Doubtful Sound Wilderness Cruise from Te Anau

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 and native wildlife.

Begin your adventure at the Manapouri Visitor Centre. Arrive at least 30 minutes before departure for a seamless start to your journey. Then, enjoy a 45-minute scenic cruise across the stunning, island-studded Lake Manapouri. This peaceful journey offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and lush rainforest, setting the stage for the wilderness ahead. After this, you will disembark at West Arm and board a coach for the 45-minute drive over Wilmot Pass, ascending 671 meters through dense rainforest. This extraordinary road, flanked by towering peaks, provides stunning views of Pātea Doubtful Sound when conditions permit. On clear days, the panoramic vista is unforgettable; on misty days, the fiord takes on an ethereal, mysterious beauty. Be sure to pause for photos and appreciate whatever nature reveals.

Once you arrive at Deep Cove, you will then embark on a two and a half hour cruise through the untouched waters of Pātea Doubtful Sound, a fiord three times longer and ten times larger than Milford Sound. Navigate the tranquil waterways aboard a purpose-built catamaran, designed for comfort and panoramic views of the towering peaks, cascading waterfalls, and hidden inlets. The ever-changing landscape ensures no two days in Doubtful Sound are the same. Wildlife thrives in this remote sanctuary, though sightings vary with the day and season. Keep an eye out for bottlenose dolphins, fur seals basking on the rocks, or the rare Fiordland crested penguin. Some days, wildlife offers a front-row show, while on others, the beauty of the fiord itself takes centre stage. Throughout the journey, the onboard nature guide will share insights into the unique flora, fauna, and geology of this UNESCO World Heritage site.

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Note

• 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.
• RealNZ is going cashless on all food and beverage purchases in experience.
• This means that all food and beverage purchases aboard our vessels in Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound, Queenstown, and Te Anau, as well as at Walter Peak and the Manapouri Café, will no longer accept cash. A cashless system will provide a smoother, more efficient experience for both our guests and staff.
• Our 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.

Inclusions

• Full day Doubtful Sound Wilderness Cruise and Coach package from Te Anau
• Luxury launch cruise across Lake Manapouri and coach trip over Wilmot Pass
• 2.5 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, roaming nature guide with specialist knowledge of flora and fauna ready to answer any questions you may have
• Tea and coffee available for purchase on the cruise

Itinerary

• 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

Highlights

• Cruise across the crystal clear Lake Manapouri to West Arm
• Coach trip through Fiordland's rainforest and over Wilmot Pass
• 2.5 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

Time

• The 'Doubtful Sound Wilderness Cruise' is changing departure time, which means your guests will experience Fiordland in peak sunlight hours, offering perfect lighting for unforgettable photo opportunities.
• Ex Manapouri: 10am - 5pm
• Ex Te Anau: 9.45am - 6pm
• Ex Queenstown: 7.40am - 8pm

Duration

• Total tour time is approximately 9hrs 45mins

Departure Location

• Please meet the tour at the Real Journeys Visitor Centre, 85 Lakefront Drive, Te Anau

What To Bring

• Non-slip shoes/boots
• Waterproof jacket
• Warm sweater/fleece jacket
• Sunscreen/sunglasses
• Insect repellent
• Camera

Cancellation Policy

• Change your booking up to 24 hours before the start time of your experience​
• Changes are not permitted within 24 hours of your experience​
• Late arrivals or no shows may result in you forfeiting your experience

Booking Information

• 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