We checked in at the office of Pee Jay White Island Tours in the morning and paid for our trip before heading to the boat. The 90 minute journey to White Island started with us leaving the Whakatane River going past the sandbar (which can due to tidal conditions determine the departure time).
As we approached White Island we were issued with hard hats and gas masks. We were tendered on to the island by dinghies for a 2h walking tour with excellent commentaries about the geology and history of this privately owned island.
Due to the harsh and poisonous conditions, not many things grow here. There are exceptions with certain plants that seem to have adapted. And despite these conditions, there had been attempts to settle and mine the sulphur here. The conditions took its toll on the workers and the machinery (corrosion).
Back on board, we were given a box lunch. Some people swam but it wasn’t warm enough for me. We headed back to Whakatane and drove home to Auckland.
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- Approaching White Island.
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- Landing on White Island.
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- Scenes from White Island. While the ground here looks stable, it is quite dangerous as they could give way into sink holes with steam.
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- Scenes from White Island. While the ground here looks stable, it is quite dangerous as they could give way into sink holes with steam.
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- Scenes from White Island. While the ground here looks stable, it is quite dangerous as they could give way into sink holes with steam.
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- Scenes from White Island. Streams with different composition of minerals give them different taste (yes, we were given a chance to have a lick).
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- Scenes from White Island. Streams with different composition of minerals give them different taste (yes, we were given a chance to have a lick).
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- Scenes from White Island. Around the old factory area.
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- Leaving White Island.
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- We encountered some playful dolphins on the way back.
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- We encountered some playful dolphins on the way back.
