Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruises

Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruises

Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruises

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Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruises - Real Journeys
Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruises - Real Journeys

Information

Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruises

Give in to the wilderness, and escape to the secluded Pātea Doubtful Sound, located in the depths of the Fiordland National Park.

Unlike a day cruise, this unique overnight experience completely immerses you in nature. Wake up feeling connected, in harmony, and full of wonder for Aotearoa’s native flora and fauna.

The trip begins on the shore of Lake Manapouri, where you’ll hop onto a vessel to cross over to West Arm. Here, you’ll board our RealNZ coach to cross the scenic Wilmot Pass, before arriving at Doubtful Sound, and your home for the night.

What's included?

• Choose to escape for one or two nights aboard one of our traditional-styled vessels.

• Explore the nooks and coves of Doubtful Sound all the way out to the Tasman Sea.

• Choose the onboard accommodation that suits you. Our two differing vessels offer slightly different accommodation offerings. See what’s on offer on each vessel.

• Our onboard chef will feed you well. Freshly baked afternoon tea, local platters, a gourmet buffet dinner and a selection of hot and continental breakfasts will be served.

• Understand what you’re experiencing with our onboard nature specialist. They’ll tell you about the land, local flora and the resident fauna who may come out to say hello.

• Be the captain of your own boat! Choose to explore a sheltered shoreline by kayak or hop into our small boat with a nature guide.

• Leave the driving to us, and explore our coach connections, available from Queenstown and Te Anau.

Doubtful Sound is pristine, unforgettable and out of this world. So get ready to create some lifelong memories as we take you on the ultimate Doubtful Sound experience.

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. Arriving at Deep Cove, you’ll be met by our crew and vessel.

Designed along the lines of a traditional scow, our vessels, The Fiordland Navigator and The Wanderer, blend old-world charm with modern comforts that include spacious viewing decks, dining saloons with fully licensed bars, and observation lounges.

As you cruise through some of New Zealand’s most stunning scenery, our knowledgeable nature guides will provide commentary ensuring you don’t miss a thing, whether you’re encountering a pod of resident dolphins, fur seals or rare penguins.

After dropping anchor in a sheltered cove, you can choose to explore the shoreline by kayak or tender boat, or simply relax onboard. For those looking to refresh, there’s even a chance to go swimming. All activities are weather-dependent.

In the evening, you’ll enjoy a delicious three-course dinner prepared by our onboard chef, served in the dining saloon. Mingle with fellow travellers, try some local wines from our bar, and if the skies are clear, spend some time on the upper deck gazing at the stars.

Kick off the next day with a hearty cooked breakfast or a nourishing continental selection and get ready to explore the other arms of the fiord. Before long, you’ll return to Deep Cove, and take the trip back to Manapouri where you’ll tell the story of your experience in the remote wilderness of New Zealand.

Things you should know:

Duration is one or two nights.
Two-night overnight cruises are available in April, May, October & November.
Accommodation:
Private cabins - twin, double or single occupancy with ensuite bathrooms (single passengers must pay sole occupancy rate)
Twin sleeping compartments with communal bathrooms.
Enjoy a hearty dinner including a buffet of salads and hot dishes, as well as a selection of desserts and cheeses (dietary requirements can be catered for and should be noted at the time of booking).
On the two-night trip, lunch is included on the second day.
There is a licensed bar on board
Includes kayaking and tender craft (small boat) activities
You’ll enjoy a buffet breakfast on-board
Extra information

Duvets, sheets and towels provided.
Complimentary teas and coffee are available throughout.
Suitable for all ages, except for infants intending to stay in a quad-share cabin.
Due to the multi-leg journey and floating wharf access, guests will need to have a reasonable level of mobility.
Snacks and drinks are available for purchase (please note we are cashless).
Waiau St Café, below the Manapouri Visitors Centre, opens from 9am - 1.00pm. The menu offers a range of homemade food and Allpress Coffee to enjoy before the experience or to take with you.
Departure Times
The trip leaves Pearl Harbour, Manapouri at 12.30pm and returns 12pm the following day.

You are required to check in at the RealNZ Visitor Centre 30 mins before your departure time.

