Top 10 Most Dangerous Volcanoes to Visit in 2026

Volcano tourism is booming. But in 2026, the Earth is far from quiet. While many volcanoes remain dormant for centuries, others are currently in a state of violent unrest. For thrill-seekers and geologists, these are the most fascinating places on the planet. But they are also deadly zones where the landscape can change in seconds.

Based on activity in late 2025 and forecasts for 2026, here are the Top 10 Most Dangerous Volcanoes that are currently accessible to tourists (or were recently).

1. Sundhnúkur (Iceland) 🇮🇸

The Hazard: Unpredictable Fissure Eruptions. Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula has woken up. Unlike a standard mountain volcano, Sundhnúkur is a row of craters that can rip open anywhere north of the town of Grindavík. In 2024 and 2025, it erupted multiple times with little warning, sending lava flows toward the Blue Lagoon and destroying homes. Travel Status: Highly Restricted. The area is often closed by police. Hiking here is a game of “Russian Roulette” with the ground beneath your feet.

2. Lewotobi SPECIAL (Indonesia) 🇮🇩

The Hazard: Violent Explosions and Ash. This twin volcano in East Flores has been one of the most aggressive in the world throughout 2024 and 2025. Major eruptions have grounded flights across Southeast Asia. Travel Status: Level 4 Warning. A 7km exclusion zone is strictly enforced.

3. Campi Flegrei (Italy) 🇮🇹

The Hazard: The Supervolcano Under the City. Lurking beneath the suburbs of Naples, this “Supervolcano” is showing signs of deep unrest not seen in 500 years. The ground is rising (bradyseism) at an alarming rate, cracking buildings and triggering swarms of earthquakes. Travel Status: Open, but tense. You can visit the Solfatara crater (from the outside), but scientists are watching this monster closer than any other on Earth.

4. Popocatépetl (Mexico) 🇲🇽

The Hazard: Constant Ash and Bombardment. “El Popo” towers over Mexico City and Puebla. In 2025, it increased its activity, frequently raining ash on millions of people. It is famous for ejecting incandescent rocks onto its slopes. Travel Status: The 12km “Radius of Security” is real. Do not attempt to climb it. Admire it from the Paso de Cortés.

5. Whakaari / White Island (New Zealand) 🇳🇿

The Hazard: The “Silent” Killer. After the tragic 2019 eruption that killed 22 tourists, Whakaari serves as a grim reminder of nature’s unpredictability. It remains highly active with a crater lake of boiling acid. Travel Status: Banned. You cannot step foot on the island. Only scenic flights are allowed.

6. Mount Merapi (Indonesia) 🇮🇩

The Hazard: Pyroclastic Flows. Merapi (“Mountain of Fire”) is arguably the world’s most dangerous volcano due to the density of the population living on its flanks. It frequently collapses its lava dome, sending superheated clouds of gas and rock (pyroclastic flows) racing down the slopes at 100 km/h. Travel Status: Climbing to the summit is officially forbidden. Jeep tours on the lower slopes are popular but risky.

7. Sakurajima (Japan) 🇯🇵

The Hazard: Daily Explosions. Sakurajima erupts almost every single day. Residents in nearby Kagoshima carry umbrellas to protect themselves from ash, not rain. Travel Status: Safe at a distance. There are strict observation points. Do not cross the rope lines.

8. Villarrica (Chile) 🇨🇱

The Hazard: The Unstable Lava Lake. One of the few volcanoes where you can normally hike to the rim to see a churning lava lake. However, the level of the lava lake has been fluctuating dangerously in 2025, leading to sudden closures. Travel Status: Frequently closed. Check the “Traffic Light” alert system before booking a guide.

9. Mount Etna (Italy) 🇮🇹

The Hazard: The Showman. Europe’s most active volcano is a tourist magnet. But keeping up with Etna is exhausting. It changes its vents, opens new fractures, and shoots lava fountains 1km into the sky. Travel Status: Open, but summit access changes weekly. Always go with a certified guide who knows which crater is currently “friendly.”

10. Kerenang / Ruang (Indonesia) 🇮🇩

The Hazard: Tsunami Trigger. The eruption of Ruang in 2024 caused a massive evacuation due to fears of a volcanic tsunami. This remote island volcano remains volatile. Travel Status: Remote and dangerous. Approach only by boat with extreme caution.

Safety Tip for 2026

If you are planning to visit ANY of these:

1. Check Local Monitoring Agencies (like GeoNet, IMO, USGS) daily.
2. Respect Exclusion Zones. They are not suggestions; they are drawn by scientists who don’t want you to die.
3. Hire a Guide. Local knowledge saves lives.