doubtful sound cruises from te anau

Pātea Doubtful Sound

Discover the breath-taking, pristine wilderness scenery of Doubtful Sound, deep in the heart of Fiordland National Park. 

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Immerse yourself in the vast and untouched wilderness of Doubtful Sound, the second largest fiord in Fiordland National Park.

With its rugged peaks, verdant rainforest and twisting, hidden inlets, Doubtful Sound will take your breath away. Home to abundant wildlife you may see bottlenose dolphins and fur seals at play, or catch a glimpse of a rare Fiordland Crested Penguin.

Getting to Doubtful Sound is an adventure in itself. With no direct road access, the only way you can to get to Doubtful Sound is by a cruise across Lake Manapouri and a coach trip over Wilmot Pass. This isolation makes the fiord a very special, private place, a place only those in the know get to see.

If you’d like to experience the pristine beauty of Doubtful Sound for yourself, join us for a Wilderness Day Cruise or better still, spend an unforgettable night on the fiord on our Fiordland Navigator Overnight Cruise. And if you prefer not to drive to Manapouri (where the trips depart), we can get you there by coach from Queenstown and Te Anau.

For a more intimate experience, join us on a kayaking adventure where you get to paddle or explore and camp overnight in Doubtful Sound.

About Doubtful Sound

There’s no settlement here and no easy access. Cruise vessels and fishing boats ply the waters only seasonally. When you visit Doubtful Sound, it’s unchanged, pristine nature is striking. You are witnessing the same spectacular scene that greeted early Maori and European visitors – the years have changed little, if anything, in this magnificent place.

The mood of the fiord is dominated by the weather – glorious and sparkling on a sunny day, tranquil and mysterious in the mist or dramatic and exciting in the wet as hundreds of waterfalls thunder into the sea.

This is an awesome place where you’ll experience the raw power of nature. The sheer scale and beauty of the fiord makes for a profound experience for any holiday itinerary.

Getting There

All our Doubtful Sound experiences start in Manapouri which is around 2.5 – 3 hours from Queenstown and 30 minutes from Te Anau.

You can drive there yourself or if you’d much rather relax and let us do the driving, we offer coach connections from Queenstown and Te Anau.

Our coach drivers for your Doubtful Sound tour are extremely knowledgeable about the area, its history and local flora and fauna and will provide you with commentary and information along the way.

Fiordland is one of the wettest places in the world with a mean annual rainfall of 6813mm (268 in). It rains for around 180 days of the year, with rainfall reaching 250mm (10 in) over a 24 hour period.

The temperature here can vary depending on the season and can go from an average high of around 19C in summer (Dec - Feb) to around 9.5C in winter (Jun - Aug).

As weather shapes this landscape, it’ll also shape your experience of this pristine place.  Glorious and breathtakingly beautiful on a sunny day, in the mist it’s a magical fairyland of hidden peaks and twisting arms while in the rain, the power of nature is unleashed as walls of water thunder to the sea.

All year round, whatever the weather, a visit to Doubtful Sound is profound and unforgettable.

Dolphins playing in Doubtful Sound

Located deep in the heart of Fiordland, and almost inaccessible to humans, Doubtful Sound is within a temperate rainforest and home to a largely undisturbed wildlife.

The rainforest is an extravagance of green and incredibly dense with vines, perching plants, tree and ground ferns and podocarp trees. Home to a wonderful array of native birds, you’ll hear their songs if you listen carefully.

The waters of the fiord are fascinating and home to an amazing array of sea-life because of a surface layer of dark fresh water that blocks sunlight. This layer is caused by the incredibly high annual rainfall which is darkly coloured by the tannins of the forest as it tumbles through a huge catchment area to the sea. This dark layer allows corals and undersea life to grow in waters much shallower than they normally would. Creatures of the southern oceans live here – there’s a resident pod of dolphins and lots of fur seals. Others visit and you could glimpse Mollymawks and Royal Albatross, penguins, including the rare Fiordland Crested Penguin which breeds at Doubtful Sound or even a whale.

Two million years ago the glaciers of Fiordland were grinding their way towards the sea sculpting the landscape as they retreated and advanced.

In Maori legend, Doubtful Sound and the other Fiords were created by the godly figure Tu Te Raki Whanoa who split the rock with his adze allowing the sea to pour in creating safe harbours from the restless, often stormy sea.

The first European to discover the fiord was Captain Cook during his search for a ‘great southern continent’. Visiting the mouth of Doubtful Sound in 1770 and unsure whether it was navigable, he named it Doubtful Harbour. 23 years later, a visiting Spanish scientific expedition charted the entrance and lower parts of the sound.

