White Island (Whakaari) is an active volcano located fifty kilometres offshore from Whakatane in the Bay of Plenty. It is New Zealand’s most active volcano, with hot water and steam continually spouting from vents on the crater floor.

The diving at White Island can be challenging because of the exposed nature of the island and lack of protected anchorage. It is also these elements that make the diving spectacular, with wonderful visibility and openwater diving where you might see almost any pelagic species.

The neighbouring Volkner Rocks are now a fully protected marine reserve. Schools of massive Kingfish are common. You can also see Golden snapper amid the kelp forest and brilliant red Diadema urchins.

AUUC at White Island

We head out to White Island with a local expert in the area, John Baker, on his boat Ma Cherie. Because of the 50 kilometre distance we need to cover to reach the island, we spend two nights and three days out there living on the boat and diving and fishing. This is not a cheap trip, but because the area is so spectacular it is worth every cent. There are only places for six people on this trip and it usually books out very quickly.

Trip costs $450 per person. Additional costs are food and air fills ($5 each).

What you need to bring

All scuba gear, two tanks recommended. Fishing gear. Sleeping bag and towel. Pillows are provided.

Meals are prepared and cooked together for the entire group. A couple of members of the group needs to put together a menu plan and shop for everything prior to the trip. It is wise to prepare some meals before boarding eg. pasta sauce, to make cooking more efficient. The skipper and his deckhand also needs to be catered for.

Directions to Whakatane from Auckland

Travel south on SH1. Turn left onto SH2. Continue south on SH27. At Matamata take SH24. Turn onto SH29. Skirt around Tauranga. Turn onto SH2, finally taking SH30 into Whakatane. Go into the Whakatane town centre. Cross the river. Straight down Landing Road, past KFC. Turn left at the Shell fuel station into the town centre. Follow the boat sign down The Strand. Take the first left past the sports fishing club and park in the car park. The trip from Auckland to Whakatane takes about 4 hours.
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8-10 August 2009 White Island37 pictures Whakatane, New Zealand	21-23 November 2008 White Island36 pictures Whakatane, New Zealand
14-16 July 2007 White Island35 pictures Whakatane, New Zealand	2003 White Island2 pictures Whakatane, New Zealand