taupo lake cruise boat

Helpful tips

Here's a few useful links to help with planning your trip to Aotearoa New Zealand.

Best things to do in the North Island
Best things to do in the South Island
Other Islands
Best ways to travel around
Calculate travel times and distances

Boat cruises in Taupō

Viewing the Mine Bay Maori Rock Carvings by sailboat

Mine Bay Rock Carving by boat, Taupō

By Destination Great Lake Taupo

Sailboat in Lake Taupo, Taupō

A scenic boat cruise on beautiful Lake Taupō is one of the best ways to experience New Zealand's largest lake.

Take a trip on a catamaran, steam boat, sail boat or luxurious private charter - you will be spoiled for choice when it comes to cruising on Lake Taupō. Many of these operators will visit Lake Taupō's fascinating Mine Bay rock carvings which are only accessible by water, providing full commentary on the cultural significance of the carvings and the lake itself. If you're a keen angler, choose a cruise that also offers trout fishing - Lake Taupō is known for its trophy-sized rainbow trout. If you're cruising in the summer months, take a romantic sunset cruise or experience fly fishing and stand up paddle boarding in the remote Western Bays - you'll also be able to take a dip in Lake Taupō's fresh, pristine waters.