Sailing, Swimming & Soaking: An Adventure-Filled Day in Taupō- an eco yacht sail on the Lake with Sail Barbary
There are some adventures on this trip that were carefully planned months in advance.
And then there are the ones that happen because one of the boys picks up a leaflet and won't stop asking questions about it.
This was definitely the latter.
Our first morning in Taupō had one very specific adventure planned — and this one had come about because of Albs.
Over recent months, he has developed a real interest in learning to sail. And, if I’m honest, he is definitely my son when it comes to water. He has inherited my love of the sea, boats and being around water.
It probably helps that, like me, he’s a Pisces too!
Archie loves the water as well, but at 14 he is currently at that funny stage of not being entirely sure what he likes anymore. Albs, on the other hand, is still very much in the “let’s give it a go” phase.
While exploring Rotorua and Taupō, he had picked up a leaflet advertising a trip on an electric eco yacht on Lake Taupō. He kept asking about it, so after a few emails back and forth with Sail Barbary
https://www.sailbarbary.com, we were booked on.
And I was probably just as excited as he was.
A frosty start in Taupō
We woke to another beautifully sunny New Zealand winter morning, although there had been a noticeable drop in temperature overnight.
There was frost on the ground outside our chalet, and as I sat with my morning coffee, I watched the family of ducks wandering around the stream directly in front of the decking.
Steam was rising gently above the water, creating a wonderfully peaceful scene.
It was cold, but beautiful.
Once both boys were finally awake, fed and ready, we headed off for the short drive down to the marina.
I had already told them to dress warmly.
Being out on a lake in winter can feel very different from standing beside it, especially if there is a breeze or any wind chill.
But as we arrived at the berths, the sun was shining brightly. There was barely a breath of wind, and the lake was incredibly still.
We had definitely picked the perfect morning to be on the water.
A taste of sailing
Although we have boats at home and Albs has spent time out on the sea, being on a sailing boat would be a different experience for him.
And, if I’m honest, I had another little agenda too.
When I was a teenager, I had the opportunity to learn to sail. For years, returning to it has sat on my ever-growing list of things I would love to do.
You know the list.
The one that seems to get longer rather than shorter!
I’d really like the boys and me to learn together. Not just because sailing is fun, but because it is another skill they can carry with them through life, wherever they end up in the world.
It’s outdoors, active, challenging and connects so strongly with one of my biggest core values:
Freedom.
I love the feeling of being on the water and the possibilities that come with it.
Craig, of course, will always remind me that he is an engine man rather than a sailing man. But in our household, there will always be a boat or two because being on the water is such an important part of our lives.
So, this trip was about giving Albs a little taste of sailing — and perhaps giving me the nudge I needed to finally book those lessons too.
Meeting Captain Lloyd
When we arrived at the berth, we were met by Captain Lloyd, who I had been emailing the previous day.
His enthusiasm and passion for eco-sailing came across immediately.
Before boarding, we grabbed a quick coffee from the brilliant little Stir Café across the road from the marina.
Definitely worth trying if you’re in the area.
Then it was time to climb aboard.
It turned out there were only six of us joining the morning sailing:
The boys and me
A couple from North Shore
A gentleman from Taranaki
It was a lovely small group, with a really nice mix of people.
And, as I was soon to discover, that made a big difference to the experience.
Setting sail on Lake Taupō
From the moment we left the marina and headed out onto the lake, Captain Lloyd was explaining, describing and pointing out different things about the area.
He shared information about the lake, the surrounding landscape and where we were heading to see the Māori rock carvings.
One fact that really stood out was that Lake Taupō is approximately the size of Singapore.
That certainly gave us a different perspective of just how vast it is.
The lake was beautiful.
The sun was beaming down, the water was calm and the views stretched out in every direction.
We had all dressed for the cold, but as we got further out onto the lake, it was actually a really pleasant temperature.
Lloyd was also very quick to get hot drinks organised for everyone, which was very welcome.
There was something lovely about sitting on the boat, looking out across the water with a warm drink in hand, while listening to the stories and information about the lake.
Questions began flowing from everyone, including the boys.
