Lucky Diver Captures Video of Rare Octopus Disappearing Into the Sand
A diver in Australia captured mesmerizing footage of a rare octopus seemingly vanishing beneath the sand in seconds - and marine life fans can't stop watching.
Diver Jules Casey, who often shares underwater footage to her OneBreathDiver Instagram account, captured the elusive Double-Spot Octopuscamouflaging itself beneath the sand, a sighting 10 years in the making.
@abc7chicago A lucky diver managed to capture footage of a rare octopus disappearing into the sand in Port Phillip Bay, Victoria, on April 24. Video posted by Jules Casey, who frequently shares underwater footage to her OneBreathDiver Instagram account, shows the elusive Double-Spot Octopus burrowing into the sand. "It has taken me 10 years to finally find one at Rye pier," Casey said. "I've seen plenty at Blairgowrie and Sorrento but they remained elusive until two nights ago." "Initially I thought it was a Sand Octopus until I got closer and saw the colouration was different. Knowing how incredibly shy they are I knew I didn't have long before it would completely disappear beneath the sand. Very little is actually known about this Octopus because they are a fairly recent discovery. "This one is a male, if you watch closely you can see one arm is slightly shorter and the suckers don't extend all the way to the tip." #news#octopus#ocean
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In the underwater video shared to Casey's social media account, she wrote:
In the underwater video shared to Casey's social media account, she writes:
"It has taken me 10 years to finally find one at Rye Pier," Casey said. "I've seen plenty at Blairgowrie and Sorrento, but they remained elusive until two nights ago."
"Initially I thought it was a Sand Octopus until I got closer and saw the coloration was different. Knowing how incredibly shy they are, I knew I didn't have long before it would completely disappear beneath the sand. Very little is actually known about this Octopus because they are a fairly recent discovery."
"This one is a male. If you watch closely, you can see one arm is slightly shorter and the suckers don't extend all the way to the tip."
Fan responses range from curious to downright convinced the octopus is something otherworldly.
"You can't convince me that these are not aliens," shared one viewer.
Another added, "Octopuses are aliens."
A reflective commenter wrote, "Ocean life is a whole other universe."
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Rare Double-Spot Octopus Stuns Viewers With Camouflage Skills
@allisonwylot Roundabout - Yes
If you're mesmerized, you're not alone. This small underwater creature is found in the coastal waters of southern Australia, particularly around areas like Port Phillip Bay in Victoria. The species gets its name from the distinctive dark spots located near the rear of its body, though those markings can become difficult to see as the octopus changes color to blend into its surroundings.
As seen in Casey's video, the Double-Spot Octopus has remarkable camouflage abilities, making the species both difficult to spot and difficult to study.
While many octopuses hide among rocks or coral, the Double-Spot Octopus burrows directly into the sand. Using its arms, it rapidly pulls sand and sediment over itself while simultaneously changing color and texture to match the ocean floor.
Though the octopus may appear to completely vanish beneath the sand, it is actually covering itself and blending seamlessly into its surroundings.
What viewers describe as alien-like behavior is actually the remarkable camouflage ability the octopus uses to protect itself from predators under the sea.
Truly remarkable, indeed.
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This story was originally published May 15, 2026 at 4:01 PM.