Water Sports in Taupo

Taupo water sports use the lake and the river that runs through the district, and the fastest options are in the air and on the rapids. They sit within the wider list of things to do in Taupo, and the main departure points are the Taupo Boat Harbour on the lakefront and a base at Rotokawa on the river.

Taupo water sports on the lake

The lake is for height and for slow miles. A 12-minute parasailing flight takes you 400 or 800 feet above Lake Taupo behind a high-speed boat, which leaves the Taupo Boat Harbour at Berth 20 and runs hourly through the day. You take off and land from the deck of the boat, so you can stay dry or ask the skipper for a foot dip, and there is an optional freefall that drops you to the water's surface before you are lifted back up.

Flights run solo, tandem or triple, which makes it one of the easier thrills to share, and professional photos are part of the package. Parasailing is seasonal, so it belongs to the warmer months. When you want to be on the lake without leaving the boat, Taupo cruises add a swim stop on the sailing trips.

On the river: jet boats and rapids

The Waikato River is where Taupo's boats go fast. A 35-minute jet boat ride through the Nga Awa Purua rapids leaves from Rotokawa with experienced local drivers, plenty of spins and a spray coat and life jacket supplied. It operates daily all year, with trips starting from mid-morning and a 15-minute buffer asked before departure.

Jet boating is wetter and louder than the lake, so expect spray, and the supplied coats do most of the work of keeping you dry.

Choosing between lake and river

Decide by what you want to feel. The lake gives you height and a long view of the mountains around it, while the river gives you speed and rapids at close range. A group with a mix of nerves can split the difference, because parasailing lets you fly with a friend and jet boating is a shared ride with a driver.

For something with more of a drop, Taupo activities include the bungy, the swing and skydiving above the same lake.

When to go and what to pack

Summer is the water season in Taupo, and parasailing follows it. The jet boat on the river runs every day of the year, so a winter visit still has a water option, and the cooler months bring skiing on Mt Ruapehu to the same trip.

Pack a warm layer for the cooler months and sunglasses and a hat for summer. The river ride supplies life jackets and spray coats, so you only need to bring yourself.

Frequently asked questions

Where do Taupo water sports leave from?

Parasailing on Lake Taupo leaves from the Taupo Boat Harbour at Berth 20 on the lakefront, and the Waikato River jet boat ride leaves from Nga Awa Purua Road at Rotokawa.

How long is a parasailing flight in Taupo?

A Lake Taupo parasailing flight is a 12-minute flight at 400 or 800 feet, with departures hourly through the day.

Do you get wet parasailing on Lake Taupo?

Not unless you want to. Lake Taupo parasailing takes off and lands from the boat's deck, and you can ask your skipper for a foot dip or the optional freefall.

How long is the jet boat ride on the Waikato River?

The Rapids Jet ride on the Waikato River is a 35-minute trip through the Nga Awa Purua rapids, with life jackets and spray coats provided.

Do Taupo water sports run all year?

Lake Taupo parasailing is seasonal, while the Rapids Jet ride on the Waikato River operates daily all year.

Can children go jet boating in Taupo?

Yes. Rapids Jet sells child and family tickets, and it sets a minimum age of five with a minimum height, so check the product details before booking.

Pick the lake for height or the river for speed, and book your Taupo water sports online.