Lake Taupō Cruise: Māori Rock Carvings

Sail Lake Taupō’s serene waters to the iconic Māori Rock Carvings. Enjoy eco-friendly adventures with BYO food, drinks, and engaging stories.

Duration: 2 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Ngātoroirangi Mine Bay Māori Rock Carvings - Embark on a journey that offers more than just a picturesque cruise. Sail Barbary welcomes you to experience Lake Taupō in a serene, reflective manner that harmonizes with nature. Uncover the Ngātoroirangi Māori Rock Carvings, take in sweeping vistas, and relish the tranquility of the lake powered by…
What's Included
  • Free drink on Sunset Cruises
  • On-board restrooms
  • Ponchos and Warm Towels
  • Tea and coffee
  • Swimming is encouraged
What's Not Included
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Meals
  • Gratuities
  • Private transportation
Additional Information

Discover the charm of Lake Taupō as you embark on a journey to the renowned 14-metre Ngātoroirangi Māori Rock Carvings, accessible exclusively by water. Revel in a relaxed setting where guests can bring their own food and beverages while the crew shares captivating tales of the lake’s vibrant history. Aboard our 100% electric yacht, enjoy a peaceful…

Location
65 Redoubt Street
Redoubt Street
Berths 9 & 10 Your skipper will meet you at the dock next to the 'Sail Barbary' flag to check you in
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.8
(16 Ratings)
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1 star
Bart
Apr 23, 2026
Bad weather, great experience, awesome crew! - Absolutely amazing! The conditions where pretty bad, yet the Barbary team made shure we could see the carvings safely. Thanks guys!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jet14029336444
Apr 8, 2026
Must do trip on the Lake!! - EPIC trip out on the lake! Great vibes hosted by Lloyd! So peaceful being out on the lake. Great bang for buck too. A must do in Taupo! How good to swim off the boat too!!
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853kats
Apr 2, 2026
Absolutely epic afternoon - Absolutely fantastic. Wonderful boat, awesome scenery and Lloyd the skipper is a great host. A highlight for our family and well worth the money. We had superb weather and the Lake was like glass. There was little wind which was a shame but we got the mainsail up and with the eco engine we couldn’t hear a thing. The carvings are impressive. And really well worth the trip. Huge thanks to Lloyd for his wonderful hospitality (and patience). Will definitely return on our next trip to Taupo.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Susanc4948
Mar 28, 2026
Silently sailing on Lake Taupo - This was one of the highlights of our NZ trip. The electric-powered sailboat provides a silent ride across Lake Taupo so it is very peaceful. While the electric engine provides security that you will get there and back in the allocated time the sails are not just decoration - they were in constant use on our trip and gave a true sailing experience. [This depends on wind direction, of course, but we had the mainsail up heading out and both mainsail and jib returning]. The skipper clearly loves the boat, gave some interesting comments and my husband, a yachtsman himself, had some interesting and detailed conversations with him. The contemporary [1980s] Maori carvings offer an interesting endpoint and they are impressive from the water. Our skipper drew attention to the smaller accompanying carvings as well. We also had a chance to swim in the lake water near here. We booked online the day beforehand when we sure of our arrival times and the weather. Our afternoon session was pretty full but not crowded. The skipper definitely made sure that both sides of the boat had good views of the carvings. It might pay to book ahead more than we did if you can as it can be booked out (as was the sunset cruise was the day we tried). Please note that I had to check carefully what website I was booking online as there are a number of other cruises out to the carvings on more standard boats.
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Xanthe
Mar 12, 2026
Trip to see the carvings - Great day out Chris the skipper was very knowledgeable & friendly would recommend this trip.
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R3633tjjaimel
Mar 12, 2026
Amazing trip! - Had an amazing time!! Would highly recommend to everyone.
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Puapani
Mar 11, 2026
Great Sailing Day - The captain and Joe were very personable, knowledgeable and caring. It was a fun relaxing sail to a beautiful site.
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Journey22203451124
Mar 10, 2026
Best Sail Ever! - Had the absolute BEST experience on this tour! Captain & Staff were amazing, super accommodating, and awesome! Lovely commentary, Definitely would recommend this to anyone visiting! :)
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Ameliacr7869bl
Mar 10, 2026
Best boat tours in taupo - This is my third time taking a trip out to the Māori rock carvings with sail Barbary. Every single time I have an amazing experience. The crew was excellent as always! They took very good care of us despite the windy weather and rocky water. The boat wasn’t too crowded so there was plenty of space for our party of six on one side of the boat. The captains clever humour and knowledge kept us all engaged and entertained. The skipper was helpful in grabbing ponchos and tea to keep us all warm. Overall, an amazing trip I would recommend to anyone in a heartbeat!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Dreamer36580295456
Mar 9, 2026
Best Sailing Tour Ever!!! - This is a must do while in Taupō! Both our captains were incredibly funny and hospitable! Not to mention the sailboat is stunning. You get to wear cozy fleece ponchos and sip a warm cup of tea while seeing the breathtaking carvings! Such an incredible experience would do again and will be recommending to everyone!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $41
up to 15 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).