Kinloch: Lake Taupo Catamaran Cruise with Paddleboarding

The best part of this cruise is where it goes. Instead of sticking to Lake Taupo’s busier and more familiar corners, the catamaran heads into the Western Bays, where waterfalls drop straight into the lake, ravines cut through volcanic rock, and the Karangahape Cliffs rise high above the water. It feels like a proper outing, not just a quick boat ride.

I like the small six-person group, which gives the skipper room to point out favorite places and adjust the pace. I also like the mix of activities: a scenic cruise, a short native-forest walk, swimming, seasonal paddleboarding, and time on a secluded beach. The main consideration is the weather. Swimming and paddleboarding are seasonal, and a cool or rough day could make the outdoor portions less appealing.

Key points at a glance

• Western Bays access: Reach quieter parts of Lake Taupo that are difficult to visit without a boat.
• Waterfalls at lake level: Get close to cascades tumbling through ravines and into the water.
• Karangahape Cliffs: See the tall volcanic cliffs guarding the southern end of the bay.
• Small group of six: Expect a more personal outing than a large sightseeing cruise.
• Flexible outdoor time: Swim, use the included paddleboard when conditions allow, or bring a picnic for the secluded beach.
• Three and a half hours on the water: The $170 price buys a substantial half-day experience, not a short harbor loop.

Why the Western Bays are worth your afternoon

Lake Taupo is enormous, and its scale changes how you see it. From the shore, it can look like a broad inland lake with mountains in the distance. From a small boat, you begin to notice the details: steep rock walls, narrow ravines, bush-covered slopes, and water pouring down from places you cannot easily reach by road.

This cruise focuses on the western side of the lake, around Kinloch and farther south. That choice matters. The point is not simply to take a pleasant ride and photograph the open water. You are going after places that feel tucked away from the main sightseeing circuit.

The volcanic rock formations give the bays their character. Lake Taupo itself sits in a huge volcanic region, and the cliffs and ravines around the water show that force in a very direct way. You do not need to be a geology enthusiast to appreciate it. The cliffs are simply big, stark, and memorable, especially when viewed from below.

The waterfalls are another strong reason to choose this outing. The boat can bring you close to cascades that tumble into the lake, where you can see and hear the water at the point it meets Taupo. Their flow will depend on recent weather and seasonal conditions, so you should not expect the exact same display every time. Still, the route is designed around these natural features rather than treating them as a passing view.

Leaving Kinloch with a six-person crew

The meeting point is at Taxicat Adventures in Kinloch. Look for the large yellow Taxicat flag. There is no hotel pickup or drop-off, so you will need to make your own way to the starting point.

Before heading out, expect a safety briefing and an introduction to the plan. The total outing lasts 210 minutes, or three and a half hours. That is long enough for the boat ride to feel unhurried, while still fitting comfortably into a day around Lake Taupo.

The group is limited to six people. This is one of the strongest features of the trip. On a small boat, six people means you are not trying to see past rows of heads or waiting for a large group to finish every stop. You also have a better chance to ask the skipper about the bays, the rock formations, and the places along the route.

Ian may be your skipper. He has been specifically praised for his friendly manner and clear storytelling, and a small group of five made one recent outing feel especially personal. That detail gives you a useful sense of the atmosphere: this is meant to be a conversational trip, with the skipper sharing favorite spots rather than delivering a stiff speech from a script.

The catamaran is a practical choice for this kind of route. It gives you a stable platform for sightseeing and leaves room for the active parts of the day. Still, bring a warm layer. Open water can feel cooler than Kinloch, even on a pleasant day.

The first 90 minutes: cliffs, ravines, and volcanic rock

The opening part of the cruise takes you farther into the Western Bays. You will have time for sightseeing, scenic views, and a short walk, along with the safety briefing at the start.

This is when the trip shifts from ordinary lake cruise to back-country water outing. The skipper takes you toward ravines and waterfalls that are hard to appreciate from a distant viewpoint. As the catamaran moves along the shoreline, watch for changes in the rock. Some sections are broad and exposed, while others narrow into steep cuts where water has found its way toward the lake.

The route also heads toward the Karangahape Cliffs. These cliffs rise hundreds of feet above the water and mark the southern end of the Western Bays. Their height is the visual high point of the cruise. From the boat, you see how the rock walls dominate the shoreline, almost like a natural gate at the end of the bay.

I would keep your camera ready, but do not spend the whole cruise looking through it. The scale is easier to understand in person, especially when you look from the water straight up to the cliffs. The boat gives you a low viewpoint that road-based stops cannot match.

The short bush walk adds a useful change of pace. You leave the boat for a brief stretch in native forest, giving you a closer look at the vegetation around the lake. It is not presented as a long hike, so this is suitable if you want some walking but do not want an all-day trek.

The walk also breaks up the time on the water. Three and a half hours can feel long if every minute is spent seated, but the combination of boat travel, forest, swimming, and beach time keeps the outing varied.

Waterfalls at Waihāhā and time for a swim

A later stop is at 6Q86+8P Waihāhā, where the plan includes a photo stop, sightseeing, and swimming. The stop lasts about an hour.

This is the part of the trip where conditions matter most. If the weather is warm and the water looks inviting, you can swim and enjoy the lake from a completely different angle. You are not just looking at Taupo. You are in it, with the surrounding cliffs and bush forming the view around you.

