Book Now
Sail with us
for a unique and authentic experience
Cruise the sparkling waters of Lake Taupō on NZ's only commercial electric yacht or our all weather catamaran and discover its natural wonders and hidden mysteries. Since 1982
Sails Daily - great value 2.5 hour Scenic Cruise & Māori Rock Carvings
Day Cruise 10:30am, 2:00pm and 5.00pm
Cruise includes a complimentary or hot chocolate, mulled wine, tea, or coffee. Licensed & BYO.
Cheeky mid-weeky special: 20% off - use Promo code: ECO20
Evening Cruise 7.30pm (summer)
Cruise includes complimentary snacks, wine, beer or cider or hot cocoa, tea, or coffee. Licensed & BYO.
Barbary II - a classic Kauri ketch
Explore Lake Taupō aboard the quietly incredible electric eco-yacht. Make the most of your next event or special occasion with a unique sailing experience. From daily cruises, corporate events to private parties, a scenic cruise is an authentic experience that is sure to be remembered.
Kakariki. 12 metre Pacific Catamaran
Enjoy a magnificent cruise tailored to your every need including trout fishing, clay bird shooting, barbeque, stand-up paddle board, swimming and even a biscuit towed behind the boat. BYO or licenced. Always fun! A roomy catamaran catering to 24 passengers.
See our trip advisor reviews
Enjoy the peace of our quiet, zero-emissions 100% sustainable electric yachts. No fumes and no noise.
Enjoy the Māori rock carvings at Mine Bay and listen to old legends and engaging stories.
Sit back and relax or get involved and learn to sail.
Discover our Lake Taupō, don’t miss this must-do experience.
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.
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 engines. Set sail and enjoy one of Lake Taupō’s premier experiences.
Journey to Mine Bay and gaze, awestruck, as Māori legends are brought to life. Discover the masterful artistry of Matahi Whakataka-Brightwell, creations years in the making, and marvel as they reach out to touch the sky, full of history and significance.
Our yachts let you immerse yourself in the experience without the distracting rumble of a motor or the smell of noxious fumes. Skim the surface under the sustainable power of the wind, or the gentle thrust of our eco-friendly electric engines.
Explore the sparkling waters of the Taupō caldera, created by the huge Oranui eruption almost 27,000 years ago.
Now dormant and slumbering peacefully, the caldera cradles the tranquil waters of the largest lake in New Zealand. This is Taupō Moana, our great ‘inland sea’.
Come explore her shores and uncover the mysteries of her volcanic past.
September 2020
If you're looking for a relaxing afternoon sailing on the lake, this is the cruise for you! The environmentally friendly sailing option sold it for us, and we spent the afternoon lazing in the sun peacefully cruising out to the Maori rock carvings which were fascinating!
August 2020
Being kiwis, it was quite a treat doing something of a touristy nature...so peaceful and relaxing spending the arvo on the water. And our guide was funny and a good storyteller, without overdoing it. Altogether the highlight of our girls weekend!
August 2020
5 Star Experience! The environment friendly electric sailboat is the reason I chose to book with Sail Barbary to see the Maori carvings. My cruise was on a beautiful calm sunny day with Captain Peter & just one other family due to Covid-19 reducing tourism in August 2020. Highly recommend.
August 2020
Kia Ora, we loved our time! Even though a little rain happened, it was still great and we would do it again. The driver/guide was great too. 5 starts 10/10
August 2020
So glad we booked with Sail Barbary because the crew were well informed and the journey great. It was decided not to take the yacht because the water was quite choppy but it was still a wonderful experience aboard the “back up boat”. The owner was so knowledgeable of the history of the carvings and his love and passion for sustainability and being a kaitiaki of the lake and whenua showed clearly in his korero regarding cleaning up the waters, sustainable fishing and how it affects us all as the Waikato river runs north. His pronunciation of te reo Maori names was also very good and not like sandpaper to my ears lol. Highly recommended. It was a very comfortable journey despite the choppy water initially and then rangunui blessed us with a beautiful warm sun and calmer waters on our return home. An absolute must do. The carvings are beautiful and awe inspiring and the scenery is terrific. Nga Mihi nui.
We are operating and taking bookings as usual under Level 1.
Have confidence in businesses that offer full traceability.