White Island
Also known as: Whakaari
Best time to dive
January to December; December to March
Certification & difficulty
Advanced Open Water - advanced conditions (currents/depth); dive within your training.
Snorkelling
Not a snorkel site - Not typically offered as a standalone product given volcanic gas/access hazards; scenic/fishing trips available with dive add-on
Safety notes
ACTIVE VOLCANO - noxious/toxic gas emissions (do not fill dive cylinders downwind of the island); 2019 eruption killed 22 - all on-land access permanently suspended/prohibited; New Zealand's volcanic alert level can restrict boat proximity; GeoNet alert level should always be checked before any trip; remote offshore location, significant boat transit time
Permits & fees
No landing permitted under any circumstances since 2019 (island privately owned by Whakaari Management Ltd, land access closed); no specific dive permit for surrounding waters but operators must comply with maritime exclusion/safety zones set after 2019 eruption; check GeoNet.org.nz volcanic alert level before booking
Permits and operators change - confirm before booking.
Location
Nearest hub: Whakatane
This profile is desk research, compiled from public sources - not a first-hand dive report. Coordinates are approximate.