Luxury Sailing Catamaran to the Māori Rock Carvings
About This Experience
Tiua is a 53-foot sailing catamaran, and the twin hulls are the whole argument for it: she barely heels, so the ride out to Mine Bay is flat, wide and easy to move around on. This is the trip to pick if someone in the party is uneasy about boats, or if you simply want to sit somewhere comfortable for two and a half hours.
She is also the only boat on Lake Taupō that pairs an eco-friendly sail with both indoor and outdoor seating. The saloon and covered cockpit mean the trip goes ahead in weather that would make an open deck miserable — you can take shelter from rain, wind or sun without going below into a cabin.
The destination is the same 14-metre Ngātoroirangi carving, finished in 1980 and reachable only from the water, and the crew tells its story properly. There is a swim stop, blankets and beanbags for the way home, a complimentary drink, and a licensed bar if you want more than one.
Highlights
- A 53-foot catamaran — stable, flat and easy underfoot
- Indoor saloon and covered cockpit, so weather does not spoil it
- Get close to the 14-metre carving and photograph it from the water
- Swim stop, blankets and beanbags on the way back
- Complimentary drink plus a fully licensed bar on board
What's Included
- ✓ 2.5-hour sailing cruise
- ✓ Local guide and crew commentary
- ✓ Life jackets
- ✓ Blankets
- ✓ Beanbags
- ✓ Hot drink and a biscuit (morning departure)
- ✓ One hot or soft drink (afternoon departures)
- ✓ One beer, wine or soft drink (sunset departure)
Not Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Additional drinks (available from the licensed bar on board)
- Food
What to Bring
- Swimwear and a towel
- Sunglasses and a sun hat
- Sunscreen
- A jacket
- Camera
Good to Know & Caveats
- Sailings depend on minimum numbers and on lake and weather conditions. If one cannot run you are offered a reschedule or a full refund.
- Shoes come off inside the boat.
- No-shows at check-in are not refunded.
- The catamaran's stability makes this the easier choice for anyone prone to seasickness — but the lake can still get choppy.
Meeting Point
Taupō Marina, Taupō 3330. Departures at 9:30am, 12:30pm, 3:30pm and a seasonal sunset sail. Arrive 15 minutes early.
What Travelers Say
Rated 4.8/5 by 292 verified GetYourGuide travelers.
Such a relaxing day on the lake. We enjoyed it immensely.
— Rodney, May 4,
Brilliantly organised, felt incredibly welcome and great chats with the chaps! Gorgeous trip, lots of info, well equipped boat. Completely recommend.
— Alexandra, April 3
We had a fabulous time on the catamaran. The crew were so welcoming and informative. We were also blessed with great weather which provided clear views of the Tongariro National Park volcanoes as a backdrop to our trip. This is a voyage I would highly recommend to anyone wanting to make the most of their time in Taupo.
— Ivana, April 1
Frequently Asked Questions
How is this different from the classical sailing trip?
Same operator, same destination, different boat. Fearless is a monohull that heels and feels like sailing; Tiua is a 53-foot catamaran that stays flat and has an indoor saloon. Pick Tiua for comfort and weather protection, Fearless for the sailing itself.
Is it a good option in bad weather?
It is the best of the six. The spacious saloon and covered cockpit mean you can get out of rain, wind or sun without going below deck, which is why this boat is set up to go out in conditions that would make an open cruise unpleasant.
Is there a bar on board?
Yes — a fully licensed bar, plus one complimentary drink included with your ticket. The included drink varies by departure: a hot drink and biscuit in the morning, a hot or soft drink in the afternoon, and a beer, wine or soft drink on the sunset sail.
Will I get seasick?
Less likely here than on any other boat that runs this route. A twin-hull catamaran resists rolling, and you can sit indoors with a fixed horizon. Lake Taupō is large enough to get choppy, so it is not a guarantee.
