True Kiwi Sailing Experience
Discover Taupō’s Hidden Gems
Rich Local Culture & History
100% Electric & Eco-Friendly
Swim & Scenic Photo Ops
BYO Food & Drinks Welcome
Daily electric cruises to the Ngātoroirangi Māori Rock Carvings. Unforgettable, the sustainable way.
Your Sail Barbary Experience
Māori Rock Carvings
Cruise to the iconic 14-metre Ngātoroirangi Māori Rock Carvings, only accessible by water.
Sail silently, sail sustainably
Enjoy clean, green sailing with zero diesel fumes or engine noise on our 100% electric, Qualmark Gold certified yacht.
Relax, swim, or take the helm
Soak up the sun, jump in for a swim, or roll up your sleeves and help hoist the sails. It’s your cruise, your pace.
Cultural storytelling
Enjoy engaging commentary on Taupō’s volcanic landscape, lake ecosystem, and Māori carvings from a crew who love what they do.
Laid-back Kiwi vibes
BYO food and drinks, connect to our sound system via Bluetooth, and enjoy a casual, friendly atmosphere.
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Complimentary perks onboard
Every cruise includes a Sail Barbary postcard and warm ponchos when needed. Enjoy a complimentary drink on our evening cruises.
Set Sail to the Māori Rock Carvings
Taupō’s Premier
Must-Do Experience
Experience Lake Taupō from a unique perspective. Take a leisurely sail and enjoy the sights and peaceful sounds of the lake as you cruise along without the distraction of traditional diesel engines. Set sail and enjoy one of Lake Taupō’s premier experiences.
Learn the Legends
of Māori Culture
Journey to Mine Bay and listen as Māori legends are brought to life. Discover the masterful artistry of Matahi Whakataka-Brightwell and his vision of his great ancestor Ngatoroirangi. This is contemporary Māori Art, years in the making, full of history and significance. You may even see a Taniwha.
Loved by Travellers,
Backed by Awards
With a 4.8-star rating and over 1,200 glowing reviews, Sail Barbary is proud to be ranked in the top boat tours in Taupō. We’re a Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Award winner — recognised for consistently delivering exceptional experiences. Come see why so many say it’s the highlight of their trip!
Who Said Volcano?
Explore the sparkling waters of the Taupō caldera, created by the huge Oranui eruption almost 27,000 years ago. Still active, the caldera cradles the tranquil waters of the largest lake in New Zealand. This is Taupō Moana, our great ‘inland sea’. Explore her shores and uncover the mysteries of her volcanic past.
No Wind? No Problem!
Our electric-powered yacht can do it all. When the wind is up, it’s smooth sailing… you can help hoist the sails or take the wheel. If it’s calm, our quiet, eco-friendly engines make sure you continue your journey. No noise, no fumes, no fuss. Support the future of travel today with an eco-friendly sailing adventure in Taupō!
Clean, Pristine, & Green
Our yachts allow you to fully immerse yourself in the experience, free from the distracting noise of a motor or the smell of unpleasant fumes. Skim the surface under the sustainable power of the wind or the gentle thrust of our eco-friendly electric engines.
Sailing Taupō, with Care and Purpose
Step aboard for more than just a scenic cruise. Sail Barbary invites you to explore Lake Taupō in a way that is quiet, thoughtful, and connected to nature. Discover the Ngātoroirangi Māori Rock Carvings, soak up panoramic views, and enjoy the calm of the lake under sail or electric power. Every journey is guided by a passion for the environment and true Kiwi hospitality.
What Our Happy Sailors Have To Say
"Would 100% love to do that again. Thank you for a great day out."
We really wanted to do a Taupo boat trip touristy experience for my mums birthday/overseas family visiting and was recommended to do Sail Barbary over the others because you can jump off the side of the boat! And what a good decision that was! We had a super fun day, learnt some really cool facts about the lake, surrounding mountains, local areas and of course the stories about the carvings. Was my first time on a Sail boat and now I'm fascinated by all the inner workings of it all. Would 100% love to do that again. Thank you for a great day out.
- Anna
"Magical Afternoon"
What a magical afternoon we had aboard the Barbary yacht with Captain Chris. The cruise out was stunning and informative. It was a bit cool for a dip for us but a few were braver. I would highly recommend this as long as the weather is good.
- Megan
"Couldn't ask for a better way to see the Maori carvings."
Unforgettable experience, great boat and very nice captain on board !
Couldn't ask for a better way to see the Maori carvings, definitely a must do.
- Lucille
"Found a fantastic swimming spot."
Fantastic trip, Chris was a wealth of knowledge. It was great to experience the silence of an electric yacht. Also found a Fantastic swimming spot. Highly recommend trip.
- Nick
"The staff were awesome, from reception to the captain."
This was our little ones 1st sailing trip at 5 1/2 months old. The facilities were great, even being able to squeeze the baby capsule in the middle. The staff were awesome, from reception to the captain. We would highly recommend and would love to visit again. Thank you for a great experience!
- Donna
"So much nicer on a sail boat than the other motorized tourist vessels."
An excellent morning out on the lake. Very enjoyable and so much nicer on a sail boat than the other motorized tourist vessels. Great value.
- Michelle