Doubtful Sound
Doubtful Sound is ten times larger and three times longer than Milford Sound and is much harder to get to – however it’s well worth the journey . This is the second largest fiord in Fiordland National Park, an area of untouched wilderness, of verdant rainforest and rugged mountain peaks. The Sound is home to abundant wildlife and on your trip you may see bottlenose dolphins, seals and the rare Fiordland crested penguin. With no direct road access, the only way you can to get to Doubtful Sound is by a cruise across Lake Manapouri and a coach trip over Wilmot Pass. This isolation makes the fiord a very special place.
We suggest you leave the car behind for this trip and travel by coach to Manapouri ,the starting point of your experience . You can do this from either Queenstown or Te Anau and as with Milford we advise you to take the longer wilderness cruise to fully enjoy the highlights of the Sound.
What our travellers enjoyed about their Daytime Doubtful Sound Cruise…
- The journey to the Sound across the island studded Lake Manapouri and over the Wilmot Pass to Deep Cove
- The Sounds of Silence when the boat engines are turned off and all you can hear is birdsong and the rushing waters of waterfalls
- Viewing the wildlife of the Sound
- The magnificent scale of the Sound
Overnight Cruises
A truly memorable experience of your time in New Zealand would be an overnight cruise on this magnificent Sound.
Cruise the fiord weaving through hidden coves and mystical waterways. Then as evening draws near the anchor is dropped at a sheltered mooring enabling you to explore the shoreline by kayak or small boat with one of the on board nature guides. Afterwards you can enjoy an excellent three course meal – we’re always amazed by the quality – before you bed down for the night in your twin bedded cabin with en suite facilities
The next day the skipper will stop the motors and you’ll enjoy the sounds of silence , only broken by the birdsong and rushing waters of waterfalls in this primeval landscape
There are coach connections from Queenstown and Te Anau and we can advise on timings.
What our travellers enjoyed about Doubtful Sound Overnight Experience…
- The peace and tranquillity of the Sound
- The excellent on board organisation and personable service provided by the staff
- Talking to the crew and fellow passengers about their New Zealand experiences
- Kayaking for an hour by the shoreline for a real close up view of the deep waters and natural fauna
