News, views and top stories in your inbox. Don't miss our must-read newsletter Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

A daredevil adventurer has become the first person to surf the base of an erupting volcano and swim within feet of flowing lava - and she did it in a bikini.

Amazing shots of the extreme surf session show Alison Teal riding her pink surfboard up to Kilauea Volcano in Hawaii as it erupted into the ocean.

Underwater photographer Perrin James snapped the brave explorer during the volcano's first eruption since 2011, on August 3 2016.

Alison, 30, said: "This was a lifelong dream. It was humbling and breathtaking and hot.

(Image: PERRIN JAMES / CATERS NEWS)

"I was hoping to catch a wave, however, when I got in close I was hit by a spatter of hardening rock spray and I quickly ducked under water.

"I looked back and noticed a wave was coming and I paddled for my life to get out of the danger zone.

"Afterwards I was exhilarated and exhausted at the same time.

"It was absolute endorphin high, but also terrifying.

"Anything could have happened."

(Image: PERRIN JAMES / CATERS NEWS)

The intrepid team woke at sunrise and drove three hours before taking a fishing boat, five hours onto the sea, to arrive at the base by sunset.

Alison, who runs @alisonsadventures, said: "As I took a deep breath and hopped off the boat, a double rainbow appeared directly over our heads - one end appearing to coming out of the lava and the other out of our boat.

"To the Hawaiians, the anuenue, or rainbow, represents the pathway where the ali'i, or gods, come down to bless the earth.

(Image: PERRIN JAMES / CATERS NEWS)

"Suddenly a scary scene transformed into the most majestic moment of my life."

The avid adventurer believes in calling to the ancestors for protection but warned “don’t try this at home."

She said: "Pele, the goddess of the Volcano, is a highly respected and often feared force in Hawaii and very specific traditions must be followed to avoid certain death.

"We consulted with the Elders and with their guidance, permission, and followed cultural protocol.

(Image: PERRIN JAMES / CATERS NEWS)

"The molten lava would cook a human body in seconds, the fumes are lethal, and the ocean currents and waves are treacherous.

"I'm very thankful to have approached the situation with a qualified support team."

The surfer added: "It was wild to watch Perrin fearlessly swim in the raging ocean with a 35-pound camera, avoiding molten lava flow while getting close to the action gave me much gratitude to him, the Elders, and Pele for allowing this adventure.”

(Image: PERRIN JAMES / CATERS NEWS)

Alison lives in an off-the-grid Swiss Family Robinson-style home in Kona, Hawaii, with her famous father, National Geographic photographer David Blehert.

Part of her work includes advocating for wildlife and the environment as well as running her online series Alison’s Adventures .

She said: "The sudden warming of the ocean seemed to support sea life and organisms I’ve never seen in Hawaiian waters.

"There appeared to be small stinging golden Jelly-fish like creatures that my team of ocean experts and I have never experienced before."