Volcanic Air Safaris

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. They provide the opportunity to view from the skies the spectacular natural features of Rotorua, Mount Maunganui, and the Central North Island region.

The main theme of all these tours is ‘volcanic', focusing 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.

TOUR 1
City Flight
A view from above! Over Lake Rotorua, Sulphur Bay, the geysers of Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve, and Rotorua City.
By Floatplane (Flight time approx 8 minutes)
By Helicopter (Flight time approx 6 minutes)
(Minimum numbers required)

TOUR 2
Crater Lakes Flight
Experience a wider overview of the Rotorua region. The features of Tour 1 plus five major crater lakes including the Blue and Green Lakes. (Flight time approx 15 minutes)

TOUR 3
Mt. Tarawera Volcano
The most popular tours! Mt. Tarawera erupted in 1886 creating an 8km long volcanic rift along its summit the magnitude of which is only fully appreciated when viewed from above.

3(a) Floatplane. Mt. Tarawera - Waimangu Volcanic Valley
From Lake Rotorua over the Crater Lakes District. Fly over Mt.Tarawera's Crater Rift and wonder at the massive destruction caused by the 1886 eruption. Continue south past the Steaming Cliffs and the hot lakes of Waimangu Volcanic Valley. Return to Rotorua over the Blue and Green Lakes, the geysers of Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve, and Rotorua City.(Flight time  approx 30 minutes)

3(b) Helicopter. Mt. Tarawera - Hell's Gate Landing and Tour 
From the Rotorua City Lakefront over the Crater Lakes District to the summit of Mt.Tarawera to view from above the awesome volcanic rift of this icon attraction. Continue north over Lake Okataina to an exclusive landing and 15 minute guided tour at Hell's Gate - Rotorua's most active geothermal area. Return across Lake Rotorua. (Allow 50 minutes.)

TOUR 4
White Island Active Volcano
Located 50 km off the Bay of Plenty coast. Experience the fury of nature at work on this awesome Island of the Pacific "Ring of Fire".

4(a) Floatplane White Island and Mt.Tarawera
Over Hell's Gate Thermal Valley and the Northern Lakes to the Pacific Ocean coastline. Circle and view from above the crater and fearsome activity of White Island active volcano. Return over Mt.Tarawera's volcanic crater rift, the Steaming Cliffs, Waimangu Volcanic Valley, the Blue and Green Lakes, and the geysers of Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley.Flight time 1 hour 20 minutes. 

4(b) Helicopter White Island land on and explore an active volcano!
Your flight takes you north over Hell's Gate Thermal Valley to the Pacific Ocean coastline and the active volcano of White Island. Land at the crater's rim and spend approximately one hour on a guided walk of this fascinating natural attraction. Experience the volcanic fury of the main crater, view sulphur deposits, and the remains of the old sulphur mine.(Allow 3 hours)

4(c) Helicopter White Island and Mt. Tarawera
As per tour 4b but with the added attraction of flying over Mt. Tarawera.
(Allow 3 hours 15 minutes)

TOUR 5
Orakei Korako Hidden Valley
By Floatplane or Helicopter *Over the Crater Lakes District and the volcanic rift of Mt. Tarawera. Continue south via Waimangu and Waiotapu Thermal Areas to land at the Hidden Valley of Orakei Korako. Transfer by boat across the lake to explore the bubbling hot springs, gushing geysers and natural beauty of this hidden geothermal wonderland. Rejoin your aircraft for the return trip to Rotorua. (Allow 2 hours 15 minutes)* (Minimum numbers - floatplane 2 adults - helicopter 4 adults)

TOUR 6
Combination Flight/Jet boat Safari
By Floatplane or Helicopter * over the Crater Lakes District to the volcanic rift of Mt. Tarawera. Continue east to a landing on the Matahina Hydro Lake. Step aboard your Jet boat for a 50km jet boat safari through the narrow wilderness reaches and gorges of the Rangitaiki River to Aniwhenua Falls. Rejoin your aircraft for the return flight over the Northern Lakes to Rotorua. Allow 2 hours and 15 minutes. * (Minimum numbers - floatplane 2 adults - helicopter 4 adults)

Volcanic Air Safaris can provide transfers to most lodges and your lakeside accommodation.