white island new zealand tour

White Island Scenic Flights

For an experience that lasts a lifetime.

Embark on a journey like no other as you glide gracefully above New Zealand’s dramatic terrains and scenic coastlines. White Island Flights offers you the unique opportunity to view the beauty of Aotearoa from a vantage point few get to experience. With our experienced pilot and top-tier aircraft, you can enjoy a comfortable, safe, and visually stunning ride.

WHITE ISLAND – MT TONGARIRO – MT RUAPEHU – EAST CAPE

New zealand scenic & volcanic flights.

Explore the best New Zealand has to offer through our range of scenic tours. Enjoy a bird’s eye view as we soar above volcanoes, tranquil, untouched beaches, or majestic peaks – our tours offer something for everybody. Whether you’re on a once-in-a-lifetime holiday to New Zealand or celebrating a special occasion, our flights are the perfect addition. Grab a gift voucher for family or friends, or book your very own White Island Flight today!

Gift a Flight

Looking for a special way to celebrate someone special? Why not gift an experience!

A birthday, an anniversary, or simply a token of appreciation, our flights are a gift they’ll never forget.

Private Charter Flights

At White Island Flights, our Private Charter service gives you the freedom and flexibility to tailor a flight path to suit you. Whether you have a specific itinerary in mind or want a private journey for your group, we've got you covered.

Call us now to book your private charter.

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White Island Volcano Tours

Activities - Bay of Plenty New Zealand

Cruise across the pristine waters of the Bay of Plenty to White Island – New Zealand’s most active volcano. After donning hard hats and gas masks, guides will lead you on an exploration of the crater. Experience roaring fumaroles, sparkling sulphur chimneys, bubbling pools of mud and the spectacular main crater.

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White Island Volcano Tour

Join the White Island Tours crew aboard the luxury cruiser ‘PeeJay’ for a 6 hour adventure to explore New Zealand’s only active marine volcano – White Island.

Sitting 49km off the coast of New Zealand’s North Island, this is one of the world’s most accessible live volcanos. With the majority of the volcano sitting beneath the sea it means we are able to disembark directly into the crater complex – no mountain climbing required.

Being a live volcano there is little doubt that White Island is home to New Zealand’s most impressive geothermal activity. Visitors are able to get up close to roaring steam vents, bubbling pits of mud, hot volcanic streams and the amazing lake of steaming acid. The vivid hues of yellow and orange resulting from the abundant sulphur on the island make it a photographer’s dream. Experienced guides will lead visitors on a two hour exploration of the inner crater, providing a fascinating commentary on the geology of the island as well as stories of attempts to mine sulphur. Along with volcanic and geothermal features, you will see the remains of the sulphur factory which have survived multiple eruptions since being abandoned in the 1930s.

Once back aboard PeeJay you will be served a light packed lunch which can be enjoyed while viewing the outer walls of the island where Pohutukawa forests grow and large Australasian Gannet colonies exist.

Our journey home often provides the opportunity to spend time viewing dolphins, whales and other marine life. We hold the necessary government permits to interact with these animals and it’s a great way to end an already amazing day.

Tours depart daily (weather permitting) from Whakatane. For those wishing to stay in Whakatane we recommend the White Island Rendezvous motel which is also the check-in location for our tours.

Moutohora: Island Sanctuary (Whale Island)

Take a short boat ride to visit one of NZ’s most restricted wildlife sanctuaries. Moutohorā (also known as Whale Island) is home to a number of endangered bird species such as the Saddleback, Kākāriki (NZ parakeet), and the Little Brown Kiwi. It is also home to NZ’s living dinosaur, the Tuatara, and three other species of lizard. Visitors to the island will learn about the island’s cultural significance to the local Maori tribe which had a village based on the island in pre-European times. Along with spectacular views and beautiful bush life, visitors can dig their own personal spa on the island’s secluded hot water beach.

Adult: $199
Child (13 years and under): $130

Keyword Tags

White Island , Volcano , Tours

White Island / Mount Tarawera Landing

whakaari/white island fly over / mount tarawera landing.

Tour Code: 4D

Experience “Volcanic Extremes” flying over the active crater of “Whakaari” White Island before landing on the now dormant but extremely spectacular summit of Mount Tarawera.

Both of these volcanoes are of significance, Whakaari more recently for the devastating 2019 eruption and Mount Tarawera for the much larger 1886 eruption considered to be the largest in New Zealand’s living memory. Different in the extreme, Whakaari is an active marine volcano and changes its activity on a daily basis, while far inland Mount Tarawera stands impressively above its central North Island landscape of lakes and native bush. The mountain is now dormant, but it’s impressive craters and domes are evidence of the massive eruption that shaped this area. Views from the summit are breathtaking, not only for the volcanoes deep craters but also for commanding vistas of the surrounding region.

