Doubtful Sound Wilderness Cruise from Te Anau

Te Anau, New Zealand

Your Doubtful Sound adventure begins as you cruise the crystal clear waters of Lake Manapouri. Then it's over Wilmot Pass, stopping along the way to experience some of Fiordland's densest rainforest and to view the colorful alpine moss gardens before joining the 3-hour Doubtful Sound Cruise that takes in the most dramatic scenery of Doubtful Sound.

You'll be picked up from your Te Anau hotel and travel to Lake Manapouri to West Arm. You'll board a coach and cross over the 670-meter high Wilmot Pass. You'll stop here to view Doubtful Sound far below. Your journey continues to Deep Cove where you'll board a spacious catamaran for a three-hour Doubful Sound Wilderness Cruise that takes in the most dramatic scenery of Doubtful Sound. The skipper will provide detailed commentary and point out highlights.

Ten times larger than Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound is an unspoiled wilderness of many moods, one minute clear, blue and sun drenched, the next mysterious and mist shrouded. A wild place of dense rainforest, rugged peaks, cascading waterfalls and deep still waters quiet, serene and green.

Keep a look out for wildlife as bottlenose dolphins frequently come alongside the vessel, fur seals bask on the rocks around the fiord and rare penguins can at times be observed.

USD $162.53

Review by: Norma S	March 2012
Great trip. We were well looked after by all the Kiwis who delt with us during the day, from the pick-up bus drivers to the boat crew. Dramatic landscapes and very interesting commentaries. The Kiwis are certainly an hospitable crew. Highy recommend the tour.

Review by: Carl H	February 2012
Great trip. From coach to boat to coach to boat and back. Very well organized and beautiful scenery.

Review by: Robert M	February 2012
The coach pick up from the hotel was 30 minutes late so we would have preferred to drive to Manapouri rather than waste time waiting for the coach. There wasn't a great deal of choice of food on the cuises, we bought some sandwiches at the jetty before departure. Coffe and tea was free on the cruises. The cruise to the power station, bus ride and cruise to the Tasman were outstanding! The scenery was spectacular, commentary excelllent and ride very comfortable. We have travelled to many parts of the world and highly recommend this cruise. We also saw a pod of dolphins. Weather was fine when we took the cruise but were told that it was even more spectacular in wet weather with waterfalls all over the mountains. Power station visit was interesting. We also took the Milford Sound cruise and were glad that we did both. Each has something to offer.

Review by: Noel G	January 2012
Very professional company, service offered was great. Good commentary on trip. We really enjoyed the day. Would recommend it .

Review by: Graham E	December 2011
Excellent. Superb trip and really well organised. Everybody (including our bus driver) were fantastic.

Review by: alnilam	December 2011
Génial

Review by: Angela A	June 2011
What an incredible experience! From the first coach journey onwards throughout the whole day. Crossing the lake was so atmospheric with the "long white clouds" and amazing peaks. So much information and such friendly and helpful people. Another superb coach journey just to reach the sound and the catamaran. Stunning scenery and wildlife as we passed through the sound and out into the Tasman Sea. A stop in Crooked Arm with perfect reflections and total silence was magic. We visited the power station during the return coach journey and driving into the heart of the mountain was a bonus. Sunset pictures across the lake as we headed back completed a day of wonderful memories.

Review by: Sharon C	May 2011
It was raining heavily for our trip so we were lucky enough to see Doubtful Sound at its best. The crew (including our bus driver) were fantastic. The only regret we have is that we did not take the overnight option.

Review by: Lynette K	April 2011
A must see.

Review by: Peter C	March 2011
This was an excellent 'value for money tour', with all involved being very helpful and cheerful. Just a pity that the weather wasn't as good as we would have wished

Review by: Graeme G	March 2011
What an amazing country to travel through such wonderful scenery Duotiful Sound is magic, spell binding, awsome and we were blessed to of had the bottle nose dolphins playing around the bow of the boat.

Review by: Philip G	March 2011
Superb trip and well organised. Coach pick up from hotel on time at 7.30am. Weather looked bleak on first leg but cleared to beautiful day on the Sound. Do all NZ guides go on the same training course? Commentary a bit stilted. Power station trip OK not a lot of info from guide but trip on Sound absolutely brilliant. Lunches can be provided by the tour company - we took our own but stuff was available on the boat. High speed catamaran looked brand new! Best bit was when they turned the engines and power off so there was absolute silence. Of course one or two people had to spoil it by talking! Saw some dolphins, seals and an albatross. Went right out to Tasman Sea. Everyone says this is better than Milford Sound.

