Pacific Ocean from eastern Siberia to western North America as far south as Santa Barbara, California.

Nereis vexillosa is often found in burrows in the sand or in association with mussels and barnacles.

Although it has an eversible proboscis that it uses for prey capture, N. vexillosa also feeds on algae which it attaches to the opening of its burrow.

Epitokous worms leave their burrows and enter the water column in spawning swarms.

[4] Nereis vexillosa is an important food item for foraging birds in the intertidal zone.