British Columbia, Marine Life, Pacific Pro Dive, Scuba Diving, vancouver island -

Exploring the tube worms of Steep Island

Steep Island is named for, er, being Steep. And an island. Pretty obvious really, but what a lot of people aren't aware of is that it’s one of the best places in the country to see tube worms. Lots and lots of tube worms.

Tube worms are very cool creatures indeed. They are commonly attached to rocks, shells, floats and piers, and Steep Island seems to be magnet for them. They can be found at a depth of about 50 foot down, inhabiting waters to around 350 deep. These fascinating, and quite beautiful bouquets are filter feeders, meaning they feast on tiny microscopic organisms. Their predators include sea urchins and sea stars, but when the worm feels threatened, they instantly retract into its tube, and close the entrance way.

Do you remember the scene in Avatar where Jake Sully first explores Pandora, and touches some giant flowers that retract into their stems? Well these were based on tube worms.

Pacific Pro Dive & Marine Adventures runs dive charters to Campbell River every weekend, and a lot of days in-between. Join us and we can check out the amazing sights of Steep Island’s tube worms. To book, contact us.

For more information on tube worms, read this.