White Island

New Zealand's only active marine volcano

Ever fancied walking on a live volcano? It may seem like a foolish endeavour, but this is something available to the public at New Zealand's only active marine volcano, White Island.

Located off the coast of Whakatane, it takes approximately 80 minutes to reach White Island by boat. When you step ashore on to this hissing, steaming and roaring ecological wonder - estimated at between 100,000 and 200,000 years old - you'll have entered a whole new world.

In fact, some have likened it to being much like a scene out of a 'Star Wars' movie with craters, sheer cliff faces, cracks and tunnels in the surface with steam hissing out of them like a kettle at boiling point.

One of the most breathtaking features of White Island is the almost indescribable crater lake that suddenly appeared on the island. This crystal blue lake, with a water temperature of 66ºC, is covered with an eerie white mist.

White Island has an atmosphere of anger and torment, and walking over its surface brings with it an edgy feeling; an adrenalin buzz that you are tiptoeing over a living, breathing being that could blow at any moment.

In stark contrast, the ruins of an old factory - testament to the numerous failed sulphur mining attempts of days gone by - stands tired and resigned to its fate, as Mother Nature slowly claims it skeletal form.