Tourism on White Island An estimated 10,000 people visit White Island, or Whakaari, each year according to Newshub. Vessels often dock on the eastern side of the island and tourists walk from the beach to the centre of the active volcano where they then stand on the crater's edge. Here are some visitors that have made the journey to the island over the years. But there are now some expressing concerns about the wisdom of active volcano tourism - albeit others saying it could be managed safely.