Bumper Crop of Giant Pacific Octopus

There has been a bumper crop of Giant Pacific Octopus in Puget Sound this last year. Most local divers can't remember a time where there were so many GPOs inhabiting the nearby dive sites. One of my favorite encounters was from November last year diving from a day boat charter out of Tacoma.

On this particualar day we hit a pair of sites called Dalco Wall and Sunrise. Dalco was swarming with big fat shrimp and totally buzzing with activity. Toward the end of the dive I spotted a sizeable GPO on an open ledge of the wall, out and about chowing on shrimp! It was not too concerned with me or my buddies and was kind enough to pose for a few group portraits.

Hunting Octo on Dalco Wall

Dive Buddy making a friend

Rebecca making a close inspection

Sunrise Reef did not disappoint either, with some great Octo, Wolfeel, and Red Irish Lord's to see.

Big Octo in a Den:

Darrell posing with Wolfeel

Red Irish Lord on the reef

Great to see. Hope it translates to the same in northern Vancouver Island.

Cheers

Todd

Awesome! It must be quite an experience to be so close to such large octos.

Wow! That guy is huge

Cheers

Karel

Yes, it is really a thrill to find a big GPO out in the open. First off they are facinating with the rapid color, shape, texture changes. It's like a kalidescope, always changing. Then they don't act at all like fish, they seem to be more aware of you and will sometimes interact beyond the ususal "run away!" behavior you see in fish. I had one take an interest in me years ago and it planted itself right on my face.

Yes, it is really a thrill to find a big GPO out in the open. First off they are facinating with the rapid color, shape, texture changes. It's like a kalidescope, always changing. Then they don't act at all like fish, they seem to be more aware of you and will sometimes interact beyond the ususal "run away!" behavior you see in fish. I had one take an interest in me years ago and it planted itself right on my face.

Great photos! GPOs are amazingly curious and intelligent animals. I've had a handful of interesting encounters with them as of late as well. Most memorable one from this past fall may be this one (just a fun grab-n-slap dive recap film):