There are few underwater encounters quite as captivating as meeting a cuttlefish.
Unlike the fast-moving schools of fish or the graceful glide of a turtle, cuttlefish seem to pause and study you just as much as you study them.
One moment they’re hovering motionless above the reef. The next, they’re flashing vivid colours, changing shape and vanishing into their surroundings almost as if by magic.
They’re often overshadowed by their larger relatives, octopus and squid, yet many divers consider cuttlefish to be among the most fascinating marine animals they ever encounter. Their intelligence, remarkable camouflage and curious behaviour make every sighting memorable.
Whether you’re exploring the colourful reefs of the Red Sea, drifting through the Coral Triangle within Indonesia and the Solomon Islands, or diving in the clear waters of the Maldives, there’s every chance you’ll come face to face with one of these remarkable creatures.
What exactly is a cuttlefish?
Despite their name, cuttlefish aren’t fish at all.
They belong to the cephalopod family, alongside octopus, squid and the elusive nautilus. There are more than 120 known species, ranging from tiny tropical cuttlefish measuring just a few centimetres long to the impressive giant cuttlefish, which can reach over half a metre in length.
Most species live in shallow coastal waters, coral reefs, seagrass beds and sandy lagoons, where they spend much of their lives hunting and avoiding predators.
For divers, they’re often one of the highlights of a dive because they’re neither especially shy nor particularly fast-moving. Instead, they’ll frequently hover nearby, apparently assessing whether you’re worth paying attention to before calmly drifting away.
Nature’s greatest camouflage artist
If there’s one thing cuttlefish are famous for, it’s camouflage.
Their skin contains millions of specialised pigment cells called chromatophores, along with reflective cells that manipulate light. Together, these allow a cuttlefish to change not only its colour but also its pattern and even the texture of its skin in well under a second.
A smooth grey body can suddenly become striped, spotted or mottled. Skin can transform from sleek to bumpy, mimicking coral, rocks or seaweed with astonishing accuracy.
It’s camouflage on a level few other animals can match. But it’s not only used for hiding.
Cuttlefish also use these rapid colour changes to communicate with rivals, attract mates, warn predators and even confuse prey before launching an attack. For underwater photographers, this means every encounter can produce completely different images, sometimes only seconds apart.
Intelligent hunters
Beneath that constantly changing skin lies one of the most intelligent invertebrates on Earth.
Cuttlefish possess one of the largest brain-to-body ratios of any marine animal. Research has shown they can learn through observation, remember successful hunting techniques and even solve surprisingly complex problems.
Their hunting style is equally impressive. Although they appear to have eight arms like an octopus, they also conceal two long feeding tentacles tucked neatly into pockets beneath their eyes. When prey comes within range, these tentacles shoot forwards in a fraction of a second to grab unsuspecting shrimp, crabs or small fish before retracting almost instantly.
It’s over before most prey even realises what has happened.
Divers often witness this patient stalking behaviour, particularly on sandy seabeds where cuttlefish slowly edge towards their target before delivering their lightning-fast strike.
Seeing the underwater world differently
One of the strangest features of a cuttlefish is its distinctive W-shaped pupils.
Their eyesight is exceptional, despite the fact they’re thought to be colourblind. Instead of relying on colour, they detect the polarisation of light, giving them outstanding contrast sensitivity. This helps them spot prey and predators even in poor visibility while also providing an exceptionally wide field of vision.
Scientists are still studying exactly how cuttlefish interpret the world around them, but it’s clear they experience their underwater environment very differently from humans.
Hovering with incredible precision
Unlike many marine animals that constantly swim to maintain position, cuttlefish seem almost suspended in the water.
They achieve this using a remarkable internal shell known as the cuttlebone.
Unlike the heavy external shells of many molluscs, the cuttlebone is lightweight and porous. By adjusting the balance of gas and liquid inside it, cuttlefish can fine-tune their buoyancy with extraordinary accuracy.
The result is effortless hovering, allowing them to stalk prey, inspect divers or simply drift over the reef without wasting energy.
If you’ve ever watched one remain perfectly still despite surge or current, you’ve witnessed one of nature’s finest buoyancy control systems in action.
