White Island lies 48 kilometers off New Zealand's Bay of Plenty coastline. It is unique in that visitors to the island 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.
The surroundings are quite surreal and the scenery spectacular. 
It is like walking on an active volcanic moonscape with no plants or vegetation inside the crater. The smell of sulphur and the noise of steam emanating from the many fumaroles both large and small makes for a amazing sensory experience.
The trip to and from the island is also memorable. It is possible to see the full grandeur of White Island rising out of the South Pacific Ocean.
The island is closely monitored by New Zealand scientists, but nevertheless being a volcano the Island is not without its hazards.  Licensed operators take visitors to the island and provide hard hats, masks and the supervision necessary when venturing  this close to the breath and pulse of the earth.