Volcano Boarding: Where and how to sandboard on active volcanoes

Last Updated on July 1, 2021

Volcano Boarding (also Volcano Surfing, or Lavaboarding) is an extreme sport performed sliding down volcano slopes. It is entirely similar to sandboarding except it is practiced on active volcanoes in which a recent eruption has generated a dune of ashes and hardened lava. It has become a popular activity and tourist attraction in many countries such as Nicaragua, Indonesia and Vanuatu.

Where can you go volcano boarding?

Because only volcanoes where a recent eruption generated a hardened lava slope are suitable for volcano boaridng, there are only a handful of locations where this activity can be practiced.

1. Cerro Negro – Leon, Nicaragua

Cerro Negro is an active volcano in the Cordillera de los Maribios mountain range in Nicaragua, about 10 km (6.2 mi) from the village of Malpaisillo. One of Nicaragua’s youngest and most active volcanoes, Cerro Negro (lit. “the black hill”) is currently the top destination for volcano boarding. It last erupted in 1999, when lava created what is now an ash-covered dune. In the early 2000s, someone had the crazy idea to try and slide down the volcano – on a mattress. Nowadays, you can rent a sandboard and join a tour.

Read more: Volcano Boarding in Nicaragua

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2. Mount Bromo – East Java, Indonesia

Mount Bromo is a more recent volcanoboarding destination, with its latest eruption dating 2015. Rather than a mount, it is a volcanic plateau, giving the suggestive feeling that you are skiing on the surface on the moon rather than on a deadly active volcano. It is located in the main Indonesian island of Java.

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3. Mount Yasur – Tanna Island, Vanuatu

The Republic of Vanuatu comprises a group of small islands in the pacific ocean. Despite its size, this country has not one, but nine (!) active volcanoes, some of which underwater. The volcanoes themselves are the main tourist attraction of Vanuatu, with Mount Yasur on Tanna Island being the most popular. 

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4. Pacaya Volcano – Antigua, Guatemala

A less popular volcano where sandboarding can be practiced in South America is the Pacaya active complex in Guatemala, close to Antigua and Guatemala City. The volcano has multiple craters and it has erupted at least 23 times in the past 500 years. The latest eruption occurred in January 2021, so there are some rather “fresh” slopes available for volcano boarding.

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5. Mount Etna – Catania, Italy

The largest active volcano in Europe is located in the wonderful island of Sicily in Southern Italy. Skiing on Mt. Etna when it is covered in snow during the winter months is nothing new, but it’s only recently that people have started bringing their own sandboards to enjoy some summer gliding down volcanic ashes. Mind though – unlike other places in this list, there is no dedicated sport facility for sandboarding, which means you will have to go independently. For experts only!

Video: Sandboarding on Mt. Etna

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6. Stromboli – Stromboli Island, Italy

Another Sicilian volcano, located in the Aeolian Island of the same name famous for its black lava beaches. There have been some successful attempts by amateurs to sandboard in Stromboli. As for Mount Etna, there are no official tours taking you to Stromboli and it is not reccommended to go there unless you know what you are doing.

7. Mt. Fuji – Shizuoka / Yamanashi Prefectures, Japan

The iconic Mount Fuji has not erupted since 1707 – but it is still an active volcano. While there is no “official” way to volcano surf on Mt. Fuji, there is plenty of video evidence of people successfully sandboarding down its slopes in the early 2000s, and many people head there for snowboarding during the winter season.

Video: Sandboarding on Mt. Fuji

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Volcano Surfing F.A.Q.s

When was volcano boarding invented?

The history of modern volcano boarding as we know it is very recent, but Ancient Hawaiian Lava Sledding (“He’e holua”) can be considered a precursor of volcano surfing, and was potentially practiced thousands of years ago. It consisted of sledding down lavic paths and volcanic hills using a particular wooden board, and the practice had a ritualistic nature. It wasn’t until the early 2000s that modern volcano boarding took over, as an alternative to sandboarding.

Who invented volcano boarding?

Zoltan Istvan is considered to be the pioneer of volcano surfing, having recorded himself boarding down the slopes of Mt. Yasur back in 2002… while the volcano was actually erupting! That said, it was actually Darryn Webb who popularized the sport when he hit the slopes of Cerro Negro in Nicaragua, using different types of “boards” and eventually settling for something similar to a sandboard to achieve optimal speed.

Can you do volcano boarding in Hawaii?

With the rise of volcano boarding as the latest crazy fad for adrenaline seekers, it may seem surprising that the Hawaiian sandboarding scene hasn’t grown more. The main island of Hawaii, after all, resulted from the eruption of five volcanos – two of which are still active! Unfortunately, no slopes on the island are currently suitable for volcano boarding: the peak of Mauna Kea is covered with snow and better suited for “winter” sports, while the one-million-years-old Kohala is covered in beautiful vegetation. Younger volcanoes in the achipelago – such as Loihi, Hualalai, and Haleakala – are active to date and could become potential volcano boarding destinations if a new eruption causes lava flow to generate a steep slope, similar to what happened in Cerro Negro in 1999. In the meanwhile, sandboarding is often practiced with a skimboard and limited to smaller slopes of several hawaiian beaches such as Sunset Beach, Big Beach Makena, Green Sand Beach.

What should you wear when volcano boarding?

Compared to regular sandboarding clothing, wearing a protective suit and goggles is a must when surfing on active volcanos. Gloves, hiking boots, long pants, and long sleeves are recommended, as well as scarfs or similar cloth pieces that can be used to protect your mouth from flying debris while gliding down the volcano.

Is volcano boarding dangerous?

Sandboarding volcanos on days with no volcanic activity is relatively safe, but accidents are not uncommon. It goes without saying, but volcanic ashes and rocks are hot and more painful to crash on than soft sand. Boarding when a volcano is in activity is not recommended as it poses additional risks of being hit by flying molten lava, ash and debris, and inhaling toxic – and potentially lethal – volcanic gases. Injuries from volcano boarding can be very serious and lend you at the hospital.

Volcanoboarding accidents

We report a few personal experiences of volcano boarding from someone that that found dangerous andd required medical care, someone who reportedly had their faces ripped off, and several reports of people getting bruises and injuries due to falling off their boards. It is imperative that you make sure that your travel insurance covers volcanoboarding if you are planning to practice this extreme sport.

Volcano boarding deaths

As of 2021, there have been no reported deaths caused by volcano boarding. Keep in mind that volcano eruptions can happen quite suddenly and you should always rely on local government information regarding whether it is safe to visit a volcanic area or not at any given time. Furthermore, there have been cases of people dying while sandboarding on “regular” sand dunes – so make sure to always wear safety gear and adequate clothing, and to cautiously follow precaution guidelines from your instructors.

How to be safe when volcano surfing

Wherever you go volcano boarding, keep an eye on the local news and warning issues by the local authorities. They will usually track volcanic activities and advise tourists on whether  it is safe to visit the location and what distance to keep from the main crater. Make sure to join a group of volcano surfers, never attempt to do this alone. Most volcano boarding hot spots offer guided volcano boarding tours which will also provide you with safety gear and a volcanoboard, more importantly – they can rescue you should something go wrong. Volcano boarding accidents are not rare and can easily lend you at the hospital, so make sure to get a travel insurance that covers volcano boarding.

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