1797
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Rotorua & Taupo Explore New Zealand, Australia & Fiji!
Join us for a relaxing cruise along the magnificent Lake Taupo aboard The Ernest Kemp, a beautiful vintage replica steamboat!
Join us for a relaxing cruise along the magnificent Lake Taupo aboard The Ernest Kemp, a beautiful vintage replica steamboat!
Highlights
- Experience an amazing two hour cruise along the spectacular Lake Taupo!
- Enjoy your cruise in a beautiful vintage replica steam boat
- Visit the famous Maori Rock Carvings
- Enjoy complimentary tea, coffee and cookies!
Lake Taupo, one of the largest freshwater volcanic craters in the world, is home to the famous Maori Rock Carvings.
Only accessible by boat, we will get you the closest to these incredible 10 metre high carvings which tower high over New Zealand’s largest lake. Learn about the spiritual and cultural significance of the area from your skippers interesting and informative commentary.
With comfortable seating both inside and out, bathroom facilities and a licensed bar, we’ll ensure your cruise on the Ernest Kemp will be warm and comfortable. Your skipper even welcomes you to join him in the wheelhouse and take a turn at the wheel! Bring a towel as there may be an opportunity for a swim *at skippers discretion.
The Ernest Kemp cruise is an enjoyable outing and a great way to see the Maori Rock Carvings and to get out onto Lake Taupo.
Cruise Duration:
10:30am and 2pm = 2 hour (approx).
9:00am, 12:30pm, 4:30pm, and 6:30pm = 1.5 hour (approx).
Mon 9 Feb
Tue 10 Feb
Wed 11 Feb
Thu 12 Feb
Fri 13 Feb
Sat 14 Feb
Sun 15 Feb
Mon 16 Feb
Tue 17 Feb
Wed 18 Feb
Thu 19 Feb
Fri 20 Feb
Sat 21 Feb
Sun 22 Feb
- Adult$55.00
- Child$10.00
- Adult$45.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult$27.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult$45.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult$27.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult$55.00
- Child$10.00
- Adult$27.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult$27.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult$45.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult$27.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult$27.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult$27.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult$45.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult -$27.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult -$45.00
- Child$10.00
- Adult -$27.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult -$27.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult -$27.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult -$45.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult -$27.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult -$27.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult -$27.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult -$27.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult -$27.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult -$27.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult -$27.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult -$27.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult$45.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$15.00
- Adult$45.00
- Child$10.00
- Adult$27.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult$27.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult$27.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult$55.00
- Child$15.00
- Adult$27.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult$45.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult$27.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult$27.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult$27.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult$27.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult$27.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult$27.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult$30.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult$39.00
- Child$10.00
- Adult$50.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$15.00
- Adult$50.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult$30.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult$39.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$15.00
- Adult$30.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult$30.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult$30.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult$50.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$15.00
- Adult$30.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult$30.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult$30.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
- Adult$30.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$10.00
Authenticated Reviews & PhotosAll of our reviews are from people who have booked and paid for this activity thru Bookme
Delightful way to spend 2hrs on the lake
Leigh Buchan from
NZ
Delightful way to spend 2hrs on the lake
Leigh Buchan from
NZ
Ernest Kemp Boat Trip to Rock Carvings
Anne Bernard from
NZ
Ernest Kemp Boat Trip to Rock Carvings
Anne Bernard from
NZ
Great Cruise
Niall Dunne from
Ireland
Great Trip!
ebonee from
NZ
Great Trip!
ebonee from
NZ
Great Trip!
ebonee from
NZ
Amazing!
Teresa Hill from
United States
Amazing!
Teresa Hill from
United States
Amazing!
Teresa Hill from
United States
Best 2hour cruise
Charis Petersen from
NZ
Best 2hour cruise
Charis Petersen from
NZ
Best 2hour cruise
Charis Petersen from
NZ
Fantastic Boat Trip
sjaysimpson from
United Kingdom
Fantastic Boat Trip
sjaysimpson from
United Kingdom
Great trip
Ernst Weeber from
Germany
Lovely trip
Kayleigh Parsons from
United Kingdom
Lovely trip
Kayleigh Parsons from
United Kingdom
Lovely trip
Kayleigh Parsons from
United Kingdom
Amazing!
