Lake Taupō Māori Rock Carvings Scenic Cruise aboard Ernest Kemp
Overview
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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.
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
Maori Rock Carvings Cruise
12.30pm 1.5 Hour Cruise
Maori Rock Carving Cruise
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
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.
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
870 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Lake Taupo cruise
477wayneb,,Dec 19, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A quiet enjoyable ride. Very informative. And very interesting re the early Moari people. Will definatley highly recommend.
Unhappy 😔
417sundusm,,Dec 17, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00Me and my family were robbed, we had no idea this price was USD till booking. We decided to cancel and find something within budget, unfortunately we canceled within 24 hours and didn’t get a refund. We call and told them to undo our cancellation as we can’t even get our refund so we may as go. They would not let us undo our cancellation, so unhelpful. Imagine in New Zealand we’re are paying USD to go to Taupo!!!!!! I’m so unhappy 😔
Excellent Experience with Friendly Staffers
Pioneer60121734603,,Dec 16, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The views were pretty and the staff was friendly with free hot coffee and tea served. It was well worth the afternoon spent.
Great way to cruise the lake.
leigh3051,,Dec 14, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great trip great staff lovely old replica boat...awesome experience and a great way to chill for an afternoon. The young girl on the cruise was so friendly and looked after everyone on board so very well.
Impressive carvings; enjoyed the Ernest Kemp
Stephani T,,Dec 14, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00The carvings are really impressive and well worth seeing. We’re happy that we chose to go on the Ernest Kemp. Smaller boat, fewer people, friendly crew.
Great Lake cruise onboard the Ernest kemp
elainewC9409MV,,Dec 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We 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
5.00Great 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
5.00What 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
1.00I 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
4.00Good 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.
From NZ$50.00
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Operated by ERNEST KEMP SCENIC CRUISES