Luxury Sailing - Māori Rock Carvings - Taupo Sailing Adventures
Overview
Available languages
2 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Step aboard Tiua, Taupō Sailing Adventures’ luxurious sailing catamaran and cruise Great Lake Taupo in comfort and style..
Our sailing experience offers a quiet and gentle way to connect with the natural beauty of Lake Taupō. With her stable twin-hull design, Tiua provides a smooth ride and plenty of space to stretch out and enjoy the journey.
Tiua is the only boat on Lake Taupo which combines the relaxing feeling of an eco friendly sailing experience with the comfort of indoor and outdoor seating. With the spacious saloon and covered cockpit she is perfectly set up to go out in any weather and keep customers out of rain and the cold if needed.
[Tee-ua] Māori
1. (verb) To move with the wind
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Specialized infant seats are available
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Sailing trips are subject to minimum numbers, lake and weather conditions.
Departs from Taupo Marina. (Redoubt St), Check-in at Berth # 16/17, 30 minutes before scheduled departure. Check-in closes 15 minutes before scheduled departure. Boarding time 10 minutes before scheduled departure
People failing to show up for check in will not be refunded.
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
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 regulations.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
12.30pm: complimentary beer, wine or non-alcoholic drink.
10am: complimentary hot drink & biscuit
Blankets
Restrooms/Changing rooms on board
Sunset Sail (times vary):complimentary pizza snack (1/2 pizza) & 1 beer, wine or non-alcoholic drink
Beanbags
Live commentary on board
3.30pm: complimentary beer, wine or non-alcoholic drink.
Longest swim stop out of any company on the lake (weather dependent)
Fully licensed bar onboard (drinks & snacks)
Accommodation pickup and drop-off
What To Expect
Lake Taupo
Enjoy an eco-friendly sailing experience on crystal clear waters in pure comfort on our stylish 53ft Catamaran. Enjoy the breathtaking views of the lake’s remarkable coastline and immerse yourself in Taupo’s history and culture while listening to the onboard commentary. Tiua brings smooth sailing to effortless entertaining, as a high-end charter vessel. She blends her original character and style with the latest comfort and class. Featuring a spacious saloon, covered cockpit, NZ timber panelling, 3 illuminated cabins, Tiua is a luxury 53ft long sailing catamaran. She is fully equipped for enjoyment, comfort and safety. The large main cockpit table folds together to comfortably seat 10 for entertaining and dining. Tiua is suitable for all weather sailing, making her a great choice to visit the Māori Rock Carvings in any weather.
Maori Rock Carvings
Discover the majestic Māori Rock Carvings, one of the most extraordinary contemporary carvings in the world. Only view-able only from the water, the likeness of Ngātoroirangi towers 14-meters above Lake Taupō, surrounded by over 40 smaller carvings.
Options
3.30pm Maori Rock Carvings
Eco Sailing Catamaran "Tiua": Encounter the best Lake Taupo has to offer and join us for an unforgettable sailing tour on our luxury catamaran ‘Tiua‘.
10am Maori Rock Carvings
Eco Sailing Catamaran "Tiua": Enjoy a morning eco-sailing experience in pure comfort on Lake Taupo.
6.30pm Maori Rock carvings.
Sunset Sailing S/V "Tiua": Is there anything more beautiful than seeing the extraordinary Māori Rock Carvings by sunset on a Yacht ?
12.30pm Maori Rock Carvings
Eco Sailing Catamaran "Tiua": Encounter the best Lake Taupo has to offer and join us for an unforgettable sailing tour on our luxury catamaran ‘Tiua‘.
Reviews
128 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
29 carvings. No question unanswered.
Charlotte P,
Nov 5, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00The crew were super. We had the new girl whom was clearly well practiced but anything she didn’t know, the company had an experienced guide to support her so we felt incredibly well looked after. Quality tour.
Exceptional afternoon on the Catamaran.
G9051CEvictoriam,
Nov 5, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Fantastic couple of hours on this magnificent Catamaran with the lovely crew. It felt really intimate as we had 12 passengers on board of which 8 were from our family. A highly recommended tour when visiting Lake Taupo and really educational!
Fantastic trip on Tiua to see the Maori Rock Carvings
thecronester,
Oct 22, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We took a trip to see the rock carvings on the catamaran Tiua. The two crew members Danny (I think) and Liam were excellent. The trip takes a little over two hours and highly recommended if you’re visiting Taupo.
Great experience
Micahel B,
Oct 7, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00The crew were friendly and proactive hosts who were knowledgeable tour guides both on the general area and the carving in particular.
Sailing with Care: A Family-Owned Taupo Experience
Curiosity59378029574,
Sep 12, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I made this booking the day of our sailing trip through Bookme it was easy to book and had a cheaper deal for me and my family. We went on the 12:30 departure and the weather was windy and a little rainy so we were worried we werent able to get to the maori rock carving. As we arrived we were met with friendly faces and welcomed on board. This was actually our 2nd time doing this sailing trip as our 4 year old son wanted to do it again. Throughout our trip although the weather wasnt the best we did have a chance to sit out on the front on bean bags and blankets. We were told that we might not be able to see the rock carvings due to weather but we actually made it and even though it was rough and windy we were taken care of by the two lovely skippers of the boat! It was a fun and memorable trip that I really enjoyed and im sure my son and husband will want to do it again next year :) Thank you for the amazing trip we had we will hopefully do it again in summer to see what its like to jump off the boat and swim in the lake :)
Beautiful Day on the Lake!
John R,
Sep 4, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Beautiful Day on the lake. The tour guides were very informative. If you travel in early September...Dress Warm!
Inspirational
Tourist47394259162,
Aug 17, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Absolutely wonderful experience! Would highly recommend. The crew were friendly and fun. We relaxed in bean bags on the bow taking in the beauty around us. Would do it again!
An experience we'd repeat.
229PaulineW,
Aug 17, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was AMAZING. Danny and Liam (pilot and skipper? Sorry if those are incorrect terms) were friendly, and relaxed from the start. Five of us on board enjoyed the trip to the carvings with a glass of wine in hand and settled in the beanbags. On the way back Liam and Danny found some wind on the lake by taking a bit of a different route so we could get the feel of being under sail. This is in our top 3 of things we've done in NZ and now we want to buy a sail boat LOL. We'd do this again just for the relaxing outing it was.
10/10 lake cruise
bradleysK8025JR,
Jul 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Wow what can I say such a beautiful experience. The fact me and my partner had the whole boat to ourselves was a real treat. Beautiful cruise across the lake. Learning some history of the lake and the surroundings. Seeing spectacular white capped mountains, including Mount doom from Lord of the rings. Then to finally arrive at the rock carvings which was beautiful. The water was super clear and inviting. Sadly too cold to swim. Then on the way back sipped on cold beers while a little breeze started to build. So we hoisted sail and crusied back to port in tranquility. The crew were so welcoming and really chatty. Definitely jump on this cruise if you can. Riding in style and with such a great crew on deck. Thankyou we will never forget it.
Honestreviewer 10976,
Jul 21, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Such an awesome trip with Adam. It was a small group with only 3 of us. He was very knowledgeable and friendly. We thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend to anyone.
Related Experiences
Operated by Taupo Sailing Adventures