Octopus in Oregon in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see octopus in Oregon. It is the 3rd busiest month of the year, with 23 of the 157 sightings logged across the year (14.6%), 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 Oregon
14.6%
of yearly sightings
23
records in May
#3
busiest month of 12
157
verified records a year
April 7.6%, May 14.6%, June 16.6%. Busiest month is June at 16.6%.
157 verified observations of octopus in Oregon, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When octopus are recorded in Oregon
Peak month
June
26 records (16.6% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 10 | 6.4% |
| February | 9 | 5.7% |
| March | 9 | 5.7% |
| April | 12 | 7.6% |
| Maypeak | 23 | 14.6% |
| Junepeak | 26 | 16.6% |
| Julypeak | 24 | 15.3% |
| August | 10 | 6.4% |
| September | 5 | 3.2% |
| October | 6 | 3.8% |
| November | 9 | 5.7% |
| December | 14 | 8.9% |
Octopus you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Giant Pacific Octopus | 111 |
| East Pacific Red Octopus | 20 |
In Oregon, May carries 14.6% of the year's octopus sightings, about 6.3 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 April (7.6%) into May, and it heads toward June (16.6%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so May is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The octopus most often recorded in Oregon are Giant Pacific Octopus and East Pacific Red Octopus. Those counts are annual totals rather than a May split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in May itself.
Which octopus you are most likely to see
- Giant Pacific Octopus111 records
- East Pacific Red Octopus20 records
Plan your octopus trip in Oregon
Start with live tours near Crater Lake National Park, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Crater Lake National Park
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main octopus viewing area.
Booking.com
Stay nearbyStay near Crater Lake National Park
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best octopus viewing area in Oregon.
Viator
Broader backupBook a octopus tour in Oregon
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 Oregon in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 23 of the 157 verified octopus sightings logged in Oregon across the year, which is 14.6% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see octopus in Oregon?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 3rd of the year and sits inside the peak window of June, July and May.
What month is best for octopus in Oregon?+
June is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through June, July and May, based on 157 verified observations.
Which octopus are you most likely to see in Oregon?+
The most-recorded species in Oregon are Giant Pacific Octopus and East Pacific Red Octopus, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See octopus in Oregon in other months
More wildlife in Oregon