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 learn more
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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Tonyc_austin
May 10, 2024
Great trip to do on a sunny day - We had a great day weather-wise, especially for this late in the season, so it was great to sail our onto Lake Taupo and see the Maori Rock carvings. The skipper was friendly and knowledgeable.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Donna_a
May 6, 2024
Great experience - Our skipper was friendly and knowledgeable and made the journey fun. Learning about the history was great. Really peaceful and relaxing.
Review provided by Viator
Cathalmcgee
Apr 30, 2024
Taupo Lake Cruise - Amazing morning out on Lake Taupo with the Sail Barbary Team. Wrap up warm in the winter months as it can be chilly but the warm coffee helped us through it! It was fantastic to see the Rock Carving and to hear the story behind them and the local area from our Skipper!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Loopydimond
Apr 29, 2024
A great morning of sailing - Great fun, in spite of the weather and a very informative morning. Peter was very knowledgeable about the lake and its history. Thoroughly enjoyed our morning’s sail, thank you.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Teedee76
Apr 25, 2024
Sailing away - Great story-telling. Smooth Sailing. You're on the water so make sure you pack warm layers! Yummy hot chocolate. We had a great time and a lot of fun seeing these carvings. I recommend it.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sarafromsyd
Apr 16, 2024
Value for Money! - Definitely a trip highlight. Very enjoyable cruise with an entertaining and knowledgeable captain. Highly recommend 😃
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Law1963
Apr 11, 2024
Great way to spend a morning in Taupo - Really enjoyable, peaceful way to see Lake Taupo and the Māori carvings up close. Even though it was overcast and it rained a little it was a great experience. Chris was a very knowledgeable, passionate guide with a great sense of humour. We loved seeing the duck training too!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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
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
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up to 8 guests
1 Adult
June 2024
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