Our anniversary treat was a trip to White Island, NZ's most active volcano and 50km offshore from Whakatane. The boat journey out gave us good views back to the coastline, including Whale Island and Mt Edgecumbe (a dormant volcano) in the distance.
On arrival at the island, we disembarked the boat onto a motorised dingy to the old wharf and access to the volcano crater.
We were all equiped with hard hats and gas masks for our safety, though I don't think they would be much use if the volcano decided to increase activity!
The scenery of the island is dramatic and makes the thermal areas of Rotorua look quite tame. The crater is barren and all you can hear is the hissing of steam.
The colours on the island are quite amazing, sulphur is prolific so lots of yellow, which the photos really don't do justice.
There are lots of vents with bubbling mud or water and lots of steam.
This is the largest steam vent in the crater and the noise is incredible.
We also found this amazing sulphur crystal formation.
The view from the back of the crater back down to the sea.
The crater lake is pretty much pure acid and temperature varies but can get up to 75 degrees. Constant steam coming off the lake.
The island used to be used for sulphur mining and the remains of the old mine can still be seen. Sulphur is not dangerous so no harm to the miners, just not a fun way of life.
The view from the mine back up the crater.
The view back to the crater as we headed back to the mainland.
A fantastic trip, the best thing we have done in NZ, and a recommended trip for anyone who can stomach a fun boat ride!
The end of our day was spent fishing on Ohope Beach where we were treated to the most stunning sunset (too busy fishing to take photos!) and we came away with two nice kahawai for smoking back home.
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