Whakaari / White Island

Whakaari was named "White Island" by Captain Cook on 1 November 1769. Cook noted in his journal, "I have named it White Island because as such it always appeared to us". According to LINZ this name came from the dense clouds of white steam emanating from it. Alternatively, he may have been alluding to the guano deposits that once covered the island. Although Cook sailed close to the island, he did not record that it was a volcano.