Additional aerial views include the Tarawera Falls, Waimangu Volcanic Valley, stunning crater lakes, fertile farms and forestry, horticultural lands and distant national parks. This tour will provide unparalleled views of an incredible diversity of scenery, as well as commentary on the fascinating history and rich cultural heritage unique to beautiful Rotorua

Duration: Allow 1 Hours 45 Minutes

Location: All tours depart from Lakefront Drive, Rotorua City Lakefront

Requirements: Comfortable closed in walking shoes and clothes appropriate to the conditions on the day. It is always a good idea to bring a jacket, sunscreen and of course a camera !

Children: Under 2 free of charge. Children 2-11 years pay a child fare (75% of the adult fare).

Safety: A full safety briefing will be provided at the Volcanic Air Base. All passengers will be required to be weighted in order to ensure proper weight distribution in the aircraft.

TOUR INCLUDES

A 1 hour 25 minute scenic flight and a 20 -minute walking tour of the summit of Mount Tarawera.

Tour duration, flight times and inclusions may vary due to weather conditions, volcanic activity and passenger loadings. Excursion landings are undertaken at your own risk and such landings are at your pilot’s sole discretion.

Start Booking Now

To make a booking for travel within the next 24 hours, please call our office direct on +64 7 348 9984 or 0800 800 848

To make a booking for travel within the next 24 hours, please call our office direct on +64 7 348 9984 or 0800 800 848 .

Helpful tips

Here's a few useful links to help with planning your trip to Aotearoa New Zealand.

Best things to do in the North Island
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Waitomo Glowworm Caves

Wine Tasting

7-Day North Island Escape

Make every day count on our North Island Escape Tour. Venture off the beaten track, seek the unseen and travel in style with Wild Kiwi Premium. Uncover natural beauty, explore history and relax in this unique way of travel.

Pricing and Conditions

Please see the website for full cancellation details.

Prepare for an unforgettable 7-day luxury tour to experience the best of New Zealand's North Island. Discover geothermal wonders, spectacular beaches, glowworm caves and the rich Maori culture as you immerse yourself in this enchanting region. This tour includes transport in high-class vehicles, premium accommodation, freshly cooked breakfast every day, a welcome dinner, a Hobbiton Movie Set Tour and lunch, an exclusive Te Puia Geothermal park visit with hangi lunch, Waitomo Glowworm Cave Tour and a visit to the Hamilton Gardens with a picnic lunch. We finish the tour with a memorable farewell dinner.

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This website helps visitors connect with providers of great New Zealand tourism experiences. It is not intended to give any assurance that any particular provider meets certain quality standards or legal obligations. Please contact this business for more information. See also: newzealand.com terms of use (opens in new window) .

New Zealand
North Island
Air, Helicopter & Balloon Tours
Helicopter Tours

White Island Helicopter Flight and Volcano Walking Tour

Choose from multiple departure times
Helicopter flight and walking tour of White Island from Rotorua
Trek past active steam vents, hot streams and vibrant sulphur formations on a guided walk on the island
Hear informative commentary from an expert pilot-guide

Inclusions & Exclusions

Professional pilot-guide
Headsets to hear the guide clearly
Food and drinks
Gratuities (optional)
Hotel pickup and drop-off

Departure & Return

Memorial Drive, Rotorua

Returns to original departure point

What To Expect

Climb aboard your helicopter, snap into your seatbelt and slip on the provided headsets to hear your pilot-guide's commentary as you take off from Rotorua. Look down upon the Northern Lakes district, which includes Lake Rotorua and Lake Rotoiti, and soar over the geothermal landscape of Hells Gate before leaving the North Island coast to White Island, positioned 31 miles (50 km) offshore within the Taupo Volcanic Zone.Hover above White Island's crater lake before landing, then disembark the helicopter for a leisurely 1- to 1.5-hour guided walk on the active volcano's ever-changing surface. On a tour of the crater floor, stop for photo ops of hot pools and fumaroles as well as the ruins of a sulphur mining factory abandoned in 1933.You'll learn about White Island's gannet colonies as well as native flora, including remnants of a once-thriving pohutukawa forest. Discover how the island's main steam vent, located below sea level, is protected by the crater walls. On your return flight to Rotorua, take in aerial views of the Bay of Plenty.

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Subject to favorable weather conditions. If canceled due to poor weather, you will be given the option of an alternative date or full refund
Minimum numbers apply. There is a possibility of cancellation after confirmation if there are not enough passengers to meet requirements. In the event of this occurring, you will be offered an alternative or full refund
All passenger weights MUST be advised at time of booking
Due to comfort and balance of the aircraft, the maximum per seat limit is 297 lbs (135 kg)

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel At least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

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