Can You Swim on a Māori Rock Carvings Cruise?

The trips most likely to stop for a swim

The 2.5-hour sailing trips build a swim into the itinerary, weather permitting. The classical sailing trip on Fearless ($34, 4.8/5 from 1,492 reviews) stops on the way back and has the longest swim break on the lake. The Tiua sailing catamaran ($40, 4.8/5 from 300 reviews) has a swim stop too, plus blankets and an indoor saloon for warming up afterwards. On the Sail Barbary electric yacht ($34, 4.7/5 from 192 reviews) swimming is encouraged.

The 90-minute scenic cruise ($38, 4.6/5 from 693 reviews) is taken up with getting to Mine Bay, holding station at the carving and coming back, so it has no swim stop. On the Ernest Kemp lakefront cruise ($32, 4.4/5 from only 5 reviews), the crew lets passengers swim on the two-hour summer cruises when conditions suit.

If the swim is a big part of why you are booking, pick a sailing trip, read the listing for your exact departure, and ask the operator.

Can you swim at the carvings?

Don’t expect to jump in right beside the rock face. The skipper chooses a safe spot to stop, thinking about other boats, depth, wind and respect for a site of cultural importance.

Never swim towards the carvings, touch them or try to climb them.

How cold the water is

Lake Taupō is cool even in summer: Waikato Regional Council monitoring has the surface reaching about 20 to 22°C by late summer and about 11 to 12°C in winter, and it can still feel cold on a February day. The water temperature lags well behind the air, so a hot day in town does not mean warm water. Get in slowly, follow the crew’s instructions and get out as soon as you feel uncomfortable.

If you have a heart condition or another medical reason to avoid cold-water shock, think twice about swimming and talk to the crew before you get in.

What to bring

Pack:

swimwear
a towel
dry underwear and clothes
a warm outer layer
a waterproof bag
secure sandals, if the boat allows them

Ask whether the boat supplies flotation aids and whether there is somewhere private to change. Our packing list for a Lake Taupō cruise covers the rest of the day.

The crew’s safety rules

Only get in when the crew says you can. Use the access point they show you and stay inside the area the skipper marks out. Don’t dive unless the crew tells you it is safe: depth and underwater hazards are hard to judge from the deck.

Skip the alcohol before swimming and keep children close. The crew can cancel the swim without cancelling the cruise.

Is the cruise still good without a swim?

Yes. You book the trip for the lake crossing and the Ngātoroirangi carvings at Mine Bay, and you see both whether or not anyone gets wet. Treat the swim as a possible extra unless the listing you book says otherwise.

Trips with more time in the water

If swimming matters more to you than the boat ride, the Māori Rock Carvings kayaking tour ($84, 4.8/5 from 159 reviews, plus an NZ$8.83 site fee) gives you four hours on the lake with a swim stop and rock jumping on the way. It takes more effort than a cruise, and children under 12 cannot take part. Our cruise versus kayak comparison sets the two side by side.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do scenic cruises stop for swimming?

The 90-minute scenic cruise does not. The Ernest Kemp may stop on its two-hour summer cruises if conditions allow. Check the itinerary for your departure.

Are children allowed to swim?

It depends on the operator, the conditions and the flotation aids on board, and children always swim with an adult watching them. Ask the operator when you book.

Do I need to be a strong swimmer?

Tell the crew honestly how well you swim, and never go into open water beyond your comfort level.

Will the boat provide towels?

Don’t count on it. The sailing trips, the kayak tour and the Ernest Kemp all ask you to bring your own swimwear and towel.

Can swimming be cancelled at the last minute?

Yes. The skipper can drop the swim stop because of the weather, the water or the timetable and still run the rest of the cruise.