Best Time to See Octopus in Washington
May, June and April is the best time to see octopus in Washington. Based on 1,392 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when octopus are most active across the year in Washington.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 2, 2026.
Giant Pacific Octopus · giantcicada CC BY
East Pacific Red Octopus · Public domain CC0
East Pacific Red Octopus · Tuoichen CC BY
1,392 verified observations of octopus in Washington, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When octopus are recorded in Washington
Peak month
May
276 records (19.8% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 112 | 8% |
| February | 42 | 3% |
| March | 60 | 4.3% |
| Aprilpeak | 143 | 10.3% |
| Maypeak | 276 | 19.8% |
| Junepeak | 186 | 13.4% |
| July | 114 | 8.2% |
| August | 93 | 6.7% |
| September | 63 | 4.5% |
| October | 58 | 4.2% |
| November | 114 | 8.2% |
| December | 131 | 9.4% |
Octopus you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| East Pacific Red Octopus | 846 |
| Giant Pacific Octopus | 374 |
| Keeled Octopus | 8 |
| Japetella | 1 |
| Seven-armed Octopus | 1 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Washington
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 33 to 76 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 35°F | 24°F | 4.5" |
| Feb | 36°F | 22°F | 2.8" |
| Mar | 46°F | 28°F | 1.2" |
| Aprbest time | 56°F | 33°F | 1.3" |
| Maybest time | 67°F | 44°F | 1.2" |
| Junbest time | 76°F | 51°F | 0.9" |
| Jul | 86°F | 57°F | 0.2" |
| Aug | 86°F | 58°F | 0.3" |
| Sep | 74°F | 50°F | 1.1" |
| Oct | 59°F | 39°F | 1.7" |
| Nov | 42°F | 29°F | 3.6" |
| Dec | 33°F | 23°F | 3.6" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Washington. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of octopus in Washington peak in May, when 276 of the year's 1,392 verified observations are logged — about 19.8% of the annual total. Activity stays high through May, June and April.
The quietest stretch is February, October and March, when octopus are hardest to find — February sees just 42 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 Washington are East Pacific Red Octopus, Giant Pacific Octopus and Keeled 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 Washington
- Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve — National Historical Reserve
- Fort Vancouver National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Lewis and Clark National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- Mount Rainier National Park — National Park
- Nez Perce National Historical Park — National Historical Park
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see octopus in Washington?+
May is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through May, June and April, based on 1,392 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are octopus hardest to see in Washington?+
February is the quietest month for octopus in Washington, with only 42 verified records.
Are octopus active year-round in Washington?+
Octopus are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Washington, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in May.
More places to see octopus
More wildlife in Washington