Close

30% off Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise until 17 December | Promo code: WANDERER30

Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruises

Limited offer:

  • Save 30% off the Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise aboard The Wanderer
  • Available to book until 17 December
  • Valid for travel until 21 March 2024
  • Promo code: WANDERER30
  • T&C's apply

Give in to the wilderness, and escape to the secluded Doubtful Sound, located in the depths of the Fiordland National Park. Unlike a day cruise, this unique overnight experience completely immerses you in nature. You’ll wake up feeling connected with nature, in harmony with yourself, and knowledgeable of Aotearoa’s native flora and fauna. The trip begins on the shore of Lake Manapouri, where you’ll hop onto a vessel to cross over to Deep Cove. Here, you’ll board our RealNZ coach to cross the scenic Wilmot Pass, before arriving at Doubtful Sound, and your home for the night.

What's included?

  • Choose to escape for one or two nights aboard our traditional-styled vessel.
  • Explore the nooks and coves of Doubtful Sound, all the way out to the Tasman Sea
  • Choose the onboard accommodation that suits you, from private ensuite cabins to family-share, bunk-style cabins with shared bathrooms.
  • Our onboard chef will feed you well. Freshly baked afternoon tea, local platters, a gourmet buffet dinner and a selection of hot and continental breakfasts will be served.
  • Understand what you’re seeing with our onboard nature specialist. They’ll tell you about the land, local flora and the resident fauna who may come out to say hello.
  • Be the captain of your own boat! Choose to explore a sheltered shoreline by kayak or hop into our small boat with a nature guide.
  • Wondering how to get there? Explore our coach connections, available from Queenstown and Te Anau.

Images

Get your photo featured: #RealNZ

More Information

Doubtful Sound is unspoiled, unmatched and unforgettable. So get ready to create some lifelong memories as the we take you on the ultimate Doubtful Sound experience.

Your itinerary starts in Manapouri with a short cruise across Lake Manapouri. A coach then takes you across Wilmot Pass, travelling on a sub-alpine road through dense rainforest. Arriving at Deep Cove, you’ll be met by our crew and vessel.

Designed along the lines of a traditional scow, the Fiordland Navigator blends old world charm with modern comforts that include spacious viewing decks, a dining saloon with a fully licensed bar and an observation lounge.

As you cruise through some of New Zealand’s most stunning scenery, our knowledgeable nature guides will provide commentary ensuring you miss nothing, be it the pod of resident dolphins, fur seals or rare penguins you might encounter.

After dropping anchor in a sheltered cove, you can choose to explore the shoreline by kayak or tender boat – or to simply relax onboard. For the adventurous (or very brave), there’s even a chance to go swimming. All activities are weather dependent. 

In the evening, you’ll enjoy a delicious three-course buffet dinner prepared by our onboard chef, served in the dining saloon. Mingle with fellow travelers, savour some of the fine wines at our licensed bar and if the skies are clear in the evening, spend some time on the upper deck gazing at the stars.

Kick off the next day with a hearty cooked breakfast and get ready to enjoy the rest of the morning exploring other parts of the fiord. Finally, you’ll return to Deep Cove, the trip back to Manapouri and many, many conversations telling friends just how amazing your trip was.

Things you should know:

  • Duration is 1 or 2 nights
  • The two night overnight cruise is available exclusively in the winter months: May, August, and September.
  • Accommodation:
    • Private cabins - twin, double or single occupancy with ensuite bathrooms (single passengers must pay sole occupancy rate)
    • Family quad share cabins - bunk-style compartments with shared bathrooms
  • Enjoy a hearty dinner including soups, buffet of salads and hot dishes and a selection of desserts and cheeses (vegetarian options available)
  • On the 2 night trip, lunch is included on the second day.
  • There is a licensed bar on board.
  • Includes kayaking and tender craft (small boat) activities
  • You’ll enjoy a buffet breakfast on-board

Extra information

  • Duvets, sheets and towels provided
  • Complimentary tea and coffee is available
  • Suitable for all ages, with the exception of infants in quad share
  • Due to the multi-leg journey and floating wharf access, guests will need to have a reasonable level of mobility
  • Snacks and drinks are available for purchase with both eftpos or cash
  • Waiau St Café, below the Manapouri Visitors Centre, opens from 9am - 1.00pm. Menu offers a range of homemade food & Allpress Coffee for you to enjoy pre cruise or take with you

Departure Times

The trip leaves Pearl Harbour, Manapouri at 12.30pm and returns 12pm the following day. 

You are required to check-in at the RealNZ Visitor Centre 30min before your departure time.

Getting there

All our Doubtful Sound experiences start in Manapouri which is around 2.5 – 3 hours from Queenstown and 30 minutes from Te Anau. Our Manapouri Visitor Centre is located at 64 Waiau Street.

Free parking is available in Manapouri.

What to bring

Only one carry-on bag is recommended for passenger convenience and for safety reasons.  Don't forget the following:

  • Non-slip walking shoes/boots
  • Waterproof jacket*
  • Warm sweater/fleece jacket
  • Change of clothes*
  • Sunscreen/sunglasses
  • Insect repellent*
  • Swimwear (optional)
  • Camera
  • Lunch and snacks for the first day
  • Personal medication including for asthma and allergies

*Essential items if you are doing activities. Activities take place even if it is raining.


Boat cruising in Milford Sound

Fiordland Navigator

About the Fiordland Navigator

The Fiordland Navigator is a purpose built vessel designed to replicate a traditional trading scow and is perfectly suited to cruising the fiords.

  • Sleeps 72
  • Private cabins with ensuites (twin or double bed configuration)
  • Family-share bunk-style compartments with shared bathroom facilities
  • Spacious viewing decks, dining saloon, licensed bar and observation lounge
  • Delicious buffet dinner served up by our onboard chef
  • Carries kayaks and tender craft onboard
  • Open bridge policy - chat with the skipper during the voyage

The Wanderer

About the Wanderer

Our vessel, the Milford Wanderer, is a modern motorised vessel that has been purpose-built for navigating southern New Zealand.

  • Sleeps 36
  • Warm, comfortable accommodation (two passengers per sleeping compartment)  
  • Duvets, sheets and towels provided
  • Modern shared bathroom facilities with hot showers 
  • Delicious plated meals prepared by onboard chef  
  • Spacious viewing decks, dining saloon, licensed bar and observation lounge
  • Carries kayaks and tender craft onboard
  • Open bridge policy - chat with the skipper during the voyage

FAQs

In case you haven't found the information you were looking for, we've put together some of the most common questions our customers ask about our trips. If you need more specific answers, please contact us directly.

+ Expand All - Close All

Our places. Our experiences. Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruises. Escape to the peace and tranquillity of Doubtful Sound on a magical overnight cruise.

Sorry. The booking process is not supported when in private browsing or incognito mode.

Try turning off private browsing or incognito mode to continue.