Get a new perspective this spring

This time of year is a glorious in British Columbia. As the flowers start to bloom and the trees begin to blossom, the water starts to take on a new life. Smacks of jellyfish bloom in the waters, plankton and algae starts to gather, and life begins to flourish. For diving this can either be a blessing or a curse. On one hand the visibility in some places reduce drastically, in others (normally further up Vancouver Island heading north) it comes and goes and brings with it new life. 

The above photo was taken on a wall at Steep Island in Campbell River. CR is a great place to dive all year round. It has very high tidal exchanges (some of the largest in the world), which means it can flush out bad viz and offer spectacular diving all year round. 

Steep Island is a unique site in BC as it is home to a magnificent cliff of tube worms. Imagine a feather duster stuck inside a plastic pipe. The duster pokes out the top, feeds on particulate in the water, and when it senses danger, it retracts in the tube. The duster is a rich red colour, while the wall it is fixed on is covered in sulphur sponges bright yellow, decorated by stunning strawberry anemones.

As summer draws closer, as the nights get longer, the skies blue and water (at least at the surface) get a little warmer, consider dipping your toes in our incredible emerald seas. Remember - its not just land that flourishes under the increased sunlight. Most of our ocean life also relies on photosynthesis, and this time of year things start to get interesting!