Third time lucky: Finding Octopus in UK Waters

An octopus sinking into the kelp forests

Ever since the octopus bloom started in 2025, I have had it on my bucket list to go find them in our UK waters. With my regular snorkelling and marine biology buddy just as keen, we conspired to make it a reality.

Our first attempt was unsuccessful with the visibility being ok, the sea state being calm to moderate it didn't feel like we'd have a sighting. There had also been rumours of die off and the bloom declining so we felt we may have missed our chance.

Undeterred, we tried again off the Devon coast in 2026. We had been tipped off that there had been positive sightings so we headed out again - fins, suits and weight belts down a craggy cliff full of optimism. The kelp forests were, as always, spectacular with colourful Ballan Wrasse and seaweeds but no octopus.

The third attempt in late May felt different. Sometimes in life, nature lines everything up for you. It's that perfect alchemy of right tides, glassy seas, low winds, sunny skies, great company and free time where I get to spend my time snorkelling, paddle boarding and swimming in the sea.

This was one of those days.

I’m not sure if it was luck, destiny, better planning or rubbing the octopus on my fireplace before I left but either way what an absolute thrill it was to see one cautiously watching my approach from the kelp.

Octopus are beautiful, intelligent creatures that look at you with depth and understanding. Their increasing presence around our coastline is also a reminder that our seas are changing. Warmer waters are creating conditions that are more hospitable for species that were once far less common here. It was an incredible wildlife encounter, but also a quiet reminder of the wider story unfolding beneath the surface.