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
Month	Likelihood
January	occasional
February	occasional
March	occasional
April	occasional
May	occasional
June	occasional
July	occasional
August	occasional
September	occasional
October	occasional
November	occasional
December	occasional

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
Month	Likelihood
January	occasional
February	occasional
March	occasional
April	occasional
May	occasional
June	occasional
July	occasional
August	occasional
September	occasional
October	occasional
November	occasional
December	occasional

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

Dauin, Philippines

Sighting likelihood by month
Month	Likelihood
January	occasional
February	occasional
March	occasional
April	occasional
May	occasional
June	occasional
July	occasional
August	occasional
September	occasional
October	occasional
November	occasional
December	occasional

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
Month	Likelihood
January	occasional
February	occasional
March	occasional
April	occasional
May	occasional
June	occasional
July	occasional
August	occasional
September	occasional
October	occasional
November	occasional
December	occasional

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

Mabul & Kapalai, Malaysia

Sighting likelihood by month
Month	Likelihood
January	occasional
February	occasional
March	occasional
April	occasional
May	occasional
June	occasional
July	occasional
August	occasional
September	occasional
October	occasional
November	occasional
December	occasional

Reported on the sand and rubble sites at Mabul and Si Amil throughout the year. Usually spotted by guides in shells or rubble holes; no seasonality reported.

Malapascua, Philippines

Sighting likelihood by month
Month	Likelihood
January	occasional
February	occasional
March	occasional
April	occasional
May	occasional
June	occasional
July	occasional
August	occasional
September	occasional
October	occasional
November	occasional
December	occasional

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

Puerto Galera, Philippines

Sighting likelihood by month
Month	Likelihood
January	occasional
February	occasional
March	occasional
April	occasional
May	occasional
June	occasional
July	occasional
August	occasional
September	occasional
October	occasional
November	occasional
December	occasional

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

Fleurieu Peninsula, Australia

Sighting likelihood by month
Month	Likelihood
January	rare
February	rare
March	rare
April	rare
May	rare
June	rare
July	rare
August	rare
September	rare
October	rare
November	rare
December	rare

Possible year-round; no unsupported peak is applied.

Nha Trang, Vietnam

Sighting likelihood by month
Month	Likelihood
January	rare
February	rare
March	rare
April	rare
May	rare
June	rare
July	rare
August	rare
September	rare
October	rare
November	rare
December	rare

Reported from the rocky bottom and seagrass patches, but genuinely rare and not something to plan a dive around. Never handle one.

Romblon, Philippines

Sighting likelihood by month
Month	Likelihood
January	rare
February	rare
March	rare
April	rare
May	rare
June	rare
July	rare
August	rare
September	rare
October	rare
November	rare
December	rare

Reported from shallow macro habitat, but cryptic behavior makes encounters unpredictable. Divers should never handle or provoke one.

Sogod Bay, Philippines

Sighting likelihood by month
Month	Likelihood
January	rare
February	rare
March	rare
April	rare
May	rare
June	rare
July	rare
August	rare
September	rare
October	rare
November	rare
December	rare

Reported on the muck and rubble sites between Bunga and Malitbog, usually at night. Small, cryptic and venomous — look, do not touch.

Sumbawa, Moyo & Sangeang, Indonesia

Sighting likelihood by month
Month	Likelihood
January	rare
February	rare
March	rare
April	rare
May	rare
June	rare
July	rare
August	rare
September	rare
October	rare
November	rare
December	rare

Possible in suitable habitat; no unsupported monthly peak is applied.

Sydney, Australia

Sighting likelihood by month
Month	Likelihood
January	rare
February	rare
March	rare
April	rare
May	rare
June	rare
July	rare
August	rare
September	rare
October	rare
November	rare
December	rare

Possible year-round; no unsupported peak is applied.

Tasmania — East & Southeast, Australia

Sighting likelihood by month
Month	Likelihood
January	rare
February	rare
March	rare
April	rare
May	rare
June	rare
July	rare
August	rare
September	rare
October	rare
November	rare
December	rare

Possible year-round; no unsupported peak is applied.

Wakatobi, Indonesia

Sighting likelihood by month
Month	Likelihood
January	rare
February	rare
March	rare
April	rare
May	rare
June	rare
July	rare
August	rare
September	rare
October	rare
November	rare
December	rare

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

Whyalla & Cuttlefish Coast, Australia

Sighting likelihood by month
Month	Likelihood
January	rare
February	rare
March	rare
April	rare
May	rare
June	rare
July	rare
August	rare
September	rare
October	rare
November	rare
December	rare

Possible in the region; no unsupported monthly peak is applied.