Octopus in Hawaii in January
Yes, January is one of the best months to see octopus in Hawaii. It is the 3rd busiest month of the year, with 134 of the 1,310 sightings logged across the year (10.2%), 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.
Peak month for octopus in Hawaii
10.2%
of yearly sightings
134
records in January
#3
busiest month of 12
1,310
verified records a year
December 8.2%, January 10.2%, February 8.9%. 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, January carries 10.2% of the year's octopus sightings, about 1.9 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 3rd busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from December (8.2%) into January, and it heads toward February (8.9%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so January is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
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 January split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in January 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 January?+
Yes. January accounts for 134 of the 1,310 verified octopus sightings logged in Hawaii across the year, which is 10.2% of the annual total.
Is January a good time to see octopus in Hawaii?+
January is one of the best months. It ranks 3rd of the year and sits inside the peak window of October, September and January.
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