New Zealand - White Island

White Island - New Zealand's is situated 50 km's off the coast of the Bay of Plenty near the town of Whakatane.
Although some companies offer helicopter-flights over the island, I highly recommend a guided boat tour from Whakatane. It is more than worth the money. Total duration of such a tour is about 6 hours, including 2 hours visit of the volcano itself.

White Island is New Zealand's most active marine volcano and steam and gas are rising continuously from its craters. The plume of smoke and gas can be seen from the mainland. It has a nearly continuous stage of smoking, at least since it was 'discovered' by James Cook in 1769, which gave White Island its name.

The island has an extremely fascinating scenery and is so remote, so pure and so different from many other spots. It is almost if you are witness of the birth of the earth or walking on the moon. The bright yellow sulphurous vents, the smell of the gases and rumbling of the inner earth under our feet provide an unique experience.

(The pictures were taken with a Rollei Prego 90 > scan.)