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Until you visit you can’t understand the sheer size of these fiords and the cliff faces. We were lucky to see four groups of dolphins who put on a show. From the magical sights and abundance of wildlife to the memorable experience of staying on board a ship, this is one of the absolute best things you can do on the South Island. For a restful after-dinner activity, I headed to the viewing area for a nature talk by Div (our resident nature guide). This was a fab way to get the lowdown on this wild region of New Zealand. From clips of previous animal encounters and fascinating facts to learn about conservation efforts and what we can do to help, the talks were the perfect way to conclude each day.
Things to do in Fiordland
For the most part, the boat ride is quite calm and what you get to experience is well worth a few minutes or hours of nausea (in my opinion, at least!). I’d recommend stocking up on your seasickness medication of choice; Sea-Legs is a popular option in Aotearoa New Zealand and can be purchased at any pharmacy. From Manapouri you will join your tour group and take a boat across Lake Manapouri and then a coach bus across the Wilmot Pass. These boats and buses are only operated for visitors as part of a tour of Doubtful Sound by cruise or kayak – you’re not able to independently visit Doubtful Sound as a tourist. With its rugged peaks, verdant rainforest and twisting, hidden inlets, Doubtful Sound will take your breath away.
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Coach connections available from Queenstown and Te Anau. Anchor in a sheltered cove to explore the pristine shoreline by kayak or tender craft, or take a refreshing swim in the tranquil waters. Exploring the fiord at your own pace is one of the highlights of the Doubtful Sound overnight cruise. You can expect to see seals, dolphins, water birds and waterfalls in a true glacial fjord.
Doubtful Sound Wilderness Cruises
Milford Sound is around 5-6 hours (one-way) from Queenstown and around 3 hours from Te Anau by road. You’ll start by departing from the Milford Sound wharf in the late afternoon before cruising through Milford Sound accompanied by our specialist nature guide. They’ll explain the history and geology of the area and be on hand to answer your questions. Interestingly, Doubtful Sound is not a Sound at all, but a Fiord. A Fiord is a deep and narrow sea inlet, usually characterised by long corridors of water flanked by high cliffs. Also bring a comfortable change of clothing, personal toiletries and overnight clothes such as pyjamas, insect repellent, cash for the bar, and a camera.
Cruise Ship Runs Aground in New Zealand's Fiordland - Cruise Hive
Cruise Ship Runs Aground in New Zealand's Fiordland.
Posted: Thu, 25 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
There was a nice spread with bacon, eggs, vegetables, toast, fruit and pastries, as well as tea and coffee. We decided to take our plates out to the observation deck to enjoy the view. Given my propensity for seasickness, I was nervous about sleeping on a boat in the middle of a fiord. But lucky for me the water was extremely calm and I actually slept very well. They had warned us the night before that it was going to be a fairly early wake up, so we weren’t surprised to hear the captain’s voice booming over the speaker system at 7 am.
Cabin Options
Colin and I headed back up to the mess hall just in time for the first snack of the afternoon, freshly baked scones with cream and jam. Once we arrived at Doubtful Sound, we boarded our boat and headed up to the mess hall/dining area for a quick safety briefing, crew introduction and to get our room keys. Colin and I were booked into a private twin cabin; we would’ve gone for a double but I don’t think any were left when we booked. The room was small but very cute and clean with a nice ensuite bathroom. Like its more popular neighbour Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound is actually a fiord, and not a sound, but was incorrectly named by European settlers. Maybe visit some of the earliest settlements of both European and Maori origin.
This is an awesome place where you’ll experience the raw power of nature. The sheer scale and beauty of the fiord makes for a profound experience for any holiday itinerary. For a more intimate experience, join us on a kayaking adventure where you get to paddle or explore and camp overnight in Doubtful Sound. And if you prefer not to drive to Manapouri (where the trips depart), we can get you there by coach from Queenstown and Te Anau.
These “bonus” features took it from a “fun day out” to “an unforgettable experience”. We have written a comprehensive guide about travelling from Queenstown to Milford Sound that would be worth reading to help you decide. The review and information that follows is unsolicited and unsullied by sponsorship.
In the morning, you'll wake up to a hearty breakfast, ready to complete the remainder of your Doubtful Sound boat trip before returning to Deep Cove and onwards to Manapouri. Winter (June to August) is an epic time to visit Fiordland, as long as you don’t mind the cold and shorter days! The weather is more settled than usual, with snow topping the mountains. If you’re very lucky, like me, you’ll even get to see it snow in Doubtful Sound!
If driving, make sure you fill your vehicle with petrol in Te Anau before travelling to Milford as there are no petrol stations at Milford Sound or en route. Patea aptly translates to ‘the place of silence,’ and to this day remains free of noise pollution, staying true to its peaceful name. But don’t worry if you miss it; you’ll definitely hear it! Fortunately, the crew calls out all events, so you can unwind in the warmth, knowing you won’t miss anything. In addition to staff that feel like old friends, what truly put them over the top for us was the authentic gourmet meals that accompanied the experience.
Very occasionally, the Wilmot Pass is closed to high levels of snowfall or flooding, when cruises are cancelled. I adored my Winter Doubtful Sound cruise, and don’t think I’d change my experience for the world. If you book the Doubtful Sounds overnight cruise, which we highly recommend, you will also enjoy a sunset and sunrise in the highly photogenic sound.
Board the Fiordland Navigator for a special dinner, bed and breakfast wilderness experience. Cruise across the crystal waters of Lake Manapouri to West Arm, take a coach across the dense rainforest of Wilmot Pass then stay overnight on this traditional heritage vessel. Cruise vessels and fishing boats ply the waters only seasonally. When you visit Doubtful Sound, it’s unchanged, pristine nature is striking. You are witnessing the same spectacular scene that greeted early Maori and European visitors – the years have changed little, if anything, in this magnificent place. Gone are the phones and the trucks horns and sirens; you are one with nature and it’s a surreal experience.
However, our recommendation is to only consider this experience if your trip is longer than 3 weeks. As much as we absolutely loved our experience, we would only recommend it if you have 3-4 weeks or more to explore the South Island. You could certainly make it a priority if you have any amount of time, of course.
Kayaking is an adventurous activity; there is a safety briefing before going on the water. Kayaking only occurs at the discretion of the skipper and is weather-dependent. Southern Secret Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruises is a local family-owned business with four generations of family offering hospitality in Te Anau and Fiordland for over 60 years. Come and join us to cruise Doubtful Sound aboard the MV Southern Secret. Southern Secret is a wonderful way to see the fabulous scenery and miss the crowds.
When it comes to scenery, expect rugged mountains, dense rainforests, and deep water. This place also has stunning waterfalls, and one of the biggest, Browne Falls, is 619 meters (2,030 feet) tall. The Southern Secret is a 20-metre vessel based in Deep Cove for the primary purpose of Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruises. With five ensuite guest cabins, spacious indoor & outdoor viewing areas and a cruising speed of 8-9 knots, the Southern Secret is the perfect setting for your overnight experience. Before I went on this cruise, i had read so many wonderful reviews and was getting worried about how these great reviews would set my expectations too high. But in the end, our Skipper Jason and our Chef Caleb lead us on a unforgettable and fun journey through Doubtful Sound...
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