Doubtful Sound Wilderness Cruise from Te Anau
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October 2024
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What you can expect
Take the hassle out of getting to your Doubtful Sound wilderness cruise with this package that includes the cruise itself along with coach transfers from Te Anau. With the cruise itself, you will escape from civilization to one of the most beautiful natural destinations in **New Zealand** - **Doubtful Sound**, a massive, incredibly scenic fiord brimming with scenery, cascading waterfalls, native wildlife and much more. This Doubtful Sound wilderness cruise will take you to this compelling destination for an excursion across the lovely Lake Manapouri after which you'll hop aboard a coach and travel the sub-alpine road over Wilmot Pass then witness the dense **Fiordland** rainforest and view Doubtful Sound glimmering in the distance below.
Once we reach the Sound itself, you'll board our spacious catamaran to kick off a three-hour cruise through some of the area's astounding scenery as your accompanying experienced nature guide provides commentary and answers any questions you might have. During the cruise be sure to keep your eyes open for the many varieties of wonderful wildlife that inhabit the region including fur seals which can be seen basking in the sun or bottlenose dolphins which inhabit Doubtful Sound's waters.
Location
What you need to know
- All food and beverage purchases aboard the vessels in Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound, Queenstown, and Te Anau, as well as at Walter Peak and the Manapouri Café, do not accept cash. A cashless system will provide a smoother, more efficient experience for both guests and staff
- Payment terminals accept all major credit cards and debit cards, including AMEX, WeChat Pay, AliPay and Union Pay, as well as contactless payment options like Apple Pay and Google Pay.
- Note: Fee of 1.5% applies to food and beverage purchases by credit card only. The fee does not apply to purchases in Retail Store at Walter Peak, or merchandise purchased from our Visitor Centres.
- Full day Doubtful Sound Wilderness Cruise and Coach package from Te Anau
- Luxury launch cruise across Lake Manapouri and coach trip over Wilmot Pass
- Three hour full length cruise of Doubtful Sound on a modern, spacious catamaran with excellent viewing
- Wildlife viewing opportunities including fur seals, dolphins and the rare Fiordland crested penguin
- Expert commentary
- Interpretation hand-out sheets in 5 languages: English, German, French, Spanish and Japanese
- Dedicated nature guide with specialist knowledge of flora and fauna
- Complimentary tea and coffee on board
- On boarding a luxury coach in Te Anau, travel along the shores of Lake Wakatipu and through the rolling countryside to Manapouri
- Then cruise across the crystal waters of Lake Manapouri to West Arm before boarding a coach and crossing the alpine route of Wilmot Pass through some of Fiordland’s most dense rainforest. On reaching Deep Cove, board a modern catamaran vessel, the Patea Explorer for a three hour cruise exploring the waterways of this serene and isolated fiord
- There is plenty of time available to explore points of interest and view the spectacular alpine scenery including waterfalls, rainforest and mountains all the way out to the Tasman Sea
- It is home to bottlenose dolphins and fur seals and when in season, the rare Fiordland crested penguin. An on-board nature guide with specialist knowledge of the region’s history, flora and fauna provides detailed interpretation in English with a roving microphone
- Cruise across the crystal clear Lake Manapouri to West Arm
- Coach trip through Fiordland's rainforest and over Wilmot Pass
- 3 hour cruise on Doubtful Sound, a pristine, beautiful fiord
- View rugged peaks, verdant rainforest and hidden inlets
- Spot dolphins, fur seals and the rare Fiordland crested penguins
- Dedicated nature guide
- Expert commentary
- Doubtful Sound is 3 times longer than Milford Sound
- Luxury coach transfers from Te Anau
- Total tour time is approximately 9hrs 45mins
- Please meet the tour at the Real Journeys Visitor Centre, 85 Lakefront Drive, Te Anau
- Non-slip shoes/boots
- Waterproof jacket
- Warm sweater/fleece jacket
- Sunscreen/sunglasses
- Insect repellent
- Camera
- Confirmation in the form of a tour voucher will be received at time of booking
- Upon completion of purchase, please print the voucher and present on day of the experience
- For your information, complete Tour Operator Information including contact details is included on your tour voucher
- Availability was accurate at the time of booking however, is subject to change due to circumstances out of our control. We strongly suggest reconfirming your booking with the tour operator within 24 hours of making your booking and prior to making other travel arrangements
- Prices are seasonal and are constantly changing. The from price displayed may not always be the price you are going to pay, as once you click on your specified date, the price will change to reflect the price for that date/season. Please note that in some cases where you cannot click on a date to obtain the price, please call us so we can assist you
- Cruise vessel subject to change without notice
- Mobile Vouchers are accepted! - Vouchers can also be presented on your mobile device for this attraction
Recent reviews
Michelle
over 6 years ago
OMG - Amazing!!!
OMG - Amazing!!!! SOOOO much better than the Milford Sound in my opinion. Only our boat on the fiord - not a million others with us, so it felt very remote and untouched. I loved the remoteness of it and the fact you take the boat across Lake Manapouri first to get over to land and then you drive once again, visit the pier station and then cruise on the Fiord. Way more value for money with this experience.
Kathy Hamilton
over 7 years ago
We had a lovely day at Doubtful Sound
We had a lovely day at Doubtful Sound. It was well organised and all connections worked smoothly. It is remote and although we were with a group we felt like we were the only people there, in an untouched part of the world. It was beautiful. We also saw Dolphins, penguins, seals and birds. Five stars
Jan
almost 8 years ago
A great day despite the regularly light showers
A great day despite the regularly light showers. Boat was luxurious. Commentary on the bus and boat was informative and I particularly enjoyed the part where the boat engine was shut off and we were able to enjoy just the sounds of nature.