Dive with

Best places to dive with Blue-ringed octopus

Hapalochlaena sp.

A small octopus that flashes iridescent blue rings when threatened; its bite carries tetrodotoxin and can be fatal. A prized macro find on sand and rubble, often on night dives — observed only, never handled.

Destinations ranked by how reliably blue-ringed octopus is seen. The bars show the likelihood by month — never a guarantee. See the full species page for more.

Alor, Indonesia
Sighting likelihood by month
MonthLikelihood
Januaryoccasional
Februaryoccasional
Marchoccasional
Apriloccasional
Mayoccasional
Juneoccasional
Julyoccasional
Augustoccasional
Septemberoccasional
Octoberoccasional
Novemberoccasional
Decemberoccasional

One of several rare cephalopods on the muck sites alongside mimic octopus and wonderpus; a prized but unpredictable find.

Anilao, Batangas, Philippines
Sighting likelihood by month
MonthLikelihood
Januaryoccasional
Februaryoccasional
Marchoccasional
Apriloccasional
Mayoccasional
Juneoccasional
Julyoccasional
Augustoccasional
Septemberoccasional
Octoberoccasional
Novemberoccasional
Decemberoccasional

Regularly found on muck sites and night dives, emerging after dark; small and easily missed without a spotter.

Dauin, Philippines
Sighting likelihood by month
MonthLikelihood
Januaryoccasional
Februaryoccasional
Marchoccasional
Apriloccasional
Mayoccasional
Juneoccasional
Julyoccasional
Augustoccasional
Septemberoccasional
Octoberoccasional
Novemberoccasional
Decemberoccasional

Found on the sandy muck sites such as Secret Corner; a prized find but small and cryptic, so encounters are occasional rather than reliable.

Lembeh Strait, Indonesia
Sighting likelihood by month
MonthLikelihood
Januaryoccasional
Februaryoccasional
Marchoccasional
Apriloccasional
Mayoccasional
Juneoccasional
Julyoccasional
Augustoccasional
Septemberoccasional
Octoberoccasional
Novemberoccasional
Decemberoccasional

Present year-round but small and cryptic; sightings depend on a sharp-eyed guide and are never guaranteed.

Malapascua, Philippines
Sighting likelihood by month
MonthLikelihood
Januaryoccasional
Februaryoccasional
Marchoccasional
Apriloccasional
Mayoccasional
Juneoccasional
Julyoccasional
Augustoccasional
Septemberoccasional
Octoberoccasional
Novemberoccasional
Decemberoccasional

A macro and night-dive find on the sand and rubble sites; venomous, observed only.

Puerto Galera, Philippines
Sighting likelihood by month
MonthLikelihood
Januaryoccasional
Februaryoccasional
Marchoccasional
Apriloccasional
Mayoccasional
Juneoccasional
Julyoccasional
Augustoccasional
Septemberoccasional
Octoberoccasional
Novemberoccasional
Decemberoccasional

Found on shallow muck and around the Sabang wrecks, most often on night dives. Small and venomous; not seen every dive.

Wakatobi, Indonesia
Sighting likelihood by month
MonthLikelihood
Januaryrare
Februaryrare
Marchrare
Aprilrare
Mayrare
Junerare
Julyrare
Augustrare
Septemberrare
Octoberrare
Novemberrare
Decemberrare

Present but a lucky find, usually on sand and rubble patches; venomous, so it is observed, not handled.