VíctorAntonio from
NZ
Highly recommend
Andrea from
NZ
Wonderful
deliap from
NZ
Wonderful
deliap from
NZ
Wonderful experience
Lalruatfeli Jahau from
NZ
Boat trip
Stella Watkins from
United Kingdom
Ernest Kemp family sailing day
Chris Brooker from
NZ
Ernest Kemp family sailing day
Chris Brooker from
NZ
Very memorable tour
Leigh Donsky from
Australia
Very memorable tour
Leigh Donsky from
Australia
Good family's cruise
SEBASTIEN LIEGEOIS from
NZ
Good family's cruise
SEBASTIEN LIEGEOIS from
NZ
Great trip
marilynh from
NZ
Great trip
marilynh from
NZ
Amazing!
Isobel Delong from
United Kingdom
Great experience
coolsri from
NZ
Highly recommended!
Josie Ortaliz from
NZ
Thank U Ernie
Alice TeTonga from
NZ
Enjoyable morning
Pauline Wilson from
Australia
Enjoyable morning
Pauline Wilson from
Australia
Enjoyable morning
Pauline Wilson from
Australia
Super crew!
caroled2 from
NZ
Excellent
Renee Foden from
NZ
Best choice!!
Lara from
Brazil
Best choice!!
Lara from
Brazil
Best choice!!
Lara from
Brazil
A unique experience
singingirl76 from
NZ
A unique experience
singingirl76 from
NZ
A unique experience
singingirl76 from
NZ
Girls trip away
Alexandra Nicol from
NZ
Loved the experience
Debra Benson from
NZ
Loved the experience
Debra Benson from
NZ
Maori Rock Carvings Scenic tour with Ernest camp
Kelley from
Australia
Maori Rock Carvings Scenic tour with Ernest camp
Kelley from
Australia
Maori Rock Carvings Scenic tour with Ernest camp
Kelley from
Australia
Nice boat trip on a wonderful lake
merler from
Germany
Nice boat trip on a wonderful lake
merler from
Germany
Nice boat trip on a wonderful lake
merler from
Germany
Lake Taupo
Karen Noice from
United Kingdom
Lake Taupo
Karen Noice from
United Kingdom
A wonderful experience.
elainev4 from
NZ
A wonderful experience.
elainev4 from
NZ
A wonderful experience.
elainev4 from
NZ
Ernest Kemp
Kelly Moss from
NZ
Ernest Kemp
Kelly Moss from
NZ
A relaxing and informative trip
Sally Costello from
Australia
A relaxing and informative trip
Sally Costello from
Australia
A relaxing and informative trip
Sally Costello from
Australia
Great!
martink9 from
NZ
Great!
martink9 from
NZ
Great!
martink9 from
NZ
Nice and worth the price
Maddi Pham from
NZ
Nice and worth the price
Maddi Pham from
NZ
ERNEST Camp Cruise
FAUSTINAH Ndlovu from
NZ
You should experience this....
namirah90 from
Malaysia
You should experience this....
namirah90 from
Malaysia
Weather
emilyd11 from
Australia
Fun experience
Megan Chism from
Ireland
Fun experience
Megan Chism from
Ireland
Fun experience
Megan Chism from
Ireland
Great cruise
MARTINA POCHMANOVA from
Czech Republic
Fantastic experience
Renata from
NZ
Fantastic!!!!
Ilona vanvelzen from
NZ
Fantastic!!!!
Ilona vanvelzen from
NZ
Great adventure
Anon from
NZ
Awesome
Lady Lazette from
NZ
Awesome
Lady Lazette from
NZ
Fantastic trip to Maori Rock Carvings
Lisa Conroy from
NZ
Quirky
Joanna from
NZ
Quirky
Joanna from
NZ
Perfect time
etiame from
French Polynesia
Awesome
Alana Molony from
NZ
Maori carvings cruise
Megan Paisley from
NZ
Maori carvings cruise
Megan Paisley from
NZ
Holiday fun
Aimeelee Tonga from
NZ
Amazing experience
Seneng By from
NZ
Sunday cruise
Natasha Selwyn from
NZ
Sunday cruise
Natasha Selwyn from
NZ
Fantastic
lindaa13 from
NZ
Fun Ride!