In 1971, the Manapouri Hydro-Electric Power Station, New Zealand’s largest hydroelectric facility, was completed on the western arm of the lake. Considered one of the country’s greatest engineering feats, the power station uses the 230 metre drop between the lake and the sea (the Deep Cove arm of Doubtful Sound) to create electricity. The road over Wilmot Pass was created as part of the project and provides our access to the fiord.

Did You Know?

Fiordland, one of the world’s wettest regions. Most of the rain falls on the seaward side of the mountains.

Manapouri village receives 1,143mm a year but over in West Arm the rainfall rises to 3,786mm. Deep Cove receives 5,290mm per year.

Doubtful Sound reaches about 430m at its maximum depth. Near the entrance there are sills where the water is relatively shallow (90m).

The water temperature in the fiord averages a bracing 11 degrees Celsius.

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Our ultimate guide will give you all the tips you need to plan that special holiday in the south island including Queenstown, Te Anau, Stewart Island and Milford and Doubtful Sounds.

How a Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise will change your life

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How to choose between Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound

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Doubtful Sound Cruises and Activities from Te Anau

Sometimes called as the "Sound of Silence," Doubtful Sound features a serene yet powerful atmosphere that most visitors won't find in the more famous Milford Sound. A visit to Doubtful Sound for a cruise or kayaking adventure is a great addition to your trip to Fiordland National Park in New Zealand, if you have a few more days in Te Anau. Choose among day to overnight cruises and multi-day kayaking trips that are great for all types of travellers.

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A striking landscape of ancient, glacially-carved valleys, Doubtful Sound Patea is a panorama of awe. Discover a natural landscape that is both precious and powerful.

One of the finest examples of a fiord environment

Doubtful Sound Patea spans a staggering 40 kilometres (25 miles) from the head of the fiord to the Tasman Sea. It is the deepest of New Zealand’s 14 fiords and its immense size leaves all who visit feeling humbled yet uplifted by its powerful physical presence.

The fiord branches into three arms which provide opportunity for scenic cruise boat passengers to explore up-close sheer cliff faces, impressive waterfalls and tranquil overnight moorings. Doubtful Sound Patea also provides shelter to New Zealand’s southernmost population of bottlenose dolphins and tawak i, the Fiordland Crested Penguin.

Spend just a short amount of time immersed in Doubtful Sound Patea and it is easy to understand why early Māori named the fiord, Patea-meaning ‘place of silence’. Here, visitors find silence amongst a dramatic landscape with echoing birdsong or cascading waterfalls the only sound to break the stillness.

With no road to the fiord, the experience of getting to Doubtful Sound Patea is an adventure in itself.  Doubtful Sound Patea is only accessible to visitors by a tour excursion departing from Manapouri.

Doubtful Sound Patea's English name transpired when Captain James Cook approached the entrance of the fiord during his voyage of 1770. The vast fiord was only just visible from the sea and Cook decided if they ventured into the fiord it would be “doubtful” they would be able to sail back out against the prevailing westerly wind. He named it 'Doubtful Harbour' and carried on up the coast. The area was renamed Doubtful Sound  many years later by whalers and sealers. Today, visitors to the fiord bear witness to scenery mostly unchanged since the time of early Māori and Cook’s cautious exploration. Doubtful Sound Patea has kept its stunning beauty well hidden and shares it with those who truly seek a wilderness experience.

Patea | Doubtful Sound © Graham Dainty

INCREDIBLE  DOUBTFUL SOUND PATEA EXPERIENCES

Larger, yet less visited than its neighbour Milford Sound Piopiotahi, Doubtful Sound Patea is a popular choice for wilderness seekers and those willing to go a little further to see a little more.

Day cruises and overnight cruises to Doubtful Sound Patea depart from Manapouri, just a 20-minute drive from Te Anau. Prepare to be blown away by lush rainforest, immense waterfalls and local populations of kekeno, the New Zealand Fur Seals and tawaki, the rare Fiordland Crested Penguin.

There is no settlement here as there is in Milford Sound Piopiotahi, instead Deep Cove is home to an outdoor education centre and a small fleet of fishing boats which work out at sea in search of prized cod and crayfish (rock lobster).

There are many ways to experience Doubtful Sound Patea:

• Tours depart Manapouri daily
• Overnight cruises in Doubtful Sound Patea offer the chance to relax and savour this special place, and to literally experience the ‘sound of silence’.
• Incredible day and overnight Doubtful Sound Patea  kayak trips operate throughout the summer months.
• Budget accommodation is available at Deep Cove Hostel Outdoor Education Centre.
• Take a scenic flight from Te Anau, Manapouri  or Queenstown by fixed wing airplane, seaplane (including landing on the fiord) or helicopter.

