Lake Tarawera, Rotorua, New Zealand (alleged event)

The Phantom Canoe of Lake Tarawera

Folklore — not a documented case

In 1886, eleven days before Mount Tarawera erupted in New Zealand, a war canoe is said to have been seen on the lake by tourists before vanishing into the mist.

In the late 19th century Lake Tarawera on New Zealand's North Island drew tourists from all over the world. Setting out from the village of Te Wairoa, they crossed the lake by canoe to the Pink and White Terraces, huge silica steps formed by hot springs and considered the 'eighth wonder of the world'.

The stories in this section are folk tales and legends; they are not verified, real events and should not be confused with the rest of the archive.

From the same region