Cruise in Doubtful Sound
Written by: Orad E. B.
Fiordland is the largest national park in New Zealand and spans over an area of more than 1.2 million hectares (3 million acres). It contains 14 fiords, but the vast majority of them are inaccessible. The most famous and accessible fiord is Milford Sound, but anyone wanting to visit an additional fiord that is much larger and more isolated should visit Doubtful Sound.
Cruising Doubtful Sound is a voyage through the wild nature of New Zealand: in front of you and all around are jagged peaks, towering waterfalls, birds, fur seals, and tranquility. Unlike its counterpart, Milford Sound, cruising this sound is far less common among the many tourists in New Zealand. In the past, only adventurous travelers and sailors made it here (mainly due to difficult access), but even since good roads were paved, there is still a sense of isolation and silence here.
The fiord is 40 km long and is the second longest among the fiords in the national park. It reaches a depth of up to 421 meters, making it the deepest fiord in Fiordland. If you compare Doubtful to its counterpart Milford, Doubtful is a wider fiord. Although it does not have the sheer, dramatic cliffs characteristic of Milford, the scenery here is nothing short of breathtaking!
Like Milford Sound, the town of Te Anau serves as a convenient starting point for trips to Doubtful Sound as well (a 20-minute drive from Lake Manapouri). Trips to Milford Sound also depart from Manapouri.
Doubtful Sound can only be reached via an organized tour.
Trip to Doubtful Sound
♦ Tour to Doubtful Sound from Te Anau or Manapouri on Viator:
The trip begins with an approximately 30-minute ferry cruise across Lake Manapouri to the other side.
Afterward, a bus ride crosses the Wilmot Pass mountain pass down to the head of the fiord. The route itself passes through an impressive forest and includes stops to view the landscape and the fiord from above.
From there, the sound cruise begins: cruising for 3 hours along the fiord. This is a delightful scenic cruise heading toward the Tasman Sea.
The cruise itself includes spectacular views of the fiord, cruising to its edge into the open sea, and wildlife watching. When it gets chilly outside, warm coffee and hot chocolate will be waiting for you inside to warm up.
The more adventurous among you looking for an unforgettable experience can also join a kayaking trip in the fiord – a journey lasting 1, 3, or 5 days!