Katie from
NZ
Fun Ride!
Katie from
NZ
Fun Ride!
Katie from
NZ
Awesome 👌
joelener2 from
NZ
A must do
dianab6 from
NZ
A must do
dianab6 from
NZ
A must do
dianab6 from
NZ
Nice time on the lake
julie & Phil from
NZ
Nice time on the lake
julie & Phil from
NZ
AWESOME TRIP, JUST DO IT!
Maxine Parker from
NZ
AWESOME TRIP, JUST DO IT!
Maxine Parker from
NZ
Amazing experience
Cara Katene from
NZ
Excellent experience
natashal6 from
NZ
Excellent experience
natashal6 from
NZ
AMAZING
Willow Bennett from
NZ
Wonderful experience
Mahara Johnson from
NZ
Wonderful experience
Mahara Johnson from
NZ
Wonderful experience
Mahara Johnson from
NZ
Great experience
derekd4 from
NZ
Loved it
Juney from
NZ
Great host and trip
jessp15 from
NZ
Awesome experience
rosied2 from
NZ
Relaxing Outing
charlesh1 from
NZ
Ernest Kemp Cruise
Tania Topia from
NZ
Ernest Kemp Cruise
Tania Topia from
NZ
Ernest Kemp Cruise
Tania Topia from
NZ
Great way to spend 2 hours
Julena from
NZ
Earnest kemp māori carvings
Aj Rarere from
NZ
Highly recommended
lolitar from
NZ
Great trip out on the lake
Lisa from
NZ
Amazing
Waiomio Whānau from
Hong Kong
Amazing
Waiomio Whānau from
Hong Kong
Amazing
Waiomio Whānau from
Hong Kong
Amazing
calebn from
NZ
Amazing
calebn from
NZ
Amazing
calebn from
NZ
Beautiful Sunny day in Winter
Kim Crawford from
NZ
Beautiful Sunny day in Winter
Kim Crawford from
NZ
Waves for days
tanial2 from
NZ
Stunning!
alicem12 from
NZ
Stunning!
alicem12 from
NZ
Amazing
Akshay Dame from
NZ
Family Vacation
Linda Enua from
NZ
Beautiful experience
Renate Wagemann from
NZ
Beautiful experience
Renate Wagemann from
NZ
Beautiful experience
Renate Wagemann from
NZ
Tino Paī
Shaun Kingi from
NZ
Highly recommend
Jessica from
NZ
Highly recommend
Jessica from
NZ
Highly recommend
Jessica from
NZ
It was a great experience.
Jill Hellyer from
NZ
Pawsome experience!
malinisnz19 from
NZ
Pawsome experience!
malinisnz19 from
NZ
Pawsome experience!
malinisnz19 from
NZ
Cruising Lake Taupo
Brian Kerr from
NZ
Cruising Lake Taupo
Brian Kerr from
NZ
Cruising Lake Taupo
Brian Kerr from
NZ
Great views
Irene Wheeler from
NZ
Great views
Irene Wheeler from
NZ
Great views
Irene Wheeler from
NZ
Amazing experience
Glenn Adriaanse from
NZ
Amazing experience
Glenn Adriaanse from
NZ
Amazing experience
Glenn Adriaanse from
NZ
Epic!
sezza from
NZ
Awesome experience at a small cost
Helen from
NZ
Beautiful Afternoon
Nancy Au from
NZ
Beautiful Afternoon
Nancy Au from
NZ
Amazing
Rose from
NZ
Lovely Day
jax12 from
NZ
Great experience!!!
Gurpreet from
NZ
Great experience!!!
Gurpreet from
NZ
Excellent Value For Money
Brenda Neville from
NZ
Excellent Value For Money
Brenda Neville from
NZ
Fantastic and supportive staff..
Nevil Gandhi from
NZ
Best Experience
Agnes from
NZ
Five star experience
Nicola from
NZ
Five star experience
Nicola from
NZ
Five star experience
Nicola from
NZ
Great family fun and value
Kim Layzell from
NZ
Great family fun and value
Kim Layzell from
NZ
Piper the Adventure Pup
Claire Worley from
NZ
Piper the Adventure Pup
Claire Worley from
NZ
Such a fun experience and it was raining!
