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Kindred Spirit - Sail to the Maori Rock Carvings, Lake Taupo

4.9
306
Deals from $24.00 Save $35.00 Check dates nowsystem_update_alt
Experience the best way to explore Lake Taupo and choose the most environmentally friendly way to travel – with a scenic sailing tour to the Māori Rock Carvings. Escape the hectic life and join us on our classical sailing boat Kindred Spirit for a true sailing experience.

Experience the best way to explore Lake Taupo and choose the most environmentally friendly way to travel – with a scenic sailing tour to the Māori Rock Carvings.
Escape the hectic life and join us on our classical sailing boat Kindred Spirit for a true sailing experience.

Highlights

  • Enjoy a true sustainable sailing experience, family owned and operated!
  • Classical sailing boat with superior comfort, with a large deck space
  • Experience a day on the water with this 2.5 hour cruise
  • Jump in the water and have a swim - the longest swim stop of any other company!
  • Enjoy a free drinks - or purchase light refreshments on-board

Come on board and experience the beauty of a scenic sailing tour to the Māori Rock Carvings, one of the most extraordinary contemporary carvings in the world. Only view-able from the water, the likeness of Ngātoroirangi towers 14-meters above Lake Taupō, surrounded by over 40 smaller carvings.

Escape from hectic life for a while and enjoy the breathtaking views of the lake’s remarkable coastline as you discover the bays and hidden bush. Listen to our experienced skippers and learn about Taupo's history and culture. Give the crew a hand hoisting the sails and take a turn on the wheel or just snuggle under some blankets and enjoy the wide selection of drinks.

Kindred Spirit sails under full sails as much as possible or gently meanders, when it is truly calm, by a quite inboard diesel engine.

Take a dip and swim in the crystal-clear waters of the largest freshwater lake in Australasia. We offer the longest swim stop out of any company on the lake (weather dependent)!

There is a bathroom and changing room facilities on board.

Adult $59.00
Child $49.00 (3 - 14 years inclusive)
Infant $0.00 (0-2 years inclusive)
Sunset Adult $75.00
Sunset Child + Infant $65.00 (Child 3- 14 years inclusive, infant 0-2 years inclusive)

What's included

  • 9.30am - Morning Escape: Māori Rock Carving Scenic Cruise - free hot drink & biscuit. Light refreshments can be purchased on board or you can bring your own light refreshments for your convenience.
  • 12.30pm - Taste of Taupō: Māori Rock Carving Scenic Cruise - free glass of beer, wine or non-alcoholic drinks. Light refreshments can be purchased on board or you can bring your own light refreshments for your convenience.
  • 3.30pm : Māori Rock Carving Scenic Cruise - free glass of beer, wine or non-alcoholic drinks. Light refreshments can be purchased on board or you can bring your own light refreshments for your convenience.
  • Sunset Cruise (times vary throughout the year) - Sunset Heaven: Māori Rock Carving Scenic Cruise - free pizza snack* & 1 glass of beer, wine or non-alcoholic drinks. Light refreshments can be purchased on board or you can bring your own light refreshments for your convenience.
  • Blankets and wet weather gear on all of our trips

Duration

  • Allow approx. 2.5 hours for the whole experience

Location

  • Berth #16/17
  • 65 Redoubt Street
  • Taupo 3330
  • New Zealand

Child Friendly

  • This experience welcomes families with children.

Bad Weather Refunds

  • If your experience is cancelled by the operator (because of the bad weather, safety concerns, unscheduled maintenance etc) you will be entitled to a full refund.

Notes

  • Please note the sunset cruise departure varies due to sunset times throughout the year. No sunset trip during the winter.

    Please contact the operator if you have any questions (all contact information will be provided on your booking confirmation email). Sailing trips are subject to minimum numbers, lake and weather conditions.

    Please let us know in advance if you have medical issues. The skipper has the last call on check in to decide if the trip is suitable regarding medical issues due to health and safety.

    People failing to show up for check-in will not be refunded. In some situations, with advance notice and with payment of a transfer fee and potential extra costs (food, price difference, depending on the trip), we might be able to transfer you to another trip.

    We reserve the right to upgrade passengers to our other sailing yacht Tiua should weather conditions, demand or other circumstances require it. No extra costs will apply. The trip at 9.30am or 12.30pm might be postponed by 30min in such circumstances.

    In the event of quickly changing bad weather and lake conditions, it may not be possible to view the Maori Rock Carvings, this decision is made at the discretion of the skipper for the health and safety of all on board the vessel.

  • Child Age is 3 - 14 years inclusive. Infants 0 - 2 years.

Available Bookings from 5 Apr to 18 Apr 2025

All prices are shown in NZD ($)

Change Dates
Sat 5 Apr
Sun 6 Apr
Mon 7 Apr
Tue 8 Apr
Wed 9 Apr
Thu 10 Apr
Fri 11 Apr
Sat 12 Apr
Sun 13 Apr
Mon 14 Apr
Tue 15 Apr
Wed 16 Apr
Thu 17 Apr
Fri 18 Apr

Bookings close in 7 hours...