They wanted to know about the boat, the lake, sailing and the surrounding area.
And because the group was so small, there was plenty of opportunity to ask questions and have conversations.
It felt much more personal than being part of a huge tourist group.
A first time out on the lake
Despite having visited Lake Taupō before, I had never actually been out on the lake.
So this was a first for me too.
As we got closer to the Māori carvings at Mine Bay, we slowed down. There were two other small boats nearby, also taking time to admire the rock faces.
It gave us the perfect opportunity to stop, look around and appreciate the surroundings.
In the distance, the snow-covered volcanic peaks added to the incredible scenery.
The lake was vast and peaceful, and the whole setting felt rather special.
There was no rushing.
No trying to get everyone through an attraction as quickly as possible.
We simply had time to stand, sit, look and take it all in.
“Anyone fancy a swim?”
Then Captain Lloyd asked a question that I really wasn’t expecting.
“Anyone fancy a swim or a dip?”
I have never seen Albs’ hand go up so quickly.
“Me!”
He was the only one.
I had noticed that swimming was mentioned in the advertising, but as it was winter, I assumed that part of the experience would be off the cards.
I hadn’t packed swimming togs or towels.
So, unfortunately, I missed out.
Albs, however, was not going to let a little thing like a lack of swimming kit stop him.
At 11 years old, he simply stripped down to his pants and, with plenty of encouragement from all of us, climbed down and lowered himself into the lake.
Captain Lloyd even had a towel ready for him.
I absolutely love open-water swimming, including cold-water swimming, and I’m a big advocate of the benefits of spending time in and around natural water.
So, watching Albs take the plunge was brilliant.
He is a gutsy little pre-teen who will 9 times out of 10, just give something a go.
And in this case, he literally got in.
It was only a short dip, but once he had dried himself off in the sunshine and had a hot drink in hand, I could see the happiness in his eyes.
He was delighted.
Another huge thank you to Captain Lloyd for making that possible.
The Māori rock carvings at Mine Bay
As we moved closer to the carvings, the clear water beneath them came into view.
We could also see the lizard carving to the side, along with the intricate details of the rock faces.
Captain Lloyd shared more information about the carvings, their history and how they came to be.
It was lovely to have time to appreciate them properly.
We could look closely, take photographs and ask questions without feeling rushed.
Seeing them from the water gave us a completely different perspective.
And it was another opportunity for the boys to experience a little more of the history and culture of Aotearoa New Zealand.
After our visit to Whakarewarewa Māori Living Village in Rotorua, it felt like a natural continuation of our learning and experiences.
Heading back to the marina
Eventually, it was time to turn around and head back.
As we sailed towards the marina, the conversations continued. More questions were asked, more information was shared and there was plenty of discussion about the boat, sailing and the lake.
The small group size really helped create those connections. Everyone was able to get involved, and it felt relaxed and friendly.
By the time we reached the berth, I think we were all slightly disappointed that the morning had come to an end.
It had been such a perfect morning on the lake.
For Albs, it had been a chance to explore his growing interest in sailing.
For me, it had been a reminder of how much I love being on the water — and perhaps a sign that it was time to stop talking about learning to sail and actually book those lessons.
Why Sail Barbary is worth booking
The combination of the boat, the experience, the lake and the surrounding landscape made this trip really special.
But what stood out most was Captain Lloyd’s passion and knowledge.
He clearly cares about the environment, the experience he provides and the importance of sharing the history and significance of the area.
The electric eco yacht also meant we could experience Lake Taupō in a quieter, more peaceful way.
With the small group, the opportunity to ask questions, the hot drinks, the views and the chance for Albs to have a dip, it became one of the highlights of our time in Taupō.
I would definitely recommend looking into Sail Barbary if you’re visiting the area.
It’s a wonderful way to experience the lake, especially if you want something that combines nature, sustainability, history and Māori culture.
You can find out more through the Sail Barbary website:
Food, shopping and a little Taupō wander
Once we had disembarked, we worked out how long we had until our afternoon booking at DeBretts Thermal Water Park (https://www.taupodebretts.co.nz)
The boys’ stomachs soon made the decision for us.