GETTING TO DOUBTFUL SOUND PATEA

Doubtful Sound Patea is accessible by boat transfer departing from Pearl Harbour in Manapouri and travelling across Lake Manapouri to West Arm.  Here you will be awed by the hydro-electric power station of the Save Manapouri Campaign fame, and although tours are not available to the power station, you will have the chance to spend time at the information centre. You will then travel by coach over the Wilmot Pass to Deep Cove where you will board your Doubtful Sound Patea scenic cruise boat. The Wilmot Pass is a 671m-high (230ft) pass connecting the west arm of Lake Manapouri to Deep Cove in Doubtful Sound Patea. Day trips and overnight trips to Doubtful Sound Patea include your transport by boat and bus.

Patea / Doubtful Sound’s inaccessibility is its crowning glory. While a Doubtful Sound Patea tour will take a whole day, it is well worth dedicating the time to soaking up this epic landscape.

DOUBTFUL SOUND PATEA WEATHER

Glorious on sunny days and breathtaking on rainy days, does it really matter what the weather is like in Doubtful Sound Patea? Just like its famous neighbour Milford Sound Piopiotahi,  Doubtful Sound Patea receives a huge amount of annual rainfall (around 6 metres/20 feet) and luckily for you, there’s a good chance it will rain when you visit. So, pack your raincoat, your sunscreen and prepare for whatever may come.

Patea Spring

Sept-Nov: Spring in Patea / Doubtful Sound can bring higher rainfall and even snow to sea-level. The first forest flowers start to emerge - keep a lookout for the lovely white native clematis. As it is the equinox period you can expected unsettled weather patterns including the occasional exciting storm! Daylight savings starts in October, making the evenings longer.

Patea Summer

Dec-Feb: The warmest months of the year in Fiordland. During the summer months Milford Sound often experiences a cool day breeze as the warm air rises. The best times of day to explore Milford are early morning or late afternoon and evening. Daylight hours are much longer so you won't miss out! Keep a look out for the Fiordland Christmas tree - the southern rata has bright red flowers, not to be confused with the pohutukawa found further north.

Patea Autumn

March-May: You won't notice an change to the colours of the trees as Fiordland native forest is ever-green however the days will start to draw in and be cooler in the mornings and evenings creating moody misty scenes. The weather during the day is still a pleasant temperature but bring layers to beat the morning and evening chill.

Patea Winter

June-Aug: Surprisingly, winter in Patea / Doubtful Sound is the most settled time of year. Although the daylight hours are much shorter the skies are often blue and cloudless. The air is crisp and fresh, and snow is seen on the mountains. A trip into Patea / Doubtful Sound is a spectacular event with snow to low levels and sometimes even ice on the fiord! Bring lots of layers, including a warm hat and gloves and you will feel more alive than ever.

FAQs about Doubtful Sound Patea

How do i get to doubtful sound.

You can take a tour or scenic flight. Patea / Doubtful Sound cruises depart from Manapouri. Find a Doubtful Sound trip here.

How deep is Doubtful Sound?

Patea / Doubtful Sound is 421m (1381ft) deep.

How far is Doubtful Sound from Queenstown?

Allow 2.5 hours to drive from Queenstown to Manapouri where your Doubtful Sound departs. Alternatively stay the night before and after in Te Anau or Manapouri.

Can I drive to Doubtful Sound?

There is no road to Patea / Doubtful Sound so you cannot drive. You must first take a boat across Lake Manapouri which meets a bus to take you to Doubtful Sound. When you book a tour all your boat and bus transport is included. Find a Doubtful Sound trip here

What is there to do in Doubtful Sound?

There is no permanent settlement in Doubtful Sound. You can take day or overnight tours, as well as kayaking trips. Scenic flights can be taken from Te Anau, Manapouri or Queenstown. 

Where is Doubtful Sound?

Patea / Doubtful Sound is in Fiordland National Park on the southwest corner of the South Island of New Zealand. It can be accessed by tours departing from Manapouri.

Which is better Doubtful Sound or Milford Sound?

Tough question! Piopiotahi / Milford Sound will provide scenic drama, Patea / Doubtful Sound will provide mystery and intrigue. Both are day trips from Te Anau or Manapouri, and very long day trips from Queenstown (allow an additional 4 hours). You can also do overnight cruising and kayaking in both. Patea / Doubtful Sound is much bigger than Piopiotahi / Milford Sound.

Is Doubtful Sound open during winter?

Yes unless it is affected by weather which is not often

One of the most incredible and frequently overlooked features of Milford Sound Piopiotahi is the journey there. For a taste of Fiordland’s diverse range of scenery, it’s hard to beat the Milford Road from Te Anau to Milford Sound Piopiotahi.