  • Adult$45.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$39.00
  • Infant Free of Charge

  • Adult$59.00
  • Child$39.00
  • Infant Free of Charge

  • Adult$45.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$39.00
  • Infant Free of Charge

  • Adult$24.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$39.00
  • Infant Free of Charge

  • Adult$24.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$39.00
  • Infant Free of Charge

  • Adult$45.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$39.00
  • Infant Free of Charge

  • Adult$24.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$39.00
  • Infant Free of Charge

  • Adult$24.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$39.00
  • Infant Free of Charge

  • Adult$24.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$39.00
  • Infant Free of Charge

  • Adult$45.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$39.00
  • Infant Free of Charge

  • Adult$24.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$39.00
  • Infant Free of Charge

  • Adult$24.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$39.00
  • Infant Free of Charge

Bookings close in 10 hours...

  • Adult$45.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$49.00
  • Infant Free of Charge

  • Adult$45.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$49.00
  • Infant Free of Charge

  • Adult$45.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$49.00
  • Infant Free of Charge

  • Adult$45.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$49.00
  • Infant Free of Charge

  • Adult$45.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$49.00
  • Infant Free of Charge

  • Adult$45.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$49.00
  • Infant Free of Charge

  • Adult$45.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$49.00
  • Infant Free of Charge

  • Adult$45.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$49.00
  • Infant Free of Charge

  • Adult$45.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$49.00
  • Infant Free of Charge

  • Adult$45.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$49.00
  • Infant Free of Charge

  • Adult$45.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$49.00
  • Infant Free of Charge

  • Adult$45.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$49.00
  • Infant Free of Charge

  • Adult$45.00
  • Child$49.00
  • Infant Free of Charge

  • Adult$45.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$49.00
  • Infant Free of Charge

  • Adult$45.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$49.00
  • Infant Free of Charge

  • Adult$45.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$49.00
  • Infant Free of Charge

  • Adult$45.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$49.00
  • Infant Free of Charge

  • Adult$45.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$49.00
  • Infant Free of Charge

  • Adult$45.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$49.00
  • Infant Free of Charge

  • Adult$45.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$49.00
  • Infant Free of Charge

  • Adult$45.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$49.00
  • Infant Free of Charge

  • Adult$45.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$49.00
  • Infant Free of Charge

Authenticated Reviews & PhotosAll of our reviews are from people who have booked and paid for this activity thru Bookme

Authenticated Reviews & PhotosAll of our reviews are from people who have booked and paid for this activity thru Bookme

4.9

306 reviews

Showing all 306 authenticated Bookme reviews

James Steel from United States wrote on 27 March 2025

Absolutely wonderful! Best thing we've done in NZ

Wow! The boat is beautiful, the Skipper and crew are amazing. Great stories and very informational tour. We went as a whole family and loved every minute. The kids got to help raise the sail and even steer the boat. Probably the highlight was the swimming stop. We had the BEST time jumping off the boat into the crystal clear water of lake taupo. I definitely recommend this tour and company.

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shirl2912 from New Zealand wrote on 23 March 2025

Awesome cruise on the lake

Weather was awesome and the crew were great. We sailed in the Tiua and had a great very relaxing and enjoyable time on the lovely sailing yacht. It was really a 5-star experience and highly recommend it - we would definitely come back in the future!

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judie65 from New Zealand wrote on 23 March 2025

Amazing Afternoon on the Deep Blue Water

Such a beautiful spacious lux boat complete with toilet bar. Spectacular take your breath away scenery -truely relaxing even with a toddler who had plenty of safe space to explore on the boat.

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Yvonne from New Zealand wrote on 21 March 2025

Great explanations

I have done the voyage to the Māori carving in lake Taupo several times, but I’ve never had this much explanation about the lake and the carvings….👏🏼👏🏼 thank you 😊

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Wolfgang Kuehn from Germany wrote on 19 March 2025

No Sailing - Party Ship

We booked a sailing trip. Without notice in advance it was changed from a small sailing ship to a party catamaran. There was no sailing at all - It turned up to be a party ship only running all the time under engine.

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Qualmark Certification

This award identifies a business with a high level of professionalism, a keen awareness of the impact it has on the environment and a commitment to a customer centric approach.

This award is evidence of a sophisticated tourism business that consistently exceeds visitor expectations. Their proactive leadership and management ensure the business's focus on continuously improving their economic, social and environmental performance to create genuine, constantly evolving and sustainable tourism experiences.

This award recognises the best sustainable tourism businesses in New Zealand. It denotes exceptional customer experiences at the heart of everything the company does. This business is leading the way in making the New Zealand tourism industry a world class sustainable visitor destination.

When you see the Qualmark logo, your activity of choice is endorsed by New Zealand Tourism's official quality assurance organisation and backed by leaders in the industry. It's your trusted guide to iconic activities and experiences that are awarded for their exceptionally high level of quality, safety and sustainability.

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