Octavia has green cyan skin, two arms, two legs, four tentacle like limbs and a very muscular build. She wears an orange and brown uniform with brown below-the-knee boots. Octavia has her left eye bandaged, since it was scratched out by young Catra. Her design seems to be inspired by some sort of sea creature, as her appearance is not fully human.

She seems to be short-tempered and is quick to anger, fury, and rage, especially when being insulted or provoked by others.