Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruises
Escape to the peace and tranquillity of Doubtful Sound on a magical overnight cruise.
- Duration: 1 night or 2 nights
- Cruise the full length of Doubtful Sound, all the way to the Tasman Sea
- Enjoy accommodation in private cabins with ensuite bathrooms or family-share bunk cabins with shared bathrooms
- Buffet dinner and breakfast prepared by our on-board chef
- Plenty of opportunities for wildlife viewing
- Choose to explore the shoreline by kayak or small boat included
- Specialist nature guide on board who provides insightful commentary
- Coach connections available from Te Anau and Queenstown
Transport Options
Connecting From
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 the majestic Mariner 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 travellers, 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 night or 2 nights
- Accommodation:
- Private cabins (twin, double or single occupancy) with ensuite bathrooms
- 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)
- There is a licensed bar on board. Due to the remote location, we can only accept cash
- Includes kayaking and tender craft (small boat) activities
- You’ll enjoy a buffet breakfast on-board
- 2-night cruise includes lunch on the second day
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
- 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
- Cash for bar and snacks
- 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.
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
- Carries kayaks and tender craft onboard
- Please Note: Operating on 1 & 2 night cruises from July 2022 onwards
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.
Our places. Our experiences. Milford and Doubtful Sounds, NZ.
Milford Sound at the mountainous north end of Fiordland National Park is the classic fiord - a deep water inlet between steep sided high mountains. Milford Sound is a middle-sized fiord at around 13 kms in length and it is famous for its dramatic scenery, especially Mitre Peak. This fiord is the most accessible of Fiordland National Park’s 14 fiords and it can be reached by bus, car or flight connections from Queenstown.
Doubtful Sound is located in the heart of Fiordland National Park where the mountains are still very impressive but not as high as Milford Sound. Doubtful Sound is three times longer and has a sea surface area roughly ten times larger than Milford Sound. Its three arms are Hall, Crooked and First Arm. It is famous for its wilderness scenery and wildlife sightings. To get to Doubtful Sound visitors first take a launch trip across Lake Manapouri and drive over Wilmot Pass.
Visitors with enough time choose to visit both fiords as they have different characters.