Mayleen Tukaokao from
NZ
Such a fun experience and it was raining!
Mayleen Tukaokao from
NZ
Beautiful cruise on the Lake
Michelle Hopa from
NZ
A lovely outing on the Lake
renatak from
NZ
A lovely outing on the Lake
renatak from
NZ
A lovely outing on the Lake
renatak from
NZ
Wonderful experience
Anthony from
NZ
Wonderful experience
Anthony from
NZ
Wonderful experience
Anthony from
NZ
Great cruise
charlottey1 from
NZ
Great cruise
charlottey1 from
NZ
Amazing cruise on the lake of Taupo
Sa from
NZ
Hita crew
Libby Hita from
NZ
Great time
Teresa from
NZ
Great time
Teresa from
NZ
Great time
Teresa from
NZ
She said YES
Michael Waru from
NZ
A must do
Chris Sands from
NZ
A must do
Chris Sands from
NZ
A must do
Chris Sands from
NZ
Maori rock carving boat trip
Lisa from
NZ
Maori rock carving boat trip
Lisa from
NZ
Maori rock carving boat trip
Lisa from
NZ
Shanique Ahuriri
Anahera from
NZ
Shanique Ahuriri
Anahera from
NZ
Shanique Ahuriri
Anahera from
NZ
Winter view of Mt Ruapehu
Jim from
NZ
Magical
Vanessa Riddell from
NZ
Magical
Vanessa Riddell from
NZ
Fabulous afternoon
Dani Jurgeleit from
NZ
Sail away with me
hollyt5 from
NZ
Rocky at first, smooth sailing back!
Tanya Tapatuetoa from
NZ
Rocky at first, smooth sailing back!
Tanya Tapatuetoa from
NZ
Maori rock carving
Farah from
NZ
Mid-year get away thru Ernest Kemp.?
melodyg1 from
NZ
7 star
himanshug from
NZ
7 star
himanshug from
NZ
7 star
himanshug from
NZ
Unforgettable!
Bayu Paramayuda from
Indonesia
Lake Taupo Trip
Anand Harsh from
NZ
Lake Taupo Trip
Anand Harsh from
NZ
Lake Taupo Trip
Anand Harsh from
NZ
Very nice and relax
Echo Yan from
NZ
Very nice and relax
Echo Yan from
NZ
Very nice and relax
Echo Yan from
NZ
Great little arvo trip!
Danielle from
NZ
Great little arvo trip!
Danielle from
NZ
Great little arvo trip!
Danielle from
NZ
Maori Carving
Rory Grindey from
United Kingdom
Every time..
dustins1 from
NZ
Ernest Kemp Cruise
amandap9 from
NZ
Ernest Kemp Cruise
amandap9 from
NZ
Relaxing and enjoyable.
lindah19 from
NZ
Relaxing and enjoyable.
lindah19 from
NZ
Beautiful Lake Taupo
Szu Szian from
Malaysia
BLISSFUL BOAT TOUR WITH EARNEST KEMP .
Josephine Young from
NZ
BLISSFUL BOAT TOUR WITH EARNEST KEMP .
Josephine Young from
NZ
BLISSFUL BOAT TOUR WITH EARNEST KEMP .
Josephine Young from
NZ
Fabulous
Jess from
NZ
Getting up close to the wonderful rock carvings.
Helen Miller from
NZ
Being Captain!
Natalie from
NZ
Fantastic
chrish1 from
NZ
Awesome experience
Sharn Pune from
NZ
Great experience
Ashley from
NZ
Great experience
Ashley from
NZ
Ernest Kemp - Cancelled trip
Angela from
NZ
School Holidays
harpals from
NZ
School Holidays
harpals from
NZ
Friendly, informative and great value
Kelly-Ann Oosterbeek from
Australia
Amazing carvings full of Māori talent
Steph Mander from
NZ
Amazing carvings full of Māori talent
Steph Mander from
NZ
Nice experience
kevinc15 from
NZ
Nice experience
kevinc15 from
NZ
Nice experience
kevinc15 from
NZ
Beautiful!
keturac from
NZ
Beautiful!
keturac from
NZ
Beautiful!
keturac from
NZ
Great
bryannem from
NZ
Great
bryannem from
NZ
Taupo Lake / Maori rock carvings
Cindy from
NZ
Lake Taupo Family pic
Prasanga Lakmal from
NZ
Had a great time
brittanyn1 from
NZ
Had a great time
brittanyn1 from
NZ
À ne pas rater
Soizic Jacquemart from
France
Beautiful experience
Leanne from
NZ
Beautiful experience
Leanne from
NZ
Beautiful experience
Leanne from
NZ
Fantastic evening cruise
Jonathan from
NZ
Fantastic evening cruise
Jonathan from
NZ
So relaxed and friendly team.
