In a remarkable encounter, a photographer stumbled upon a “beautiful” and elusive common octopus while strolling along the picturesque North Beach in Tenby, Pembrokeshire. Gareth Davie, a professional photographer from Pembroke, was left “completely absorbed” as he witnessed the orange cephalopod effortlessly camouflaging itself into the sand in an “effortless display of camouflage.”
The unexpected sighting comes amid a surge in octopus sightings across the UK, with a wildlife charity declaring 2025 as the “Year of the Blooming Octopus.” Davie’s encounter is the latest in a series of octopus-related incidents along the Welsh coast, including the rescue of two octopuses found crawling on a Ceredigion beach in 2022 and the capture of footage showcasing an octopus changing colour at Menai Bridge beach on Anglesey.
Davies described the octopus as a “highly intelligent” and “active predator” equipped with “specialised glands that produce venom to incapacitate its prey.” However, the increasing octopus population poses a challenge for shellfish species around the UK shores, as the eight-armed creatures feed on lobsters, crabs, and scallops. The Wildlife Trusts have warned that if the population numbers remain high, both fishing and eating habits may have to adapt.
The surge in octopus sightings is believed to be linked to warmer winters, which are associated with climate change. According to the Wildlife Trusts, the highest number of octopuses was observed off the south coast of Devon and Cornwall last year, the highest since 1950.
Davie’s encounter serves as a reminder of the unexpected wonders that can be discovered on a simple seaside stroll. As he noted, “the beauty of a seaside walk is that you never know what might turn up.”