GalleryDoubtful Sound Wilderness Cruise Highlights
- Get up to 10% cash back per person when you book with us
- An unforgettable 3-hour cruise of Doubtful Sound waterways
- Choose from departures from Manapouri, Te Anau or Queenstown
- Cruise accross stunning Lake Manapouri
- Travel through Fiordland rainforest over Wilmot Pass by coach
- Commentary by a knowledgeable skipper and Nature Guide
- Wildlife viewing, including dolphins, fur seals and even occasionally penguins
What to Expect
How to Get There
Frequently Asked Questions
- Non-slip shoes or boots
- Waterproof jacket and warm layers
- Sunscreen, sunglasses, insect repellent
- Camera
- Personal medication, including for asthma or allergies
- A packed lunch (or pre-order from the cafe)
- Guests should have a reasonable level of mobility due to the multi-leg journey and floating wharf access.
- The Manapouri Café offers a delectable range of homemade food and Allpress Coffee, open daily from 9am
- Snacks and drinks are available onboard for your convenience.
- The tour is suitable for all ages, ensuring a memorable experience for everyone.
Yes, we have plenty of free parking at Manapouri. Daytime car parking is provided adjacent to the Visitor Centre. Overnight car parking is available on View St, a short 2 minute walk from our Manapouri Visitor Centre.
The main difference between Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound is their locations in Fiordland. Milford Sound, in the northern region, is captivating with its dramatic beauty. Doubtful Sound, on the other hand, is further south, in the heart of Fiordland, and is vaster and wilder, approximately ten times larger than Milford Sound.
While there is no guarantee you will see wildlife, sightings of fur seals are reasonably common in Doubtful Sound. A pod of bottlenose dolphins resides in Doubtful Sound so you have a good chance of seeing these fascinating mammals. The rare Fiordland crested penguin can at times be observed.
Car seats are not mandatory on the coaches, and the tour operator does not have them available for hire. Parents are more than welcome to bring their own car seats.
Fiordland’s weather is what gives the region its unique character. Rainfall is what makes Fiordland a land of lakes, rivers, streams, waterfalls and fiords. Visitors should always be prepared to enjoy some rainfall during their stay. It is recommended to bring sensible clothing for cool and wet weather to fully appreciate your stay.
The temperatures you can expect in the different seasons are as follows:
- Summer (December-February) 19-23 Celsius / 66 - 73 Fahrenheit
- Autumn (March-May) 8-18 Celsius / 46 - 64 Fahrenheit
- Winter (June-August) 5-9 Celsius / 41 - 48 Fahrenheit
- Spring (September-November) 10-19 Celsius / 50 - 66 Fahrenheit
Reviews for Doubtful Sound Wilderness Cruise
53 Reviews
Total review count and overall rating based on Backpackerdeals and Travello reviews.
We’d love to hear about your experience! Share your feedback with us, and get rewarded!
All Reviews
Policies
A Refundable Booking is available at checkout. This will provide 100% refund for one of the many reasons included via our terms - including adverse weather, sickness or delays with transport.
All customer cancellation & refund requests are also subject to our website’s own refund conditions.
We recommend travel insurance for all domestic and international travel for peace of mind. Take out our recommended insurance here.