White Island (Whakaari)
Lying 50 kilometres offshore of
Whakatane, White Island is New Zealand's only marine volcano and also New Zealand's most consistently active volcano, with ash showers, boiling pools, gas vents, sulphur holes and geysers. The volcano has been continuously active for more than 150,000 years, and temperatures of up to 800ºC have been recorded. The island itself is just 324ha, but about 70% of the volcano lies underneath the sea, making it the largest volcanic structure in the country.
Vsiting White IslandSome 10,000 visitors call at the island annually to view the volcano and explore the remains of the sulphur mining operation that restarted in 1920. The original venture was destroyed during a 1914 eruption, which caused 12 deaths. The island is privately owned and must be visited with a tour company that has permission to land. Tour options range from scenic flights to
guided walks.