Katie Maggs, Marine Conservationist
Katie Maggs is a marine conservationist, underwater photographer, presenter and qualified BSAC snorkel instructor based in Penzance, Cornwall. As the founder of Tonic of the Sea, a registered snorkel centre, Katie delivers guided snorkelling experiences, rockpool safaris, educational guides and online courses designed to help people safely explore, understand and connect with Cornwall’s magical marine environment for fun, wonder, awe, education and wellbeing.
As a college Deputy and lecturer in Psychology and Health Sciences Katie is passionate about the health and wellbeing benefits of blue spaces due to her own personal experiences. Due to this Katie works extensively in social prescribing, delivering snorkel and rockpool sessions that support mental health and wellbeing for individuals referred through organisations including Women’s Aid, Addaction, Age UK and the NHS. Her work combines outdoor learning, nature connection and ocean-based experiences to help people build confidence, resilience, purpose, belonging and wellbeing.
Alongside her educational work, Katie is a dedicated marine conservation advocate. She has previously volunteered as a Marine Mammal Medic with the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR), responding to seal, dolphin, porpoise and whale incidents, whilst also contributing to local conservation initiatives through acting as chair of the Mounts Bay Marine Group, including vital work in seagrass monitoring, kelp forest surveys, cuttlefish conservation and lobster release projects.
Katie has appeared in award-winning conservation films and is the subject of the BAFTA-nominated short film Tonic of the Sea, which explores recovery from chronic stress, anxiety and burnout through daily immersion in the ocean. Her expertise and underwater photography have also been featured by the BBC onprogrammes including Countryfile, Winterwatch, Springwatch, Radio 4 Open Country and The One Show, helping to showcase the extraordinary marine life found around the Cornish coastline.
Through her photography, film-making, online learning resources and social media presence, Katie inspires audiences to discover and protect the underwater world, revealing the beauty and biodiversity that exists just beneath the surface of Cornwall’s seas. Her species guides, educational resources and online courses have helped make marine education more accessible, encouraging people to develop their knowledge, confidence and connection with the ocean wherever they are. She is an ambassador for Surfers Against Sewage and has also worked as an ambassador promoting safe and responsible snorkelling and open-water swimming with the Outdoor Swimming Society, Wetsuit Outlet and Swim Secure.
As the 2025 winner off the ‘BBC Make a Difference Award -the Green category’ driven by a lifelong love of the sea, Katie continues to champion marine conservation, ocean literacy and the powerful connection between nature, wellbeing and community, inspiring thousands of people to engage more deeply with the coastline and the protection of Cornwall’s diverse and ever changing marine species.
To find out more about Katie or to get in touch you can explore her social media @tonicofthesea or visit her website www.tonicofthesea.co.uk