Getting there
All our Doubtful Sound experiences start in Manapouri which is around 2.5 – 3 hrs from Queenstown and 30 mins from Te Anau. Our Manapouri Visitor Centre is located at 64 Waiau Street.

Free parking is available in Manapouri.

What to bring

Only one carry-on bag is recommended for passenger convenience and safety. Don't forget the following:

Non-slip walking shoes/boots
Waterproof jacket*
Warm sweater/fleece jacket
Change of clothes*
Sunscreen/sunglasses
Insect repellent*
Swimwear (optional)
Camera
Lunch and snacks for the first day
Personal medication, including for asthma and allergies
*Essential items if you are doing activities. Activities take place even if it is raining.

Details

Feature Value Info

Organisation

RealNZ

Commercial organisation

Location

South IslandFiordlandDoubtful Sound

Categories

  • Activity__boat_cruisesBoat Cruises

Operating Season And Hours

Duration is one or two nights.
Two-night overnight cruises are available in April, May, October & November.
The trip leaves Pearl Harbour, Manapouri at 12.30pm and returns 12pm the following day.
You are required to check in at the RealNZ Visitor Centre 30 mins before your departure time.

Directions

To Coordinates

Coordinates

-45.4657396348131

167.158920669556

Latitude
-45.4657396348131
Longitude
167.158920669556

Websites

Reviews

    • Good activities, excellent food.
    • Fantastic value for money - very polished.
    • We saw penguins and dolphins.
    • Really good!
    • Expensive tour but really worth it.
    Rating Count Percentage
    10/10 55
    62%
    9/10 25
    28%
    8/10 8
    9%
    7/10 0
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    6/10 1
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    5/10 0
    0%
    4/10 0
    0%
    3/10 0
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    2/10 0
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    1/10 0
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  • 5.0/5

    Definitely a highlight of our trip was the overnight cruise.

    Saw dolphins, seals and penguins. Well maintained track.

    Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in October 2016

    Hazel Norman's avatar

    Hazel Norman

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    Great overnight cruise.

    Excellent food. Staff and wildlife and scenery. Highly recommended.

    Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in October 2016

    James Jackson's avatar

    James Jackson

    Customer

  • 4.5/5

    Would be perfect but for the price, slightly expensive for an average traveller.

    Incredible trip though: a very special place and a great Real Journeys team make for an unmissable experience.

    Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in November 2016

    UNITED KINGDOM
    Jonny Horn's avatar

    Jonny Horn

    Customer

  • 4.5/5

    Good food and service, too much talking through the speaker system.

    Reviewed over 9 years ago and experienced in November 2014

  • 4.0/5

    This was our bit of luxury, money wise, even though we shared a quad bunk - worked out fine (with a German couple).

    All transport was fine, boat had plenty of space (except some reserved booths!). Information as going was good. Food great. Very relaxing - good weather helped. Staff friendly. Activities OK. Saw lots of dolphins and seals which helped. Found a good couple to pal up with.

    Reviewed over 9 years ago and experienced in March 2014

    Ann Wilson's avatar

    Ann Wilson

    Customer

  • 3.0/5

    Great staff and fantastic scenery.

    The cruise is noisy with not much sleep with generators and a 6am wake up to make the next days schedule, meaning we didnt really get to appreciate the private room. This is a professional organisation but it is hard to avoid the feeling that you are part of a production line. Next time I would probably try a day trip with Real journeys or for a more personal feel one of the smaller companies.

    Reviewed over 13 years ago and experienced in March 2011

    AUSTRALIA
    jlgavin's avatar

    jlgavin

    Customer

  • 4.5/5

    Overnight cruise on Doubtful Sound.

    Lovely staff, great food (heaps of it), clean facilities. Very informative guide. Amazing trip even though the weather not the best.

    Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in January 2014

  • 4.5/5

    We did the overnight cruise in Doubtful Sound and it was delightful.

    The nature guide Carol was especially friendly and knowledgable.

    Reviewed over 11 years ago

    UNITED STATES
    Abby Rescr's avatar

    Abby Rescr

    Customer

  • 4.0/5

    We saw penguins and dolphins.

