White Island Tours
Whakatane, Bay of Plenty
White Island & Moutohora Island
Arriving at White Island by boat
Cruise across the pristine waters of the Bay of Plenty to White Island (Whakaari) – New Zealand’s most active volcano. After being fitted with hard hats and gas masks, guides will lead you on an exploration of the crater floor. Experience roaring steam vents, bubbling pits of mud, hot volcanic streams, and the amazing lake of steaming acid. White Island Tours operates tours to White Island daily (weather permitted), and you could include White Island in a Coromandel - Rotorua - Hawkes Bay circuit. One of New Zealand's best!
White Island Tours also offers cruises to beautiful Moutohora Island Sanctuary.
White Island
Sitting 49km off the coast of New Zealand’s North Island, White Island (Whakaari) is one of the world’s most accessible live volcanoes. With the majority of the volcano sitting beneath the sea, visitors are able to disembark directly into the crater complex – no mountain climbing required.
Once on land, experienced guides will lead you on a 1.5 hour exploration of the inner crater, providing a captivating commentary on the geology of the island and man’s attempts to mine Sulphur.
Lunch will be served back on the boat as you cruise and see the outer walls of the island, abundant with Pohutukawa and Australasian Gannet colonies. The area is also home to dolphins, whales, and other marine life, and viewing these majestic creatures in their natural habitat is a great way to end the day.
Departs between 8-11am | Duration 5-6 hours
Moutohora Island Sanctuary
Moutohora (also known as Whale Island) is one of News Zealand’s little-known treasures and home to a number of New Zealand’s rare and endangered plants, birds and reptiles. Located 9 kms off Whakatane, the island is under the protection of the Department of Conservation (DOC) with access highly restricted.
The fully-guided tour allows visitors to learn about the island's unique flora and fauna, with is a chance to see a number of different species – including saddleback / tieke, kakariki / red-crowned parakeet, little brown kiwi, bellbirds, tui, grey warbler, and tuatara – many of which are endangered or seldom seen on the New Zealand mainland. The tour includes a visit to Sulphur Bay where geothermal hot springs come up through the sand allowing for you to dig your own hot pool on the beach, and ends with a circumnavigation of the island.
Departs between 9-10am | Duration 4.5 hours
Price: $99
Additional Information
Tours are dependent on sea conditions & demand. All tours are confirmed the night prior via a phone call. Minimum age is 4 years however we recommend the tour as more suitable for children 8 years and over. Visitors to Moutohora must undergo a bio-security check prior to landing.
Family Friendly
Directions
Once you arrive in Whakatane, follow the directions to the Town Centre, which will bring you onto a street called the ‘The Strand’. White Island Tours is located at 15 The Strand East.
Terms
GROUP SIZE Please enquire
CHILD POLICY Family Friendly. Recommended minimum age 8. Up to 15 years child rate.
CANCELLATION 24 hours 100% | cancellation due to weather or mechanical reasons Full Refund
SEASON Open year round
CHRISTMAS Closed Christmas Day
Local Area
Rotorua 1 hour 20 minutes