White Island

Don a hard hat and gas mask as you embark on the most exciting adventure in the Bay of Plenty, a trip to White Island. Located off the coast of New Zealand, White Island is an active volcano and considered one of the most accessible of its kind in the world. Visit the marine volcano by boat to watch as it rises 321 metres (1,053 feet) above you or soar above it on a scenic flight. For the most adventurous, walk across the island to feel the heat of its geothermic activity and to see the birds that have made the smoking island their home.

With rocky crags and deep trenches surrounding the land, White Island has become a popular dive site in New Zealand. Combine your visit to the island with a chartered dive trip to experience the volcano from all angles. Swim through volcanic rocks and discover diverse marine life residing in its shadow. Fish for trout or marlin in the water around White Island as you cruise across the Bay of Plenty.

Disembark from your boat at the island to explore the bubbling pools of water and a lake of steaming acid. A 2-hour walk will take you through the island’s unique features, many of which are inaccessible elsewhere in the world. A guide will give you the history of the island. Learn about the tragic fate of the 10 sulphur miners who lost their lives on the island in 1914.

Those seeking a different view will find a number of chartered flight operators in the Bay of Plenty area offering flights over White Island. Fly by helicopter or plane for unparalleled views of the island from above. Watch as the steam from the boiling lake rises towards you. Capture images of the volcano with the beautiful Bay of Plenty as the backdrop.

White Island is located just 50 kilometres (30 miles) from shore in the Bay of Plenty. Find boat and flight operators in all major towns in the bay; however, Tauranga and Whakatāne have the largest number.