The Old Diving Bell in Deep Docks stays shut until you reach Act 3 and finish the relevant SEEK objectives. Once those are done, speak with Ballow in Deep Docks, meet him in the control room above the bell, and he hands you the Diving Bell Key. Use that key on the bell door, and the bell becomes your route down to the Abyss.
Finding the bell early is possible, but the door will not open until the progression gate is met. The steps below cover the unlock in order, along with what to expect on the first descent and why the bell needs a later repair before it can return you to Deep Docks.
Where the bell is and why it is locked
The Old Diving Bell sits at the bottom of Deep Docks. You can reach that area after defeating Forebrothers Signis & Gron, but the bell itself is not usable at that point. Its door is shut by an ornate clamp, and the in-game inspection text reads: “An old diving bell. Its door is shut tight by an ornate clamp.”
The door is an Act 3 progression gate. Reaching the bell early lets you see it and understand its purpose, but you cannot open it until the story has advanced far enough to hand you the key.
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How to unlock the bell, step by step
- Reach Act 3 and complete SEEK: Awaiting the End. When this objective is finished, Hornet is directed to seek aid in Deep Docks.
- Continue through SEEK: The Dark Below. This objective is part of the key route. It follows the Snail Shamans and leads to the point where the key is given.
- Speak with Ballow in Deep Docks. Ballow, a Deep Docks worker, agrees to help and then moves to the control room above the bell.
- Go to the control room above the bell and meet Ballow there. He is waiting for you in that room, not at his earlier location.
- Accept the Diving Bell Key from Ballow. He hands it over with this line: “Here’s the key that’ll see you inside its metal belly. Pop in there once you’re feelin’ good and ready. In the meantime, I’ll get to seeing things set up here.”
- Use the key on the bell door. The clamp releases and the bell is ready for its first descent.
A note on conflicting guides
Some third-party guides credit the Diving Bell Key to the Caretaker in Songclave after Caretaker quests. The item reference and Ballow’s recorded dialogue both place the handover with Ballow in the control room above the bell, so follow that route. You do not need to complete every Caretaker quest or return to Songclave repeatedly to open the bell.
What happens on the first dive
The bell is the way down to the Abyss, below the magma layer of Deep Docks. Its first use happens during SEEK: The Dark Below, and that first trip has a cost: the bell’s shield breaks. A broken shield means the bell cannot carry Hornet back up to Deep Docks, so plan the descent with that in mind.
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Repairing the bell for repeat travel
The bell is restored after Hornet obtains the Everbloom. Ballow repairs and improves the bell for the DESCEND: Last Dive objective. Once that work is done, the bell can travel between the Abyss and Deep Docks, so the one-way first dive no longer limits your movement.
Checking a stuck run
If the bell still will not open, check three things. Each one answers a different part of the unlock.
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| Check | What to confirm | What you should see if it is correct |
|---|---|---|
| Progression state | You are in Act 3 and have completed SEEK: Awaiting the End and progressed into SEEK: The Dark Below. | Ballow is available to speak with in Deep Docks. |
| Location | You have spoken with Ballow in Deep Docks and gone to the control room above the bell. | Ballow is in the control room and gives you the Diving Bell Key. |
| Bell state | You are attempting the first descent, or you have obtained the Everbloom for repeat travel. | The first dive works once. Repeat travel between the Abyss and Deep Docks works after Ballow’s repair. |
Scope of this guide
This route is documented in the community-maintained Hollow Knight Wiki, which reproduces in-game text and describes mechanics. It is not official developer documentation. Game mechanics can change with updates, so check the current patch notes if your version behaves differently. This guide does not cover platform differences or physical editions of the game.
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- Classic side-scrolling action, with all the modern trimmings.
- Forge your own path! The world of Hallownest is expansive and open. Choose which paths you take, which enemies you face and find your own way forward.
- Evolve with powerful new skills and abilities! Gain spells, strength and speed. Leap to new heights on ethereal wings. Dash forward in a blazing flash. Blast foes with fiery Soul!
- Equip Charms! Ancient relics that offer bizarre new powers and abilities. Choose your favorites and make your journey unique!
- An enormous cast of cute and creepy characters all brought to life with traditional 2D frame-by-frame animation.
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