Doubtful Sound Wilderness Day Cruise from Manapouri

Overview

Available languages

English

7 hours

Mobile ticket

Experience an 8-hour day trip into the remote wilderness of Doubtful Sound, the heart of Fiordland National Park, while nature guides answer questions and point out landmarks. This fiord is home to bottlenose dolphins and fur seals - both are often seen. In season, you may even catch a glimpse of the rare Fiordland crested penguins. Explore Doubtful Sound's vast waterways on board a luxurious vessel.. A highlight is experiencing the unique 'Sound of Silence', where you hear only birdsong while floating on the fiord with the engines turned off.

If you wish to pre-order a picnic lunch, please contact the supplier directly after you have made your booking.

Please be sure you arrive 20 minute before departure to check in.

Additional Info

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Children must be accompanied by an adult

It is recommended to wear comfortable shoes, warm clothing, and a rain jacket or hat, as necessary

Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately

Please note: During survey the Patea Explorer will be substituted with another vessel from the RealNZ fleet

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What‘s Included

Live commentary on board

Food and drinks (available to purchase)

Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)

Hotel pickup and drop-off

What To Expect

Lake Manapouri

Cruise across Lake Manapouri to the Wilmot Pass at the beginning of your journey.

1 hour • Admission Not Applicable

Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise

Take in the scenery and wildlife aboard our comfortable catamaran. Our on board nature guides will be giving an informative commentary throughout the journey.

2 hours 45 minutes • Admission Not Applicable

Options

Doubtful Early Departure

Doubtful Sound Day Cruise

Manapouri Departure

Reviews

4.72

459 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

374

HUGE DISAPPOINTMENT
TFFC,
Nov 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
2.00
Hubby and I were so looking forward to this cruise. It was to be the highlight of our 4 week South Island trip. We booked over the phone just a few days prior to going. Numbers on the boat are not huge as they can only fit 60 odd people in the bus that goes from Manapouri over the hill. Boat trip across Manapouri was great, but the bus trip was scary and cramped and you have to do it twice. The bus was smallish and so full, with an enclosed air system, so no way of opening a window. It was very claustrophobic and the recirculating air was a concern as I had just gotten over a long illness. The driver was nice but he stopped for photo opportunities far too often. Still, we were excited about the prospect of seeing "the sound" and the "abundance of wildlife" promised in the RealNZ pamphlet. The whole trip was to take 7.5 hrs including 3 hrs cruising. Nowhere in the pamphlet did it say to bring your own food to the Doubtful trip and the woman taking our booking over the phone did not say we had to bring our own lunch. However, over the page on the RealNZ Milford Sound Day Cruise which is only 2 hours, they mention "craft beer and wine with an on-board chef and cafe style menu" . We thought naturally surely this would be repeated on the 7.5 hour Doubtful trip. As lunch time neared we noticed people had backpacks and were unpacking a picnic lunch. We asked a couple how they knew to bring food and they said they were told when they booked. The boat had a bar and a kitchen and an area that was obviously a servery for food but there was just one small cafe type cabinet with a few filled bagels and cakes in it. There was no signage about lunch, food, prices or availability. Then we saw a lovely cheese board & meats delivered to someone. We had to go to the bar and ask about it, plus the availability of lunch. They said all they had was what was in the small cabinet. No cooked meals or hot food. No sign about a cheeseboard. We found the staff to be very unhelpful. The trip progressed and we were following the route we were taking carefully, when we realised that we had turned around and were not going all the way down the sound to the opening, but we were in fact heading back. We spoke to the young man who seemed to be in charge asking why we were not doing the whole cruise and where is the wildlife??? We hadnt seen a single live thing. No seals, no dolphins and no penguins. His answer was something to do with rougher sea at the end and that it wasnt the right time of year for the wildlife. We were pretty ticked off by now. Their website said "known for its rich abundance of flora and fauna!" Also, if we were only going to do less than half of the trip down the sound why werent we told at the beginning? The whole thing was a giant disappointment. We sat at a table with another couple who were also very disappointed. We met them again a few days later on the Milford Sound trip and they said they had made a complaint to the company. The Milford trip by the way was amazing with polite happy staff and lovely food available. Such a huge contrast.
Excellent
Ann W,
Nov 29, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
The day started well when the boat trip across Lake Manapouri was misty and had rainbows. The Wilmott Pass drive was great and then the cherry on the top was a great day out on Doubtful Sound.
Terrific guides!
hms stowell,
Nov 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Great experience! Not only did we see the beautiful fiord, the guides on the boats and busses were full of really interesting information. Saw seals and penguins! Highly recommend.
This tour is as close as...
Alexander A,
Nov 26, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
This tour is as close as you can come to experiencing a bit of old fashioned wilderness, without any of the discomfort! Friendly tour guides on both boats and bus, we especially enjoyed Flash’s commentary on the bus. The tour is well paced, not rushed at all, with frequent photo stops and opportunities to take in the views. We saw seals and a penguin. The weather was pretty poor for the first half of our tour, but still well worth doing even in the rain and wind.
An absolute highlight on the South Island tour
Reto B,
Nov 25, 2025
- Review from Viator
4.00
Interesting day tour from Manapouri. The journey to Doubtful Sound is an experience. The boat ride on Laka Manapouri, the bus ride over Wilmot Pass and then the 3-hour boat ride on Doubtful Sound. Unfortunately it was a bit foggy there and in between it rained. But the landscape was still unique and impressive.
Scenery fatigue!
L9339BLnigels,
Nov 23, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Very well organised. Excellent and comfortable boats. Friendly and knowledgeable staff. All three parts of the trip - the lake crossing, the coach ride and the cruise were all interesting. Stunning scenery and the sun shine! Tip: cover up; no shorts - the sand flies at the end of the lake are ferocious!
Awesome Tour A Must Do!
Passenger37326244204,
Nov 21, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
My wife and I loved it, we did both the Milford Sound and the Doubtful Sound, and while Milford is really pretty the Doubtful sound tour is way better, crossing the lake was scenic and the bus ride to the sounds was also scenic, then the Sounds was amazing. The trip was worth every penny. If you only have time for 1 definitely do the Doubtful Sounds.
Tour was well organized...
Martha N,
Nov 20, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Tour was well organized and informative. The captain tailors the cruise itinerary based on weather and sea conditions. It felt relaxed and was an appropriate length.
Beautiful
Mirjam v,
Nov 20, 2025
- Review from Viator
4.00
That this is really worth it. The experience with the wind on the foredeck. Even with windy weather, great.
Embrace the rain!
Krista F,
Nov 19, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
A great rainy day activity. Have seen more waterfalls during this cruise than the rest of my entire life combined. Dress prepared to stand on the outer deck for the full experience. It’s worth it!