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Maori Rock Carvings Scenic Cruise

star-4.5327 Reviews
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Taupō, New Zealand
Maori Rock Carvings Scenic Cruise
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Maori Rock Carvings Scenic Cruise
Great photo opportunities
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From $23.14

Lowest Price Guarantee

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Number of travelers
0 Adults1 Adult2 Adults3 Adults4 Adults5 Adults6 Adults7 Adults8 Adults9 Adults10 Adults11 Adults12 Adults13 Adults14 Adults15 Adults0 Seniors1 Senior2 Seniors3 Seniors4 Seniors5 Seniors6 Seniors7 Seniors8 Seniors9 Seniors10 Seniors11 Seniors12 Seniors13 Seniors14 Seniors15 Seniors0 Children1 Child2 Children3 Children4 Children5 Children6 Children7 Children8 Children9 Children10 Children11 Children12 Children13 Children14 Children15 Children0 Infants1 Infant2 Infants3 Infants4 Infants5 Infants6 Infants7 Infants8 Infants9 Infants10 Infants11 Infants12 Infants13 Infants14 Infants15 Infants
Free cancellation
Up to 24 hours in advance. Learn more
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Safety measures
icon1 hour 40 minutes to 2 hours  (approx.)
iconOffered in: English

Overview

Carved in the 1970s by one of Aotearoa’s master Māori carvers, the Mine Bay rock carvings are a striking Taupō attraction. They’re also impossible to access on foot, so hop on board a charming replica steamboat and take a scenic cruise out to the carvings instead. Learn all about the history and the myths behind the carvings from your steamboat crew, and along the way enjoy pristine views of Lake Taupō and beyond, including the nearby volcanoes Tongariro, Ruapehu and Ngauruhoe.
  • If the weather’s fine, summer cruisers can even take the chance to swim in Mine Bay
  • Free coffee, tea and snacks on board – and hot chocolates for the little ones
  • Upload your photos to Facebook instantly with free WiFi on board
  • Easy to find departure point near the Taupō visitor center
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From $23.14

Lowest Price Guarantee
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Coffee and/or Tea
Ernest Kemp Cruises , Berth 2/65 Redoubt Street, Taupō 3351, New Zealand
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Please go to the black Booking Office, 65 Redoubt St Taupo Marina to pick up your boarding pass. The Booking Office is by the coffee caravan at the Marina.

This activity will end right where it started.
  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Service animals allowed
  • Near public transportation
  • Well behaved dogs welcome.
  • Most travelers can participate
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 38 travelers
  • OPERATED BY ERNEST KEMP SCENIC CRUISES
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Learn more about cancellations.

The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.
Q:
What is the policy on face masks and attendee health during Maori Rock Carvings Scenic Cruise?
A:The policies on face masks and attendee health are:

  • Face masks required for travelers in public areas
  • Face masks required for guides in public areas
See all safety measures taken by Maori Rock Carvings Scenic Cruise.
Q:
What is the policy on sanitization during Maori Rock Carvings Scenic Cruise?
A:The policies on sanitization are:

  • Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
  • Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
  • Gear/equipment sanitized between use
See all safety measures taken by Maori Rock Carvings Scenic Cruise.
Q:
What measures are being taken to ensure staff health & safety during Maori Rock Carvings Scenic Cruise?
A:The policies on staff health & safety are:

  • Guides required to regularly wash hands
  • Paid stay-at-home policy for staff with symptoms
See all safety measures taken by Maori Rock Carvings Scenic Cruise.

