Lake Taupō Māori Rock Carvings Scenic Cruise aboard Ernest Kemp

Name: Lake Taupō Māori Rock Carvings Scenic Cruise aboard Ernest Kemp
Price: 50 NZD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.66 (863 reviews)

Overview

Available languages

German

English

Chinese (China)

French

Spanish

Mobile ticket

Ernest Kemp Cruises cruising Lake Taupo for over 30 years. We specialise in visiting the Maori Rock Carvings daily. Enjoy the history of the area and this unique replica steamboat. Friendly skipper and crew offer a live commentary and a colour brochure explaining the meaning of the carvings. Lots of great photo opportunities with viewing and seating both inside and out. Bring a towel in summer months your skipper may decide there is time for a swim in our crystal clear lake.

Complimentary tea, coffee, hot chocolate and cookies. Free wifi on board.

4 cruises daily in the summer months, from 90 - 120 minutes. Our popular 5 pm Cocktail Cruise includes a couple of complimentary glasses of wine or beer and pizza, this is all included in the ticket price. Sit back and relax you will have great experience on board Ernest Kemp Cruises.

Additional Info

Service animals allowed

Public transportation options are available nearby

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Well behaved dogs welcome.

Cancellation Policy

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

What To Expect

Maori Rock Carvings

Sit back and relax cruising picturesque Lake Taupo to visit the famous Maori Rock Carvings with Ernest Kemp Cruises. Enjoy complimentary hot beverages, Free Wifi. Cruises between 90 -120 mins. Great photo opportunities. Comfortable seating inside and out. Live commentary of the lake and history of the local area.

1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Included

What‘s Included

Free WiFi on board

Live commentary from skipper & crew

Complimentary tea, coffee & cookies.

Scenic cruise on Ernest Kemp

Snacks and drinks, alcoholic and non alcoholic available for purchase on board.

Hotel pickup/drop-off

Options

9am Early Bird Cruise

9am Early Bird Cruise : 9am Early Bird Cruise with Ernest Kemp to visit the Maori Rock Carvings. Start the day with a relaxing Cruise.

Maori Rock Carvings Cruise

12.30pm 1.5 Hour Cruise

Maori Rock Carving Cruise
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

4.30pm 1.5 hour Cruise

4.30pm 1.5 hour Cruise: 4.30pm Cruise to the Maori Rock Carvings, with the option to swim at the skippers discretion.
Duration: 1 hour 40 minutes

Reviews

4.66

863 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

642

167

Great Lake cruise onboard the Ernest kemp
elainewC9409MV,,Dec 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We really enjoyed this this tour. The staff were excellent and very informative and accommodating. We loved our time on board the Ernest Kemp and would highly recommend to others. The rock carvings were brilliant and not like any I’ve seen previously, and the information was excellent. We even stopped off for a swim near to the rock carvings which was awesome. Thank you guys Elaine and James.
Great for locals and visitors
buckhaventurangi,,Dec 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Great boat, great crew, as someone who has been coming to the area for a number of years and still learnt a few things would bring other guests on this great trip
Ernest Kemp !!! The old boat that could !!
D5889EZmatthews,,Dec 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
What a fantastic cruise !!!! Totally accommodating of our family. Drinks and snacks plentiful and the Maori carvings inspiring !!!
DECEPTION - CANCELATION
299annalaura,,Dec 6, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00
I scheduled and paid this tour in advance, but minutes before it was scheduled, when we were already headed to the departure point, I received an e-mail informing about its cancellation due to "weather conditions", although the day was beautiful, with sun and no much wind. Although I requested the refund of the amount paid (since we would not have a way to reconsider it) and received an e-mail about its processing, I received another afterwards thanking for being with them on the tour and asking for our evaluation. And here it is: I can't rate a tour I didn't do because the company cancelled it without much explanation 😏
Morning Boat Trip
davewY4976CA,,Dec 3, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00
Good overall trip, seemed to get a longer. trip than the. other boats. Commentary was good when you could hear which was not always the case which was a shame. Free coffee and tea was welcome but the 'cookies' were just a biscuit.
Most enjoyable trip
E9881TFfrancesl,,Dec 1, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Our group of three had a wonderful trip on Ernest Kemp with skipper Pete. It was a perfect day, great views of the rock carvings and lake and the commentary from Pete was most interesting. We really enjoyed the personal stories he included which made it more enjoyable. The whole trip was outstanding and the team was friendly and welcoming. Recommend this to anyone visiting Taupo.
Recommend
fkinita237,,Nov 27, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Enjoyed our boat ride. Friendly staff. Did have to stand for a lot of the trip as there wasn't enough seats, but we enjoyed the trip. Good commentary, learnt a lot of cool things and plenty of time at the carved rock, circling the boat so everyone can have a good look and get pictures.
Great value for money!
alexandrahU6088GV,,Nov 26, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
A fantastic experience! Friendly crew, great view of the carvings, and even the chance for a swim. I was surprised it was 2 hours long as this was a great value for money! It felt like the perfect length and was quite relaxing and peaceful being out on the water. We got some local info along with plenty of time to relax as well. I highly recommend! Also, a tip that adult tickets are as cheap as $25 using BookMe!
Boat trip to the Māori rock carvings
402sherylj,,Nov 26, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Nice trip on the lake. The hosts were great. They provide free tea and coffee, and you can purchase snacks and cold drinks. The commentary is great to listen to. He speaks about a lot more than just the Māori rock carvings which I thpught was really good.
Great cruise. Watch the music
Curious60397101198,,Nov 26, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00
Went on this trip as a bit of nostalgia for my husband who last went over 40 years ago. Crew were friendly and the cruise pleasant. Loss of star due to the music... Multiple songs with multiple obviously emphasized 'F' words. With multiple overseas tourists along with a couple of children, thought this was a let down.