Best Time to See the Māori Rock Carvings: Season, Weather & Time of Day

Which months suit which trip

February and March sit after the busiest weeks of the year in Taupō, while the summer weather and the summer programme are still running. February has the warmest days, with an average high of about 23°C, and the fewest days with rain of any month. March’s average high is about 21°C, and the lake, which warms and cools more slowly than the air, is still close to its summer temperature, so a swim is still realistic.

Late December and January are just as warm and have the most sailings, with extra early and evening trips at some operators around Christmas and New Year. They are also the summer school holidays, and January is when the most visitors are staying in Taupō, so the popular morning and sunset departures fill.

Other experiences you might enjoy

Around the cruise, a day in Taupō can take in Huka Falls, a jet boat on the Waikato River, a skydive over the lake, or the geothermal valleys towards Rotorua.

What the lake is like through the year

Summer, December to February. The warmest part of the year, with average highs of about 21 to 23°C and the lake surface reaching about 20 to 22°C by late summer. This is when swim stops are most likely, sunset sailings run with all three operators that offer them, and the days are longest, at about 13.5 to 15 hours of daylight. It is also the busiest season in town.

Autumn, March to May. March is still warm and the lake is still close to its summer temperature. April has the lightest average wind of the year, although its days are cooler, at about 17°C, and the April school holidays and Easter bring visitors back. By May the average high is about 14°C, swims are over for most people, and the town is much quieter.

Winter, June to August. The coldest months and among the wettest, with average highs of about 11 to 12°C, frosty nights and rain on about 10 to 12 days a month. The boats keep sailing, with fewer departures, and on a clear day Sail Barbary points to the snow on the mountains to the south of the lake. The July school holidays bring a small rise in visitors.

Spring, September to November. The days lengthen and warm, from about 14°C in September to 18°C in November, and the first sunset sailings return in September. October and November are the windiest months on average, so the forecast on your date matters more than usual. Swim stops start again in November.

Weather and wind, month by month

The weather figures are long-term averages for Taupō airport, a few kilometres from the boat harbour and higher than the lake, so it can feel cooler and windier out on the water than they suggest. The visitor column counts people staying in commercial accommodation in the Taupō District in 2025; it shows how busy the town is, not how full a particular boat will be.

A day with rain here is one with at least 1 mm. The visitor figures move from year to year: January was the busiest month in every year from 2022 to 2025, and May or June the quietest, but the gap between them has ranged from less than twice to more than twice as many visitors.

Morning, afternoon or sunset

On average, the wind at Taupō is lightest overnight and in the early morning and strongest in the afternoon: about 11 km/h at 9am and 16 km/h at 3pm, across the year. On a breezy day that is the difference between a flat crossing and a choppy one, and Ernest Kemp’s own advice is that the lake can get very rough. So when the forecast shows the wind strengthening later, a morning departure is the better choice, especially if anyone in your group is prone to seasickness. On a settled day, an afternoon trip is just as good. Our morning versus afternoon guide compares the two for families and photographers.

Sunset sailings are about the evening on the water and the light over the lake. They run only in the warmer months, and the departure time moves with the sunset through the season, so check the time on your booking.

Which trip suits which season

• The classical sailing trip on Fearless is 2.5 hours under sail with a swim stop in warm weather, blankets and wet-weather gear on board, and a lounge below the main deck. It suits summer and autumn best; Taupo Sailing Adventures may move bookings to its catamaran Tiua when the weather or numbers require it.
• The Tiua sailing catamaran, from the same company, has a saloon and a covered cockpit, so it is the sailing trip to choose on a cool or showery day.
• The 90-minute scenic cruise on Chris Jolly’s catamaran has indoor seating and two departures a day all year. The operator says it goes ahead rain or shine and is cancelled only in extreme weather, which makes it a dependable choice in winter or on a windy day.
• The Ernest Kemp lakefront cruise runs every day all year on a replica steamboat with seating inside and out, and stops for a short swim in summer when conditions allow.
• Sail Barbary’s electric yacht sails all year, with ponchos for the cooler months. Its website does not mention an indoor cabin, so dress for the open deck in winter.
• The guided kayak tour runs all year in good conditions and is the most exposed way to visit, so it suits calm summer and autumn days best; the operator refunds the tour if the weather stops it.

To compare the trips themselves, see which Māori rock carvings cruise is right for you and the winter cruise guide.

Check your date

Every trip on this site can be cancelled free up to 24 hours before departure. If your booking has the same terms, you can book once your dates are fixed and look at the lake forecast before the deadline. If an operator cancels for the weather, it offers a reschedule or a refund; read the specific booking terms before you rely on that.

How we know

For the trip itself, see how to see the Māori rock carvings, what to bring and swimming on the cruise.

Frequently asked questions