The 15 Best Taupo Tours

1.Waikato River Jet Boat Ride from Taupo

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,441 reviews · from $89Our pick

Taupo’s Rapids Jet Waikato River jet boat ride hits Nga Awapurua rapids, spins on clear water, and runs about 35 minutes.

“Having compared 2 companies on Viator, we went with this company as there were more reviews and great comments. It is slightly down river than the other company, which (apparently) is more commercial and doesn’t go to the Huka Falls. We benefited from the small business enthusiasm and dedication to giving us the best experience possible! Jacob, our guide and driver, was knowledgeable and skilful. He stopped and gave us information about the river and area but also filled our time with exhilaration and fun! There have been several films shot along this stretch of the river, which we will be looking out for. We all had a brilliant time…”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Lake Taupo: Classical Sailing to the Māori Rock Carvings

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,275 reviews · 2h 30m · from $35

Classic sailing on Lake Taupo to view the Māori Rock Carvings, with blankets, a swim stop, and Kiwi crew plus a complimentary drink.

“it was perfect. we've got perfect background information/explanation about the landscape and Maori culture and also time to just sit back, enjoy and take the beauty of lake Taupo in. would definitely recommend it.”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Lake Taupō Māori Rock Carvings Scenic Cruise aboard Ernest Kemp

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 901 reviews · from $31

Ride Ernest Kemp on Lake Taupo to see the Mine Bay Māori rock carvings, with live commentary, WiFi, and free tea.

“An absolutely fabulous experience. Knowledgeable and funny commentary throughout the trip. Awesome skipper and 2IC. Great boat ride to the carvings and they are spectacular, up close and from a distance. Worth also reading or listening to the story behind the Ngātoroirangi Mine Bay Māori Rock Carvings, in case you don't hear it all on board.”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Huka Falls 30-Minute Jet Boat Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 759 reviews · 30 min · from $89

A 30 minute jet boat to Huka Falls with water level access, up to 80 km/h speed, and 360 spins, plus heated handrails.

“One of the best things I’ve done in New Zealand! Absolutely amazing time in the Jet Boat and Huka Falls was breathtaking.”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Hukafalls Jet Boat Ride in Taupo

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 658 reviews · from $94

Hold on for Hukafalls Jet Boat thrills in Taupo. 360 spins, trick turns, power brakes, and an up-close view of Huka Falls.

“You get wet, the driver was fun, Huka was 30% but that’s OK, got up close and personal. Oh and did I mention, you get wet.”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Lake Taupo: Maori Rock Carvings 10.30 AM 1.5-Hour Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 633 reviews · 1h 30m · from $35

90-minute catamaran cruise on Lake Taupo to see Māori rock carvings, plus tea, muffins, and optional trout fishing.

“Thoroughly enjoyed the trip to Maori carvings excellent commentary. The whole trip was amazing learnt so much and we were also served lovely warm blueberry muffins on return leg highly recommended”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Daily Scenic Maori Rock Carving Cruise Taupo

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 575 reviews · from $36

1.5-hour Lake Taupo cruise to Māori rock carvings, with live commentary, snowy Tongariro views, and a warm homemade muffin.

“Absolutely loved loved loved loved the cruise today been wanting to see the carving for years and being able to do it on a beautiful clear day with awesome crew just made it even better. Today was the meeting point to see my daughter and Read more”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Lake Taupo: 1.5-Hour Māori Rock Carvings Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 498 reviews · 1h 30m · from $35

A 90-minute Lake Taupo catamaran cruise to see Ngātoroirangi Māori rock carvings, trout fishing demo, and warm muffin with tea.

“great staff, very helpful and compassionate. We were travelling with elderly parents , one with mobility issues. the staff could not have been more accommodating. Lovely tour of the lake with entertaining commentary .”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Lake Taupo 12,000-Foot Tandem Skydiving

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 359 reviews · from $209

12,000-foot tandem jump over Lake Taupo, 40 seconds of freefall, Tongariro National Park views, with pickup and photos.

“I had an amazing skydiving experience with you today, June 19, 2025! The 12,000-ft jump, professional guides, and seamless hotel pick-up and drop-off were outstanding. Thank you for an unforgettable adventure!”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Tandem Skydive Experience in Taupo

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 324 reviews · 3 hours · from $196

Tandem parachute free fall over Lake Taupo with 45 to 70 seconds in the air, plus yellow Hummer pickup. From $196.

“Best thing I ever did!!! The team provides excellent support and makes the experience all the more wonderful.”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.Lake Taupo: 1.5-Hour Maori Rock Carvings 5:00 PM Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 317 reviews · 1h 30m · from $35

A 90-minute Lake Taupo cruise to the Māori Rock Carvings with live commentary, two deck levels, and a great early evening vibe.

“Absolutely loved it. The history & cultural connection to our tupuna was priceless. Also the staff were amazing!!”

Check availability →Read our full review

12.Lake Taupo: Luxury Sailing Catamaran to Māori Rock Carvings

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 234 reviews · 2h 30m · from $41

Luxury Tiua catamaran on Lake Taupo with Māori rock carvings, a swim stop, all-weather comfort, and a fully licenced bar.

“We were lucky enough to be the only people booked onto the trip and we had the most fantastic time! Danny and Liam we’re fantastic out on the boat, told us all about the carvings and were able to answer any questions we had. We even got to stop off and do a little fishing, which was so much fun. Better luck next time Liam! Thank you so much for an amazing experience, I can’t recommend it enough!”

Check availability →Read our full review

13.Premium Tongariro Crossing Guided Group Walk

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 221 reviews · from $270

Guided Tongariro Alpine Crossing from Ohakune with winter gear, transfers, and volcanic views of Ruapehu and Ngauruhoe in a full-day hike.

“The walk is long and arduous. There are many stairs and it is really steep. The descent is very long. Nature is overwhelmingly beautiful. Our guide, Jemmy, guided us very well. She pointed out the slippery spots, explained how to descend and gave a lot of explanation about what we saw. When we were struggling she was with us to encourage and support us. And everything in a very positive, sweet way.Auto-translated”

Check availability →Read our full review

14.Tongariro Alpine Crossing: Premium Guided Hike

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 189 reviews · 9 hours · from $254

Guided Tongariro Alpine Crossing with volcanic craters, Blue and Emerald Lakes, and winter gear support, all managed for weather and crowds.

“That was my first hike ever. It was not easy, especially getting down. I had no equipment and at some point i was the last in the row. A nice lady from Minesota gave me her walking sticks and with the guide whose name i do not recall, helped me multiple times. He gave me some proper snacks to handle the fatigue. Although i was super exausted in the end, it was worth every single breath!”

Check availability →Read our full review

15.Self-Guided Geothermal Tour in Orakei Korako

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 178 reviews · from $35

Self-guided Orakei Korako geothermal walk in Taupo with ferry crossings and Ruatapu Cave sights, plus up to 23 natural geysers.

“This was the BEST geothermal walk in the region! We were lucky enough to see 2 x geysers while there (they occur randomly from 35 mins to months apart) and one of only 2 geothermal caves in the world! If you only see one geothermal area - pick this one!”

Check availability →Read our full review