Rare Giant Pacific Octopus greets visitors along Eastsound waterfront

By Darrell Kirk

Sounder contributor

A remarkable encounter unfolded Wednesday morning along the Eastsound waterfront when a Giant Pacific Octopus made an unexpected appearance between the Odd Fellows Hall and the public dock, creating an unforgettable experience for a local family that began with startling surprise and ended with profound wonder.

The morning started dramatically when Denise Thomasin’s 10-year-old daughter swam toward what she thought was a rock in the shallow waters. “My 10-year-old swam up to it thinking it was a rock,” Thomasin recounted. “It darted at her. She swam away as fast as she could screaming.” The frightened child, thinking she had encountered either an octopus or squid, quickly made it to shore.

Determined to find the mysterious creature, the younger sister and Emalyne Babcock set out in a kayak to search along the shoreline, while the still-shaken swimmer chose to walk along the beach, too afraid to return to the water. Their initial search proved fruitless, and the family gathered near the rocks to discuss the encounter and console the younger child, with their faithful dog joining the concerned group.

Then, as if sensing their need for understanding, something magical happened. “As we were all talking about it trying to console the younger one, including our dog, the octopus swam over to us near the rocks where we were gathered and put on his beautiful show filled with beauty, grace, and mystery,” Thomasin explained.

What followed was an extraordinary display of interspecies connection. The family’s dog approached the water’s edge and appeared to engage in a gentle, almost conversational exchange with the marine visitor. Both animals seemed to communicate through body language.

“I feel like he has a message for us,” one of the women said in an excited and meaningful voice, capturing the profound sense of connection that seemed to flow between all the creatures present. Students from Salmonberry School, on a low tide walk around Indian Island, had heard about the Octopus’ visit and hoped to see the beautiful creature for themselves.

Giant Pacific Octopuses are the largest octopus species in the world, with arm spans that can reach up to 30 feet and weights exceeding 100 pounds. These remarkable cephalopods are known for their extraordinary intelligence, problem-solving abilities and distinctive reddish-brown coloration that can change dramatically to match their surroundings. They typically inhabit the rocky depths of the North Pacific, making surface encounters like this one relatively rare and special.

For young Emalyne, it was her first time seeing a Giant Pacific Octopus, transforming what began as a frightening experience into something transcendent. Marine biologists suggest that the octopus may have been foraging in the shallows or simply exploring, as these creatures are naturally curious and have been known to investigate new environments.

Local wildlife enthusiasts are encouraged to report similar sightings to help researchers better understand the movement patterns of these fascinating creatures in our island waters. For the Thomasin family, it was an unforgettable reminder of the incredible marine life that calls the Salish Sea home, and a lesson in how initial fear can transform into wonder and respect.