Sarah-Jane Susac from
Australia
So relaxed and friendly team.
Sarah-Jane Susac from
Australia
So relaxed and friendly team.
Sarah-Jane Susac from
Australia
Boat and staff was awesome. Wine and a beautiful sunset were an added bonus. Great way to see the rock carvings!!
Nathaniel Stevenson from
United States
Great experience for the family
Carrie DeBoer from
Canada
Great experience for the family
Carrie DeBoer from
Canada
Great experience for the family
Carrie DeBoer from
Canada
Stunning!!
Raewyn from
Australia
Stunning!!
Raewyn from
Australia
Stunning!!
Raewyn from
Australia
Smashing Taupo Lake Cruise
angelaf4 from
NZ
Smashing Taupo Lake Cruise
angelaf4 from
NZ
Smashing Taupo Lake Cruise
angelaf4 from
NZ
Magical
Sandra from
NZ
Awesome trip
natasham2 from
Australia
Awesome trip
natasham2 from
Australia
Awesome trip
natasham2 from
Australia
Best experience
Paula Gee-wanhill from
NZ
Best experience
Paula Gee-wanhill from
NZ
Best experience
Paula Gee-wanhill from
NZ
여유로운 뱃놀이~
Iris.Kim from
South Korea
Wonderful morning on Lake Taupo
Maryam from
Germany
Ernest Fun
Nicholas Dintelmann from
United States
Il be recommending
Tessa from
NZ
Nice trip and affordable
janap4 from
South Africa
Nice trip and affordable
janap4 from
South Africa
Maori carvings Lake Taupo cruise
leonardh from
Australia
Maori carvings Lake Taupo cruise
leonardh from
Australia
Fantastic all around!
Rhiannon Lattaway from
NZ
Excellentl
Gracie from
Mexico
Ernest Kemp on Lake Taupo 5 month old to 33 year old :)
Aimalefoa from
NZ
Great
Tina Taylor from
NZ
Great
Tina Taylor from
NZ
Great
Tina Taylor from
NZ
Ngatoroirangi
Connie Hawea from
NZ
Beautiful day in june
Carol from
NZ
Lake Taupo
Bec from
NZ
Ernest Kemp cruise
Karen Begg from
NZ
Great trip
Suzanne Kyd from
NZ
Amazing cruise
Louise from
NZ
Amazing cruise
Louise from
NZ
Cruise
Jocelyn Arahanga from
NZ
Fun family trip
Megan from
NZ
Fun family trip
Megan from
NZ
Majestic
Arturo from
Mexico
Majestic
Arturo from
Mexico
Informative and fun tour
Sarah Kleinitz from
Australia
Informative and fun tour
Sarah Kleinitz from
Australia
Informative and fun tour
Sarah Kleinitz from
Australia
Five stars
hamishr from
NZ
Stunning cruise
Sophie Allan from
NZ
The boat docks at the harbor
Agastya from
Indonesia
Ernest Kemp Tour Review
Shimiah from
NZ
Awesome
Lilly Carter from
NZ
Awesome
Lilly Carter from
NZ
Awesome
Lilly Carter from
NZ
Māori Rocks
Cornelia Robbe from
Germany
Māori Rocks
Cornelia Robbe from
Germany
Awesome experience
Robert from
NZ
Great Day Out!!
Jack Domah from
Ireland
Ernest Kemp
Sarah from
Denmark
Ernest Kemp
Sarah from
Denmark
Excellent !!!
Mohd Suffian Sahadan from
Malaysia
nice weather
UEN from
Taiwan
Choppy, but still worthwhile to see rock carvings
Greg from
NZ
Choppy, but still worthwhile to see rock carvings
Greg from
NZ
Choppy, but still worthwhile to see rock carvings
Greg from
NZ
A Must do!
