Lake Taupo Sailing Expedition: Experience Maori Rock Carvings on an Eco-Friendly Yacht
4.8
669 Ratings
Taupō
Embark on a sustainable sailing expedition on Lake Taupo to experience the iconic Maori Rock Carvings. Enjoy an eco-friendly yacht, engaging commentary, and free refreshments.
Duration:
2 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- Maori Rock Carvings - Explore Lake Taupō on an eco-friendly scenic cruise on New Zealand’s only electric yacht. Enjoy stunning vistas as you set sail to explore the Māori Rock Carvings at Mine Bay, Te Moaenga Bay, Whakamoenga Bay and Acacia Bay. Stopping to listen to Maori myths and legends with refreshments included. Book with Sail Barbary today and enjoy one of New Zealand’s must-do experiences.
What's Included
- Private transportation
- GST included
- Local guide commentary
- Evening cruises with a drink
- Opportunity to swim
- Complimentary beverage and postcard
What's Not Included
- Additional food and drinks
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Gratuities
Additional Information
Our electrically powered yacht is completely eco-friendly, expelling zero emissions or noise, ensuring its compliance with climate safety, and providing the finest sailing voyage on Lake Taupo.
Since 1982, we’ve been offering trips to the exceptional Maori Rock Carvings!
This activity, available throughout the year, provides relaxation, joy, and aquatic adventures in classic Kiwi style. Gain intimate proximity to the 46-foot (14m) high significant cultural rock artwork.
We offer engaging, interesting, and current insights about the lake, volcanic features and the carvings. Complimentary refreshments such as tea, coffee, hot chocolate, and mulled wine (winter only) are available. Although we have a liquor license, feel free to bring your own. BYO
Swimming is heartily encouraged.
Sail Barbary stands out as the only boat in Taupo to receive a ‘Qualmark Gold’ rating from Tourism NZ in the ‘sustainable business’ classification.
- What to Bring: Dress casual, comfortable and warm (layered clothes work best), windproof/showerproof jacket, swimwear and towel (during summer), sunglasses, hat and don’t forget your camera!
- Please note: You are welcome to bring your own prepared food and beverages. NZ law requires adults to be R18 and over to drink alcohol.
- All departures are subject to demand, minimum numbers, lake and weather conditions. We reserve the right to transfer customers to an alternative boat should weather conditions allow it. This will not alter the tour route or inclusions.
Location
Sail Barbary eco-sailing to Maori Rock Carvings Taupo
Redoubt Street
We are located in front of Stir Cafe - a little grey caravan converted into a cafe. Look for a blue flag with Barbary written on it in yellow. Berth 9 and 10.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.8
(669 Ratings)
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John1962uk
Apr 9, 2024
Great day out - Captain was fantastic staff for great very enjoyable trip even though the weather wasn’t fantastic. On the day the staff done the best to make it enjoyable.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
U5530srrossm
Apr 2, 2024
A fantastic morning on the Lake - We went on a fantastic sailing trip on Lake Taupo, to see the Māori rock carvings. It was a glorious morning on the water, and seeing the carvings up close was something I won’t forget. The captain was great and very knowledgeable about the lake and surrounding area.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Gail_b
Mar 29, 2024
Great to see - Shame that we had to change boats due to the poor weather, but we still really enjoyed the trip and it was great to see the rock carvings.
Review provided by Viator
Ruthl654
Mar 25, 2024
Excellent sailing, kind staff! - We went with our 5yo kiddo and it was a great trip. So cool to be on a silent boat just gliding through the water. It was so peaceful. Too cold to swim the day we went, but water was amazing and so clear. I loved that the skipper knew all about all the work that had gone into restoring the lake over the last 20 years - it clearly paid off. More of this in the US please!!!
Also, they were so kind! I realized 15m before departure that I had booked the wrong day and we were >1 hour away. I called hoping for a miracle and Tiffany and the skipper agreed to let our family come the next day, potentially costing them the slots. What kind people!!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Alysha_b
Mar 22, 2024
Great value for an up close experience. - Loved having the chance to sail on a sailboat! The skipper was great and had the typical Kiwi sense of humour which we love. The views, epic, as usual and you get up pretty close to the carvings with plenty of opportunity to get your photos in. The boat had comfortable seating and drinks available down below deck.
Review provided by Viator
Paul
Mar 19, 2024
Sail on the lake - Lovely relaxing sail to see the rock carvings on the lake. Brian was an informative and humorous skipper and guide, providing great local knowledge and anecdotes.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ger_mai2018
Mar 17, 2024
Sailing adventure on Lake Taupo. - Excellent experience on Lake Taupo. We learnt so much and and had a brilliant and enjoyable time. Incredible value for money, environmentally friendly, great views and the carvings are a must see. What's not to like. Tip: Take some warm clothes and waterproofs just in case.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Aleksandrapluc
Mar 17, 2024
Absolutely pleasure! - A fantastic way to spend some time in Taupo. Loved the electric yacht, it was completely silent and it made the experience so much better. We could hear the skipper, who was great and told us many interesting things about the carvings, lake and the area. It was super relaxing and I would highly recommend it!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Relax55753844863
Mar 16, 2024
Sailing Taupo to the carvings was amazing - Excellent sailing trip to the carvings. The host was knowledgable and friendly and told us the Maori stories associated with Lake Taupo and the carvings. He also shared information about Taupo and surrounds.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
424pulakp
Apr 6, 2024
Worst experience in New Zealand - Everything mentioned in the description was false. The picture of the boat is very misleading. That’s not the one we got. Our boat was very different. Further, it was mentioned that it will be a silent electrical boat, and we could enjoy the quiet and calm boat for which I specifically booked this tour. However, to our surprise the boat wasn’t the one in the picture and neither was it an electrical boat. The journey was extremely rough and the smell from the oil was terrible, my wife got unwell in the boat and we didn’t enjoy the trip at all. It was one of the worst experience in our entire New Zealand tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor