Lake Taupo is a large freshwater crater lake in the centre of the North Island of New Zealand.

It contains several small islands and many small bays and has a varied shoreline made up of everything from sand beaches to large sheer cliff faces.

The Lake, being very large (approx 40 km x 30 km ), is exposed to the weather. Being fresh water, conditions can change very quickly and become unpleasant and dangerous.

Swells up to 3 metres high, with very short wavelengths can arise within minutes of a wind change.

Users of the Lake tend to be small recreational vessels, generally less than 8 metres in length, such as powerboats, yachts,jetskis, kayaks and waka ama.

Many persons using such vessels perceive the Lake to be safer than the sea, often to their peril!

For example, water temperature is much cooler than the sea; fresh water is less buoyant, so if victims are in the water, the onset of hypothermia is very rapid.

These factors often compound in an emergency and so a rapid response is obviously vital in any emergency.

Boat ramps are located at:

• Taupo, Harbour
• 2 Mile Bay
• 3 Mile Bay
• Kinloch (private)
• Acacia Bay
• Te Moenga Bay
• Motutere
• Oruatua
• Motuoapa
• Tokaanu
• Braxmere
• Omori
• Pukawa
• Kuratau
• Whareroa
• Nukuhau
• Taupo Motor Camp
• Mission Point

Note: A ramp permit is required when using Dept of Internal Affairs ramp facilities. These are available from most local dairies, service stations and sports shops.