Swimwear and a towel are essential if you plan to get in. Bring sunscreen and sunglasses as well. The supplied advice to pack warm clothing is equally important, since you may want something dry and warm after swimming.

Paddleboarding is included when available, although it is seasonal and depends on weather. The activity gives you a quieter way to inspect the shoreline. From a paddleboard, you move at a slower pace than the catamaran, so you may notice small inlets, rock textures, and the way the water changes near a ravine.

Kayak hire is not included. Do not assume a kayak will be part of the package. The included water activity is paddleboarding when conditions allow, while a picnic on the secluded beach is an optional extra or something you can handle by bringing your own food.

The phrase secluded beach should be taken in a practical sense. It is accessible by boat, not a regular roadside stop, which is what makes it feel special. You will not be visiting a developed beach with a full range of facilities. Bring what you need, including food if you want more than the supplied refreshments.

The final hour: coffee, tea, and an easy return

The schedule includes about an hour around Lake Taupo for coffee, tea, sightseeing, and time to enjoy the setting before returning to Taxicat Adventures.

Light refreshments are included for the crew. Coffee and tea are part of the listed experience, but the food offering is light rather than a full meal. If you are booking this around lunchtime, bring your own picnic or arrange the optional beach picnic if that is available for your outing.

This is also a good reason not to rush breakfast or leave food planning until the last minute. The cruise is long enough to make you hungry, particularly if you swim or paddleboard. A simple picnic gives you more control over what and when you eat.

The return to Kinloch completes the loop at the original meeting point. Since there is no hotel transportation, allow enough time to get back to your accommodation after the boat arrives. The experience is best treated as a half-day plan, rather than something to squeeze between two tightly timed activities.

What $170 buys you

At $170 per person, this is not a budget boat ride. The value comes from the amount of time, the small group, and the access to parts of the lake you are unlikely to see from shore.

You are paying for three and a half hours with a guide, a route into the Western Bays, close views of waterfalls and ravines, the Karangahape Cliffs, a bush walk, refreshments, and the chance to swim or use a paddleboard. A larger cruise might offer a lower price per person, but it would not necessarily offer the same personal attention or flexibility.

The six-person limit is especially important when considering the price. With a small group, the skipper can spend more time explaining the area and responding to what interests you. The experience also feels less like transport and more like an outing built around particular places.

The value is weaker if you only want a quick view of Lake Taupo or if you are unlikely to use the swimming and paddleboarding time. It is also weather-sensitive. A cold day may turn the active part into a scenic ride with a short walk, which could feel expensive if you had booked mainly for swimming.

For the right visitor, though, the price is reasonable for a long, specialized excursion. You are not paying only for a seat on a boat. You are paying for access, time, and a small-group format.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would choose this trip if you want to see a quieter side of Lake Taupo and prefer natural places to formal attractions. It suits couples, families with older children, friends, and solo visitors who like a small group and a flexible outdoor schedule.

It is especially good for you if:

• You want a scenic outing that includes more than sitting on a boat.
• You enjoy waterfalls, cliffs, forest, and volcanic rock formations.
• You like swimming or paddleboarding when the weather is suitable.
• You prefer a group limited to six people.
• You want a guide who shares local spots and stories along the way.
• You can bring your own picnic and warm clothing.

You may want another plan if you need hotel pickup, dislike open-water weather, or want guaranteed paddleboarding. The paddleboard option is seasonal, and all water activities depend on conditions.

The short bush walk makes the cruise more active, but it is not a substitute for a serious hike. Choose it for variety and scenery, not for a demanding walk through the bush.

Practical tips before you go

Wear layers rather than relying on one heavy jacket. Conditions on the lake can change, and a warm top is useful after swimming even if the afternoon begins pleasantly.

Pack swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and warm clothing. If you want a substantial meal, bring a picnic. Light refreshments are included, but they are not described as a full lunch.

Plan around the full 210 minutes. Add time before departure to find the yellow Taxicat flag and time afterward to continue your day from Kinloch.

If you are booking well ahead, remember that paddleboarding is seasonal and subject to weather. Go in with the right expectation: the cruise, scenery, waterfalls, and guide-led sightseeing are the core experience. Swimming, paddleboarding, and beach time are valuable extras when conditions cooperate.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve now, pay later option gives you some flexibility when your North Island schedule is still taking shape.

Should you book the Kinloch catamaran cruise?

Book it if you want a small, personal boat trip into the less accessible Western Bays of Lake Taupo. The strongest reasons are the six-person group, the chance to get close to waterfalls, the towering Karangahape Cliffs, and the mix of cruising with swimming, paddleboarding, a short bush walk, and secluded beach time.

I would be more cautious if your main goal is guaranteed warm-water activity or a full meal. Weather affects the active portions, and you need to arrange your own transport to Kinloch.

For a half-day built around quiet bays, volcanic rock, and a skipper who can point out favorite places, this is a strong choice. The 210-minute duration gives the route room to breathe, and the small group keeps it personal without making the day feel formal.

FAQ

Where does the Lake Taupo catamaran cruise start?

The cruise starts at Taxicat Adventures in Kinloch. Look for the big yellow Taxicat flag.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts 210 minutes, or three and a half hours.

How many people are in the group?

The group is limited to six participants.

Is paddleboarding included?

Paddleboarding is included when available, but it is seasonal and depends on weather conditions. Kayak hire is not included.

What should I bring?

Bring warm clothing, sunglasses, swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. You may also want to bring your own picnic because only light refreshments are included.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.