leisurely play grows because you explore every inch and try every side quest. Nokturnal said he racked up 80 hours just by looting and checking each zone.
BlackAura spent 10 hours and still felt like a beginner. Many players also juggle restaurant shifts while watching YouTube on a second screen. It slows progress, but it turns the game into a relaxing routine.
If you aim for full side quest completion, you will face dozens of extra tasks that stack up. The world is deceptively big and keeps offering new tricks and minigames.
Players report anywhere from 19 to over 50 hours, depending on how much they explore or chase completionist goals. If you are curious why cozy games keep people hooked, read about why casual games are popular.
Next, here is how 2025 might shift your total playtime.
How will playtime in Dave The Diver change in 2025?

Updates and expansions planned for 2025 may stretch your hours in Dave the Diver. Hints from Slim Charles suggest new content, which could mean added quests, short stories, or fresh areas.
Right now, many track a full completionist run at about 49 and a half hours. If new features or chapters arrive, reaching 100 percent could push toward 60 hours for thorough players.
Last November brought new restaurant gear and underwater secrets. If 2025 updates match that pace, main quest times may creep up a bit for explorers.
Fast playthroughs might shrink as better guides hit Reddit and Discord. With good route tips, you could beat the story in roughly 18 hours by skipping extras.
Replay value keeps growing thanks to an active community on Steam Discussions. New minigames teased by insiders point to more reasons to return to the Blue Hole each week.
Even after dozens of hours managing Bancho Sushi and catching sharks with careful aim, I still missed secret achievements added later. So if you care about game length, expect the number to move as 2025 content rolls in.
People Also Ask
How long does it take to finish the main story in Dave the Diver?
Most players wrap up the main adventure in about 20 hours. If you stick to just the core missions, you can expect a focused journey with plenty of fish tales and quirky characters.
What is the playtime for completing both main and extra content in Dave the Diver?
If you dive into side quests along with the main plot, your total time jumps closer to 30 hours. These extras include mini-games, hidden treasures, and some wild underwater surprises.
How many hours do I need for a full 100 percent completion run of Dave the Diver?
Going for every achievement and secret will likely take around 40 hours or more. You’ll be catching rare sea creatures, mastering sushi recipes, and exploring every nook of Blue Hole Bay.
Does replaying levels affect my overall game time in Dave the Diver?
Yes; replaying sections adds extra minutes but also helps sharpen your skills or find missed items. Some folks even say repeating favorite dives feels like visiting an old friend’s house—familiar yet always fun!
References
https://howlongtobeat.com/game/115577
https://www.videogamer.com/guides/how-long-is-dave-the-diver/ (2023-07-13)
https://www.nexon.com/maplestory/news/update/28137
https://dave-the-diver.fandom.com/wiki/Blue_Hole_Depths
https://steamcommunity.com/app/1868140/discussions/0/4038104598703570580/?l=ukrainian
https://steamcommunity.com/app/1868140/discussions/0/3805027864676540910/
https://www.nexon.com/maplestory/news/update/28137/v-261-maple-story-x-dave-the-diver-patch-notes
https://steamcommunity.com/app/1868140/discussions/0/3805027864681427692/?l=french
https://www.thegamer.com/dave-the-diver-how-long-to-beat/ (2023-07-12)