    Reviewed over 11 years ago

    UNITED STATES
    Frederick Dean's avatar

    Frederick Dean

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    Awesome, beautiful, helpful and knowledgable staff.

    Reviewed over 11 years ago and experienced in February 2013

    UNITED STATES
    Joey Mertzig's avatar

    Joey Mertzig

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    Great overnight cruise.

    Excellent food. Staff and wildlife and scenery. Highly recommended.

    Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in October 2016

    James Jackson's avatar

    James Jackson

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    Definitely a highlight of our trip was the overnight cruise.

    Saw dolphins, seals and penguins. Well maintained track.

    Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in October 2016

    Hazel Norman's avatar

    Hazel Norman

    Customer

  • 4.5/5

    Would be perfect but for the price, slightly expensive for an average traveller.

    Incredible trip though: a very special place and a great Real Journeys team make for an unmissable experience.

    Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in November 2016

    UNITED KINGDOM
    Jonny Horn's avatar

    Jonny Horn

    Customer

  • 4.5/5

    Good food and service, too much talking through the speaker system.

    Reviewed over 9 years ago and experienced in November 2014

  • 4.0/5

    This was our bit of luxury, money wise, even though we shared a quad bunk - worked out fine (with a German couple).

    All transport was fine, boat had plenty of space (except some reserved booths!). Information as going was good. Food great. Very relaxing - good weather helped. Staff friendly. Activities OK. Saw lots of dolphins and seals which helped. Found a good couple to pal up with.

    Reviewed over 9 years ago and experienced in March 2014

    Ann Wilson's avatar

    Ann Wilson

    Customer

  • 4.5/5

    Overnight cruise on Doubtful Sound.

    Lovely staff, great food (heaps of it), clean facilities. Very informative guide. Amazing trip even though the weather not the best.

    Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in January 2014

  • 4.0/5

    We saw penguins and dolphins.

    Reviewed over 11 years ago

    UNITED STATES
    Frederick Dean's avatar

    Frederick Dean

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    Awesome, beautiful, helpful and knowledgable staff.

    Reviewed over 11 years ago and experienced in February 2013

    UNITED STATES
    Joey Mertzig's avatar

    Joey Mertzig

    Customer

  • 4.5/5

    We did the overnight cruise in Doubtful Sound and it was delightful.

    The nature guide Carol was especially friendly and knowledgable.

    Reviewed over 11 years ago

    UNITED STATES
    Abby Rescr's avatar

    Abby Rescr

    Customer

  • 4.5/5

    Perfect overnight trip to Doubtful Sound.

    But it is expensive!!

    Reviewed about 12 years ago and experienced in March 2012

    NETHERLANDS
    Rien's avatar

    Rien

    Customer

  • 4.5/5

    Very well organised, friendly crew, very good catering.

    Excellent explanations.

    Reviewed about 12 years ago and experienced in March 2012

    GERMANY
    Clausen's avatar

    Clausen

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    Can't say enough good things about staff and attention to guests.

    A great trip from Manapouri over the pass and onto the Sound. Excellent food.

    Reviewed over 12 years ago and experienced in February 2012

    UNITED STATES
    Sam's avatar

    Sam

    Customer

  • 4.5/5

    Had cabin with bathroom, again well organised, efficient, good service, good food, friendly.

    Worth staying overnight but expensive.

    Reviewed over 12 years ago and experienced in February 2012

    UNITED KINGDOM
    Mike & Jennie's avatar

    Mike & Jennie

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    Really friendly and professionally, sensibly run.

    Great food too. Fun and informative, light commentary. Saw lots of wildlife too. Comfy bunks, swam and kayaked too and social if you wish.

    Reviewed over 12 years ago and experienced in February 2012

  • 5.0/5

    Wonderful views, excellent and funny nature guide, gorgeous food, interesting kayaking - in a quad room you might need earplugs.

    Reviewed over 12 years ago and experienced in February 2012

    GERMANY
    Stefes Wencke's avatar

    Stefes Wencke

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    Was just amazing, very good meals, good and friendly people.

