Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise

Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise

Fiordland Expeditions

12 Rankers Reviews

7 Face-to-Face

3 Doubtful Sound

Maps

Photos

Tutoko II at the entrance to Doubtful Sound
Checking out the seals.
Dolphins ride the bow. (Darryl Torckler.com)
Kayaking can be lots of fun.
Fish for dinner.
Capt. Richard dives for lobster.
Sunset aboard Tutoko II on Doubtful Sound

Information

Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise

If you're looking for a small boat cruise with only a dozen people aboard; where you can fish for your dinner, dive for lobster or kayak for that up close personal experience and have lots of fun then Fiordland Expeditions offer the cruise for you!

Does catching a fish for your dinner, diving for lobster or kayaking to exerience the serenity of the sounds sound like what you're looking for?

With outstanding scenery all around and abundant wildlife to amuse. The dolphins love riding the bow of the Tutoko II as she glides through the pristine waters of this untouched place. Penguins are often seen with little Blues around most of the year and Fiordland Crested visiting over the winter months. And New Zealand Fur Seals abound on the rocks at the entrance. You can often see the Molly Mawks (albatross), Black Back gulls and Shearwaters as they skip accross the waves.

Kayaking in the peace and quiet is a moving experience and you can climb into one of Tutoko II's kayaks and wander off by yourself or with a friend to explore this spectacular place; without the noises of civilisation. And enjoy the serenity and rediscovering the noises you thought were lost.

Fishing is a relaxing pastime and a great way to get your dinner. As a crew prepares whatever you catch for dinner another slips over the side for the lobster for the table. The meals are hearty, plentiful and delicious! All consisting of ingredients from Fiordland freshly caught that day! And they will be served to your table; no standing in a queue with these guys.
After dinner socialising continues where stories abound of past ventures from the skipper. Or you can relax with a book from the library before retiring to your comfortable bed where the deafening silence will ensure you have a good nights sleep.

Next day the cruise back to the wharf takes in more sights and wildlife; though all too soon the journey comes to an end.
After meeting new friends and saying goodbyes you’re off back to the world wondering why? If only all of the world could be like this... what a wonderful place it would be; and you take away your memories that last a lifetime!

Details

Feature Value Info

Organisation

Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise

Commercial organisation

Location

South IslandFiordlandDoubtful Sound

Categories

  • Activity__boat_cruisesBoat Cruises

Directions

To Coordinates

Directions

Te Anau Office

Coordinates

-45.4607030011143

167.155401611328

Latitude
-45.4607030011143
Longitude
167.155401611328

Reviews

    • Very nice trip - few people on board.
    • We had 14 passengers and it was a bit crowded.
    • Great cruise!
    • We had a great time on the boat!
    • Excellent dive boat...
    Rating Count Percentage
    10/10 6
    50%
    9/10 4
    33%
    8/10 1
    8%
    7/10 0
    0%
    6/10 0
    0%
    5/10 0
    0%
    4/10 1
    8%
    3/10 0
    0%
    2/10 0
    0%
    1/10 0
    0%
  • 5.0/5

    The best tourist company ever.

    They provided us with a magical overnight cruise in Doubtful Sound, small, personal and value for money, loved the fishing and kayaking.

    Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in November 2015

    UNITED KINGDOM
    Tamsin Banks's avatar

    Tamsin Banks

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    We had a great time on the boat!

    The weather was a little iffy (on and off rain) and we didn't get to see Dolphins or seals, but the experience was great. On a boat with a total of 10 passengers and 2 crew, you really feel like you're out in the middle of nowhere. We had arrived in Te Anau via the Routeburn Track, and they were able to arrange us free rides to & from Manapouri. We had fun fishing - I caught a big blue cod, which we ate for dinner. We kayaked by a waterfall. They also picked up a bunch of crayfish, which were excellently prepared as our entree. The food was quite good! I guess on a small boat, your experience could be affected by the other passengers, but we had a good group!

    Reviewed over 15 years ago

    UNITED STATES
    amyd's avatar

    amyd

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    10/10 simply due to the small size of the group and our driver/skipper - Informative as an encylcopaedia!

    Reviewed over 15 years ago and experienced in March 2009

    UNITED KINGDOM
    ToddUK's avatar

    ToddUK

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    Outstanding, the crew are all enthusiasts.

    Reviewed about 12 years ago and experienced in April 2012

    UNITED KINGDOM
    Stuart Arrol's avatar

    Stuart Arrol

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    Absolutely fantastic trip.

    Was the highlight of our honeymoon. The captain and his wife were incredibly hospitable and nothing was too much trouble. From lobsters too big to fit on a plate to an amazing breakfast after a very comfortable nights sleep, everything was perfect. Thank you.

    Reviewed about 12 years ago and experienced in July 2012

    UNITED KINGDOM
    CamillaBirley's avatar

    CamillaBirley

    Customer

  • 4.5/5

    Very nice trip - few people on board.

    Good service. Excellent.

    Reviewed over 15 years ago

    DENMARK
    JensM's avatar

    JensM

    Customer

  • 4.5/5

    Great cruise!

    Reviewed about 12 years ago and experienced in March 2012

    NETHERLANDS
    Hans Bet's avatar

    Hans Bet

    Customer

  • 4.5/5

    Friendly, funny staff, lots of wildlife: penguins, dolphins, seals.

    Kayaking and especially the swimming was fun. Awesome food.

    Reviewed almost 12 years ago

    GERMANY
    Rena and Kirsten's avatar

    Rena and Kirsten

    Customer

  • 4.0/5

    We had 14 passengers and it was a bit crowded.

