|
|  |
White Island Tours
|
| Sightseeing Cruise
-
White Island
|
More Information and Bookings
|
Take a cruise onboard PeeJay, a 73 foot luxury launch, sweeping past pods of dolphins, schools of red snapper and blue maomao over the clear deep blue waters typical of the Bay of Plenty. Step onto one of the worlds most interesting volcanoes, the only live marine volcanoe in New Zealand.
The tour gives you an in-depth insight into the volcanoes history, the acidic environment and the craters and the varying coloured lake of the main crater. The island’s history is related in an informative way, with scientific information explained in an easy-to-understand manner.
Walking on White Island is like walking on the moon. Virtually no vegetation survives the harsh acidic environment inside the crater walls. Instead, lush beds of yellow and white sulphur crystals grow amongst hissing, steaming, bubbling fumaroles.
Giant mounds, remnants of the 1914 Great Landslide, dwarf visitors as they wind their way up to the Main Crater. Venturing to the edge, they are greeted by an amazing sight - an immense crater, with towering walls shielding its spectacular lake and punctuated by steamy vents from which the power of the inner earth constantly belches forth.
Neighbouring Donald Duck and Noisy Nellie Craters each have their own stories to tell and a view from on high. Down below, bright yellow chimneys of delicate sulphur crystals enhance the alien landscape and lure the visitor for a closer look.
In contrast to these natural features, stand the ruins of an old factory, the only human testament to the numerous failed sulphur mining attempts of days gone by, and now slowly being reclaimed by Mother Nature.
The trip out to the island is approximately 80 minutes, depending on conditions, so there is plenty of time to take in the scenery and marine life and enjoy our commentary through the excellent microphone system on board.
On the way out to the island our crew will issue everyone with some safety gear which consists of a hard hat and gas mask. Upon arrival at White Island we anchor PeeJay and ferry everyone over to the island via inflatable boat to an existing concrete jetty. There is a short ladder to climb, a steel planking system to cross, and some boulders to negotiate before reaching the shore. Then it is time to start your exploration of New Zealand’s only live marine volcano.
Trained tour guides will take you through the remains of the old sulphur mining factory and up close and personal with the bright yellow sulphur crystals. Just to top it all off, venture right up to the main crater’s edge. It’s all here, the hissing, roaring, eerie steam rising from the crater lake. After feeling the awesome power of Mother Nature, sit back, relax and indulge in one of our delicious lunches on board PeeJay.
On our trip home we might even be lucky enough to spend some time with the dolphins.
|
Address
15 The Strand East
Whakatane
New Zealand
|
Click Here for More Information and Bookings
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Thornton Beach Holiday Park - Holiday Park, Motel, Resort.
Welcome to Thornton Beach Holiday Park in the beautiful Bay of Plenty. Thornton Beach is a superb destination for a...
Active Volcano Helicopter Landings from Rotorua - Air-Land Tour - Starting from around NZ $590.00 per person - Rotorua.
Trekking on an active volcano - something you see on the discovery channel, yes? Not now! New Zealand's only...
