Would you love to embark on a thrilling adventure and witness the raw power of Earth’s most spectacular natural wonders? Volcano tourism offers an exciting opportunity to explore active and dormant volcanoes, where you can marvel at the dramatic landscapes and learn about the fascinating geology beneath your feet. Whether you’re looking to hike to the summit, soak in the views, or relax in volcanic hot springs, there are destinations around the world that allow you to experience volcanoes safely. Don’t wait any longer – book your flights and hotels today to start planning your volcanic adventure!
Below are some of the best places where you can safely experience volcanoes in all their fiery glory.
1. Hawaii, USA
Hawaii is one of the most iconic destinations for volcano tourism, and the Big Island, in particular, is home to some of the most active volcanoes in the world. The Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park offers a range of tours and hiking trails, including the opportunity to witness the power of Kīlauea and Mauna Loa, two of the planet’s most active volcanoes. Visitors can hike through lava fields, visit steaming craters, and even catch a glimpse of lava flows into the ocean (if the conditions are right). Safety is a priority, and trained rangers and tour guides provide expert knowledge on the safest ways to experience these volcanic wonders.
2. Iceland
Iceland is a paradise for volcano enthusiasts, offering a stunning combination of volcanic landscapes, glaciers, and geysers. The island has more than 30 active volcanoes, with Eyjafjallajökull and Hekla being two of the most famous. Iceland’s dramatic terrain includes volcanic craters, lava fields, and geothermal hot springs, which can all be explored in safety through guided tours. Þingvellir National Park and the Golden Circle route offer incredible opportunities to explore geothermal wonders while learning about the country’s volcanic activity. For the more adventurous, there are guided hikes to volcanic craters, ice caves, and lava tunnels. Iceland also offers hot springs like the Blue Lagoon, where visitors can relax in geothermal waters warmed by volcanic activity.
3. Mount Vesuvius, Italy
Located near the city of Naples, Mount Vesuvius is one of the most famous volcanoes in the world due to its eruption in 79 AD, which buried the Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Today, Vesuvius remains an active stratovolcano, and visitors can hike to its summit to peer into the caldera and enjoy panoramic views of the Bay of Naples. The Vesuvius National Park provides guided tours of the volcano and surrounding area, making it a safe and educational experience for tourists. While the volcano is still active, local authorities carefully monitor its activity, ensuring that visitors can explore it with minimal risk.
4. Costa Rica
Costa Rica is known for its lush rainforests, rich biodiversity, and numerous active volcanoes. The Arenal Volcano, one of the most active volcanoes in Central America, offers a variety of volcano tours, including hikes, guided walks, and the chance to relax in volcanic hot springs. Arenal’s most recent eruption occurred in 2010, and though it’s now in a resting phase, it still offers a stunning view of its cone-shaped peak. Other notable volcanoes in Costa Rica include Poás Volcano and Irazú Volcano. Costa Rica’s volcanoes are carefully monitored by experts to ensure visitor safety, and the country’s national parks provide a safe environment for volcano exploration.
5. Indonesia
Indonesia is home to more than 130 active volcanoes, making it a top destination for volcano tourism. Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park in East Java is one of the most visited volcanic areas, where visitors can hike up Mount Bromo and enjoy the surreal landscape of volcanic craters, black sand deserts, and rising plumes of smoke. For those seeking a more adventurous experience, Mount Rinjani on the island of Lombok offers a challenging trek to its crater lake, while Mount Merapi near Yogyakarta is one of Indonesia’s most active volcanoes.
6. Chile
Chile is a country with a long volcanic history, and its landscape is dotted with stunning volcanoes, particularly in the Andes Mountains. Villarrica Volcano in the Pucón region is one of the most active volcanoes in the world and offers thrilling opportunities for visitors to hike its slopes or take part in guided lava viewing tours. Chile’s Atacama Desert is also home to Tatio Geysers, a geothermal area where visitors can watch hot springs and geysers erupt against the backdrop of volcanic peaks. The country’s volcanoes are carefully monitored by authorities, and local guides ensure safe tours of these magnificent natural wonders.
7. New Zealand
New Zealand offers some of the best opportunities for volcano tourism, especially on the North Island. The Tongariro National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is home to several active volcanoes, including Mount Ruapehu, Mount Ngauruhoe, and Mount Tongariro. Visitors can take guided hikes through volcanic landscapes, explore geothermal hot springs, and even experience a volcanic eruption from a safe distance at White Island (also known as Whakaari). The country’s geothermal regions, such as Rotorua, are famous for their bubbling mud pools, geysers, and hot springs. New Zealand’s well-established safety protocols make volcano tourism here an exciting yet secure experience.