Review by: Sandra U	October 2010
We had the best time, it snowed on the way back down Wilmot Pass. Would recommend this trip to anyone travelling to New Zealand.

Review by: Trevor L	September 2010
well organised and comfortable trip through magnificent scenery

Review by: John V	August 2010
It was great, a pity we were out of season to see more wildlife.

Review by: Diane F	April 2010
All arrangements were spot-on and all staff involved friendly. I think it's a pity that the power-house has to be included in the trip. Interesting as it was, I would rather have spent the time on the Sound. The boat didn't dawdle enough and only stopped very briefly - that was the best few minutes, when all was silent and we were close to the cliff face.

Review by: Richard M, United States of America	March 2010
This was a beautiful experience. The scenery and weather was very cooperative. It had rained the day before and the waterfalls were spectacular. New Zealand is a beautiful country.

Review by: Richard G, United Kingdom	March 2010
A great trip.Shame about the weather

Review by: Raymond L, Australia	March 2010
Real Journeys are very organised. Everything ran smoothly. The bus operator was very informative and engaging. He was also very friendly and had a lot of knowledge to offer about the area. The boat captain was also very informative and made the trip interesting.

Review by: Ray L	March 2010
Real Journeys are very organised. Everything ran smoothly. The bus operator was very informative and engaging. He was also very friendly and had a lot of knowledge to offer about the area. The boat captain was also very informative and made the trip interesting.

Review by: James S, United Kingdom	February 2010
Excellent tour. Plenty of time to soak up the atmosphere and enjoy all the wildlife. We even caught sight of a Fiordland Crested Penguin. Quite rare. We were blessed with fabulous weather and the colours were amazing

Review by: Graham S, Australia	February 2010
The highlight of my trip. Doubtful Sound is absolutely spectacular. In my opinion at least twice as good as Milford which was also terrific.

Review by: Allert V, Australia	February 2010
Have been to Milford Sound more than once but Doubtful Sound was something else! Only hassle was not to be told food was not included as it is at Milford. Same thing compared to the experience of Doubtful Sound but just dont tell too many tourists so experience will not be spoilt.

Review by: Anonymous, Canada	January 2010
Fantastic adventure, perfect weather, excellent crew.

Review by: Noel O, Australia	January 2010
It was so big. The rain and fog added mystery to a great land. The trip into the mountain to see the power genration was awesome. Big disappointment was that lunch wasn't included in a hugely expensive day. Could have got a lunch pack for $23 per head but two rolls for a total of 8 was better value.

Review by: Arlene F	January 2010
Great trip but rain and bad weather kept us from having the best experience.

Review by: Anonymous, Canada	November 2009
It was a delightful trip with great guides.

Review by: Kathryn E, United Kingdom	October 2009
We had a marvelous day, excellent and knowledgeable tour guides, and first class planning of all aspects of the cruise. Would highly recommend!

Review by: Damien M, Australia	June 2009
It was without doubt the most wonderful experience we have had, the Sounds of Silence being the highlight. Thanks to the great crew as well.

Review by: David D, Australia	April 2009
What a great tour. Well organised with very good guides. The weather was perfect and the scenery was great. Have already recommended tour to my friends.

Review by: Robin B, United States of America	April 2009
Loved it even though it was raining!!

Review by: Anonymous	April 2009
A great day out.

Review by: John P, Australia	March 2009
My digital camera almost overheated.

Review by: Prakash G, Australia	November 2008
Absolutely fantastic, and the scenic experience is to the core, which is 100. The coach tour through the Wilmont Pass was terrific with the guide's informative commentary.

Review by: Samantha S	April 2008
Loved the trip, and our guides were great. Saw dolphins and seals and lots of waterfalls. Very well run - would recommend!!!

Review by: Anonymous	February 2008
Had a great time on the Doubtful Sound Wilderness Cruise.

Review by: Isadore U	December 2007
This is the most beautiful part of New Zealand. This is why people come to this amazing country. The tour was very professional The cruise boat and the bus were tops.