Kinloch: Lake Taupo Catamaran Cruise with Paddleboarding

The best part of this Kinloch cruise is how quickly Lake Taupo turns wild. The catamaran heads into the Western Bays, where waterfalls spill straight into the lake, ravines cut through volcanic rock, and the huge Karangahape Cliffs rise at the southern end. This is not a quick look from shore. You go where roads do not.

I like the small group of up to six and the extra time built in for swimming, paddleboarding, or simply sitting on a secluded beach. I also like the human touch. Skippers such as Ian explain the bays, point out favourite spots, and make the outing feel personal rather than scripted.

The main consideration is the weather and season. Paddleboarding is seasonal, and cold or unsettled conditions can affect water time. At $170 per person, this is not a budget cruise, but the long 210-minute outing, small boat, guide, refreshments, and hard-to-reach scenery make it a fair choice if you want more than a standard lake ride.

Key points at a glance

• Waterfalls meet the lake: Get close to cascades that drop directly into Lake Taupo.
• Karangahape Cliffs: Look south to see towering volcanic rock walls guarding the Western Bays.
• Small-group setting: The catamaran carries no more than six participants, allowing for a relaxed pace and direct conversation with the skipper.
• More than sightseeing: The outing includes a short native-forest walk, swimming, and seasonal paddleboarding.
• Boat-only beach: Bring a picnic or arrange the optional beach picnic time if you want to linger ashore.
• Three and a half hours on the water: This gives the skipper time to explore beyond the usual Kinloch viewpoints.

Leaving Kinloch for the Western Bays

You meet at Taxicat Adventures in Kinloch, looking for the large yellow Taxicat flag. There is no hotel pickup, so you need to make your own way to the meeting point and allow time to find it before departure.

After a safety briefing, you board the catamaran and head into the Western Bays of Lake Taupo. The first part of the trip lasts about an hour and a half, giving you time to settle into the boat, watch the shoreline change, and hear the skipper’s stories about the area.

That setting matters. Kinloch is already quieter than Taupo town, but this trip takes you farther from the busy shore. The focus is not on checking off a long list of stops. It is on reaching small inlets, ravines, waterfalls, and rock formations that are difficult or impossible to see from land.

The small group makes a real difference here. With only six people, you can ask questions without trying to speak over a crowded boat. A skipper such as Ian can adjust the conversation to the group, point out his favourite places, and keep the outing friendly and informal. One five-person group particularly appreciated the personal feel and Ian’s good humour, which tells you what kind of atmosphere to expect.

Volcanic rock and waterfalls up close

Lake Taupo fills the caldera of a massive volcanic system, so the rock around the lake is not just pretty scenery. It gives the Western Bays their shape and character. You see steep walls, dark volcanic formations, narrow ravines, and water cutting through the rock before tumbling into the lake.

The waterfalls are the star of this section. Rather than viewing them from a distant lookout, you move close to cascades that pour into the water in front of you. Their size and flow will depend on recent weather and seasonal conditions, but the setting remains compelling even when the water is lighter.

I like this part because it gives the cruise a sense of discovery without pretending that every stop is a major attraction. Some places are simply small, quiet corners of the lake. The pleasure comes from being able to reach them by boat, seeing the rock from water level, and letting the skipper explain what makes each ravine or inlet special.

Keep your camera ready, but do not spend the whole cruise looking through it. The best views may come suddenly as the catamaran rounds a headland or enters a narrow bay. Sunglasses and sunscreen are practical, even on a cool day, because reflected light off the lake can be strong.

The Karangahape Cliffs and the southern bays

As the boat heads south, the Karangahape Cliffs become the major visual marker. They rise hundreds of feet above Lake Taupo and give the southern end of the Western Bays a powerful sense of scale.

This is a good place to put the lake into perspective. From the water, the cliffs are not a flat backdrop. They tower above you, making the catamaran feel small and emphasizing how little development there is along these shores. The skipper’s commentary helps you read the rock and coastline rather than simply pass by it.

The cruise does not promise a long geology lesson, and that is probably a benefit. You get local interpretation and storytelling woven into the ride, with enough information to understand what you are seeing without turning the trip into a classroom. If you enjoy scenery with a bit of context, this balance should suit you.

Wind and water conditions can change how comfortable this section feels. Bring a warm layer, even if Kinloch feels mild when you leave. The supplied advice to pack warm clothing is worth taking seriously, since an open-water ride can feel cooler than the shore.

A short walk through native forest

The boat trip includes a short bush walk in native forest. This breaks up the time on the catamaran and gives you a closer look at the shore instead of viewing everything from the water.

Do not expect a long hike or a strenuous trek. The walk is described as short, so it works as a change of pace rather than a separate hiking experience. You will want sensible clothing and shoes that can handle a brief walk, but the main focus remains the lake, the cliffs, and the waterfalls.

I find this kind of stop valuable on a boat tour. Three and a half hours on the water can feel repetitive if you never leave the boat. A short forest walk lets you stretch your legs, hear the place without an engine running, and see how the vegetation meets the volcanic shore.

The exact feel of the walk can depend on conditions, and the tour information does not promise a specific trail length or accessibility level. If walking limitations are important to your planning, ask Venture Beyond for current details before booking.

