Octopus and squid

[oms121]

We are going to be in Bonaire Dec 2-9, 2017 and would like to increase our chances of seeing octopi and squid. Any recommended sites, dive times or techniques improve our odds?

Thanks

 

[Aviyes]

Night dives, as they are both nocturnal and a good dose of luck. Only time I saw a squid was when we were night diving off Klein Bonaire. I ran into it mid-water near the boat. I was far enough ahead of the group that it didn't get frightened off by my light. Saw it for a few seconds before it jetted away.

 

[Doctorfish]

I've seen squid in the daytime in the shallows on a number of occasions. Bari Reef and Something Special. as I recall. They tend to be relatively high in the water column rather than near the reef. Keep your eyes open and don't spook them. If you are lucky, hey can be curious and swim right up.

 

[Trailboss123]

Came across a pair of these in the daytime in the shallows of Weber's Joy and 1,000 Steps last month.

 

[Trailboss123]

 

[tursiops]

For squid, all the northern sites that have sandy shallows are good, late afternoon seems to be best. Karpata, Jeff Davis, etc.
For octopus, look for rubble: shallows like Bari Reef, and Salt Pier.

 

[oldschoolto]

There is a good size octopus at the Himla Hooker site at about 10 meters.. See Him a lot... And salt pier is always a great place to see them...

Jim

 

[oms121]

For squid, all the northern sites that have sandy shallows are good, late afternoon seems to be best. Karpata, Jeff Davis, etc.
For octopus, look for rubble: shallows like Bari Reef, and Salt Pier.

Thanks. I usually dive early and then at night in Bonaire. Rarely late afternoon. Will give that a try.

 

[oms121]

There is a good size octopus at the Himla Hooker site at about 10 meters.. See Him a lot... And salt pier is always a great place to see them...

Jim

Jim

Which end of the Hooker are you referencing, north or south?

Thanks

Mark

 

[oms121]

Night dives, as they are both nocturnal and a good dose of luck. Only time I saw a squid was when we were night diving off Klein Bonaire. I ran into it mid-water near the boat. I was far enough ahead of the group that it didn't get frightened off by my light. Saw it for a few seconds before it jetted away.

In Aruba I found one on a night dive and it would move with my light beam like it was attached. If I moved my light up and down, the squid would go up and down, staying in the beam. If I moved it left to,right, it would also stay in the beam. Lots of fun but I've not run across another on a night dive so I haven't been able to try it again. Anyone else have a similar experience?