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

(155)

Benjamin

Jan 2026

Verified booking

5/5

The crew on every part of this journey was insightful, funny and knowing. We have seen a lot of wildlife and experienced the soothing sounds of this place. On good weather you will see relaxing seals and maybe a hunting albatross. Unfortunately we only have seen a fin of a dolphin, but as always in the wilderness: It's up to luck. I short: fully worth it!

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!

Jenny

Nov 2025

Verified booking

5/5

The view was stunning, also saw seals & Keas and had friendly guides on the bus/cruise. We got lot of information, had some nice stops for taking photos and enjoying the moment. We also loved and appreciated the moment of silence. Thank you!

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
155 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 Germany, United States, United Kingdom and over 10 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Benjamin
Jan 2026
Verified booking
5/5
The crew on every part of this journey was insightful, funny and knowing. We have seen a lot of wildlife and experienced the soothing sounds of this place. On good weather you will see relaxing seals and maybe a hunting albatross. Unfortunately we only have seen a fin of a dolphin, but as always in the wilderness: It's up to luck. I short: fully worth it!
Ulrich
Jan 2026
Verified booking
5/5
We hard perfect wheater and the landscape was just stunning. Left us sometimes speechless. Worth every dollar spent.
Virginia
Dec 2025
Verified booking
5/5
Amazing cruise during stormy weather as the waterfalls were spectacular!!! Staff were kind and knowledgeable, with hot drinks and treats available. Highly recommend!!!
Steve
Dec 2025
Verified booking
5/5
Very well organised with good running commentary.
Jenny
Nov 2025
Verified booking
5/5
The view was stunning, also saw seals & Keas and had friendly guides on the bus/cruise. We got lot of information, had some nice stops for taking photos and enjoying the moment. We also loved and appreciated the moment of silence. Thank you!

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