USS Taniwha (SP-129) was an armed yacht that served in the United States Navy as a patrol vessel from 1917 to 1919.

Taniwha was built as a civilian yacht in 1909 by the George Lawley & Son at Neponset, Massachusetts.

The U.S. Navy acquired Taniwha under a free lease from her owner, Mr. Henry B. Anderson of New York City, for use as a patrol boat during World War I and commissioned the same day as USS Taniwha (SP-129).

Assigned to the 3rd Naval District, Taniwha operated on section patrol protecting waters near New York City against incursions by enemy forces, particularly submarines.

Taniwha was decommissioned on 4 April 1919, and her name was stricken from the Navy List on the same day.