    Reviewed over 12 years ago and experienced in February 2012

    SWITZERLAND
    Manuela Weber's avatar

    Manuela Weber

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    To see the best in a country, you need to get out of the crowds !

    Doubtful Sounds Overnight cruise is the experience to do if you really wanna experience the remoteness of the Fjords !

    The fact that you'll only see 1 or 2 other boats during the trip adds a lot to it as you can really appreciate the silence and beauty of the area !

    The boat staff is great as well and the boat is really comfortable. The staff really knowledgeable and always happy to answer your questions ;-)

    If you have the budget : It's a must do !

    Reviewed over 12 years ago

    NEW ZEALAND
    kiwifrenchy's avatar

    kiwifrenchy

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    A great trip.

    Very nice crew, excellent food. Don't miss to go kayaking. If you are lucky, dolphins will swim next to your kayak. Just feel the unique environment.

    Reviewed over 12 years ago

    GERMANY
    Uwe Henze's avatar

    Uwe Henze

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    Well arranged and excellent service.

    Reviewed over 12 years ago

    DENMARK
    Thyg Lingdal's avatar

    Thyg Lingdal

    Customer

  • 4.5/5

    Expensive tour but really worth it.

    I enjoyed the cruise, kayaking, swimming and the great views. Food was excellent.

    Reviewed over 12 years ago and experienced in November 2011

    SPAIN
    Jaime Castells's avatar

    Jaime Castells

    Customer

  • 4.0/5

    Nice meal and nice nature guide, but expensive company.

    Great landscapes!

    Reviewed over 12 years ago and experienced in November 2011

    SPAIN
    Anna Bret's avatar

    Anna Bret

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    It was just awesome!!

    beautiful scenery, delicious food, knowledgeable staff, comfortable rooms and a wonderful atmosphere on the fjordland navigator. This trip was pretty amazing and definitely worth its money!!!

    We saw heaps of seals, were kayaking and sailed a bit. had a great time!

    Reviewed almost 13 years ago

    GERMANY
    caro's avatar

    caro

    Customer

  • 4.5/5

    I did both overnight cruises in doubtful and milford sounds.

    Service was fantastic, the food was amazing and plenty of it.

    Reviewed almost 13 years ago

    AUSTRALIA
    Dean's avatar

    Dean

    Customer

  • 3.0/5

    Great staff and fantastic scenery.

    The cruise is noisy with not much sleep with generators and a 6am wake up to make the next days schedule, meaning we didnt really get to appreciate the private room. This is a professional organisation but it is hard to avoid the feeling that you are part of a production line. Next time I would probably try a day trip with Real journeys or for a more personal feel one of the smaller companies.

    Reviewed over 13 years ago and experienced in March 2011

    AUSTRALIA
    jlgavin's avatar

    jlgavin

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    Well run system, excellent and highly knowledgeable naturalist.

    Accommodating staff, royal treatments for guests.

    Reviewed over 13 years ago

    UNITED STATES
    Gary Koehler's avatar

    Gary Koehler

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    Good activities, excellent food.

    Excellent commentary and guide.

    Reviewed over 13 years ago

    UNITED KINGDOM
    Chris Darlington's avatar

    Chris Darlington

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    Overnight travelling is the doubtful sounds have been excellently organised and relaxed.

    It has been a great experience.

    Reviewed over 13 years ago

    GERMANY
    Verheyen's avatar

    Verheyen

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    Great cruise, nice overview of the Fiords.

    The night on the water is not really peaceful. The engine for the generator is running all night and is really noisey. Wake-up at 7am was hard after a short night. Nice food and friendly staff.

    Reviewed over 13 years ago

    AUSTRALIA
    Samuel Prechel's avatar

    Samuel Prechel

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    Expensive but worth it, very professional operation, well managed and felt we'd seen Doubtful Sound and learnt about the area.

    Reviewed over 13 years ago

    UNITED KINGDOM
    Jackie Morris's avatar

    Jackie Morris

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    We went to Doubtful Sound and over night to Milford Sound with Real tours.

    All arrangement was absolutley superb and very enjoyable.

    Reviewed over 13 years ago

    UNITED KINGDOM
    David Glover's avatar

    David Glover

    Customer