DURATION: Full-Day (12hrs) or Overnight Option (2 days)
INCLUDES: Accommodation transfers, luxury vehicle, private guide, lunch and two nature boat cruises.
OPTIONAL: Scenic Helicopter fly back options avaliable.
Overnight cruise options.
AVAILABLE: Year round
A private tour to Doubtful Sound, New Zealand, offers an unforgettable journey into one of the country’s most remote and pristine natural wonders. Nestled deep within Fiordland National Park, this majestic fiord is less frequented than its famous cousin, Milford Sound, providing a more tranquil and immersive experience.
Your private local guide will pick you up from your Queenstown accommodation and whisk you away in the comfort of your own private Mercedes vehicle. Enjoy scenic evolving landscapes, from windswept alpine plains and turquoise lakes to vast mountain peaks and lovely lakeside towns. Skip the crowds and never miss a photo opportunity. On our tour, you have the flexibility to stop, step out of the car and breathe in the crisp mountain air.
Begin your on-water journey in Manapouri (close to Te Anau), taking a boat cruise across Lake Manapouri, located in the Fiordland National Park. This lake has many interesting notes of interest, being the second deepest lake in New Zealand, at 444m(1457ft) . It is also home to the Manapouri Hydroelectric Power Station, which was a major focus of environmental activism in the 1970s, leading to one of New Zealand’s most significant conservation victories. This cruise takes 45 minutes and leads you into the remote gateway of Doubtful Sound.
Travel from the boat terminal at West Arm, Manapouri by vehicle, over the Wilmot Pass. At an elevation of 671 meters (2,201 feet), this road is not publicly accessible and is home to some of Fiordland’s finest flora and fauna, including beech forests and ferns, a native home to birds like Kea and Tūī.
Arrive in Doubtful Sound, the second longest and deepest Fiord (after Dusky Sound). Here you will witness the magic of this secluded place. Embark on a 3-hr boat cruise on the waters of the Sound. The Māori name is Patea, meaning “the place of silence”, of which you will witness on your tranquil cruise. Experience the untouched beauty of Doubtful Sound in refined style aboard a catamaran crafted for elegance and exceptional viewing. As you cruise through its still, mystical waters, take in the grandeur of soaring cliffs, veiled waterfalls, and hidden coves. With nature’s mood shifting constantly, every moment on the fiord offers a fresh perspective and a sense of discovery unlike any other.
Enjoy lunch on-board your boat, whilst taking in all the nature and serenity around you. Keep an eye out for bottlenose dolphins, fur seals basking on the rocks, and the rare Fiordland crested penguin. If you’re lucky, you might even spot the trifecta!
Upon conclusion of your Doubtful Sound cruise you will board your coach to travel back over the Wilmot pass and back into West Arm, across Lake Manapouri, and back into the comfort of your private vehicle. Your private driver will then transport you back to Queenstown and to the door of your accommodation.
For a truly unforgettable finale, choose a scenic helicopter flight back to Te Anau or Queenstown – an effortless and breathtaking way to conclude your Doubtful Sound journey.
Journey further into this incredible UNESCO World Heritage Site, Fiordland National Park. Choose to stay in a double or single cabin onboard a traditional-style vessels. This can be for either one or two nights. Experience kayaking through the stillness that is Pātea, Doubtful Sound, and get up close and personal with the shoreline wilderness. Alternatively, board a small nature boat into the innermost coves and learn more about the rich native forests and wildlife of Doubtful Sound.
After a truly memorable day, relax on deck or in the comfortable interior with a glass of something refreshing, followed by a chef-prepared three-course meal as the sun sets. This will be truly the perfect end to a beautiful day. The next morning you will wake up on board the boat, taking your coffee outside to watch the sunrise through the mountains with the sounds of nature all around you. There is no comparable feeling to this, you are a world away from the stress of everyday life!
As your overnight (or 2 day) boat stay ends, you will return to Manapouri and then back to Queenstown with your private driver. Here, you also have options to upgrade and fly back via helicopter – with a birds eye view of this remote area you will have truly explored Doubtful Sound like never before!
Our private, luxury fleet is available during your stay. We can assist with:
• Airport Transfers
• Transfers to your Accommodation
• Transport for Dinner Reservations and Appointments
• Golf or Activity Transfers
Enquire here or add a transfer request to your booking form.
TOUR: Whispers of Doubtful Sound Day Tour
