Octopus Reef earns its name from the octopuses that seek refuge here during the winter months to lay their eggs. Sheltered by an underwater wall that rises from 10 meters up to just 2.5 meters, the bay remains calm and slightly warmer than the surrounding waters — ideal conditions for marine life to thrive. While octopus sightings are rarer during the summer, as they’re often caught by local fishermen for tavernas, the reef still offers an engaging and diverse dive.
For snorkelers and Discover Scuba Divers, the bay provides a safe and scenic environment with a maximum depth of 10 meters. The rocky seabed is dotted with cracks and crevices that are home to small crabs and other curious creatures. One of the bay’s unique features is the presence of tiny, hand-sized white bubbles — a fascinating mix of salt water and sulfur. These natural sulfur bubbles are harmless and fun to hold or play with underwater. Just a tip: because of the sulfur content, it’s best to remove silver jewelry before diving, as it may temporarily tarnish (but don’t worry — a soak in soda water will bring back the shine).
Certified divers begin their dive by exiting the bay, following a gentle slope from 8 to 14 meters, with an average depth of 16 meters. Keeping the bay wall on your right, you’ll arrive at a small cavity at 18 meters — a scenic spot accessible to all certified divers, often hiding interesting marine life.
After the cavity, the group splits based on certification level:
Open Water divers will begin to make their way back, exploring the outer side of the bay’s protective wall before returning to the boat.
Advanced and Deep certified divers will continue toward the 34-meter drop-off, where we often encounter lobsters and other larger species. After exploring the deep section, they’ll follow the same return route as the Open Water group.
Whether you’re staying in the shallow bay or diving along the deeper walls, Octopus Reef offers a unique and enjoyable experience for every level — complete with fascinating rock formations, marine life, and nature’s own underwater bubbles.
