The Best Kayaking, Sailing and Cruises on Lake Taupo
Contained within the crater of a supervolcano, Lake Taupo is a huge draw to the central North Island.
But once you get to its shores in the town of Taupo, then what? How can you actually experience the vast lake before you? Luckily, we have the listicle to help.
We’ll guide you through your kayaking options, the different types of Lake Taupo cruises and even fishing on this list of ways to experience Lake Taupo.
For more Taupo talk, don’t forget to head to the 15 Best Things to Do in Taupo.
Table of Contents
1. Sail to the Maori Rock Carvings
One way to experience Lake Taupo is on a sailing cruise. What are Lake Taupo’s best cruises? Join either Sail Barbary or Taupo Sailing Adventures for a couple of hours out on the water.
Sailing tours often include light refreshments, onboard commentary and the opportunity for a swim in summer.
The main event of any sailing tour, however, is stopping by the Mine Bay Maori Rock Carvings in the lake’s cliff face.
You might also want to check out the 10 Best Sailing Tours in New Zealand for more places to cruise around the country.
Location: All sailing tours depart from the marina on Redoubt Street, Taupo.
© NZPocketGuide.com2. Kayak on the Great Lake
To earn your view of the Maori Rock Carvings, join one of the kayaking tours to paddle your way to them. Canoe and Kayak Taupo offers a popular half-day tour from Jerusalem Bay following the shoreline with towering cliffs.
After a brief paddling lesson, you’ll set out to explore the scenic beauty of New Zealand’s largest lake. The tour includes a stop at a picturesque spot for snacks and an optional swim in the crystal-clear waters.
As we discovered first-hand, it’s suitable for all experience levels and provides a unique perspective of the lake’s volcanoes and birdlife.
Plus, check out the 10 Best Kayaking Lakes in New Zealand for more experiences like these.
Location: Canoe and Kayak – 54 Spa Road, Taupo. Taupo Kayaking Adventures – 2/876 Acacia Bay Road, Acacia Bay, Taupo.
© Sail Barbary - Destination Great Lake Taupō (www.lovetaupo.com)3. Take a Lake Cruise
Kick back on a relaxing catamaran or steamboat cruise on Lake Taupo’s best cruises. Listen to commentary on the Maori Rock Carvings, the volcanology and the cultural history of the lake as you soak in the scenery.
According to our very own travel manager, Robin, the Mine Bay rock carvings, carved in the 1970s by one of Aotearoa’s master Māori carvers, are a striking Taupō attraction that can only be accessed by boat.
Cruises include light refreshments and activities for kids, such as with Ernest Kemp Scenic Cruises, while afternoon cruises with Chris Jolly Outdoors also include a fishing demonstration.
Free WiFi is available on board for those wanting to share their experience instantly.
Location: All cruises depart from the marina on Redoubt Street, Taupo, North Island.
© Destination Lake Taupo - Tourism New Zealand4. Experience Parasailing
Just try to resist riding with Lake Taupo’s parasailing crew after watching the colourful parachute go back and forth across the lake a few times!
Taupo Parasail offers flights for up to three people with harnesses suitable for as young as five years old.
Parasail flights are about 10-15 minutes long while the boat trip on the water is between 25 minutes to an hour depending on how many other cruisers are flying.
Note that the activity is only available between October and April.
See more places to parasail in the 5 Incredible Places to Do Parasailing in New Zealand.
Location: Tours depart from Redoubt Street, Taupo.
© Destination Great Lake Taupō (www.lovetaupo.com)5. Fish for Rainbow Trout
Finally, another way to experience Lake Taupo is by hopping on a fishing charter. Lake Taupo is renowned for its thriving population of rainbow trout thanks to strict fishing regulations.
Don’t worry about a fishing licence if you’re going with one of Taupo’s fishing charters, however, as they’ll have the paperwork all sorted out for you.
While Pinnacle Charters, LAKeFUN Taupo, Chris Jolly Outdoors and Taupo Lake Adventures are all worthy charters to join, you’ll find a lot more options at the Lake Taupo Marina.
Location: Fishing charters depart from Lake Taupo Marina on Redoubt Street, Taupo.
© NZPocketGuide.comMore Ways to Experience Lake Taupo and the Best Lake Taupo Cruises
That’s it for our guide to the best ways to experience Lake Taupo and the Lake Taupo best cruises. For more about Taupo, check out the following guides:
Finally, if there’s anything we’ve missed, you’re likely to find it in The Complete Travel Guide to Taupo.
Sources:
The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across New Zealand and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:
- Tourism New Zealand (General travel advice - Updated [2025])
- Department of Conservation (Tracks, hikes, campsites and more - Updated [2025])
- AdventureSmart (Know before you go - Update [2025])
- Tiaki Promise (Care for people place and culture - Updated [2025])
- NZ Māori Tourism (Official Māori Tourism platform - Updated [2025])
- Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (Road and transport tips - Updated [2025])
- DriveSafe (Road safety - Updated [2025])
- Council websites and freedom camping maps (Local travel advice region by region - Updated [2025])
- Safe Travel (NZ travel advisories - Updated [2025])
- Tourism Export Council New Zealand (Tourism trade association - Updated [2025])
- TIA (Independent tourism association - Updated [2025])
- Love Taupō (Regional tourism website)
- Taupō District Council (Local council website)
Our editorial standards: At NZ Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.
