Ernest Kemp Cruises cruising Lake Taupo for over 30 years. We specialise in visiting the Maori Rock Carvings daily. Enjoy the history of the area and this unique replica steamboat. Friendly skipper and crew offer a live commentary and a colour brochure explaining the meaning of the carvings. Lots of great photo opportunities with viewing and seating both inside and out. Bring a towel in summer months your skipper may decide there is time for a swim in our crystal clear lake.

Complimentary tea, coffee, hot chocolate and cookies. Free wifi on board.

4 cruises daily in the summer months, from 90 - 120 minutes. Our popular 5 pm Cocktail Cruise includes a couple of complimentary glasses of wine or beer and pizza, this is all included in the ticket price. Sit back and relax you will have great experience on board Ernest Kemp Cruises.

ADULT

10.30am & 2 pm 2 Hour Cruise

Maori Rock Carving Cruise
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

12.30pm 1.5 Hour Cruise

Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear you enjoyed the cruise, the views across Lake Taupō and learning about the history of the lake and Māori rock carvings. It’s lovely to hear that the skipper’s commentary, knowledge and sense of humour made the experience even more memorable. We’ll be sure to pass your kind words on to the crew.

Thank you for recommending the Ernest Kemp. We really appreciate your support!

Warm regards,
The Ernest Kemp Team

We had an absolutely fantastic experience on the Lake Taupō Māori Rock Carvings Scenic Cruise aboard the Ernest Kemp. The boat itself was beautiful, comfortable and the ride across the lake was incredibly smooth, making it such a relaxing way to see Lake Taupō.

The highlight for us was definitely the captain. He was incredibly friendly, knowledgeable and informative, and his commentary throughout the trip really brought the history of the lake and the Māori rock carvings to life. He was also great to have a laugh with and made everyone feel welcome and comfortable. His personality and knowledge genuinely made the experience so much more enjoyable.

The views were amazing, the boat was lovely, and the whole experience was well organised from start to finish. You can tell the crew really care about making sure everyone has a great time.

I would absolutely recommend the Ernest Kemp cruise to anyone visiting Taupō. A fantastic experience, and a huge thank you to the captain for making it such a memorable trip!


We had an absolutely...

Thank you for your wonderful review! We’re so pleased to hear you had such a fantastic time aboard the Ernest Kemp. It’s lovely to have guests visit us from Christchurch, and we’re glad you enjoyed the experience of seeing the Māori rock carvings up close.

Warm regards,
The Ernest Kemp Team

Wow what an exciting experience! Amazing, I can't say any more about it absolutely fantastic! We from Christchurch 

Beautiful experience 

Thank you so much for your lovely review! We’re glad you enjoyed the service and found the commentary informative. It’s great to hear you appreciated the complimentary biscuit and had the chance to take in the intricate Māori carvings. We really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience with us!

Warm regards,
The Ernest Kemp Team

Great service and very informative travelling on Lake Taupo.
Added treat was complimentary biscuit.
The carvings were intricate 

Ernest Kemp 

Thank you for your wonderful review! We're so pleased you enjoyed your cruise with Simon and Owen. It's lovely to hear you appreciated the blankets, complimentary cookies, informative commentary and getting up close to the Māori rock carvings. We'll be sure to pass your kind words on to the crew. Thanks so much for recommending Ernest Kemp!

Warm regards,
The Ernest Kemp Team

We were greeted by our friendly captain Simon and his first mate Martin who made sure we boarded safely. The Ernest Kemp is the sweetest boat even had blankets over the seats if you got abit chilly. We were offered complimentary cookies and a hot beverage. A very informative commentary and Martin made sure everyone was enjoying themselves.  The Maori rock carving was great and well worth the trip. Being a smaller boat it can get up closer to the carvings than a bigger boat could. I liked how there were only 30 passengers too. Would highly recommend the Ernest Kemp.

Ernest Kemp Rock carving cruise, Taupo,NZ

Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear you had such a great experience aboard the Ernest Kemp. It’s lovely to hear that our skipper and crew made you feel well looked after throughout your visit. We really appreciate your kind words!

Warm regards,
The Ernest Kemp Team

The Ernest Kemp Cruise was a wonderful experience. The skipper and his crew were friendly, and knowledgeable and looked after us before, during and after the cruise.

5-star review!

Thank you for your lovely review! We’re so glad you enjoyed your experience on Lake Taupō and found the cruise clean and comfortable. We’re pleased you enjoyed the hot beverages onboard as well!

Warm regards,
The Ernest Kemp Team

It was wonderful experience to visit Taupō lake. The cruise was very clean and hot beverages was served. 

It was wonderful...

Thank you for your lovely review! We’re so glad you enjoyed the cruise and found our crew friendly and welcoming. It’s wonderful to hear that you connected with the history and felt the spiritual significance of the Māori carvings. We really appreciate your kind words!

Warm regards,
The Ernest Kemp Team

The staff were very friendly and welcoming.  Good history knowledge.  The maori carving rocks looked amazing a very emotional and spiritual feeling.

Lake Taupo cruise 

Thank you for your wonderful review! We’re so pleased you enjoyed your experience and felt safe and reassured throughout the cruise. It’s great to hear you enjoyed the storytelling and learning about the history behind the carvings. We really appreciate your kind feedback!

Warm regards,
The Ernest Kemp Team

A great experience. The company displayed efficiency and safe boating practices. Captain was reassuring when waves increased. History behind carvings was provided with great story telling. A great way to see some of the lake

Worth doing!

Thank you for taking the time to leave us such a lovely review! We’re glad you enjoyed the comfortable cruise, complimentary coffee and cookies, blankets, and learning more about the history of the area and the carvings. It’s great to hear you discovered some of the lesser-known carvings as well!

Warm regards,
The Ernest Kemp Team

Very comfortable with free coffee and cookie,  blankets to help keep warm,  interesting history facts about the area,  and of the actual carvings.  I  think Pele know about the main large face but they are others that i have never seen or heard about before.  

Have meant to do this before

Thanks so much for your lovely review! We're delighted you and your family had such a wonderful experience and enjoyed the beautiful sights around Lake Taupō. It was a pleasure having you aboard, and we really appreciate your kind words.

Warm regards,
The Ernest Kemp Team

A wonderful experience. Thanks for having us. Easy tour with lots of grteat sights with the family. Cant wait to come back.

Thank you for your wonderful review! We're so pleased you found the cruise relaxing and educational. It's great to hear our skipper and crew helped make your experience so enjoyable. We really appreciate your kind words!

Warm regards,
The Ernest Kemp Team

This was a very relaxing and educational cruise. Well worth the time and cost. We learned a lot and he Captain and crew were tops. 

Relaxing trip

Thank you for your wonderful review! We’re so pleased to hear you enjoyed your time with Peter and Jordyn. Peter’s storytelling and knowledge of the region’s history and carvings truly make the experience special, and we’re glad you enjoyed being able to explore the boat and take in the views from the front as well. We’ll be sure to pass your kind words along to both of them — they’ll really appreciate it!

Warm regards,
The Ernest Kemp Team

Peter the Skipper and Jordan were great. Peter narrates history or the region and the carvings along the ride. You can wander around the boat and even sit at the front

Peter the Skipper and...

Lake Taupō Māori Rock Carvings Scenic Cruise aboard Ernest Kemp

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.