Le trou de la Pieuvre

Le trou de la Pieuvre — “The Octopus Hole” — is a reef dive site in the Raiatea or Taha’a lagoon, French Polynesia, named for a specific crevice or cave opening in the reef where a resident octopus was historically known to den.

Overview

The site is centred on a crevice or small cavern in the coral reef at around 15–18 metres depth, within a broader reef landscape of coral ridges and sandy patches. The Society Islands’ lagoon here — shared between Raiatea and Taha’a, which sit inside the same barrier reef — hosts clear, warm water with visibility of 25–30 metres and temperatures of 27–28°C. While individual octopus residents change over time, the crevice structure continues to provide suitable habitat, and octopus sightings are frequent on this site. The wider reef around the “hole” is in good health and worth exploring beyond the namesake feature.

What to Expect

Day octopuses (Octopus cyanea) are the target species here — active during daylight hours, they hunt across the reef and sand patches near the crevice. Observing their colour-changing camouflage and jet-propelled movement is a highlight. The crevice itself and surrounding reef holds moray eels, lionfish, and squirrelfish. The sandy surrounds host stingrays and groups of goatfish probing the substrate. Turtles graze the reef regularly in this part of the Society Islands lagoon. Small blacktip reef sharks cruise the outer reef edge visible from the site.

Conditions

• Best season: Year-round; April–November optimal
• Visibility: 25–30 m typical
• Current: Mild
• Water temperature: 27–28°C
• Entry: Boat dive from Raiatea or Taha’a operators

Tips

Octopus are most active in the first few hours after sunrise when actively hunting. Ask your dive guide about the current status of the resident animal — octopus change dens periodically. Avoid touching or disturbing octopus; they are highly intelligent and stressed animals will retreat and hide.

Sources: Te Moana Diving - Raiatea & Taha’a, Polynesia Paradise - Raiatea Diving, Tahiti Tourisme - Raiatea. Last updated 2026-05-30.