Traveler Photos

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Reviews

4.5
star-4.5
327 Reviews
5 stars
221
4 stars
83
3 stars
16
2 stars
6
1 star
1

Reviews by Viator travelers

Showing 1-10 of 327 reviews
star-5
We had perfect weather! A...
Sue_L
, May 2022
We had perfect weather! A little chilly out on the lake, so lovely warm blankets were provided. Such friendly and welcoming service.
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icon Response from Host , May 2022
Thank you very much for the great feedback, it's been our pleasure hosting you aboard!
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star-5
Amazing
Dawn_K
, May 2022
Relaxing and enjoyable good value for money. Bla bla blablabla, and this ap won’t let me exit unless I say more
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icon Response from Host , May 2022
Thank you Dawn!
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star-5
Memorable
Keri_B
, Apr 2022
This was so memorable with two of my children. I took my toddler in a carry pack and she did great! Beautiful weather meant we could enjoy the cruise from the outside deck, the sights were stunning especially the rock carving - ka mau te wehi!
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icon Response from Host , Apr 2022
You are most welcome, Keri! Pleased we were able to have you join us for an exciting family outing :)
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star-5
Beautiful
Irene_F
, Apr 2022
Hi there it was a very calm and beautiful boat trip I recommend it for families and friends thank you very much
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icon Response from Host , Apr 2022
Thank you Irene, we are grateful for your support of our small business and your kind recommendation!
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star-5
Ernest Kemp day trip
Johan_D
, Mar 2022
The Captain & 1st Mate were very knowledgeable regarding the area & appoachable with any query. The Rock carvings were well worth the trip to see. We loved every moment on the Ernest Kemp & would recommend this vessel to visit the carvings to everyone. The day was stunning, sun shining & the lake was beautiful.
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icon Response from Host , Mar 2022
Couldn't have asked for more! Thank you very much for joining us onboard for an epic Ernest Kemp scenic experience, we appreciate your support :)
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star-5
wonderful carvings - good cruise to get there
Grant_N
, Feb 2022
Pleasant boat ride on a flat calm lake - well looked after by crew who were friendly and happy to talk. The carvings are just great - unbelievable the efforts that must have been made to do them. The skipper was a top class driver - had the boat right up to the carvings so everybody had plenty of time to view. Plenty of comment as we went back around the lake edge with lots of interesting facts pointed out. Only one drawback - the day was so hot I got sunburnt - wasn't expecting that! Highly recommend
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icon Response from Host , Mar 2022
Thank you very much Grant, we appreciate the thorough review of your experience onboard!
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star-5
Family venture
Luma_G
, Jan 2022
The clear water where Maori Carving site. Great service given by great staff. Served refreshments, clear guide giving us opportunity to take a swim before sailing back. Money's worth and would recommend highly especially for my family of ten. My children enjoyed it thoroughly
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icon Response from Host , Jan 2022
A great way to spend a couple of hours with the family, learning something new and creating memories to treasure :) Thank you very much for the complimentary review, we really do appreciate it!
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star-5
Views from Lake to Land
Rangi_T
, Jan 2022
Relaxing, enjoyable cruise. Great service of a variety of drinks & snacks along with meeting good people. Weather was beautiful, where you could be inside or outside. Excellent way to see the whole lake with great views from the lake to the land. Enjoyed the swim in the lake also. Thank you crew. I would so do those cruise again.
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icon Response from Host , Jan 2022
You are welcome back any time! Thank you very much for your support :)
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star-5
A day to remember
Haupokia_J
, Jan 2022
Enjoyed the entire trip, highlights were the carvings and my son being allowed to drive the boat. Was an awesome day out for my family celebrating a 6th birthday
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icon Response from Host , Jan 2022
That is what we like to hear! What a fantastic way to create memories and celebrate a birthday with family. It has been our pleasure.
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star-5
Toka trip on the lake
Liz_M
, Jan 2022
Loved hearing the whakapapa of the area and the story of the rock carvings. Boat ride was perfect & a not crowded. Crew were super friendly.
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icon Response from Host , Jan 2022
Perfect, that's what we love to hear! Thank you very much for cruising with us at Ernest Kemp :)
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star-5
Great experience
Paddy_A
, Dec 2021
Loved the Māori Carvings, they are definitely worth seeing. It was a fantastic boat trip and great value for money
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icon Response from Host , Dec 2021
You're most welcome, we appreciate your lovely review and support :)
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star-5
The carvings were...
Gracie_K
, Oct 2021
The carvings were beautiful and so were the crew!!! Enjoyed the cruise to and from and felt safe the whole time
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icon Response from Host , Oct 2021
We love to hear it Jocelyn, much appreciated! Thank you for your positive review :)
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star-5
Awesome experience
Helen_F
, May 2021
Fabulous experience. We enjoyed every minute. Even the wet weather didn't spoil it. Highly recommend.
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icon Response from Host , May 2021
Thank you very much for your recommendation Helen! It is always so nice to hear how much our passengers loved their scenic cruise with us here at Ernest Kemp. Much appreciated :)
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star-5
Definitely a must
Donna_F
, Apr 2021
We had a lovely trip . The crew were friendly and helpful. A taupo local for 12 years and never been out on the boat. 5 stars
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icon Response from Host , Apr 2021
Glad you finally managed to enjoy a bit of your own backyard! Thank you very much for joining us for a scenic cruise, we appreciate your support.
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star-5
Londoners in Taupo
njdrakeirons
, Feb 2020
Really relaxed and friendly trip , and a chance to swim in the lake aswell .My elderly mum and myself enjoyed it very much and would recommend to anybody visiting Taupo . Book online with Viator is a must as this trip is popular for a reason . Like being out with our mates .
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star-4
Maori Carving by cute boat
Kyla_A
, Jan 2020
Beautiful boat ride across Lake Taupo! The carvings were magnificent. Would have liked more commentary along the way back.
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star-4
The carvings
Angela_M
, Jan 2020
Nice cruise, carvings were amazing. Free tea, coffee, water and cookies. Wine, beer, cheese board and other snacks were available if you wish to purchase them.
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star-5
Maori Rock Carvings Scenic Cruise
Michele_F
, Dec 2019
That was a very entertaining and wonderful scenic cruise. Very informative, the whole experience was great. Loved the carvings and the whole atmosphere was great. Great crew very helpful and kind. Thank you for a very enjoyable afternoon.
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icon Response from Host , Jan 2020
Thank you Harriett for the lovely review. We are pleased we could provide such a well rounded experience. Our pleasure to have had you onboard!
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star-5
Lovely Sedate Trip
Linda_L
, Dec 2019
This was such a lovely trip. the boat is a mock steam boat so looks authentic but without the steam! There was a good amount of commentary about different areas of the lake. What was really well organised was that each tour company staggered the time that they got to the rock carvings so that you were the only boat there at that time taking photographs so you didn't feel crowded or rushed.
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icon Response from Host , Dec 2019
Hi, Thank you very much for the positive insights to your cruise, we love the feedback. Ernest Kemp has had a major reburbishment earlier this year, to keep her looking authentic and pristine! We are glad you found both our vessel and tour to be worthy of a five star rating. Thank you!
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star-5
Lake cruise
alisontatlock07
, Nov 2019
This was a lovely lake ride. We were able to to get great pictures of the Maori rock carvings. Friendly, helpful crew on board.😊
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icon Response from Host , Dec 2019
Thank you Alison, Very happy to hear you had a lovely experience cruising the Great Lake with the Ernest Kemp team! Enjoy your photos!
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