Dive Masters (also known as Diver Down, Deep in Thought, Octopus' Garden, Holy Diver, Crossroads, Coming Up for Air, and Beastie Buoys) is a recurring challenge that originated in Survivor: Vanuatu and has since reappeared in Micronesia, Philippines, Cagayan, Millennials vs. Gen X, Heroes vs. Healers vs. Hustlers, Ghost Island, and Survivor: David vs. Goliath.
Rules
Each tribe must retrieve items attached to an underwater rope, with each progressive item being deeper than the one before it. The first tribe to retrieve all their items and finish a final task wins the challenge.
History
The challenge debuted as the first Reward Challenge after the Tribe Switch in Vanuatu. The contestants had to pull themselves along a vertical underwater rope, retrieving markers along the way. After ten minutes, the tribe with the most markers won Pringles, beer, and a trip to the waterfalls of Vanuatu. Although the challenge was closely fought by both tribes, Lopevi ultimately collected the most markers, winning the challenge and reward.
In Micronesia, four members of each tribe had to dive down to a 9.1 m long steel cage that contained coconuts painted in tribe colors and with letters on them. Once all the coconuts had been retrieved and put in a floating bin, the bin had to be pulled back to shore. The four remaining castaways would unscramble a word puzzle using the letters on the coconuts. Malakal defeated Airai after Malakal's strongest swimmer, Ozzy Lusth, took his time to move all the coconuts to the end of the steel cage for easier retrieval to win a reward of chickens.
The challenge reappeared in Philippines, as an Immunity Challenge. One by one, the castaways, had to dive down and retrieve eight wheel-shaped puzzle pieces clipped to an underwater rope. Once all were collected, they used the puzzle pieces to identify a mystery eight-letter word ("treasure"). Kalabaw solved the puzzle first, and was soon followed by Tandang, sending Matsing to Tribal Council for the third straight time. In addition to immunity, Kalabaw and Tandang also got fishing gear, while Kalabaw, who finished first, also earned a canoe.
In Cagayan, the challenge was once again used as an Immunity Challenge. One member from each tribe would dive to retrieve a buoy in the water. Once all five buoys had been brought back to the platform, one tribe member had to shoot the buoys into a basket out in the ocean. Solana easily cruised to victory, with the challenge coming down between Aparri and Luzon. Though most of Aparri was trying to throw the challenge, several members of Luzon, most notably J'Tia Taylor, struggled. This allowed Aparri target Cliff Robinson to unknowingly save himself, sending Luzon to Tribal Council again.
In Millennials vs. Gen X, the challenge was the first Immunity Challenge following the tribe expansion. All members of each tribe had to dive to retrieve a buoy in the water, then swim to a platform. Once all five buoys were on the platform, one tribe member had to shoot the buoys into a basket out in the ocean. The tribes were given the possibility to attempt to hook the basket closer to the platform, making the shooting easier. Vanua quickly fell behind due to CeCe Taylor and David Wright both taking a lot of time to bring their buoys to the platform, allowing Ikabula and Takali to win immunity before Vanua could toss a single buoy into their basket.
In Heroes vs. Healers vs. Hustlers, three members of each tribe had to swim out to a floating net ring. They then had to dive down and maneuver sets of puzzle pieces and bring them to the remaining two members. The two remaining members then used the pieces solve a signpost puzzle featuring several previous Survivor locations. Soko came from behind to take first place, followed by Levu, sending Yawa to their first Tribal Council.
In Ghost Island, two pairs from each tribe had to race through a series of obstacles in the water. They then had to dive to release two sets of buoys. Another member then need to gather up all of the marked buoys to the finish, where the last four members needed to shoot all eight in a basket to win. Malolo fell behind after James Lim struggled to release the second set of buoys 8 feet below before a reluctant Donathan Hurley managed to do so. This gave Naviti time to get all of their buoys in easily, sending Malolo back to Tribal Council.
Winners
| Episode | Challenge Type | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| Vanuatu "Earthquakes and Shake-Ups!" |
Tribal Reward |       Lopevi |
| Micronesia "That's Baked, Barbecued and Fried!" |
Tribal Reward |         Malakal |
| Philippines "This Isn't a 'We' Game" |
Tribal Reward/Immunity |       Kalabaw |
      Tandang | ||
| Cagayan "Our Time to Shine" |
Tribal Immunity |      Solana |
      Aparri | ||
| Millennials vs. Gen X "Idol Search Party" |
Tribal Immunity |       Ikabula |
     Takali | ||
| Heroes vs. Healers vs. Hustlers "I'm a Wild Banshee" |
Tribal Reward/Immunity |       Soko |
     Levu | ||
| Ghost Island "Can You Reverse the Curse?" |
Tribal Reward/Immunity |           Naviti |
| David vs. Goliath "Tribal Lines Are Blurred" |
Team Reward |     Carl, Davie, Kara, Mike |
Gallery
Trivia
- Ami Cusack, Eliza Orlins, and Jonathan Penner have all competed in this challenge twice.
- Jonathan won both times, while Ami and Eliza have only won once.
- The eventual runner-up has always been on the winning tribe.