Giant Octopus

[FishDiver]

Where is the best place to dive with Giant Pacific Octopus (Enteroctopus dofleini)? California is supposedly part of the natural range, though I've never seen one here.

Is it common to see them in areas they frequent?

 

[gcbryan]

It's certainly common to see them up here PNW. I can't answer as to Calif.

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

We run accross them once in a great while on the North Coast in Sonoma and Mendocino counties. I saw two on the same dive once on Arena Rock. I've also seen them at Russian Gulch (mendo)
I mostly see them way back in holes and cracks. Some of the arms I've seen appear to be at least 3" to 4" in diameter.
Look for entrances to dens that are littered with crab shells.

 

[dwashbur]

They're all over the Puget Sound area. I've done a fair bit of diving around Monterey but have never seen one there.

 

[oggy666]

You should hit up vancouver island some time, pretty easy to find.

 

[Doubler]

Giant Octopus and Wolf Eels = Puget Sound and Vancouver BC. Go with a local because tides and currents up here are serious.

 

[FishDiver]

Giant Octopus and Wolf Eels = Puget Sound and Vancouver BC. Go with a local ...

Is that an invitation?

 

[stakanak]

I have six dives on Vancouver Island(Ogdon Pt., Saanich, Maple Bay) and have seen the big guys four times. Terry Dunston at Pacific Water Sports in Cowichan Bay told me to look for the piles of shells and low and behold, that's where I found Mr Eight legs!
Get Wet!

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

At one of our local mudholes you can often see five or six on a single dive.

Here's one out on "walkabout" ... to give you an idea of size, that sunstar behind him's about three feet in diameter ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[FishDiver]

At one of our local mudholes you can often see five or six on a single dive.

Here's one out on "walkabout" ... to give you an idea of size, that sunstar behind him's about three feet in diameter ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

I'd almost be afraid to be in the water with him. Looks like excellent vis for a "mudhole". Are they around all year?