    Had to wait for fishing, wait for kayaking, wait for toilet, wait for showers. However, it was a totally brillant trip. I loved the food, scenery and taking part in lobster haul. I think the crew needed a break as they seemed to be going through the motions. Its not a luxury boat at all, but its an adventure and fun. The bunkhouse is very basic but comfortable. I think the price was fair considering the food, boat, activities and just getting there over Lake Manapouri and Wilmot pass. I will be back one day.

    Reviewed almost 13 years ago

    AUSTRALIA
    C's avatar

    C

    Customer

    Thankyou for your candid comments. We're looking forward to having you back some day.

    For the record we have 4 toilets, 3 showers, 8 kayaks and 7 fishing poles aboard.

  • 2.0/5

    Overnight cruise.

    Cost = $500pp surrounding is nice but this is too much money for the service you get. Although we were with only 6 passengers the (young) crew introduced themselves as people who also want to have a good time. No problem, but it shouldn't be more important than your guests. Food was poor (crayfish = nice, but not as only ingredient with 1 potato).

    Reviewed almost 15 years ago

    NETHERLANDS
    Thirza & Roeland's avatar

    Thirza & Roeland

    Customer

    I agree, very poor attitude form the crew; we're very sorry. I am not sure why you got a potatoe with your second of four courses; it should have been with the main course? Very sorry to hear you had a poor experience.

  • 5.0/5

    The best tourist company ever.

    They provided us with a magical overnight cruise in Doubtful Sound, small, personal and value for money, loved the fishing and kayaking.

    Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in November 2015

    UNITED KINGDOM
    Tamsin Banks's avatar

    Tamsin Banks

    Customer

  • 4.5/5

    Friendly, funny staff, lots of wildlife: penguins, dolphins, seals.

    Kayaking and especially the swimming was fun. Awesome food.

    Reviewed almost 12 years ago

    GERMANY
    Rena and Kirsten's avatar

    Rena and Kirsten

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    Absolutely fantastic trip.

    Was the highlight of our honeymoon. The captain and his wife were incredibly hospitable and nothing was too much trouble. From lobsters too big to fit on a plate to an amazing breakfast after a very comfortable nights sleep, everything was perfect. Thank you.

    Reviewed about 12 years ago and experienced in July 2012

    UNITED KINGDOM
    CamillaBirley's avatar

    CamillaBirley

    Customer

  • 4.5/5

    Great cruise!

    Reviewed about 12 years ago and experienced in March 2012

    NETHERLANDS
    Hans Bet's avatar

    Hans Bet

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    Outstanding, the crew are all enthusiasts.

    Reviewed about 12 years ago and experienced in April 2012

    UNITED KINGDOM
    Stuart Arrol's avatar

    Stuart Arrol

    Customer

  • 4.0/5

    We had 14 passengers and it was a bit crowded.

    Had to wait for fishing, wait for kayaking, wait for toilet, wait for showers. However, it was a totally brillant trip. I loved the food, scenery and taking part in lobster haul. I think the crew needed a break as they seemed to be going through the motions. Its not a luxury boat at all, but its an adventure and fun. The bunkhouse is very basic but comfortable. I think the price was fair considering the food, boat, activities and just getting there over Lake Manapouri and Wilmot pass. I will be back one day.

    Reviewed almost 13 years ago

    AUSTRALIA
    C's avatar

    C

    Customer

    Thankyou for your candid comments. We're looking forward to having you back some day.

    For the record we have 4 toilets, 3 showers, 8 kayaks and 7 fishing poles aboard.

  • 2.0/5

    Overnight cruise.

    Cost = $500pp surrounding is nice but this is too much money for the service you get. Although we were with only 6 passengers the (young) crew introduced themselves as people who also want to have a good time. No problem, but it shouldn't be more important than your guests. Food was poor (crayfish = nice, but not as only ingredient with 1 potato).

    Reviewed almost 15 years ago

    NETHERLANDS
    Thirza & Roeland's avatar

    Thirza & Roeland

    Customer

    I agree, very poor attitude form the crew; we're very sorry. I am not sure why you got a potatoe with your second of four courses; it should have been with the main course? Very sorry to hear you had a poor experience.

  • 5.0/5

    10/10 simply due to the small size of the group and our driver/skipper - Informative as an encylcopaedia!

    Reviewed over 15 years ago and experienced in March 2009

    UNITED KINGDOM
    ToddUK's avatar

    ToddUK

    Customer

  • 4.5/5

    Very nice trip - few people on board.

    Good service. Excellent.

    Reviewed over 15 years ago

    DENMARK
    JensM's avatar

    JensM

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    We had a great time on the boat!

    The weather was a little iffy (on and off rain) and we didn't get to see Dolphins or seals, but the experience was great. On a boat with a total of 10 passengers and 2 crew, you really feel like you're out in the middle of nowhere. We had arrived in Te Anau via the Routeburn Track, and they were able to arrange us free rides to & from Manapouri. We had fun fishing - I caught a big blue cod, which we ate for dinner. We kayaked by a waterfall. They also picked up a bunch of crayfish, which were excellently prepared as our entree. The food was quite good! I guess on a small boat, your experience could be affected by the other passengers, but we had a good group!

    Reviewed over 15 years ago

    UNITED STATES
    amyd's avatar

    amyd

    Customer

  • 4.5/5

    Would have been a ten if the price a little cheaper.

    The captain dived for some crayfish and we ate some that night.

    Reviewed almost 18 years ago

    NETHERLANDS
    Ard's avatar

    Ard

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    Excellent dive boat...

    great facilities... friendly crew and they really went the extra mile. We'll be back!!!

    Reviewed about 17 years ago

    Abo1's avatar

    Abo1

    Customer