Calli from
NZ
A Must do!
Calli from
NZ
Must Do
GanSetu Family from
NZ
Rock carving up close & personal
maryanneh1 from
Australia
Carvings
jobre from
NZ
Carvings
jobre from
NZ
Awesome Trip
Rajesh Purabia from
NZ
Amazing experience
Sammi Smith from
NZ
Amazing experience
Sammi Smith from
NZ
Excellent
Anastasiya from
NZ
Me neither my wife
snm2975 from
NZ
Some of the carvings totally amazing
Amanda Rossel from
Australia
Lovely journey
Gwen Lee from
South Korea
Lovely journey
Gwen Lee from
South Korea
Nice relaxing trip!
null from
Germany
Maori rockcarvings
Jill from
United Kingdom
Great tour
kimp9 from
Australia
Awesome Experience
Nichola from
NZ
enjoyable and relaxing
craigr2 from
NZ
enjoyable and relaxing
craigr2 from
NZ
A unique experience
Cassy Watson from
NZ
The Maori Carving Rock
Nunik Nurjanah from
NZ
Authenticated Reviews & PhotosAll of our reviews are from people who have booked and paid for this activity thru Bookme
Showing all 1797 authenticated Bookme reviews
From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise
Hi Mark! Thank you for taking the time to leave a review and for recommending us. We’re so glad you had a great time and enjoyed the crew, the boat and the trip. We will pass on your kind words! Have a wonderful day.
Leigh Buchan from New Zealand wrote on 08 February 2026
Delightful way to spend 2hrs on the lake
Headed out on the morning cruise. Were forewarned was a bit choppy but that didn't ruin the experience in anyway. Enjoyed seeing the mainland from the lake and the commentary from Peter was informative and humourous. Azura in the office was helpful and Libby (crew) really friendly. Always nice to have great customer service from start to finish. Seeing the carvings through our own eyes was the icing on the cake. Highly recommend joining the Ernest Kemp team for a couple of hours to enjoy this beautiful lake while in Taupo.
Anne Bernard from New Zealand wrote on 07 February 2026
Ernest Kemp Boat Trip to Rock Carvings
The tour was so very relaxing. We felt safe and comfortable in the hands of the captain and crew. The crew were very attentive and engaging. The trip was on a beautiful sunny calm day on Lake Taupo and the Ernest Kemp was just the boat to do the trip on. Kudos to artist Matahi Brightwell and his team who created this giant Ngātoroirangi Rock Carving in the 70s. It was such a treat to finally be able to see the carvings up close.
niraj from New Zealand wrote on 07 February 2026
Review – Ernest Kemp
We had a wonderful experience on the Ernest Kemp cruise to the Lake Taupo Māori Rock Carvings. The staff were absolutely fantastic – very friendly, helpful, and professional. Their service and attitude truly made the trip enjoyable. Everything was well explained, and the overall experience was memorable. Great job to the whole team! One small concern: the cruise seemed quite full, and a few passengers had to stand as there were no seats available. If the boat was at or near full capacity, this could potentially raise health and safety concerns. It might be worth reviewing passenger numbers to ensure everyone can travel comfortably and safely. Overall, a great experience and highly recommended!
From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise
Hi Niraj! Thank you for taking the time to leave a review and for recommending us. We’re thrilled you had a wonderful experience and that our team made such a positive impact. We will pass on your kind words. We appreciate your feedback about seating. Please be assured we always plan for enough seats for all passengers, and we will continue to monitor numbers to keep things comfortable and safe for everyone. Have a lovely day.
Margo Korneluk from Canada wrote on 03 February 2026
Rock Carving Cruise
This was a good opportunity to see Lake Taupo from the water and to hear some of the history of the area. It was a good deal for the money. The crew were very pleasant and helpful.
From Ernest Kemp - Lake Taupo and Maori Rock Carvings Cruise
Hi Margo! Thank you for taking the time to leave a review and share your experience with us. We’re really glad you enjoyed being out on the lake and learning more about the area. It’s great to hear our crew made you feel welcome and well looked after. We will pass on your kind words! We wish you all the best.
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MARK WALKER from New Zealand wrote on 20 January 2026
Great crew, boat and trip. Recommend
Has a great time doing this excursion. Fully recommend