Kerry Linley experiences a rejuvenating dive at the Fishbowl site in Porthkerris Cove
UKDIVING COMPETITION
Breathe, buoyancy, awe
Kerry Linley experiences a rejuvenating dive at the Fishbowl site in Porthkerris Cove
Briefing: Tucked into Cornwall’ s Lizard Peninsula, Porthkerris is the Fishbowl, a stunning natural amphitheatre teeming with life. It’ s where I rediscovered my love of diving. With just a short surface swim from the beach, you’ re transported into another world beneath the waves.
The Dive: After a decade’ s break from training, three attempts at my Sports
Post dive euphoria sets in
Diver qualification, and years of family and business life getting in the way, I finally had time to return to diving, and to myself. My best friend Victoria and I had joined our local club, CADSAC( Corby and District Sub- Aqua Club). It was my turn to be Marshall, lead the briefing, log all dives, and organise the debrief. Somewhere between the paperwork and surface checks, we squeezed in a dive of our own.
Slipping beneath the surface from the beach at Porthkerris, we kicked out along the reef. You don’ t need a boat here, just patience and good navigation skills. Kelp forests swayed gently in the shallows, parting to reveal spider crabs, starfish, and the biggest blue lobster I’ ve ever seen. The water was cool, visibility a generous 6-8 metres, and life was everywhere. Past the reef line, we descended into the Fishbowl itself— a semi-circular basin of boulders, cracks and gullies carved out over centuries.
And then, as if it had been waiting for me, I saw it: an octopus, tucked into a rocky crevice. It blinked, slowly, and slid one arm into view. We hovered, watching each other, neither moving quickly nor with fear – a rare moment of connection. I’ ve loved octopuses ever since a baby one wrapped around my arm on my very first try dive in Greece, but this was different. This felt earned.
I still fumble with kit and learn something new every time I dive. But beneath the surface, I find peace. No emails, no phone signal, no expectations- just breathe, buoyancy, and awe. Diving in the UK takes effort, but it gives back tenfold. The Fishbowl, with its magic and its mysteries, reminded me why I came back.
Debrief: The Fishbowl at Porthkerris is living proof that you don’ t need to travel far for a world-class dive. Accessible from shore, rich in marine life, and full of quiet magic- it’ s the perfect place to reconnect with the sea, whether you’ re newly qualified or returning after years away.
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