Coconut Octopus: Facts, Dive Spots, and Photo Tips

Did you know that there is a creature in the ocean that uses coconut shells as their home? Meet the coconut octopus! This clever and curious creature is highly sought after by divers and underwater photographers alike, particularly for its quirky ability to use coconut shells or other objects as shelters, 

If you’re planning to take pictures or videos to commemorate your dive trip, capturing footage of this creature would certainly be a unique experience. Hence, to get you started, here’s a quick guide about diving with coconut octopus, including where to find them and tips for photographing them in the ocean!

What is the Coconut Octopus?

Photo of a Coconut Octopus by Lilian Koh, Solitude Liveaboards and Resort

The Amphioctopus marginatus, also known as the coconut octopus or veined octopus, is a small, intelligent octopus with extraordinary behavior and adaptability to use objects as tools. They are often seen carrying coconut shells, clam shells, or other debris and using them as shelter to hide from predators. This unique behavior is particularly rare among marine animals.

This octopus species is typically found throughout the tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific region and the waters of the Indian Ocean, including South Africa, the Red Sea, India, Southeast Asia, Taiwan, Japan, and northern Australia. They thrive in sandy or muddy seabed near corral reefs or rubbles, particularly ones in shallow waters. 

The coconut octopus is small. They can grow to around 8 to 15 cm and have a striking coloration with brown or purplish bodies, white suckers, and distinct dark bands or patterns on their arms. In addition, they’re also able to change their coloration to help them blend with their surroundings.

Best Places to Dive with Coconut Octopus

1. Indonesia

Underwater scene in Komodo, featuring a vibrant array of colorful corals with a scuba diver in the background

As an island nation in the equator and part of the Coral Triangle, Indonesia’s underwater world is home to a diverse array of marine species, from large pelagic species to nudibranchs, frogfish, and the coconut octopus. The nation itself is very large, so here’s a list of the best places to find this ocean critter:

  • Lembeh Strait: Dubbed the ‘Muck Diving Capital of the World’, the Lembeh Strait boasts a dark, sandy seabed which is ideal for these octopuses to thrive.
  • Ambon: Another great muck diving destination in the country. Ambon has several sandy, rubble-covered dive sites and great visibility, making it a great destination for underwater photography.
  • Bali: This tropical paradise offers a variety of dive sites with sandy slopes and muck diving opportunities, particularly in locations like Tulamben and Amed.

2. Malaysia

Malaysia’s underwater world offers diverse landscapes, ranging from vibrant coral reefs to steep drop-offs and muck dive sites. Coconut octopus sightings are common here, but you can head to these areas below to get the best experience:

  • Mabul Island: Malaysia’s prime muck dive location, Mabul’s macro critters are very diverse and its calm ocean currents make it excellent for beginner divers.
  • Kapalai: This small island has sandy slopes that provide a home to various macro life, where coconut octopuses are frequently spotted.

3. The Philippines

The beauty of underwaters in The Philippines

The Philippines is also located in the Coral Triangle, which means this country offers plenty of fantastic dive sites and opportunities to see fascinating sea creatures up close. Some great destinations to find coconut octopus include:

  • Anilao: A paradise for the ocean’s macro critters, Anilao offers excellent opportunities to encounter coconut octopus around its seabeds.
  • Dauin: The Philippines’ premier muck dive site along with Anilao, Dauin offers many spectacular dive sites that are thriving with macro critters, including coconut and other types of octopuses.
  • Dumaguete: Located not too far from Dauin, Dumaguete also boasts an amazing biodiversity of macro critters. You can find coconut octopuses, exotic nudibranchs, and different kinds of frogfish.

4. Australia

Australia, specifically northern Australia, has tropical waters and habitats that are suitable for the coconut octopus to thrive. The area also offers diverse diving experiences, including critter hunting and pelagic encounters. However, for coconut octopus sightings, you can go to:

  • Great Barrier Reef: Some areas in the Great Barrier Reef have sandy seabed that host a considerable population of coconut octopus.

Underwater Photography Tips for Coconut Octopus

1. Use the Right Equipment

If you plan to take a picture of the coconut octopus, be sure to bring the right equipment to your dive. Since this octopus is small, you’ll need a macro lens (60mm to 100mm) to capture its intricate details.

Aside from the camera, you should also bring a strobe along with a diffuser. Good lighting is important, as these creatures are often found in low-light environments. A diffuser on your strobe will help provide a soft, even light without creating harsh shadows. 

2. Be Patient

These unique marine creatures often move slowly or remain hidden in their shelters. However, they can sometimes be active and display unique behavior. So be patient and have your camera ready to capture these actions.

3. Capture their Behavior

Capturing the unique behavior of the coconut octopus should be your top priority. Focus on moments when it interacts with its environment, such as collecting objects to use as shelters or dragging these shells as they walk along the ocean floor. These natural moments often make for more captivating images than a posed shot.

4. Pay Attention to Their Textures and Patterns

Aside from their behavior, you’re also highly recommended to focus on their textures and patterns. The octopus has large, expressive eyes and unique tentacle structures, which make excellent focal points for your photography. You can also capture their incredible camouflage in action, such as when they hide inside shells or change their color and texture to blend seamlessly with their surroundings.

5. Experiment with the Background

Experimenting with the background or your surroundings can enhance the look and feel of your pictures. For instance, a sandy or rubble bottom can make a great background, allowing the coconut octopus to be the focus without any other objects or colors to distract viewers. Additionally, if the octopus is holding a coconut or other objects, consider framing the shot so the background highlights its tool-use behavior. 

Discover More Unique Marine Life with Solitude World’s Liveaboard and Resorts!

Solitude One is situated in the vast open ocean in Indonesia, enveloped by deep blue and turquoise waters.

The ocean is boundless and full of magnificent creatures, so it’s only natural that you want to meet as many of them. Fret not, because Solitude World’s Liveaboard and Resorts are ready to take you to some of the best diving destinations in the world! 

With our liveaboards, you can easily explore pristine, even remote dive sites in Indonesia, the Philippines, and Palau. Rest assured, your dive will be safe and smooth sailing, as our PADI-certified guides are always ready to assist you. When you’re done with your underwater excursion, you can rest in our vessels’ comfortable rooms and enjoy warm, hearty meals afterward.

Meanwhile, our dive resorts, Solitude Acacia and Solitude Lembeh, offer easy access to world-class muck diving spots in Anilao, the Philippines, and Lembeh Strait, Indonesia. Aside from fantastic diving opportunities, our resorts also offer underwater photography workshops led by experts and dedicated camera store rooms to maintain your gear.

Ready to start your journey? Book your stay at Solitude Liveaboards and Resorts today!