Lake Taupo Sailing Cruise to the Maori Rock Carvings

Taupo Marina and the lakeside town of Taupo

Taupo sits on the northern shore of Lake Taupo, roughly halfway between Auckland and Wellington, and is one of the most popular holiday towns in the North Island. Its marina, tucked beside the point where the Waikato River leaves the lake, is the base for sailing boats and launches, and the classic yacht for this cruise ties up right on the waterfront. From the town centre it is an easy few minutes on foot.

If you are asking how to get to Taupo, it is about three and a half hours' drive south of Auckland on State Highway 1, or a short flight to Taupo Airport. Plan to arrive at the marina around 15 minutes before your sail. The lakefront nearby has cafés, a lakeside reserve and fine views across the water to the snow-capped volcanoes of Tongariro National Park on clear days.

Lake Taupo: a lake born from a supervolcano

Lake Taupo covers more than 600 square kilometres and fills a huge caldera created by volcanic eruptions. The largest, around 25,500 years ago, was one of the biggest eruptions on Earth in the last 70,000 years, and a later eruption in about 232 AD reshaped the lake again and spread ash across much of the North Island. Today the volcano is quiet, and the lake is famous for water so clear you can often see far down from the deck.

Sailing is the most peaceful way to appreciate its size. Away from the town the shoreline turns into steep cliffs, hidden bays and native bush, and to the south rise the peaks of Ruapehu, Tongariro and Ngauruhoe. Is a Lake Taupo cruise worth it? For many visitors it is the best way to understand why the region is called the heart of the North Island.

The Māori Rock Carvings at Mine Bay

The highlight of the cruise is the Māori Rock Carvings at Mine Bay, a giant face carved into a cliff of pale volcanic rock, rising 14 metres above the water. It was carved in the late 1970s by a master carver of Māori descent and his team, and depicts Ngātoroirangi, the navigator and priest who, according to tradition, guided his people to the Taupo region and brought geothermal fire to the central plateau. Smaller carved figures stand beside him.

The carvings can only be viewed from the lake, which is why a boat trip is the only way to see them up close. Your guide explains their meaning and the cultural significance of Ngātoroirangi for the local tribe, Ngāti Tūwharetoa. The skipper positions the yacht in front of the cliff so you have time for photos. The best time to visit the Mine Bay carvings is in calm, clear weather, when the cliff glows in the sun.

Sailing a classic yacht and the swim stop

Unlike a motor launch, this classic yacht is powered by the wind, so the trip is quiet and eco-friendly. When the breeze picks up and the boat heels gracefully over, you feel the thrill of real sailing. Guests are welcome to lend a hand with the ropes and sails under the crew's guidance, or simply settle into the comfortable cockpit with music and the sound of water slipping past the hull.

On the way back the yacht stops in a sheltered spot for a swim in the fresh, clear water of the lake, with one of the longest swim breaks of any sailing trip on Lake Taupo. Bring swimwear and a towel. Afterwards, warm blankets and wet weather gear are on board, along with the tea, coffee or soft drink included in your 12:30 Lake Taupo cruise ticket.

Choosing your sailing time on Lake Taupo

Four departures are offered, and this page describes the 12:30 midday sail, which enjoys the warmest part of the day and often the steadiest breeze. Early risers can choose the 9:30 morning sail, served with a hot drink and a biscuit, when the lake is often at its calmest. The 3:30 pm afternoon sail brings softer light on the cliffs and carvings.

The sunset sail is timed for evening light over the lake and the mountains; its start time changes with the season, so we confirm the exact time when you book. Whichever you choose, the route, the carvings and the swim stop stay the same. The best time to visit Lake Taupo for sailing is from November to April, when the water is warmest, although sailing continues outside the summer season when conditions allow.