Octopus
Octopus vulgaris
Confirmed at 22 dive sites in the atlas
Photo: Susanne Spindler · CC BY-NC-ND
Common octopuses are abundant in the rocky rubble margins where posidonia meets bare substrate, building dens recognisable by the shells and stones piled at their entrances. They are active hunters of crabs and bivalves, and Portofino's no-take zone has produced individuals of impressive size. Patient divers can observe complex colour-change behaviour and remarkable problem-solving as they navigate the reef.
Best months across all sites
Jan
Feb
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Oct
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Dec
Where to see it
- Baron GautschIstria, CroatiaYear-round→
- Batu AngusTernate, IndonesiaYear-round→
- Bone de JockeySão Tomé North Coast, São Tomé and PríncipeYear-round→
- Capo TestaCapo Carbonara, ItalyYear-round→
- Dale PointMilford Sound, New ZealandYear-round→
- Elephant Head RockSimilan Islands, ThailandYear-round→
- Floors ReefGoat Island, New ZealandYear-round→
- Ghar QawqlaGozo, MaltaYear-round→
- Gjipe CanyonAlbania, AlbaniaYear-round→
- HMAS HobartNingaloo Reef, AustraliaYear-round→
- HMAS PerthKomodo National Park, IndonesiaYear-round→
- Inland Sea GozoGozo, MaltaYear-round→
- Japanese GardenAqaba, JordanYear-round→
- La CatedralParacas, PeruYear-round→
- MV KarwelaGozo, MaltaYear-round→
- Nosy TanikelyNosy Be, MadagascarYear-round→
- Patch Reef EastChumbe Island Coral Park, TanzaniaYear-round→
- Secca del CristoPortofino, ItalyYear-round→
- WattabomiMnemba Atoll, TanzaniaYear-round→
- West ChannelAldabra Atoll, SeychellesYear-round→
- Azure Window CollapseGozo, MaltaSeasonal→
- Blue Hole and Inland SeaGozo, MaltaSeasonal→