Best Time to See Octopus in Hawaii
October, September and January is the best time to see octopus in Hawaii. Based on 1,310 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when octopus are most active across the year in Hawaii.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Ornate Night Octopus · Robin White CC BY
Ornate Night Octopus · Ken-ichi Ueda CC BY
Day Octopus · cello caruso-turiello CC BY
1,310 verified observations of octopus in Hawaii, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When octopus are recorded in Hawaii
Peak month
October
156 records (11.9% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Januarypeak | 134 | 10.2% |
| February | 116 | 8.9% |
| March | 79 | 6% |
| April | 87 | 6.6% |
| May | 111 | 8.5% |
| June | 100 | 7.6% |
| July | 55 | 4.2% |
| August | 92 | 7% |
| Septemberpeak | 150 | 11.5% |
| Octoberpeak | 156 | 11.9% |
| November | 122 | 9.3% |
| December | 108 | 8.2% |
Octopus you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Day Octopus | 887 |
| Ornate Night Octopus | 92 |
| Starry Night Octopus | 22 |
| Short-armed Sand Octopus | 21 |
| Hawaiian Octopus | 9 |
| Oliver's Octopus | 7 |
| Thaumoctopus | 2 |
| Indo-Pacific Violet Blanket Octopus | 2 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Hawaii
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when octopus are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for octopus sit around 57 to 76 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Janbest time | 69°F | 57°F | 8.6" |
| Feb | 68°F | 56°F | 15.6" |
| Mar | 70°F | 57°F | 11.5" |
| Apr | 71°F | 58°F | 15.1" |
| May | 72°F | 59°F | 17.2" |
| Jun | 74°F | 61°F | 18.8" |
| Jul | 76°F | 62°F | 18.1" |
| Aug | 76°F | 62°F | 16" |
| Sepbest time | 76°F | 62°F | 19.4" |
| Octbest time | 75°F | 62°F | 11.3" |
| Nov | 73°F | 60°F | 10" |
| Dec | 71°F | 58°F | 13.7" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Hawaii. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of octopus in Hawaii peak in October, when 156 of the year's 1,310 verified observations are logged — about 11.9% of the annual total. Activity stays high through October, September and January.
The quietest stretch is July and March, when octopus are hardest to find — July sees just 55 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The octopus you are most likely to encounter in Hawaii are Day Octopus, Ornate Night Octopus and Starry Night Octopus — the most-recorded species in the state. Each keeps its own seasonal rhythm, but the month-by-month pattern above reflects every reported sighting together.
Where to go
Best places to see octopus in Hawaii
- Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park — National Park
- Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Haleakalā National Park — National Park
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see octopus in Hawaii?+
October is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through October, September and January, based on 1,310 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are octopus hardest to see in Hawaii?+
July is the quietest month for octopus in Hawaii, with only 55 verified records.
Are octopus active year-round in Hawaii?+
Octopus are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Hawaii, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in October.
More places to see octopus
More wildlife in Hawaii