A surprisingly short life
Perhaps the saddest fact about cuttlefish is how little time they have.
Despite their intelligence and remarkable abilities, most species live for only one or two years. They grow rapidly, mature quickly and reproduce just once during their lifetime. After laying eggs, adults gradually weaken and die, leaving the next generation to begin the cycle again.
Because they develop so quickly, populations can recover surprisingly well, but it also means every adult cuttlefish you encounter is living through an incredibly brief chapter of its life.
Where can divers see cuttlefish?
The good news is that cuttlefish are found across many of the world’s best diving destinations.
In the Red Sea, common cuttlefish are regularly encountered around coral reefs, sandy slopes and seagrass areas. Divers joining Emperor Divers’ day boats in Sharm el Sheikh or Port Ghalib often find them during relaxed reef dives, while liveaboard guests frequently encounter them between reef systems throughout the northern and southern itineraries.
Across Indonesia, the incredible biodiversity of the Coral Triangle offers even greater opportunities. Around Raja Ampat, Komodo and the islands surrounding Bali, divers regularly discover beautifully camouflaged cuttlefish hiding among coral bommies, rubble slopes and soft corals. Macro enthusiasts are particularly rewarded as they search patiently around the reef.
In the Solomon Islands, healthy coral reefs, volcanic slopes and the historic wrecks of Iron Bottom Sound provide excellent habitat for cuttlefish. Divers exploring with Emperor Divers Honiara or aboard Emperor Bilikiki regularly encounter these remarkable cephalopods patiently hunting along the reef or hovering effortlessly over the seabed.
The Maldives may be better known for manta rays and whale sharks, but cuttlefish are also frequent sightings around lagoon reefs, sheltered coral gardens and quieter dive sites, particularly during slower-paced dives where careful observation reveals the reef’s smaller inhabitants.
Like many of the ocean’s most fascinating creatures, finding cuttlefish often rewards those who slow down. Rather than racing around a dive site, take time to scan sandy patches, coral heads and seagrass. The shape you first dismissed as a rock or lump of coral may suddenly blink, change colour and reveal itself to be one of the ocean’s greatest illusionists.
Why divers never tire of cuttlefish
Unlike some marine life encounters that rely on luck, every cuttlefish interaction feels personal.
Their curious nature often sees them hovering just a few metres away, rotating gently to keep one eye fixed on you. As they assess the situation, waves of colour ripple across their bodies almost as though they’re thinking out loud.
No two encounters are ever quite the same. Sometimes they’re hunting. Sometimes they’re displaying to another cuttlefish. Sometimes they’re simply watching.
For underwater photographers, they’re endlessly rewarding subjects. For marine life enthusiasts, they’re among the ocean’s most intelligent animals. And for new divers, they provide an unforgettable reminder that not every spectacular underwater encounter has to involve something enormous.
In a world filled with sharks, manta rays and turtles, it’s often the smaller, stranger creatures that leave the biggest impression.
And few are stranger – or more extraordinary – than the remarkable cuttlefish.
There are so many destinations and dive sites at which you can see these amazing creatures. If you would like to find out more about the incredible diving that can be done with Emperor that will give you the chance to spot cuttlefish, contact our team on [email protected], and they will do all they can to give you the information you need.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are cuttlefish dangerous to divers?
No. Cuttlefish are harmless to people and are generally calm, curious animals. If disturbed, they’re far more likely to camouflage themselves or swim away than show any aggression.
What do cuttlefish eat?
Their diet mainly consists of crabs, shrimp, small fish and other crustaceans, which they catch using their two lightning-fast feeding tentacles.
How intelligent are cuttlefish?
Very. They’re considered among the most intelligent invertebrates on Earth, capable of learning, remembering and solving problems far beyond what many people would expect from a marine mollusc.
Why do cuttlefish change colour?
Camouflage is only part of the story. They also change colour to communicate with other cuttlefish, attract mates, intimidate rivals and confuse prey while hunting.
Where are the best places to dive with cuttlefish?
Cuttlefish can be found throughout many of Emperor Divers’ destinations, including the Red Sea, Indonesia and the Maldives. While they’re never guaranteed, patient divers regularly encounter them on coral reefs, sandy slopes and sheltered lagoons.