Sustainability at Sail Barbary
Protecting Lake Taupō Through Sustainable Tourism
Lake Taupō is somewhere you have to feel to understand. Pristine water, volcanic landscapes, native birdlife, and a stillness out on the lake you won't find in many other places. We're lucky enough to call this stretch of New Zealand home, and we don't take that lightly.
We're genuinely passionate about protecting Lake Taupō, not because it looks good to say so, but because we live here, we sail here, and we want to keep showing you this place for years to come. Sustainability isn't a checkbox or a marketing line at Sail Barbary. It shapes the decisions we make, the vessel we operate, and the way we welcome you onto the lake. By reducing our environmental impact and embracing sustainable practices, we hope to protect this incredible environment for generations of visitors still to come.
2010, the year their sustainability journey began
NZ's only commercial electric yacht
Zero diesel emissions through wind and electric power
NZ's highest tourism accreditation
Tiaki Promise, we are proudly committed
Powered by Nature. Driven by Purpose. 100% Electric.
Sailing is always our first choice. When the wind picks up, Barbary moves the way a yacht was always meant to, quietly, cleanly, and powered by nothing but the elements around you.
But wind on a lake is never guaranteed, and we know it. When it drops, most vessels reach for diesel. We don't. Our electric motor lets us keep you moving without the noise, the fumes, or the environmental cost that comes with a conventional engine.
It was a significant investment for us, and one we made with conviction. Protecting Lake Taupō matters to us just as much as giving you a memorable day on it, and with electric technology, we don't have to choose between the two.
Where It All Started
Our journey toward sustainability began in 2010, with a simple belief: that an electric motor would be better for Lake Taupō and better for our guests. More than a decade on, that belief hasn't changed. It works.
Today, you get to cruise the crystal-blue waters of Lake Taupō aboard New Zealand's only commercial electric yacht, taking in the stunning scenery and exploring the lake the way nature intended. Unpolluted and uninterrupted.
We see ourselves as guardians, not just of our vessels, but of the natural world around us. Of earth, water and sky. We are kaitiaki, devoted custodians of this place, holding it in trust for everyone who comes here and everyone who will come after.
Our Commitment and Accreditations
We're committed to continually improving how we operate, from the small choices you won't always see, to the accreditations that hold us accountable.
Greening Taupō
We're proud to support local environmental initiatives, including tree planting and conservation projects through Greening Taupō. As Sail Barbary continues to grow, we plan to expand our sustainability efforts and find new ways to protect the environment we operate in, with some exciting new projects on the way.
Reducing Waste
We do our best to minimise our impact, reducing waste, recycling onboard, and cutting down on single-use plastics. We separate general rubbish, recycling and soft plastics, and keep waste to a minimum so you can enjoy the lake the way it deserves.
Passion for the Environment
A life spent on the water. Owner and skipper Lloyd Shirley has spent much of his life on the water, in New Zealand and abroad. For six years, he worked on the east coast of Australia with Whales in Paradise, operating whale watching vessels and spending his days alongside migrating humpback whales.
Those years gave Lloyd something that has stayed with him ever since: a deep respect for the marine environment and a clear-eyed understanding of what's at stake when we stop paying attention to the natural world around us. The belief he came home with is the same one that guides Sail Barbary today. We all have a role to play in protecting our oceans, waterways and wildlife for the people who come after us.
Sail Barbary all booked up? Come aboard Kakariki instead!
If your preferred date on the Sail Barbary is unavailable, don’t worry! We’d be happy to take you out on the Kakariki Experience instead. Kakariki offers the same breathtaking scenery and warm hospitality, with a touch of its own unique charm.
Our Lake Taupō Eco Sailing Cruises
Cruise to the Māori Rock Carvings aboard Taupō's World-Famous Eco-Friendly Electric Yacht
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