Flights
Stays
Flights & Stays
Holidays
Cruises
Car Hire
Experiences
Your member details
Before we can show you lower prices, we need to check you’re an RAA member. We’ll use your last name and date of birth to find you in our system. Read our Privacy Policy.
RAA Travel
Saved
SaveOverview
Doubtful Sound Wilderness Cruise from Manapouri
Doubtful Sound is a natural wonderland in the heart of New Zealand's Fiordland region - discover its silence, solace and more with this wilderness cruise.
What to expect
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 a 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.
What's included
- Full day Doubtful Sound Wilderness Cruise
- 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
Visit date
Select the date you'd like to visit to check ticket availability.
Itinerary
- 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
Extras
- Picnic lunch. This must be pre-ordered with the supplier directly (cut off at 4pm on the day before travel).
- Snacks are available for purchase on board only i.e. chips, chocolate, biscuits etc (cash only).
- RealNZ is now cashless, please be prepared to make cashless payments onboard
Duration
Hotel Pickup
- Hotel pick ups are not offered for this tour. Please meet at the Real Journeys Visitor Centre, 64 Waiau St, Pearl Harbour, Manapouri
- Parking is available on Waiau Street
What To Bring
- Non-slip shoes/boots
- Waterproof jacket
- Warm sweater/fleece jacket
- Sunscreen/sunglasses
- Insect repellent
- Camera
- RealNZ is now cashless, please be prepared to make cashless payments onboard
