Sightseeing Cruises

From Manapouri: Doubtful Sound Wilderness Cruise

Cruise boat on Doubtful Sound with lush mountains in the background.

Couple laughing on a boat with waterfall and cliffs in Doubtful Sound, New Zealand.

Passengers receive a briefing from the crew on the open deck of a boat in Doubtful Sound.

Couple on tour boat deck viewing waterfall in Doubtful Sound, New Zealand.

Duration

7 hr

Free cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience

Book now, pay later

Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.

Guided tour

Take a journey through Doubtful Sound's untamed realm on this full-day tour with a guide, and immerse in its diverse wildlife and stunning vistas.

4.6/5

(142)

Klaus

Oct 2025

Verified booking

5/5

It was simply very impressive. The tour was excellently organized. The staff were extremely friendly and courteous. The boats and buses were in very good condition. The commentary was comprehensive. Highly recommended!

Anne

Apr 2025

Verified booking

5/5

Our ticketing experience was perfect with no problems. Our trip out was out standing. Great crew on both boats and I think Tabitha was our guide. Very interesting and so knowledgeable and that's a credit to her. Apart from being quite windy and rather cold out experience was very memorable. My favourite part was seeing the Dolphins and where we stopped and the boat was turned off. Very tranquil.

If you love nature, don't miss this 7-hr tour of Doubtful Sound, a remote fiord with dense rainforests and cascading waterfalls, with a nature guide.

Begin your trip by cruising Lake Manapouri's crystal waters before boarding a coach over Wilmot Pass, a scenic mountain route through the rainforest.

Savor the tranquility of Doubtful Sound's waterways, a blend of deep blues and emerald greens, during your 3-hr cruise aboard a spacious catamaran.

Relish complimentary tea or coffee while your dedicated guide helps you spot unique wildlife, such as bottlenose dolphins, fur seals, and more.

Fun fact: Doubtful Sound is 3 times longer than Milford Sound and was named by Captain Cook in 1770, who was 'doubtful' it was navigable!

Full-day Doubtful Sound Wilderness tour

Cruise across Lake Manapouri

Coach trip over Wilmot Pass

Knowledgable nature guide

Informative commentary

Interpretation hand-out sheets in 5 languages: English, German, French, Spanish & Japanese

Complimentary tea & coffee

Meals & drinks

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

4.6
142 reviews
How do we collect reviews?
These ratings include verified reviews from both Headout guests and our trusted partners who operate this experience locally. All reviews come from real travelers who've taken this experience.
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Guests from United States, Germany, Australia and over 8 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Klaus
Oct 2025
Verified booking
5/5
It was simply very impressive. The tour was excellently organized. The staff were extremely friendly and courteous. The boats and buses were in very good condition. The commentary was comprehensive. Highly recommended!
Randall
Oct 2025
Verified booking
5/5
Terrific day all around. Stunning scenery
Anne
Apr 2025
Verified booking
5/5
Our ticketing experience was perfect with no problems. Our trip out was out standing. Great crew on both boats and I think Tabitha was our guide. Very interesting and so knowledgeable and that's a credit to her. Apart from being quite windy and rather cold out experience was very memorable. My favourite part was seeing the Dolphins and where we stopped and the boat was turned off. Very tranquil.
Alasdair
Mar 2025
Verified booking
4/5
The whole experience from booking to end was smooth and efficient. The trip more than lived up to our expectations and was very good value. Doubtful Sound was absolutely stunning and we were lucky to have a beautiful sunny day after heavy rain so the waterfalls were really impressive. The boat trip across Lake Manapouri and the coach trip over the pass really add to the whole experience. Good commentary from everyone throughout the trip without bombarding you with too much information. I would highly recommend this trip.
Axel
Feb 2025
Verified booking
5/5
All went perfectly. The drivers were cool and drove safely. We got good informations about the region and the Doubtful Sound. The stay in quiet without machines were fantastic.

Embark on a full-day Doubtful Sound Wilderness Cruise, featuring a Lake Manapouri crossing, scenic Wilmot Pass drive, and a 3-hour exploration of Doubtful Sound aboard a comfortable catamaran.

Getting started

Check in at the RealNZ Visitor Center in Manapouri before boarding the vessel for your Lake Manapouri cruise. After disembarking at West Arm, continue by coach across Wilmot Pass before reaching Deep Cove to begin your Doubtful Sound cruise.

What to expect

Discover Fiordland National Park’s remote beauty as you travel across lakes, mountain passes, and untouched fiords. The journey showcases diverse landscapes — from serene lake views to dense rainforest and dramatic coastal scenery — with informative commentary throughout.

Features

Lake Manapouri cruise: Start your day with a scenic crossing of one of New Zealand’s most beautiful lakes.

Wilmot Pass coach journey: Travel by coach through native Fiordland rainforest with photo stops along the route.

Doubtful Sound catamaran cruise: Enjoy a 3-hour cruise through the vast fiord with spacious viewing decks.

Wildlife encounters: Look out for dolphins, fur seals, and Fiordland crested penguins in their natural habitat.

Onboard amenities: Complimentary tea and coffee available throughout the cruise.

Guided commentary: Learn about the region’s ecology, geology, and history from your experienced nature guide.

Multilingual resources: Interpretation sheets available in multiple languages on board.

What to bring

It is recommended to wear non-slip shoes or boots, a waterproof jacket, sunscreen, sunglasses, insect repellent, and a warm sweater or fleece jacket.

It is advised to carry sunscreen, sunglasses, and an insect repellent.

Accessibility

Due to the multi-leg journey and floating wharf access, guests will need to have a reasonable level of mobility.

Additional information

The cruise vessel is subject to change without notice.

Your voucher will be emailed to you instantly.

Please arrive at the boarding point 15 mins before the scheduled time of your visit to avoid any delays.

Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the boarding point.

Boarding point

Board your cruise at RealNZ - Doubtful Sound Manapouri Visitor Centre.

Address: 64 Waiau Street, Pearl Harbour, Manapouri 9679, New Zealand.

Get directions to the boarding point