Volcanic Air Safaris - Rotorua

Rates: from NZ$175 per person >> View Tour Map 1 >> View Tour Map 2

Volcanic Air Safaris is based at the Rotorua City lakefront on the shores of Lake Rotorua and offers an extensive range of scenic flights by Helicopter or Floatplane. From the skies, visitors may view the spectacular natural features of Rotorua, Mount Maunganui and the central North Island Region.

The main theme of the tours is ‘volcanic’ which focuses on the many crater lakes and geothermal attractions of the area, with specific emphasis on the dormant volcano of Mt Tarawera, the geothermal activity of Hells Gate and New Zealand’s most active (offshore) volcano, White Island.

White Island / Whakaari:

Situated 50 kilometres offshore, this active island volcano constantly emits a cloud of  steam and periodically erupts to a greater extent expelling volcanic ash several thousand metres into the atmosphere. The main vent is below sea level and protected by crater walls. White Island is accessible from Rotorua by floatplane and helicopter with the latter allowing approximately one hour on the island for a tour of its volcanic features. We have been flying to White Island since 1968, offering visitors to get 'up close and personal' with this living giant - one of the only accessible island volcanoes in the world.

At first glance, this living volcano covers just 2.4km by 2km – but beneath the ocean, White Island stands at 16 km tall and 18 km wide.

The island’s almost lunar qualities and its constant volcanic activity make it one of the most awesome scenic attractions in the country.  The bright yellow sulphurous vents, the smell of the volcanic gases and rumbling of the inner earth under your feet provide a unique experience. 

Volcanic Air passengers can walk right inside its main crater just above sea level with a minimum of physical effort and without undue risk.  This allows you to experience at first hand nature's immense power as gas and steam burst up from far below the Earth's crust.

White Island has a rich history, being mined for sulphur for decades. A massive landslide in 1914, which killed 10 men, ended all industry on the island. However, ruins from White Island's mining days remain and visitors enjoy exploring these.

White Island is also home to abundant birdlife, particularly gannets and mutton birds. From the air, we often see dolphins and whales in the waters surrounding the volcano.