Table Of Content
We are not using that term figuratively, they actually had a gourmet French chef prepare the meals for our experience. These clumsy, cute critters are some of the rarest penguins on the planet and are only found in New Zealand! We may not have had the fortune of high-fiving a dolphin (not that we would ever actually touch wildlife!). But we counted ourselves very fortunate to have the chance to photograph these rare penguins. While you can’t help but be mildly disappointed that you didn’t win the Southern right whale lottery or penguin lottery, we still very much enjoyed photographing from the water. This boat takes you across Manapouri Lake, a stunning destination in its own right, then drops you off at yet another bus which will take you to the very edge of the Doubtful Sound.
off Milford Sound Cruise
Try turning off private browsing or incognito mode to continue. A double room is a private room for two people, with one bed to share. A twin room is a private room for two people, with two single beds.
About the Cruise Ship
A Doubtful Sounds overnight cruise provides an unforgettable experience. You will be immersed in untouched wilderness, discovering one of the most beautiful parts of New Zealand. In looking at the day trip, it felt like you spent most of your time just getting out to Doubtful Sound. The day cruise experience lasts seven hours (and that doesn’t count the time it takes you to get to Manapouri), but you only spend three of those hours on Doubtful Sound.
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If you are seeking our personal opinion, then the answer is yes. It is very worth the price IF you are on a once-in-a-lifetime vacation and have budgeted for a trip to match those expectations. At no cost to you, we receive a small amount for any bookings made using the links below. In addition to the infinitely-layered landscapes, the amount of wildlife we encountered was more impressive on the Doubtful Sounds cruise. Explore the remote wilderness of Pātea Doubtful Sound on a RealNZ Overnight Cruise. It was actually really nice to disconnect for 24 hours and not have as many distractions from the beautiful nature all around us.
GO NZ: A Milford Sound overnight cruise in magical Fiordland National Park - New Zealand Herald
GO NZ: A Milford Sound overnight cruise in magical Fiordland National Park.
Posted: Mon, 10 May 2021 07:00:00 GMT [source]
From Queenstown to Manapouri by car or coach takes around 2 hrs 45 mins and from Te Anau around 30 minutes. For more information refer to our Driving Times webpage. All our Doubtful Sound experiences start in Manapouri which is around 2.5 – 3 hrs from Queenstown and 30 mins from Te Anau. Our Manapouri Visitor Centre is located at 64 Waiau Street.
Plus, with just three weeks to see as much of New Zealand as possible, I didn’t think it made sense for us to spend another night in Fiordland. The only time I felt seasick on our Doubtful Sound cruise was when we went out to the Tasman Sea. We experienced this on our Milford Sound cruise too but the sea wasn’t as rough that day. On our Doubtful Sound cruise, the captain took us out to the sea for 5-10 minutes; I hear it’s usually 30 minutes in better weather.
See all Doubtful Sound tour and ticket options on Viator.
Doubtful Sound looks immense from afar, but when you get close, you notice all the distinctive plants, rocks, and trees growing in the valley. The birch trees, who were the inspiration behind Lord of the Ring’s Treebeard, looked particularly characterful when dressed in a fresh suit of snow. You are likely reading this because you are trying to decide if it’s worth doing. Budget and time are really the only two reasons we cannot recommend the Doubtful Sounds overnight cruise for everyone. While we recommend Milford Sound for casual visitors, we strongly recommend the Doubtful Sounds cruise for those looking for an overnight cruise. Having done an overnight cruise at both Milford and Doubtful Sounds, the latter was easily our favourite.
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Real Journeys granted consent to operate a bigger vessel in Doubtful Sound - Stuff
Real Journeys granted consent to operate a bigger vessel in Doubtful Sound.
Posted: Sun, 29 Jan 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Mingle with fellow travellers, try some local wines from our bar, and if the skies are clear, spend some time on the upper deck gazing at the stars. Give in to the wilderness, and escape to the secluded Pātea Doubtful Sound, located in the depths of the Fiordland National Park. Unlike a day cruise, this unique overnight experience completely immerses you in nature. Wake up feeling connected, in harmony, and full of wonder for Aotearoa’s native flora and fauna. The best experience ever and we have travelled across the world.
Dates, Travellers & Preferences
However, you will be missing out on a lot of other very special places. Adam is prone to seasickness, which is amplified when he is trying to photograph (which is always). Most notably, you should expect to see some of the most beautiful New Zealand landscapes on a Doubtful Sounds cruise. You will spend the better part of the day cruising in and out of various channels, observing the incredible sheer cliff drops for which the region is known. Of course, the value of a dollar is different for all of our readers!
Aden Motel is just a 2-minute walk from Lake Te Anau and a 15-minute walk to the city center. They have studio,1 bedroom, and 2 bedroom apartments that are absolutely beautiful. It’s an eco-friendly property with a playground (and a big trampoline!), BBQ, and lovely gardens. The staff are super friendly, and the units stay nice and warm in the wintertime.
The Southern Secret also offers private overnight boat charters in the Doubtful Sound area. Charters can be arranged on demand (subject to availability) for small groups, friends, family, or couples seeking a private Doubtful Sound experience. We recommend each passenger brings no more than a carry-on sized bag due to space restrictions in the cabins. For a list of what to bring please see the 'more info' section or your booking confirmation. The Real NZ overnight tour on Doubtful Sound we took last week was outstanding.
The next day you’ll be able to dig into a hearty breakfast before heading back out to the Tasman Sea (weather permitting) and exploring more of the fiord. Choose to explore Milford Sound by kayak or tender boat (weather dependant). The staff were also excited by the double rainbow on the first evening – just as they were by the serene, reflective sunset on the second.
Our coach driver Dino was an absolute gem, providing live commentaries. Brandon + Ben on the Milford Mariner's knowledge of Milford, its history, geology, glaciers and sea life gave us an enhanced understanding of this stunning, remote priceless wilderness. Can't thank you guys enough.Cabins on the Milford Marriner were comfortable, clean and well appointed, the food was excellent and plentiful. The dinghy ride in the sound, the 30+ Dolphin's swimming with the boat and the swim in the cool waters of Milford sound, were the stuff memories are made of.
We were continuously ducking in and out of different channels and offering a lot of diverse views. The main reason for this recommendation is not the sounds themselves. However, the journey TO Milford Sound is incredible, as is the view and photo opportunities from the shore upon arrival.
Home to abundant wildlife you may see bottlenose dolphins and fur seals at play, or catch a glimpse of a rare Fiordland Crested Penguin. This overnight cruise is only available from December through the end of March. So, if you’re visiting during the winter, you’ll have to choose another Doubtful Sound tour. So if you’re thinking about booking the Doubtful Sound overnight cruise, stay tuned. This blog contains everything you need to know before you set sail.
On board, there are various board games and books to enjoy, though my favourite discovery was the piano! The guests still lingering in the dining saloon post-breakfast were courteous enough to not only accept my request to play the piano but to politely applaud after. There was a hum of anticipation as we boarded the ship. And, following a brief introduction on how to safely make the most of our adventure, we were given the keys to our cabins and time to investigate our home for the next two nights. The dinner we had on the Real Journeys overnight cruise was the best we can remember having in all of New Zealand, throughout all of our trips. We have heard stories of dolphins and even whales interacting with some lucky groups.
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