Sailing tour to Māori Rock Carvings: Taupo Lake, wind-powered

Hoist the sails and steer toward a 14-meter carving that rises from the water

A scenic sailing tour on Lake Taupo's largest freshwater lake, departing from Taupo Marina to the Māori Rock Carvings at Mine Bay: a contemporary carving viewable only from the water. You can help the crew hoist the sails, take a turn at the wheel, or relax under blankets while an experienced skipper shares the lake's history. Swimming in the clear water is weather-dependent and included. Complimentary hot drinks, tea, coffee or a glass of wine arrive with your chosen departure time (9:30am, 12:30pm, 3:30pm or sunset). Check in 30 minutes before departure at Berth 16/17, Taupo Marina on Redoubt Street.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Lake Taupo2h
2. Mine Bay Maori Rock Carvings15m

Sailing tour to Māori Rock Carvings

• Board classical sailing yacht Fearless
• Listen to skipper's lake history
• Help hoist sails and steer wheel
• Relax under blankets and enjoy drinks
• View Māori Rock Carvings from water
• Swim in Lake Taupō (weather permitting)
• Enjoy pizza and beverages or bring food
• Return to marina and conclude tour

The experience

You arrive at Taupo Marina on Redoubt Street and check in at Berth 16/17 about half an hour before your departure. The skipper and crew brief you on the day ahead, whether the wind is steady, whether the lake is calm enough to reach Mine Bay, and what the afternoon holds. The classical sailing yacht Fearless is powered by the wind alone, which means the experience shifts with the weather. Some days the sails fill fast and the boat heels into the breeze, and some days the crew works the lake more gently. Either way, you're on the water without an engine, which is the whole point.

The route heads toward Mine Bay and the Māori Rock Carvings, a 14-meter likeness of Ngātoroirangi carved into the rock face: one of the most extraordinary contemporary carvings in the world and visible only from the water. Along the way, the skipper talks about the lake's history and what you're seeing. If you want to be part of the sailing, you can give the crew a hand hoisting the sails or take a turn on the wheel. If you'd rather watch and listen, there's plenty of deck space to settle in under blankets with a drink. The lake is the largest freshwater body in Australasia, and on a clear day the views stretch across it. When the wind picks up, that's when you feel the raw power of the water: the moment people come back for.

Swimming is weather-dependent and included when conditions allow. You'll get the longest swim stop of any company operating on the lake. What you eat and drink depends on which departure you choose. The 9:30am trip includes a complimentary hot drink and biscuit. The 12:30pm and 3:30pm departures come with complimentary tea, coffee or a soft drink. The sunset cruise includes one glass of beer, wine or a non-alcoholic drink. Light refreshments are available to purchase on board, and you're welcome to bring your own food and drinks. After two to two-and-a-half hours on the water, you return to the marina where the tour ends.

What’s included

• Live commentary from an experienced skipper on the lake's history.
• the chance to help hoist the sails and take a turn at the wheel, or relax under blankets on the large deck.
• a swim in Lake Taupo's clear water when weather permits (the longest swim stop offered by any company on the lake).
• complimentary hot drinks, biscuits, tea, coffee, soft drinks or a glass of wine depending on your departure time.
• light refreshments available for purchase on board, and the option to bring your own food and drinks.

Options for this experience

4 options

Maori Rock Carvings at 9:30 amGuide in English · 09:30Morning Escape

Maori Rock Carvings at 12:30 pmGuide in English · 12:30Lasts 2 hours 30 minutes and includes 1 drink. Taste of Taupo

Maori Rock Carvings at 3:30 pmGuide in English · 15:30Lasts 2 hours 30 minutes and includes 1 drink.

Maori Rock Carvings, SunsetGuide in English · 18:00 and 18:30Lasts 2 hours 30 minutes and includes 1 drink: a glass of beer, wine or a non-alcoholic beverage. Additional drinks can be bought on board Sunset Heaven.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day5 departure times: the first at 09:30, the last at 18:30

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (15 and older) · Child (3 to 14 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 20

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Taupo Sailing Adventures

Is this one for you?Pick the 9:30am departure if you want the morning light and an early start. The 12:30pm or 3:30pm slots work better for a leisurely morning in town. The sunset cruise suits anyone who wants to see the carvings as the light changes and the lake settles. All departures are subject to minimum passenger numbers and weather conditions, so book ahead and check the forecast. The skipper may postpone the 9:30am trip by 30 minutes or upgrade you to the other yacht if conditions shift.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 14 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What are the departure times for the Māori Rock Carvings sailing tour on Lake Taupo?

Four departures run daily: 9:30am, 12:30pm, 3:30pm, and sunset (times vary throughout the year). Check in 30 minutes before your chosen time at Berth 16/17, Taupo Marina on Redoubt Street. Check-in closes 15 minutes before departure and boarding happens 10 minutes before you leave the dock.

Can I help sail the boat, or do I just sit and watch?

You can do either. The crew invites guests to help hoist the sails and take a turn at the wheel if you want to be part of the sailing. If you'd rather relax, there's plenty of deck space and blankets, and you can listen to the skipper's commentary about the lake and its history.

Is swimming in Lake Taupo included in the tour?

Swimming is included when weather and lake conditions allow, and this tour offers the longest swim stop of any company on the lake. The skipper makes the final call on whether conditions are safe enough for a swim on the day of your departure.

What food and drinks come with each departure time?

The 9:30am departure includes a complimentary hot drink and biscuit. The 12:30pm and 3:30pm trips come with complimentary tea, coffee or a soft drink. The sunset cruise includes one glass of beer, wine or a non-alcoholic drink. Light refreshments are available to purchase on board, and you're welcome to bring your own food and drinks.

What happens if the weather is too rough to reach the Māori Rock Carvings?

The skipper has the final say on whether conditions allow a safe trip to Mine Bay. If quickly changing bad weather or lake conditions make it unsafe to view the carvings, the decision is made at the skipper's discretion for the health and safety of everyone on board. The tour may also be postponed by 30 minutes or you may be upgraded to the other sailing yacht, Tiua, at no extra cost.

Do I need any experience or fitness level to go on this sailing tour?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. Service animals are allowed, and specialized infant seats are available. If you have medical issues, let the operator know in advance. The skipper makes the final decision on check-in about whether the trip is suitable for your health and safety.