Ready for a challenge? Discover the lesser-known but equally as interesting fiords and adventurous hikes and sights deep within Fiordland National Park; one of the most remarkable wilderness areas on the planet.

Established by proud Southerners eager to share the scenic delights of their backyard, the Southern Scenic Route is an excursion through the rural, coastal and forest landscapes of small-town coastal New Zealand.

An immense and dramatic landscape, Milford Sound Piopiotahi casts a spell over all who visit. Astonishing geological formations and rich Māori legends are revealed whether you’re exploring by land, sea or air.

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Travel with us to the heart of Fiordland National Park and take in the beauty and vastness of remote Doubtful Sound on our Wilderness Cruise. It will take your breath away as you experience its deep wilderness.

• A 3-hour cruise of Doubtful Sound, exploring beautiful waterways on our way to meet the Tasman Sea
• Commentary by our knowledgeable onboard nature guide
• Wildlife viewing, including dolphins, fur seals, and even occasionally penguins
• Start with a cruise across Lake Manapouri, followed by a coach trip over the epic Wilmot Pass through Fiordland’s rainforest and into the Sound.
• Duration: 7 hours 15 mins to 8 hours

Doubtful Sound is a beautiful fiord. Three times longer than Milford Sound, with twisting arms, it has a surface area ten times larger. With its rugged peaks, verdant rainforest, and twisting hidden inlets, Doubtful Sound will take your breath away. There’s no direct road access, so the only way you can get to Doubtful Sound is a cruise across the picturesque Lake Manapouri, followed by a trip over Wilmot Pass - New Zealand's most expensive (and majestic) road. We’ll pause along the way to experience the dense Fiordland rainforest and view Doubtful Sound glistening below. This isolation makes this field a very special place, only those in the know get to see it.

In Doubtful Sound, you’ll board our spacious, purpose-built catamaran Patea Explorer for a 3-hour cruise through this pristine fiord. During the cruise, our knowledgeable and friendly nature guides will share with you their passion for the region. They’re always ready to answer questions, point out landmarks, and provide all the information about the varied wildlife you may see, including dolphins, fur seals, and the rare Fiordland crested penguin.

Things you should know

• Check-in 30 minutes prior to your Coach Transfer from Queenstown to Manapouri
• You’ll cruise across crystal clear Lake Manapouri to West Arm
• A highlight is the coach trip through Fiordland’s rainforest and over Wilmot Pass
• Our dedicated nature guide will let you know all about the region's flora and fauna

Extra information

• Delicious lunch options are available (please pre-order for pick up at check-in)
• Sandwiches & snacks are also available on board to purchase (cash only)
• Complimentary tea and coffee is available
• Licensed bar on board (extra cost, cash only)
• The tour is suitable for all ages.

Getting there All our Doubtful Sound experiences start in Manapouri which is around 2.5 – 3 hours from Queenstown and 30 minutes from Te Anau. Our coach drivers are extremely knowledgeable about the area, its history, and local flora and fauna and will provide you with informative commentary along the way. 

What to bring Non-slip shoes/boots, waterproof jacket, warm sweater/fleece jacket, sunscreen/sunglasses, insect repellent & camera

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Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise Itinerary

• Overnight Cruise Itinerary

Overnight Cruise

• Departure Dates: September - May
• Queenstown Departure: 6:55am
• Te Anau Departure: 8:45am
• Manapōuri Departure: 9:30am
• Location: Doubtful Sound
• Priced from $1600.00 Per cabin (2 pax)

Southern Secret Overnight Cruise details

Join us and experience this spectacular Fiord with your hosts aboard the MV Southern Secret. Marvel at steep mountain cliffs surrounding the deep waters of the Fiord. View incredible scenery, wildlife and waterfalls from the comfort of your vessel.

You can meet us in Queenstown*, Te Anau or Manapōuri for your Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise experience. - Departing Central Queenstown at 6:55 am from 24th October 2023 to 1st May 2024 inclusive (* Note that there is an extra charge for Queenstown transfers.) - Departing from Te Anau at 8:45 am (pick up from your accommodation). - Departing from Pearl Harbour, Manapōuri Visitor Centre at Lake Manapōuri at 9:30 am.

Inclusions:

• Free Transport from Te Anau or Manapōuri
• Lunch, Dinner & Breakfast
• Small ship with maximum of 12 guests per cruise
• Fishing & checking Fiordland lobster pots
• Local, Te Anau family-owned business
• Knowledgeable crew
• Sightseeing
• Wildlife & waterfall viewing

Sample Itinerary: Day One

Sample itinerary: day two, recent posts.