Octopus in Alaska in June

Yes, June is one of the best months to see octopus in Alaska. It is the 1st busiest month of the year, with 40 of the 241 sightings logged across the year (16.6%), based on verified iNaturalist records.

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By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.

Giant Pacific Octopus photographed in AlaskaEast Pacific Red Octopus photographed in AlaskaGiant Pacific Octopus photographed in Alaska
Photos by iNaturalist observers, used under Creative Commons.

Peak month for octopus in Alaska

16.6%

of yearly sightings

40

records in June

#1

busiest month of 12

241

verified records a year

May 15.8%, June 16.6%, July 9.1%. Busiest month is June at 16.6%.

Best months: June, May, August

241 verified observations of octopus in Alaska, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.

When octopus are recorded in Alaska

Peak month

June

40 records (16.6% of the year)

Quietest month

January

4 records

MonthObservationsShare
January41.7%
February52.1%
March52.1%
April3313.7%
Maypeak3815.8%
Junepeak4016.6%
July229.1%
Augustpeak3514.5%
September2510.4%
October145.8%
November156.2%
December52.1%

Octopus you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
Giant Pacific Octopus231
East Pacific Red Octopus2

In Alaska, June carries 16.6% of the year's octopus sightings, about 8.3 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 1st busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.

Activity holds steady between May and June, and it heads toward July (9.1%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so June is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.

The octopus most often recorded in Alaska are Giant Pacific Octopus and East Pacific Red Octopus. Those counts are annual totals rather than a June split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in June itself.

Which octopus you are most likely to see

  • Giant Pacific Octopus231 records
  • East Pacific Red Octopus2 records
Plan your tripAlagnak Wild River

Plan your octopus trip in Alaska

Start with live tours near Alagnak Wild River, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.

Frequently asked questions

Can you see octopus in Alaska in June?+

Yes. June accounts for 40 of the 241 verified octopus sightings logged in Alaska across the year, which is 16.6% of the annual total.

Is June a good time to see octopus in Alaska?+

June is one of the best months. It ranks 1st of the year and sits inside the peak window of June, May and August.

What month is best for octopus in Alaska?+

June is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through June, May and August, based on 241 verified observations.

Which octopus are you most likely to see in Alaska?+

The most-recorded species in Alaska are Giant Pacific Octopus and East Pacific Red Octopus, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.