Octopus in Hawaii in December
Yes, December is a good month to see octopus in Hawaii. It is the 7th busiest month of the year, with 108 of the 1,310 sightings logged across the year (8.2%), based on verified iNaturalist records.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Good month for octopus in Hawaii
8.2%
of yearly sightings
108
records in December
#7
busiest month of 12
1,310
verified records a year
November 9.3%, December 8.2%, January 10.2%. Busiest month is October at 11.9%.
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 |
In Hawaii, December carries 8.2% of the year's octopus sightings, about 0.1 points below an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 7th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is easing off from November (9.3%) into December, and it heads toward January (10.2%) after. The busiest month is October (11.9%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The octopus most often recorded in Hawaii are Day Octopus, Ornate Night Octopus and Starry Night Octopus. Those counts are annual totals rather than a December split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in December itself.
Which octopus you are most likely to see
- Day Octopus887 records
- Ornate Night Octopus92 records
- Starry Night Octopus22 records
- Short-armed Sand Octopus21 records
- Hawaiian Octopus9 records
- Oliver's Octopus7 records
Plan your octopus trip in Hawaii
Start with live tours near Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main octopus viewing area.
Booking.com
Stay nearbyStay near Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best octopus viewing area in Hawaii.
Viator
Broader backupBook a octopus tour in Hawaii
Compare guided wildlife tours, boat trips and nature experiences if you want a second travel network beyond the live widget.
Frequently asked questions
Can you see octopus in Hawaii in December?+
Yes. December accounts for 108 of the 1,310 verified octopus sightings logged in Hawaii across the year, which is 8.2% of the annual total.
Is December a good time to see octopus in Hawaii?+
December is the 7th busiest month. It is workable, though October and September is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for octopus in Hawaii?+
October is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through October, September and January, based on 1,310 verified observations.
Which octopus are you most likely to see in Hawaii?+
The most-recorded species in Hawaii are Day Octopus, Ornate Night Octopus and Starry Night Octopus, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See octopus in Hawaii in other months
More wildlife in Hawaii