It was food time again!
We headed into the waterfront and main town area of Taupō. Parking was easy at this time of year, which was a bonus.
Of course, I made the boys walk past the famous “I Love Taupō” sign and the hole-in-one golf hut.
Because you can’t visit Taupō without getting a photograph there, can you?
Archie then spotted the novelty McDonald’s with the aeroplane.
Of course he wanted to go there!
So, Archie was sorted, while Albs and I grabbed something elsewhere.
We had a little wander around the town and, naturally, a trip into Hunting & Fishing was essential.
That had always been a standard stop for Craig and me when visiting New Zealand, and it has now become a bit of a tradition with the boys too.
Some families visit art galleries.
We visit fishing and outdoor shops!
Warming up at DeBretts Thermal Water Park
Next stop was DeBretts Thermal Water Park, which so many of our New Zealand friends had recommended.
I had pre-booked us in for 3pm, so after lunch we headed over.
Before booking our accommodation in Taupō, I had considered staying at DeBretts. However, even if you stay there, you still have to pay separately to use the water park.
So, in the end, I decided to stay elsewhere and book an afternoon visit instead.
And I’m glad we did.
Despite loving cold-water swimming, I also love thermal pools and hot water.
I will very rarely turn down the opportunity for a soak in warm water.
Luckily, the boys are the same.
We arrived, got changed and headed in.
It wasn’t too busy, which was ideal.
The water park is outdoors, but there are sheltered areas, making it suitable whatever the weather is doing - sunny or rainy.
There is a good selection of pools for different ages and preferences, including larger pools where you can simply swim, relax or float around.
There’s also a splash zone, which I suspect is aimed more towards younger children.
That didn’t stop the boys from enjoying it, though!
The slides and flumes were also worth doing, while I was perfectly happy spending my time swimming and floating in the larger pools.
We stayed for a good couple of hours, and it was exactly what we needed after our morning on the lake.
Practical information: DeBretts Thermal Water Park
If you’re visiting Taupō, DeBretts is definitely worth considering, particularly if you’re travelling with children or teenagers.
A few things to know:
The water park is outdoors, but there are sheltered areas.
There are pools suitable for different ages and preferences.
There is a splash zone for younger visitors.
Slides and flumes provide extra entertainment.
It’s worth allowing at least a couple of hours for your visit.
Prices can vary depending on the time of day.
We booked through https://www.bookme.co.nz rather than directly, which allowed us to choose a time slot.
If you prefer visiting later in the day, the water park is open until approximately 8.30pm.
I found it to be an affordable and family-friendly option compared with some of the other thermal experiences in the area.
You can check current prices, opening times and booking options through the DeBretts website or booking platforms such as https://www.bookme.co.nz.
A quiet evening back at the chalet
After such an action-packed day, we headed back to the chalet.
The kitchenette was fairly limited, so dinner was simple — rice or pasta with sauce, followed by chopped fruit and yoghurt.
It wasn’t complicated, but it did the job.
And then, because I was on holiday, I decided that another soak in the spa bath was entirely justified.
Even though we had already spent a couple of hours at the thermal water park.
Why not?
Sometimes you have to make the most of what’s available!
After that, it was time to relax in front of the television and wind down.
The boys settled into another evening of YouTube, watching episodes of UnTide and Lateral Line — sailing and fishing channels that had become part of our trip.
Albs was soon sparko on the sofa again, which meant another carry to bed.
Archie, was making the most of his own room upstairs on the mezzanine floor.
And so another brilliant day in Taupō came to an end.
From sailing across the lake and seeing the Māori rock carvings, to a spontaneous cold-water dip, a wander around town and an afternoon at DeBretts, it had been a full day of experiences.
But the best part?
Watching Albs discover something he genuinely loves.
Perhaps sailing lessons really are going to happen.
And perhaps this will become another activity that the three of us learn together — something outdoors, something challenging and something that gives us that wonderful feeling of freedom.
For now, though, we had a lake, a boat and one very happy boy to thank for another unforgettable day in Aotearoa.
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