+ This article was written and published in 2014, prior to the eruption in 2019 which fatally wounded 22 people. As a result of the deadly eruption, tour companies are no longer permitted to carry tourists to White Island.
As we step off the jetty the earth crunches beneath our feet, all around us Mother Nature displays her unyielding power. Plumes of white steam rise from craters and above us the cliffs are tarnished with hues of yellow and red. Gases hiss and roar as they escape from the craters littering the ground, contaminating the atmosphere with a primordial stench.
Stood on this explosive moonscape we are surrounded by raw irrepressible energy. The chemical atmosphere sickly sweet lingers in the air, a reminder of life on earth at the beginning of time.
Review of my boat trip to White Island
Although known today by Cook’s descriptive title White Island was first discovered by the Maui settlers some 1000 years ago.
While a number of translations of the original Māori have been made it is known commonly as ‘Whakaari’ which means ‘that which can be made visible’, perhaps in reference to the island’s tendency to disappear from the horizon.
Bad weather can wipe the island from view to those on the mainland, whereas a clear day will highlight the jagged outline of its volcanic form.
27 nautical miles / 49km from the shores of the Bay of Plenty White Island is an anomaly amongst the surrounding landscape. The only active marine volcano in New Zealand it is in a permanent state of unrest facilitating some vigorous displays of geothermal activity to those brave enough to go ashore.
Sat along the fracture line of the famous ‘Ring of Fire’ it is part of New Zealand’s Taupo Volcanic Zone along with over 25 other volcanic centres, including the world famous Lake Rotorua and Mount Tongariro.
A turbulent environment, visiting White Island is not for the faint of heart or sensitive of nose. However if you are prepared to brave the tempestuous surroundings you’ll be rewarded with a view like nothing else on earth.
Walking on Whakaari
The rugged coastline displays the effects of the elements on this outcrop. Barren other than a single species of plant that clings to the external edge of the crater, its sheer sided cliffs and windswept shores have remained largely uninhabited.
For the twitchers amongst you it may be of interest to hear that the outer slopes of the island are home to large colonies of Gannet, whose presence is all too obvious by the blanket of white droppings that adorn the upper edges of the crater like snow.
Moonscape-like landscapes
Originally a sealed crater, increased volcanic activity during the early 1900’s led to a landslide of epic proportions which broke through the external wall and flushed everything in its path out to sea. Tragically this included the inhabitants of a small mining operation that had been set up to extract the bounty of sulphur expelled by the constant geothermal activity.
Leaving a path of destruction in its wake the remnants of the mine greet us upon our arrival. Twisted steel and decaying concrete litter the ground. The remains of buildings, machinery and tools lay dormant on the crater floor. A reminder of the island’s grisly past.
Exploring the turbulent environment
Unlike the traditional depiction of a volcanic eruption, black and red magma flowing slowly over the ground, White Island explodes with incredible force sending chunks of igneous rock flying into the air.
A continually changing environment the island has been in its present form for the last 16,000 years, a tiny fraction of its existence. Formed over the last 100,000 years by a continual cycle of eruptions this mountainous structure has grown out of the plains of the ocean floor.
Hiking the crater floor of White Island
Giant hills of earth, remnants of the landslides almost 100 years ago, dwarf us as we stand listening intently to the safety brief, and regular bursts of steam erupt from the surrounding pressure mounds.
Equipped with hard hats and gas masks we are advised to follow in the footsteps of our guide to assist in the preservation of the crater floor. Deeper and deeper into the carter we walk, the sulphuric fumes gathering in our throats. Transformed with every violent episode no two visits to the island will ever be the same.
What were once numerous craters and a lake up to 90 miles deep is now easily navigated on foot in relative safety. Molton sulphur streams that have carved their way across the floor lie still, sulphur chimneys glisten in the sunlight and eruptions of steam occasionally obstruct our the view in front.
The great lake
Our guide recalled the tale of a visitor who’s hard hat had fallen into the ‘waters’ within the crater, returning just 24 hours later with suitable equipment to retrieve the durable safety hat they found it to be an unrecognisable wilted plastic form, ravaged by the elements.
Environmental research on White Island
During our tour we spotted some rather unusual additions to the landscape. While a rule of ‘take only photographs and leave only footprints’ is strictly enforced while on the island, a few technical additions have been made in a bid to better understand and predict the destructive tendencies of the beast within.
Seismograph detection wires, volcanic tremor sensors, solar powered cameras and measuring devices are permanent features amongst the smeared sulphuric earth.
What were once numerous craters and a lake up to 90 miles deep is now easily navigated on foot in relative safety. Molton sulphur streams that have carved their way across the floor lie still, sulphur chimneys glisten in the sunlight and eruptions of steam occasionally obstruct our the view in front.
Scientists aim to visit the island each month to record a visual analysis of the environment, perform equipment maintenance and connect on a more personal level with their subject.
We heard first hand from our guide just how much the staff of Pee Jay Tours enjoy assisting with the research in a bid to expand their own understanding of the island they visit on a daily basis.
For those interested in checking out the current activity taking place on the island you can visit the researchers website and watch the island on their live volcano webcam.
It was surprising but very humbling to see the guides taking photographs of their own to record the changes that occur in between their visits. How thrilling to visit such an incredible natural wonder so often that you can watch it evolve.
How to get to White Island
For the more daring there is the opportunity to hop aboard a helicopter and take in the magnificence from the air however this will set you back more than double the cost of the equally impressive marine tour.
Pee Jay Tours are on the path to a sustainable future and their efforts to minimize their impact on the island were evident from the moment we checked in. You won’t find any unnecessary wastage in the form of paper tickets, non-recyclable packaging and foreign produce aboard their vessels.
Sustainability is a top priority in order to preserve the delicate balance of activity on the island.
White Island tips for travellers
Operating the tour daily 364 days of the year the only factor to consider during your visit is the weather. We were advised that the winter months bring calmer seas and cool, crisp sunny days which provide perfect viewing conditions however I’ve no doubt the island is spectacular at any time of the year.
Prices per adult are $199.00 and rates for children 13 years and under vary throughout the season.
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For us the opportunity to get so close to one of the contributing sources of life on our earth was a truly remarkable experience. Despite their often robust appearance the environments that cover our earth are so volatile, reacting to every change in the atmosphere and climate.
Hiking to the edge of the great lake and looking back towards the ocean I was struck by just how much this submarine mountain had evolved itself and hoped that the influence of mankind would not undo Mother Nature’s efforts to provide us with a varied landscape in which to flourish.
If you’re interested in New Zealand’s volcanic environment we highly recommend this day trip out to White Island and were thrilled with the service provided by skipper Peter and his crew over at Pee Jay tours.
For more of geothermal tales, have a read of our feature on the colourful geothermal pools at Wai-O-Tapu.
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Have you been to White Island and experienced the primordial stink? Share your comments with us below.