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For those looking to refresh, there’s even a chance to go swimming. Your itinerary starts with a 45min-1hr cruise across Lake Manapouri, where you’ll hop off at the west arm. A coach then takes you across the Wilmot Pass, where you’ll travel on a sub-alpine road through dense rainforest.
Is there overnight parking for the Doubtful Sound overnight cruises?
In 1770, Captain James Cook (who Mount Cook is named after) sailed around New Zealand and stumbled upon this fiord. He decided not to enter it as he was doubtful he’d be able to navigate it with his boat. So, he decided to name it Doubtful Harbour, which is where we got the name Doubtful Sound.
Things to do in Fiordland
While we cannot guarantee you will see wildlife, sightings of fur seals are reasonably common in both Doubtful and Milford Sounds. A pod of bottlenose dolphins resides in Doubtful Sound so you have a good chance of seeing these fascinating mammals, and in Milford Sound dolphins are occasional visitors. In both sounds the rare Fiordland crested penguin can at times be observed. Despite it being the priciest thing we did in Aotearoa New Zealand, I am so glad we splurged on the overnight cruise of Doubtful Sound.
Is a Doubtful Sound cruise a good idea if you get seasick?
The level of experience they had and the amount of effort they put in to ensure that everyone had a great time is unparalleled. My only complaint is that the whole cruise is too short. Escape to the peace and tranquillity of Doubtful Sound on a magical overnight cruise.
When in Doubtful Sound, sail half-price: Kiwi travel deals - New Zealand Herald
When in Doubtful Sound, sail half-price: Kiwi travel deals.
Posted: Thu, 17 Sep 2020 07:00:00 GMT [source]
I’m glad we decided to do the overnight cruise as our first day on the boat was grey and rainy, which is typical for Doubtful Sound. But the most magical part of our experience was the next morning when the clouds lifted and we got to experience absolute stillness on the water. I would’ve been disappointed if all we got was three hours in the rain on a day cruise. We decided to do the Doubtful Sound overnight cruise (1 night) because it was the perfect compromise of time and budget. As someone who gets seasick, I didn’t want to push it being on a boat for two nights. The overnight cruise was already a pretty huge hit on our New Zealand trip budget, so we didn’t want to splurge more on the second night.
Whatever you choose, Fiordland Expeditions will ensure you have a fun and memorable time. Well laid out with two toilets, one shower and spacious lounge / seating area offering exceptional viewing from within. Kayaks are available for exploring close by, a dive compressor to assist with scuba operations & a selection of fishing equipment for catching an evening meal, are all onboard. 2 purpose built vessels are perfectly suited for all Fiordland adventures. Overnight Cruises, Small Group Charter, Fishing and Diving Trip or Scientific Research you will find our fleet well fit out and comfortable.
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Infants (0-2yrs) carried free of charge if sleeping in a cot, otherwise child rates apply. Due to space limitations cots can be used in twin cabins only. The Fiordland Lakeview Motel and Apartments offers everything from studios to 3-bedroom townhouses.
Booking a Doubtful Sounds Overnight Cruise
Fiordland Navigator ship that ran aground in Doubtful Sound investigated by TAIC in 2006 - RNZ
Fiordland Navigator ship that ran aground in Doubtful Sound investigated by TAIC in 2006.
Posted: Fri, 26 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Autumn (March to May) is a special time in New Zealand in general, since the Autumn leaves bring a little seasonal much of the country’s woodland. However, in Fiordland, many of the trees are evergreen. No matter – Autumn brings mild weather to Fiordland, although things begin to cool down towards the end of the season. After passing waterfalls, rivers, and scenic viewpoints, we arrived at Deep Cove, where the Fiordland Navigator was waiting for us. Read on to discover exactly what made my Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise experience so enchanting and unforgettable. We Dream of Travel is also a participant with other affiliate programs.
The rest of the time is spent getting there and back across Lake Manapouri and the Wilmot Pass. And while those are nice parts of the trip, it seemed like a lot of back and forth for not enough time on the fiord. Deciding what kind of cruise to take on Doubtful Sound comes down to your budget and your itinerary. If you have the time and cash to spare, and really want to experience as much of the fiord as possible, I would definitely recommend the two night cruise. If time and budget are lacking, the day cruise can give you a little taste of Doubtful Sound. Despite the Tasman Sea not sitting well with me, I still think a Doubtful Sound cruise is a good idea for people who get mildly seasick.
Marvel at steep mountain cliffs surrounding the deep waters of the Fiord. View incredible scenery, wildlife and waterfalls from the comfort of your vessel. This was such a wonderful experience from start to finish so, if you get a chance to do it, we would thoroughly recommend it. The trip organisation worked like clockwork and every one of the staff we met, from drivers to the crew, were great. Thanks especially to our principal driver, Paulie (it isn’t really fair to single any one person out but he was just so nice and helpful).
Doubtful Sound is located in the heart of Fiordland National Park where the mountains are still very impressive but not as high as Milford Sound. Doubtful Sound is three times longer and has a sea surface area roughly ten times larger than Milford Sound. It is famous for its wilderness scenery and wildlife sightings. To get to Doubtful Sound visitors first take a launch trip across Lake Manapouri and drive over Wilmot Pass.
As the day breaks and the lines are dropped, the smell of fresh coffee awaits in the galley. As we cruise back to the wharf we take in the new day with the new light exposing different scenes; it’s a brand new day. Our friendly personable crew will do all they can to ensure your experience is the best we can make it. Our twin sleeping compartments provide the best privacy for travelling with your family and children. A twin room is a private room for two people with two single beds.
There is no ‘wrong way’ to see Fiordland, with the landscape transforming anew with each day or hour. I soon came to realise that climbing aboard the Fiordland Navigator was a gateway to more than just one mysterious fiord. In fact, cruising Doubtful Sound is like setting sail upon the waters of a thousand worlds at once. At this point, I must shout out Div, our onboard wildlife expert.
It also rains a lot here, so a few dry sets of clothes are definitely a good idea. The overnight cruise also includes a 3-course buffet dinner, and there’s a cash bar on board if you want to purchase alcoholic drinks to go with it. Overnight, you’ll stay in a private cabin with a shared bathroom, and you’ll be treated to a continental breakfast in the morning.
During the cruise, our knowledgeable and friendly skipper or nature guide will share with you their passion for the region. Awe-inspiring sheer mountain cliffs surround the pristine waters of the Fiords. An overnight cruise is an incredible way to enjoy the spectacular scenery and array of wildlife including penguins, seals, and dolphins. My favourite part of our Doubtful Sound overnight cruise was this morning. After breakfast we headed out onto the outside decks and I stayed out there until it was time to disembark. Yesterday’s rain was replaced with a slight wind and sun trying to peak out from the clouds.
You can get a bus there from Queenstown or i would recommend just hiring a car and driving to Manapouri. Would have like a little bit longer for the Kayak and swim but otherwise it was the highlight of our trip and would love to do it again. I did particularly like the moment when we stopped on the way back and were able to be present in our surroundings with no sound or human element. The guide was excellent and had vast knowledge of all the different aspects about the Doubtful Sound. Bed linen, duvet, towel and pillow are provided for both cabins and bunkrooms.
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