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Maori Rock Carvings - Taupo Sailing Adventures - Sail Fearless
Taupo, New Zealand
- 2 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Overview
Sail Lake Taupo, New Zealand’s largest lake, and get up close to the Māori Rock Carvings on this sailing tour. Aboard Fearless, a sleek ketch boat, you’ll set sail on the impossibly blue Lake Taupo at the heart of the North Island. Choose to rig and hoist the mainsail with the crew, or sit back and let the views wash over you as you sail to the secluded spot where Māori figures have been etched into the rock face.
- Set sail across the great Lake Taupo to Mine Bay
- Sit back and relax or assist the crew with the sailing of the boat, 'Fearless'
- Get an up-close look at the carvings and learn about its creation from the onboard commentary
- Swim in the warmer months or enjoy a summer evening cruise with wine, music and pizza (if upgrade selected)
What's Included
- Live commentary on board
- Sunset Tours
- BYO
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Food and drinks
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- 27 Redoubt Street, Taupō 3330, New Zealand
Departure Point: Sail Fearless Boat # 25 (Berth #25) Taupo Marina, next to 65 Redoubt St.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.What To Expect
Choose the sailing time that’s most convenient for you, and then make your way to Taupo Marina where your ketch Fearless, a 48-ft (14.6-meter), two-mast sailing boat, is waiting for you.
On board, take a seat and soak up the views, or choose to join in with rigging and hoisting the mainsail. Note: in completely still waters, a motor is used to operate the boat.
Listen to commentary from the crew as you take the scenic route — past the bays of Te Kopua and Acacia — to the Māori Rock Carvings at Mine Bay (or Okuta Bay). The carvings are only accessible by water and, on this tour, you’ll get right up close to the rock face and have ample time to take in the intricacy of the large Māori figures.
In the warmer months, bring your 'togs' (swimwear) and towel for swimming, or perhaps choose a cruise with music, wine and pizza (if upgrade selected) for the perfect summer evening on the water. You are also able to bring your own food and drink with you, should you wish.
After about 2.5 hours, return to the marina where you tour concludes.
On board, take a seat and soak up the views, or choose to join in with rigging and hoisting the mainsail. Note: in completely still waters, a motor is used to operate the boat.
Listen to commentary from the crew as you take the scenic route — past the bays of Te Kopua and Acacia — to the Māori Rock Carvings at Mine Bay (or Okuta Bay). The carvings are only accessible by water and, on this tour, you’ll get right up close to the rock face and have ample time to take in the intricacy of the large Māori figures.
In the warmer months, bring your 'togs' (swimwear) and towel for swimming, or perhaps choose a cruise with music, wine and pizza (if upgrade selected) for the perfect summer evening on the water. You are also able to bring your own food and drink with you, should you wish.
After about 2.5 hours, return to the marina where you tour concludes.
Redoubt Street
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Maori Rock Carvings
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Lake Taupo
2 hours 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Sailing trips are subject to minimum numbers, lake and weather conditions.
- If cancelled due to poor weather, you will be given the option of an alternative date or a full refund
- Near public transportation
- Light Refreshments can be purchased from the cheapest bar on the Lake or you can also bring your own light refreshments for your convenience.
- The operator reserves the right to upgrade passengers to his other sailing yacht Kindred Spirit 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.
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
Traveler Photos
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Featured review
Chontelle_H
Thanks Sarah/Sara, we had an awesome time out on the water - and for letting us get behind the wheel. Your knowledge and sharing was very informative, and the carvings themselves definitely exceeded our expectations. Will definitely be recommending to my family and friends. As for location, well the marina is pretty central in Taupo, so you can't really find fault with that, especially if your staying in or near town. The pizza and drinks were definitely well appreciated as well as the variety. Your hospitality was awesome! Loved chatting with you about your travels. Thanks.
Reviews
5.0
325 reviews
Michael_L, Jan 2023
A quiet experience on Lake Taupo enjoying the scenery.Plus not overly commenta
ted.Credit to our guide.
Michael. N.Z.
John_M, Mar 2020
We thoroughly enjoyed our day of sun, wind, and sail. Our skipper, Sara, was well-verses in the geological history of the lake and in the significance of the carvings, which were impressive. Our sail was over the lunch hour and the beer, wine and pizza were very good.
Sherri_J, Mar 2020
We loved the Maori Rock Carvings Sailing Tour. Ian was a fantastic captain. He provided interesting facts about the area and carvings. Plenty of pizza and drinks for everyone (this was a nice free offering). Would highly recommend this sailing tour.
Darlene_R, Mar 2020
We can’t recommend this enough ! the sunset cruise is great valve , Jess and her partner were the prefect hosts and their local knowledge very interesting and informative thanks so much
Gregory_V, Feb 2020
Totally enjoyed our trip. First time on a sailboat and it was throughly enjoyable. The rock carvings are quite interesting and the views on the boat ride out are amazing. We had pretty low expectations for the pizza but it was actually quite good. Got a bit chilly on the way back in and they even had blankets available for us.
tank1427, Feb 2020
Great trip, pizza on the way Motoring (not sailing because of the wind direction) our to the carvings, got lots of the history and spent a fair amount of time there.
Then went for a swim around the corner from the carving in brilliant clear waters.
Then motored 10min and then sailed back.
helen, Feb 2020
Fantastic evening
Great hosts
Just perfect guys (I suppose tea could be an option)
Thank you ... :-)
debjas6268, Feb 2020
Awesome tour with a very knowledgable guide. Enjoyed every moment. Thoroughly recommend to everyone.
ronaldstewart1, Feb 2020
Superb trip, if you’re in Taupo you have to do this one. The lady captain made us most welcome. Her knowledge of Lake Taupo and the carvings is amazing
Roberta_E, Feb 2020
Excellent tour, peaceful, interesting and pleasant with an incredibly knowledgeable guide. The history was fascinating and really came alive
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