Lake Taupo Sailing Expedition: Experience Maori Rock Carvings on an Eco-Friendly Yacht

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: 24 hours
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…

Location
Sail Barbary eco-sailing to Maori Rock Carvings Taupo
Redoubt Street
We are located in front of Stir Cafe - a dark grey caravan converted into a cafe. Look for the tall white and green blade flag this is where you need to meet, Berth 9 and 10.
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
4.8
(758 Ratings)
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Jessica_p
Jul 26, 2025
Beautiful experience and... - Beautiful experience and highly recommend! So quiet and peaceful on the lake with up close access to the carvings whilst hearing the history.
Review provided by Viator
Isabeloa8818an
Jul 10, 2025
Afternoon cruise - Beautiful, relaxing, informative, and lovely additions like the provided warm layers and warm drinks. Cozy vessel. Would recommend, wish I had gone in the summer!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Maxinen531
Jul 9, 2025
Amazing Experience - Really great tour, we had an amazing weather, the carvings are incredible and the guide was really nice and clear in his explanations. I truly recommend this tour!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Bribieanne
May 26, 2025
Fabulous way to see the Maori Carvings. - We loved our morning trip to see the Maori Carvings with Sail Barbary. Sailing was such a peaceful and beautiful way to travel. Our skipper was fun to travel with and full of interesting information about the Carvings and Taupo generally. I would happily recommend this trip.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Trip44854065964
May 5, 2025
Great outing for families. - This was a great tour. Our Captain Chris made the experience especially memorable for our kids, who he let steer the boat while supervising, and also teaching them a little about sailing. We learned a lot from him, and found his guiding and demeanor very relaxed, yet competent and reassuring. The scenery was beautiful, the carvings were interesting, and the boat itself was comfortable, quiet, and thanks to it's electric motor, smoke free! Thanks to Sail Barbary for a fantastic family outing!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Yohann_r
Apr 26, 2025
Wonderful guide and host,... - Wonderful guide and host, had a wonderful time. Chris was an exceptional host with his daughter helping out.
Review provided by Viator
Karin
Apr 11, 2025
Pure relaxation - Peter, our captain, has navigated us confidently over the gentle waves of the lake, telling me interesting things from the region. The yacht glides so rubby that you can relax and enjoy nature. It was a great trip.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Leann
Apr 10, 2025
Great relaxing informative experience! - Great, relaxing, informative experience. The weather was perfect and we learned so much about the lake and surrounding area. The captain Peter was amazing!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Michelleru1665nl
May 25, 2025
Not too bad - Everything was fine boat nice, the guys were entertaining just not what we expected and out of everything else we have done was probably the least enjoyable especially finding out the carvings are not that old. Rug up too it was freezing
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Castoldic
May 8, 2025
A nice, calm tour - This tour was a bit less impressive than I expected. The carvings are beautiful, they were done in the 1980s, so less historical than I thought. Sailing there means that you spend 90% of the activity going pretty slow and seeing the same landscapes, but at least it's for a good cause. Our guide, Chris, was interesting and gave us information on the lake, the carvings, and the landscape.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $32
up to 8 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).