A group aboard one of the White Island Tours boats got to see the volcano erupt from a mile and a half away this morning.
White Island Tours marketing manager Patrick O'Sullivan said the skipper of the tour boat realised there was more activity than usual and headed to the crater side of the island.
"They were parked a safe distance away and watched the eruption. Those on board could see a small amount of ash and rock in the eruption but within 10 minutes things were back to normal out there," Mr O'Sullivan said.
While the passengers would not be taking the guided tour over the island, the boat was staying out at sea while they had their lunch and went on a scenic sea tour.
"There's always something exciting to see out there."
Mr O'Sullivan said it was almost a year since the last time White Island recorded a small scale eruption although there had definitely been raised activity during the past 12 months.