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Doubtful Sound Wilderness Cruise: Enjoy Serene Cruise through Crystal Waters from Queenstown
4.7
198 Ratings
Queenstown
Experience the tranquility of Doubtful Sound on a serene wilderness cruise from Queenstown. Marvel at the crystal-clear waters and stunning scenery on a 13-hour round trip adventure.
Experience the tranquility of Doubtful Sound on a serene wilderness cruise from Queenstown. Marvel at the crystal-clear waters and stunning scenery on a 13-hour round trip adventure.
Duration:
12 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Fiordland National Park (Te Wahipounamu) - Cruise around Doubtful Sound in the beautiful Fiordland National Park.
- Fiordland National Park (Te Wahipounamu) - Cruise around Doubtful Sound in the beautiful Fiordland National Park.
What's Included
- Live commentary on board
- Live commentary on board
What's Not Included
- Food and drinks
- Gratuities
- Food and drinks
- Gratuities
Additional Information
Experience the tranquil beauty of Doubtful Sound during a cruise on its clear waters while admiring the stunning surroundings. Travel across Lake Manapouri, traverse the 670-meter tall Wilmot Pass and partake in a 2 hour and 45-minute cruise amid the calmness of Doubtful Sound.
The entire round trip will take about 13 hours. If you’d like to arrange for…
Experience the tranquil beauty of Doubtful Sound during a cruise on its clear waters while admiring the stunning surroundings. Travel across Lake Manapouri, traverse the 670-meter tall Wilmot Pass and partake in a 2 hour and 45-minute cruise amid the calmness of Doubtful Sound.
The entire round trip will take about 13 hours. If you’d like to arrange for a picnic lunch in advance, get in touch with the supplier once you’ve made your booking.
We provide hotel pick-up and drop-off services from select locales. To check whether there is a pick-up zone near your accommodation, connect with RealNZ directly.
Remember, it’s essential you’re at your pick-up point 15 minutes prior to your intended departure.
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- Please wear comfortable shoes, waterproof jacket and warm clothing
- Please note: During survey the Patea Explorer will be substituted with another vessel from the RealNZ fleet
Location
88 Beach Street
Beach Street
Please arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled departure.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.7
(198 Ratings)
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Sm00thtravel
Dec 9, 2024
This Tour is a Winner!! - We booked this tour the night before noting that it was pricey and a long day but did not want to rent a car and drive. We are so glad -it was worth every penny!! We did accidently get on the Milford Tour bus but was quickly sorted out. Blake ,the World's Best Driver, was right there on time to get us on the right bus. He escorted us from the hotel to bus to boat to bus to cruise and back to the hotel with no glitches. The commentary was informative and fun! We pre-ordered the lunches which was ample food and easy to eat on the boat. There was food for purchase on the boat but the lunches were better options IMHO. The bus and boats had room to move around inside and out with room for lots of pictures. The waterfalls were fantastic! The views amazing! I would highly recommend this tour to see Doubtful Sound. Hopefully you get Blake -the world's best bus driver!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Douglas_b
Nov 28, 2024
Fiordland options - I did both Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound. They each have their charms and are similar trips, but with Doubtful Sound you spend less time sitting on the bus and more time on the water.
Review provided by Viator
A7463bcneilt
Nov 16, 2024
A great way to spend 12 hours in New Zealand's Fordland. - Although it was a long day, it was most interesting and worthwhile. We had great fine weather after rain all day the previous day, so there was fresh snow on the mountains. The fact that the tour involved 2 hours by bus from Queenstown to Manapouri, a 45 minute boat ride along Lake Manapouri , a 55 minute bus ride from Lake Manapouri to Doubtful Bay followed by 3 hours on Doubtful Bay before a return via the same route, broke up the day into interesting segments. Apart from several waterfalls that were flowing well after the rain, we were able to go to the Tasman Sea and see fur seals and a Fiordland crested penguin enjoying the sunshine on the rocks near the entrance to Doubtful Bay . A most worthwhile day.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Erin_p
Nov 3, 2024
The only sound trip you'll need - Connected from Queenstown so long day but it didn't feel like it as it was so well organised and the staff were friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. Beautiful day on the sound too so really got to explore it. Still felt peaceful and could always get a seat with a great view even though there was obviously a reasonable size group of us on the boats.
Review provided by Viator
Charoftheshire
Oct 4, 2024
What an adventure! - This was pricey and a long day, coming from Queenstown, but as the only operator, we had no choice. Thankfully, it was a totally brilliant experience from start to finish, and completely worth the money. From the coach to Manapouri (excellent commentary), beautiful trip across the lake, stunning coach trip through Wilmot Pass (despite the diet!), and the tour itself. Conditions were very changeable- very cold, windy and with intermittent showers. But the waterfalls were incredible. The commentary on board was brilliant. We managed to get out to the Tasman Sea despite the weather. Highly recommend- it's such an adventure!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Peter_t
Sep 30, 2024
Beautiful Experience - This trip is a very long day out. From Queenstown it takes three buses and a 45 min boat crossing to reach Doubtful sound. It truly is a wilderness experience. All staff members were courteous, professional and knowledgeable. The travel is worth it. Compared to a Milford Sound cruise, which are more commercial - with multiple operators, we were the only boat on the Sound, other than the overnight stay boat. This place is an untouched, natural paradise. Easy to imagine you're in prehistoric times. The sound of silence moment was awe inspiring. Wear plenty of layers as, even in late September, it's very cold. For the expense, it would have been nice to have lunch included. You can pre order a lunch box or bring your own. Also, make use of the toilets when available.
Review provided by Viator
Karen_a
Sep 27, 2024
Highly Recommend Doubtful Sound - The tour was extremely well organised. The whole day went very smoothly with no wasted time. All the staff were very friendly and interesting. The scenery was incredible. It is a very long day with bus-boat-bus-boat to get to Doubtful Sound and then bus-boat-bus to return to Queenstown the day was incredible. Very pleased we chose this destination over Milford Sound as there were only 103 people on the boat giving plenty of space to enjoy the serenity. Also the week we were there Milford sound tours had been cancelled due to landslides, there were no such issues with Doubtful Sound.
Review provided by Viator
Shihui_s
Aug 5, 2024
Stunning view at Doubtful... - Stunning view at Doubtful sound
Is a long journey from Queenstown, thankfully the bus is comfortable
Beautiful scenery along the journey
We manage to see dolphins as well!
Review provided by Viator
Leighton_t
Aug 1, 2024
Absolutely awesome!!! - The trip was absolutely amazing!!! Definitely recommend!! The staff were outstanding!! If you have the time make sure you put this on your to do list, you wont be disappointed!! Very happy customer indeed!!
Review provided by Viator
Thompson_t
Nov 7, 2024
Beautiful - It was definitely a long day, but we loved this tour. The Doubtful Sound is absolutely breathtaking, a hidden gem that feels like stepping into a mystical, untouched world. Unlike the more popular Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound offers a sense of isolation and tranquility that makes the entire experience feel uniquely personal.
Review provided by Viator
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