Lake Taupō Māori Rock Carvings Scenic Cruise aboard Ernest Kemp
Overview
Available languages
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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.
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.
Options
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
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.
6.30pm Evening 1.5 hour cruise
6.30pm Evening Cruise 90 mins
10.30am & 2 pm 2 Hour Cruise
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
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
1,010 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Fantastic Informative Cruise
TMC 13,Jul 3, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Fantastic cruise, captain & crew were very informative & friendly. Smaller boat, perfect size for us. Amazing company to deal with when I had accidentally booked an extra person on this tour. I could not modify my booking on TripAdvisor & when I told the booking lady, she arranged through her boss a refund. I was truly thankful. I highly recommend this tour & thank you Ernest Kemp tours.
Awesome Lake Taupō trip on the Ernest Kemp
adamharrison2,Jul 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Went out onto Lake Taupō yesterday and had a fantastic time. Our Skipper Sarah was very friendly and knowledgable about Māori culture and language, especially the stone wall carvings of Ngātoroirangi, and her First Mate Sasha was an excellent host to us guests. Highly recommend this cruise company. 5/5!
Great tour!
debmunro18,Jun 29, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Really great tour on a comfy small boat (Ernst Kemp). The guides were knowledgeable and friendly, and the carvings were worth the trip to see them.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Absolutely brilliant cruise — we loved every minute!
brucemW4047GV,Jun 29, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had an amazing time on the Ernest Kemp Daily Carvings & Lakefront Cruise. From the moment we stepped onboard, the crew made the whole experience fun, welcoming, and easy. The boat has real charm, the lake was stunning, and the trip out to the Māori rock carvings was unforgettable. The views were incredible, the commentary was engaging, and the atmosphere on board was relaxed and enjoyable. It honestly felt like one of those perfect Taupō mornings where everything just comes together. Five stars from us — we’d happily do it again and highly recommend it to anyone visiting Lake Taupō who wants a memorable, uplifting experience on the water.
Great vibes from the get go
Quest27339746765,Jun 27, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Was such a cool chill ride. Very informative. Great views. Staff was awesome, considering they had to deal with a slightly drunk passenger, the staff handled it well. We also took our dog, which they accommodated with very well. I throughly enjoyed the trip. Very much appreciated Ernest kemp crew 5 stars!!😎🤙
Relaxing trip
Gary B,Jun 27, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This was a very relaxing and educational cruise. Well worth the time and cost. We learned a lot and he Captain and crew were tops.
Amazing experience
Tammy L,Jun 27, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Fantastic experience all round. The “Ernest Kemp” is an adorable little boat and the Captain and crew are wonderful. The Māori rock carvings are a must see when visiting Lake Taupo and the Captain was very informative and amusing. The boat is well maintained and very comfortable and cosy. Tea and coffee, soft drinks and alcohol are on offer to make the trip even more enjoyable. This was a highlight of my New Zealand holiday and I highly recommend it. Overall, it’s a beautiful way to spend a couple of hours.
good experience
385jaspreetk,Jun 25, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00-very nice -Really friendly and nice staff -Great that we were given blankets
Winter is no barrier to fun
caardrey,Jun 20, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Fantastic trip even in the cold. The crew so knowledgeable about Taupo and its history as well as being hillariously funny.
Labradors loved it
Nicola A,Jun 13, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We were able to bring our 2 Labradors along and they just loved it. The staff were very welcoming, knowledgeable, and we loved the stories.
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Operated by ERNEST KEMP SCENIC CRUISES