8 Amazing Octopuses To See in Dauin During Octopus October

Octopus October: A Cephalopod Spectacle in Dauin

As the month of October rolls around, an exciting transformation takes place beneath the waves off the coast of Dauin, Philippines. The waters, already teeming with vibrant marine life, become a hotbed of cephalopod activity, particularly octopuses. Divers and marine enthusiasts flock to this area during what is fondly called “Octopus October,” a period when these fascinating creatures are more abundant and easier to observe. Octopus season typically begins in October and usually lasts for a couple of months. This is when octopuses mate, which means that they are more visible on the reef and on the sand. Keep reading to see why you should book now and join us at Atmosphere during Octopus October!

8 Amazing Octopuses To See in Dauin During Octopus October

1. Day octopus Octopus cyanea
2. Wonderpus Wunderpus photogenicus
3. Mimic octopus Thaumoctopus mimicus
4. Coconut octopus Amphioctopus marginatus
5. Greater blue-ringed octopus Hapalochlaena lunulata
6. White V octopus Abdopus sp.
7. Mototi octopus Amphioctopus mototi
8. Algae octopus Abdopus aculeatus

Before you dive into the underwater world of Dauin during Octopus October, it’s important to know about the incredible variety of octopuses that call these waters home. Each species has its own fascinating characteristics, behaviours, and survival strategies that make them truly unique. From masters of disguise to clever tool users, these cephalopods offer some of the most unforgettable marine encounters. Here are 8 amazing octopuses you can see in Dauin during Octopus October, and why they should be on your must-see list.

1. Day octopus Octopus cyanea

The day Octopus, or big blue octopus, is known for being active during daylight hours. It is a medium to large species with the ability to rapidly change colour and texture to blend with its surroundings.  This species is particularly agile and uses its intelligence to hunt prey like crabs and small fish.

2. Wonderpus Wunderpus photogenicus

With its striking orange and white stripes, the wonderpus is a mesmerizing species found in sandy and muddy environments. It’s often confused with the mimic octopus but can be distinguished by its eyes – a wonderpus has long and thin eye stalks but the mimic octopus has much shorter eye stalks.

3. Mimic octopus Thaumoctopus mimicus

The mimic octopus is famous for its ability to impersonate other marine animals. It can impersonate up to 15 different species (that we know of!) like lionfish, flatfish, and even sea snakes – a tactic it uses to fool predators. It is brown and white striped, with long, flexible arms that allow it to mimic the movement of these dangerous species.

4. Coconut octopus Amphioctopus marginatus

The coconut octopus is one of the few animals known to use tools, a behaviour that demonstrates its impressive intelligence. This clever octopus is known for its habit of collecting shells, coconut halves, or other debris to use as portable shelters. It’s often found on sandy or muddy ocean floors and is a common sight in Dauin’s muck diving sites.

5. Greater blue-ringed octopus Hapalochlaena lunulata

Beautiful but deadly, the greater blue-ringed octopus is small but packs a venomous punch. The venom of a greater blue-ringed octopus contains tetrodotoxin, which is 1,000 times more toxic than cyanide. Its vivid blue rings become more visible when the animal feels threatened. While they are extremely venomous, these octopuses are shy and prefer to avoid confrontation.

6. White V octopus Abdopus sp.

Sometimes called the long arm octopus, the white V octopus is a small and often elusive species. Found in shallow waters, it camouflages well with sandy and rocky environments, making it a challenge to spot. It is known for the distinctive white V shape on its head

7. Mototi octopus Amphioctopus mototi

The mototi octopus, otherwise known as the poison ocellate octopus, is known for its “fake eyes” called ocelli. This species has two ocelli, visible as iridescent blue rings located between its eyes and arms. The fake eyes are not always visible, and their presence depends on the current colour pattern of the octopus’ skin. The mototi octopus has the same venom as the greater blue-ringed octopus, so keep your distance!

8. Algae octopus Abdopus aculeatus

This species is highly skilled in camouflage, often blending in with algae-covered rocks and coral. The algae octopus is a small species, making it even more challenging to spot in its natural environment. It has an unusual walking ability, allowing it to move on two arms while keeping the others wrapped around its body—resembling a clump of algae drifting along the ocean floor.

Book Now to Experience Octopus October at Atmosphere!

To summarise, here are the 8 species of octopus you can see in Dauin during Octopus October:

1. Day octopus Octopus cyanea
2. Wonderpus Wunderpus photogenicus
3. Mimic octopus Thaumoctopus mimicus
4. Coconut octopus Amphioctopus marginatus
5. Greater blue-ringed octopus Hapalochlaena lunulata
6. White V octopus Abdopus sp.
7. Mototi octopus Amphioctopus mototi
8. Algae octopus Abdopus aculeatus

Octopus October in Dauin offers an unparalleled opportunity to encounter a wide range of octopus species, each with its own unique behaviours and characteristics. From the playful coconut octopus to the brilliantly coloured blue-ringed octopus, these cephalopods captivate divers with their intelligence, camouflage, and remarkable adaptations. Whether you’re a seasoned diver or a marine life enthusiast, Octopus October is the perfect time to dive into Dauin’s waters and experience the dives of a lifetime. So what are you waiting for? Book now!

Want to learn more about the incredible critters we see here in Dauin? Then the PADI Critters of Dauin specialty is perfect for you! Created by our in-house marine biologist, this specialty is unique to Atmosphere. It lets you into the secrets our guides use to locate even the smallest and most cryptic of critters. For more information, check out our previous blog post about the PADI Critters of Dauin specialty here.

For bookings and enquiries about scuba diving or the PADI Critters of Dauin specialty, please email dive@atmosphereresorts.com

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