Sightseeing Cruises

From Te Anau: Doubtful Sound Wilderness Cruise

Enjoy a full-day adventure in Doubtful Sound where the untamed wilderness of New Zealand meets natural beauty with a nature guide and coach transfers.

Hop aboard a coach from Te Anau for a scenic day around Doubtful Sound. This fiord, 3 times longer than Milford Sound, awaits with your trusty guide!

Set sail on Lake Manapouri's crystal waters, then hop on a coach and cross the alpine path of Wilmot Pass, a mountain route through dense rainforest.

It's grand finale time! Hop on a 3-hour cruise through Doubtful Sound's waters to explore this remote fiord's waterfalls, rainforest, and mountains.

Spot agile fur seals, playful dolphins, and rare Fiordland crested penguins with your guide, while enjoying tea/coffee and learning about the region.

Fun fact: Captain James Cook named it 'Doubtful Harbour' in 1770 because he was uncertain whether it was navigable under sail.

Full-day Doubtful Sound Wilderness tour

Nature guide

Coach transfers from Te Anau

3-hour Doubtful Sound cruise

Cruise across Lake Manapouri

Coach trip over Wilmot Pass

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

Complimentary tea & coffee

These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.

Journey to the pristine wilderness

Imagine starting your day with a luxurious coach ride from Te Anau, setting the stage for a scenic adventure with the tour of Doubtful Sound Wilderness. Your first treat is a tranquil cruise across Lake Manapouri, where you'll be surrounded by stunning views of the Kepler and Hunter Mountain ranges. As you make your way through the lush Fiordland rainforest via the scenic Wilmot Pass, considered one of New Zealand's most expensive roads, Doubtful Sound starts to shimmer in the distance. Once aboard a spacious catamaran, you'll spend three hours gliding through the scenery of this secluded fiord, where cascading waterfalls, thriving rainforests, and rugged peaks create a picture-perfect backdrop.

Majestic realm of Doubtful Sound

Keep your eyes peeled for fur seals lounging on rocks, playful bottlenose dolphins, and, if you're lucky, the elusive Fiordland crested penguins. To make your journey even more enriching, a knowledgeable nature guide will be on hand to share fascinating insights about the region’s history, plants, and wildlife which make this remote area a tourist's paradise. Complimentary tea and coffee are available to keep you warm and energized as you take in the views. For added convenience, interpretation hand-out sheets are provided in multiple languages, including English, German, French, Spanish, and Japanese.

What to bring

Pack a waterproof jacket, warm sweater/fleece jacket, and non-slip shoes/boots for a weather-ready kit; who knows when the skies might decide to be moody?

Bring along sunscreen, sunglasses, personal medication, and an insect repellant for the experience.

As this is a day-long experience, it is recommended to bring a packed lunch or order a lunch box from the Manapouri café.

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.

Facilities: Free parking

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 - Te Anau Visitor Centre.

Address: 85 Lakefront Drive, Te Anau 9640, New Zealand .

Get directions to the boarding point