Waihāhā, swimming, and time to slow down

The outing includes a stop near Waihāhā, identified by the location code 6Q86+8P, for photos, sightseeing, and swimming. This section allows about an hour, so you are not being rushed through a two-minute photo stop.

Swimming is optional. Pack swimwear and a towel if you want to get in, and remember sunscreen. If you prefer to stay dry, this is still a useful pause for photos and views across the lake.

Seasonal paddleboarding is also included, subject to weather conditions. That wording is important. You should treat paddleboarding as a welcome possibility, not a guaranteed centerpiece of the tour. Water temperature, wind, and the time of year may affect what the skipper can safely offer.

The same goes for the secluded beach. You can spend additional time there for a picnic, but the picnic itself is not included as a standard meal. Bring your own food, or check whether the optional picnic upgrade is available when you book. Light refreshments are included, with coffee and tea available during the lake portion, but you should not expect a full lunch.

This flexibility is one of the outing’s strengths. You can make the stop active with a swim or paddleboard, or take the slower option and enjoy the beach and scenery. Families and friends may appreciate having choices, while anyone hoping for a tightly scheduled adventure should know that the day has a relaxed rhythm.

What the $170 price really buys

At $170 per person, the cruise costs more than a basic sightseeing boat ride. The value comes from the combination of time, access, and group size.

You receive 210 minutes on and around the lake, a live English-speaking skipper, light refreshments, and a trip into the Western Bays rather than a short circuit near Kinloch. You also get swimming time, seasonal paddleboarding, a forest walk, and access to shoreline areas that cannot be reached by road.

The group limit of six is a major part of the price. On a large boat, you might get scenery but little contact with the skipper. Here, the small passenger count gives the ride a more private feel and makes it easier to ask about the cliffs, ravines, and waterfalls.

I would consider this good value for someone who wants a half-day experience built around scenery and personal guiding. It is less attractive if you only want a short ride, do not care about the Western Bays, or would rather spend the day on a long hike. The lack of hotel pickup also means you need to plan your own transport to Kinloch.

The five-star ratings from the available bookings praise two things in particular: the quality of the skipper’s service and the beauty of the lake. One January outing had only five people aboard, while another group described the service as going beyond expectations. Those details support the idea that this tour works best because of its personal scale, not because it tries to pack in dozens of attractions.

Who will enjoy this catamaran cruise

This is a strong match for you if you want:

• A small-group experience rather than a crowded sightseeing boat
• Dramatic volcanic cliffs and waterfalls
• A mix of boat time, a short walk, and optional water activities
• A quieter side of Lake Taupo
• A skipper who adds local stories and personal recommendations
• A flexible outing with time to pause rather than rush between stops

It should also suit couples, friends, and families who can agree on different ways to use the free time. One person can swim while another takes photos or enjoys the beach.

You may want to choose another activity if you need guaranteed paddleboarding, a full meal, hotel transportation, or a long dedicated hike. Kayak hire is not included either. The boat provides the main experience, with the activities shaped by the season and weather.

Practical packing advice for a changeable lake day

Bring warm clothing even in summer. You may feel comfortable on shore, then notice the cooler air once the catamaran moves into open water.

Pack sunglasses, sunscreen, swimwear, and a towel. These items cover the main possibilities, from bright reflections and a short beach stop to swimming and paddleboarding.

A picnic is worth bringing if you want more than light refreshments. Coffee and tea are available, but the standard offering is not a full meal. Since the secluded beach is accessible only by boat, your own food can turn that stop into a proper break.

The meeting point is marked by the big yellow Taxicat flag. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later, useful if your North Island plans are still shifting. The tour is conducted in English.

Should you book the Western Bays adventure?

Book it if you want to see a less accessible side of Lake Taupo and value a small group, a personable skipper, and plenty of time on the water. The combination of Karangahape Cliffs, waterfalls, a short forest walk, swimming, and seasonal paddleboarding gives the afternoon enough variety to justify the price.

Think twice if you are looking for a guaranteed water-sports session or a cheap, quick cruise. Conditions shape the experience, the picnic costs extra or requires your own food, and you must reach Kinloch independently.

For most visitors who have already seen the main Taupo viewpoints, this is the better choice for going farther. You get close to the lake’s volcanic character, hear local stories from the skipper, and spend several hours in places that are reached most naturally by boat.

FAQ

Where does the Lake Taupo catamaran cruise meet?

Meet at Taxicat Adventures in Kinloch. Look for the large yellow Taxicat flag.

How long does the cruise last?

The activity lasts 210 minutes, or three and a half hours. The day includes boat sightseeing, a short walk, time near Waihāhā, swimming, and additional lake time.

How many people can join the tour?

The group is limited to six participants, creating a small-group setting with more direct contact with the skipper.

Is paddleboarding included?

Paddleboarding is included when available, but it is seasonal and depends on weather conditions.

Is food included?

Light refreshments are included, along with coffee and tea. You may bring your own picnic for the secluded beach, or ask about the optional picnic upgrade.

What should I bring?

Bring warm clothing, sunglasses, swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. A picnic is also useful if you want a full meal during the beach stop.