What to Wear on a Lake Taupō Cruise: Packing List

Essential clothing

Layers on top

Start with a comfortable base layer, add a fleece or light insulated layer, and finish with a windproof outer jacket. In winter, swap in a warmer coat and add gloves and a beanie. Our winter cruise guide has the full cold-weather list.

You won’t be left without cover if you forget something. The classical sailing trip on Fearless carries blankets and wet-weather gear, the Tiua sailing catamaran has blankets and an indoor saloon, and the Sail Barbary electric yacht hands out wind- and waterproof ponchos.

Practical trousers

Choose clothing you can move around the boat in safely. Shorts work in warm summer weather, but pack a longer layer in case the wind picks up. If you are paddling rather than cruising, don’t wear jeans: the kayaking tour bans them, because wet denim is heavy and cold for four hours.

Secure footwear

Wear flat shoes with a good grip. Closed shoes suit cool days, and secure sandals can work in summer. Avoid heels. On both Taupo Sailing Adventures boats, Fearless and Tiua, shoes come off inside the boat, so something you can slip on and off easily saves a fumble at the hatch. Kayakers need shoes they don’t mind getting wet.

Sun protection

Bring sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat that stays on. Glare off the lake is strong, and the light reflected off the water adds to the sun you get from above. A hat with a strap is far less likely to end up in the lake.

Pack biodegradable sunscreen if you can. Lake Taupō is a swimming lake and a drinking-water source, and Sail Barbary asks for it specifically; the Ernest Kemp cruise lists it too.

Camera and phone

Use a wrist strap, a neck strap or a waterproof phone pouch, and bring a charged battery with space on the card. A moderate zoom helps you pick out detail on the carving, though a modern phone camera is enough.

Keep electronics out of the spray, and never lean over a rail to frame a photograph. Our what to expect guide has more on shooting the carving from a moving deck.

If swimming is on the cards

Pack swimwear, a towel and a dry change of clothes. Most trips stop for a swim, and the sailing trips build one into the itinerary, but it always depends on conditions and the crew’s call, so it may not happen on your day. Our guide to whether you can swim on the cruise covers which boats stop and how cold the lake is. Ask where you can change. Life jackets are supplied on the sailing trips and the scenic cruise.

The water is cool even in summer, at about 20 to 22°C at its warmest in late summer, so bring the towel even if you’re sure you’ll stay dry.

Motion-sickness preparation

If you’re prone to seasickness, take your usual remedy early enough for it to work, following medical or label advice. Eat a light meal, drink water, watch the horizon and don’t spend the whole crossing looking at a screen.

The boat and the hour help too. The Tiua catamaran stays flat where a monohull heels, and the lake is often calmer in the morning before the wind builds; our morning versus afternoon guide covers the trade-off.

Useful extras

refillable water bottle
booking confirmation
small dry bag
lip balm
personal medication
reusable snack container if outside food is allowed

Food isn’t included on any of the six trips, though most serve a hot drink and some add a biscuit or a muffin. Sail Barbary welcomes your own food and drinks, and Fearless lets you bring your own drinks on board; check the rules for other boats.

Keep luggage compact. Boats have limited storage, and Sail Barbary has no room for luggage or large bags at all.

What not to bring

Leave behind loose items that can blow into the water, valuables you don’t need and bulky bags. Leave the drone at home too: flying one over other passengers and boats, at a culturally significant site, isn’t appropriate unless every permission and the operator’s own rules are satisfied.

Seasonal packing

In summer, sun protection and a light wind layer matter most. In autumn and spring, expect the weather to change quickly. In winter, pack for cold air on open water, even if the town itself feels sheltered.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need waterproof clothing?

A fully waterproof outfit isn’t usually necessary, but a water-resistant outer jacket is sensible. Fearless carries wet-weather gear, Sail Barbary hands out ponchos, and the kayak tour supplies waterproof jackets.

Can I wear flip-flops?

Shoes with a good grip are safer on a moving deck. Check the operator’s rules if you plan to wear open shoes, and remember that on Fearless and Tiua shoes come off inside the boat anyway.

Should I bring food?

Only where it’s allowed. No trip on this site includes a meal, Sail Barbary welcomes your own food and drinks, and some boats have little space for it.

Do I need a life jacket?

The operator supplies the safety equipment the trip needs, and the sailing trips, the scenic cruise and the kayak tour all list life jackets among their inclusions. Follow the crew’s instructions about when to wear one.

What to Wear and Bring on a Lake Taupō Cruise