Eight-armed shape-shifters. Watch them solve puzzles, change colour and texture in seconds.
Octopuses are arguably the most intelligent invertebrates in the ocean — they can open jars, recognise individual humans, and change skin colour and texture faster than you can blink. Most reef encounters are with day octopus (Octopus cyanea) hunting in rubble between corals.
Best sighted at dawn or dusk when Octopus cyanea actively forages; some species and individuals are also active on night dives. Stop when one spots you — they're curious and will often reach a tentacle toward you. Stay still and they'll continue their hunt within reach.
Bali (Tulamben), Lembeh Strait, and Anilao are the world's best octopus destinations. Andaman and Goa reefs hold them too — Grande Island has reliable sightings on shaded boulders at 12–15m.
Tap a month to highlight it across destinations, or hover any cell for details.
31 destinations across Goa, Andamans, SE Asia, Indian Ocean, Arabian Gulf, East Africa, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Maharashtra, Red Sea, Mediterranean — peak seasons vary by location, so plan your trip around the right destination AND the right month.
Tier 1Octopus here: Jan–May, Oct–Dec · 12 sites
Tier 2Octopus here: Jan–Apr, Dec · 30 sites
Tier 1Octopus here: Apr–Nov · 35 sites
Tier 1Octopus here: Feb–Sep · 25 sites
Tier 1Octopus here: Jan–Apr, Nov–Dec · 40 sites
Tier 2Octopus here: Jan–Apr, Nov–Dec · 15 sites
Tier 2Octopus here: Apr–Nov · 25 sites
Tier 2Octopus here: Jan–May, Dec · 30 sites
Tier 2Octopus here: Jan–Apr, Oct–Dec · 25 sites
Tier 2Octopus here: Jan–Apr, Sep–Dec · 20 sites
Tier 4Coming soonOctopus here: Jan–May, Oct–Dec · 15 sites
Tier 3Octopus here: Apr–Nov · 40 sites
Tier 3Coming soonOctopus here: Jan–Feb, Jul–Dec · 22 sites
Tier 3Coming soonOctopus here: Apr–Oct · 12 sites
Tier 3Coming soonOctopus here: Jan–May, Nov–Dec · 20 sites
Tier 3Coming soonOctopus here: Mar–Oct · 18 sites
Tier 4Coming soonOctopus here: Apr–May, Sep–Nov · 30 sites
Tier 4Coming soonOctopus here: Jan–Apr, Oct–Dec · 50 sites
Tier 2Coming soonOctopus here: Jan–Apr, Dec · 12 sites
Tier 2Coming soonOctopus here: Jan–Apr, Dec · 10 sites
Tier 2Coming soonOctopus here: Jan–Apr, Oct–Dec · 8 sites
Tier 2Coming soonOctopus here: Jan–Mar, Oct–Dec · 10 sites
Tier 2Coming soonOctopus here: Jan–Mar, Oct–Dec · 8 sites
Tier 2Coming soonOctopus here: Jan–May, Oct–Dec · 6 sites
Tier 2Coming soonOctopus here: Jan–Apr, Nov–Dec · 20 sites
Tier 2Coming soonOctopus here: Jan–Apr, Nov–Dec · 18 sites
Tier 3Coming soonOctopus here: Apr–Nov · 30 sites
Tier 3Coming soonOctopus here: Mar–Oct · 14 sites
Tier 3Coming soonOctopus here: Mar–May, Sep–Nov · 20 sites
Tier 4Coming soonOctopus here: May–Oct · 25 sites
Tier 4Coming soonOctopus here: May–Oct · 20 sites
Real, curated expeditions — or a custom trip built around the best season and destination to encounter octopus.
Browse our curated, small-group dive trips — fixed dates, vetted partner operators, zero agency fee. Or tell us your dates and we'll build a custom trip around the best season and destinations to encounter octopus.
Tell us when you can travel and your certification level — we'll match the right destination, the right season, and the right trip for diving with octopus.
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