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.
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
6.30pm Evening Cruise 90 mins
6.30pm Evening 1.5 hour cruise
10.30am & 2 pm 2 Hour 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
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
998 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Great!
LucyDoll,Jun 4, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Captain and guide was very good and amusing. It was a good couple of hours.
Great 2hrs spent
Jane W,Jun 4, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great 2 hr cruise on a beautiful old boat. Commentary was excellent, staff were amazing, attentive and friendly. Loved every bit of our 2 hrs out on the Lake
Informative
jennymI7244PV,Jun 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Great informative tour, although a little difficult to understand/ hear clearly. Progress of tour explained well plus explainations of the conditions. Helpful staff on board.
Amazing
benpL6009IA,Jun 1, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Lovely trip, great staff, very informative and everything was nice
Fun afternoon.
apairat,Jun 1, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Gr8 visit. Friendly helpful staff.
Breath taking views on a relaxing cruise
993nailab,May 23, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Absolutely amazing experience, crew was very knowledgeable and knew how to have a laugh. Lake Taupo was stunning and breathtaking, definitely a must do in New Zealand. I even got to steer the boat
Peter the Skipper and...
ARESSA P,May 8, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Peter the Skipper and Jordan were great. Peter narrates history or the region and the carvings along the ride. You can wander around the boat and even sit at the front
Ernest Kemp Lake Taupo Experience
CherylH57,May 1, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Enjoyable scenic trip out to the rock cravings, which were much younger than we were expecting. The lake is beautiful and there is a good commentary during the trip, however the music left playing in between information, was loud and not suitable to the ambience of the experience. It distracted from the peacefullness of the trip. Be careful if sitting out the back or standing out the front, you can potentially get wet, as a few did unexpectedly on our trip. We were warned on the way back about the front, but the rear side sitters, who were caught off guard. The crew were very friendly, knowledgeable and helpful.
Rocking carvings were amazing!
414harrisong,Apr 29, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Amazing knowledge and commentary from the Captain, great for kids, would go again
Amazing experience
manuJ9211HB,Apr 28, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Amazing experience, our Captain/ tour guide was so lovely! Super fun, relaxing and educational experience. The carvings are incredible, and the sailing to the site through Taupō lake was so nice and smooth, I highly recommend Ernest Kemp Cruises ✨
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Operated by ERNEST KEMP SCENIC CRUISES