Octopus in Washington in January
Yes, January is a good month to see octopus in Washington. It is the 7th busiest month of the year, with 112 of the 1,392 sightings logged across the year (8%), 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 July 2, 2026.
Good month for octopus in Washington
8%
of yearly sightings
112
records in January
#7
busiest month of 12
1,392
verified records a year
December 9.4%, January 8%, February 3%. Busiest month is May at 19.8%.
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 |
In Washington, January carries 8% of the year's octopus sightings, about 0.3 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 December (9.4%) into January, and it heads toward February (3%) after. The busiest month is May (19.8%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The octopus most often recorded in Washington are East Pacific Red Octopus, Giant Pacific Octopus and Keeled 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
- East Pacific Red Octopus846 records
- Giant Pacific Octopus374 records
- Keeled Octopus8 records
- Japetella1 records
- Seven-armed Octopus1 records
Plan your octopus trip in Washington
Start with live tours near Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main octopus viewing area.
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Stay nearbyStay near Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best octopus viewing area in Washington.
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Broader backupBook a octopus tour in Washington
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 Washington in January?+
Yes. January accounts for 112 of the 1,392 verified octopus sightings logged in Washington across the year, which is 8% of the annual total.
Is January a good time to see octopus in Washington?+
January is the 7th busiest month. It is workable, though May and June is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for octopus in Washington?+
May is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through May, June and April, based on 1,392 verified observations.
Which octopus are you most likely to see in Washington?+
The most-recorded species in Washington are East Pacific Red Octopus, Giant Pacific Octopus and Keeled Octopus, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See octopus in Washington in other months
More wildlife in Washington