Things to see and do Whakatane

Situated 48 km off the coast, the 325-hectare island is Whakatane's main attraction. Its famous andesite stratovolcano, Whakaari, is one of the most active in New Zealand. The island is just the tip of a much larger underwater volcano. Legend has it that it first appeared when the priest Ngatoroirangi summoned fire from the land of his ancestors to warm his frozen limbs when he was lost on Mount Tongariro. In its path, the fire pierced the earth's surface and created White Island. In 1883, a factory was built at Tauranga to transform sulfur into sulfuric acid. Mining ceased in 1934, but its remains are still visible. Today, the island is a reserve that can only be visited by air, and since December 9, 2019, without landing for safety reasons.

December 9, 2019: it's easy to think that the country isn't as dangerous as it seems, and to take advantage of volcanic hazards without worrying about them. On this day, however, no one would have imagined the unthinkable. It was 2.11pm when Whakaari erupted. Just under 50 people were on the island at the time (the official announcement was 47 people, 2 missing). The phreatic eruption released steam and gas at extreme temperatures. The toll is very heavy: 22 people lose their lives, 2 are not found, 25 seriously injured.

See The Volcano: Rescue from Whakaari, a documentary directed by Rory Kennedy in 2022.

Whale Island (Moutohora) is smaller (143 hectares) and less well-known than its offshore neighbor, White Island (Whakaari). Moutohora rises to 353 meters and was formed by volcanic activity in the region. Its last eruption dates back to the Pleistocene (11,000 years ago). Since 1965, it has been an important nature reserve, renowned for its whale and dolphin watching. Only the following companies are authorized by the Department Of Conservation (DOC) to operate in the area: Prosail Yacht Charters, Ngāti Awa Tourism Ltd and Diveworks Charters.