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 trip begins on the shore of Lake Manapouri, where you’ll hop onto a vessel to cross over to West Arm. From there, our RealNZ coach takes you across the breathtaking Wilmot Pass, delivering you to Doubtful Sound—your secluded sanctuary for the night.
Choose to escape aboard one of our traditional-styled vessels for one or two nights.
Explore the nooks and coves of Doubtful Sound all the way out to the Tasman Sea.
Choose the onboard accommodation that suits you. Our two differing vessels offer slightly different accommodation offerings. See what’s on offer on each vessel.
Our onboard chef will feed you well. Freshly baked afternoon tea, local platters, a gourmet buffet dinner and a selection of hot and continental breakfasts will be served.
Understand what you’re experiencing with our onboard nature specialist. They’ll tell you about the land, local flora and the resident fauna who may come out to say hello.
Be the captain of your own boat! Choose to explore a sheltered shoreline by kayak or hop into our small boat with a nature guide.
Leave the driving to us and explore our coach connections, which are available from Queenstown and Te Anau.
Doubtful Sound is pristine, unforgettable and out of this world. So get ready to create some lifelong memories as we take you on the ultimate Doubtful Sound experience.
Your itinerary starts with a 45min-1hr cruise across Lake Manapouri, where you’ll hop off at the west arm. A coach then takes you across the Wilmot Pass, where you’ll travel on a sub-alpine road through dense rainforest. Arriving at Deep Cove, you’ll be met by our crew and vessel.
Designed along the lines of a traditional scow, our vessels, The Fiordland Navigator and The Wanderer, blend old-world charm with modern comforts that include spacious viewing decks, dining saloons with fully licensed bars, and observation lounges.
As you cruise through some of New Zealand’s most stunning scenery, our knowledgeable nature guides will provide commentary ensuring you don’t miss a thing, whether you’re encountering a pod of resident dolphins, fur seals or rare penguins.
After dropping anchor in a sheltered cove, you can choose to explore the shoreline by kayak or tender boat, or simply relax onboard. For those looking to refresh, there’s even a chance to go swimming. All activities are weather-dependent.
In the evening, you’ll enjoy a delicious three-course dinner prepared by our onboard chef, served in the dining saloon. 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.
Kick off the next day with a hearty cooked breakfast or a nourishing continental selection and get ready to explore the other arms of the fiord. Before long, you’ll return to Deep Cove, and take the trip back to Manapouri where you’ll tell the story of your experience in the remote wilderness of New Zealand.
Things you should know:
Duration is one or two nights.
Two-night overnight cruises are available in April, May, October & November.
Accommodation:
Private cabins - twin, double or single occupancy with ensuite bathrooms (single passengers must pay sole occupancy rate)
Twin sleeping compartments with communal bathrooms.
Enjoy a hearty dinner including a buffet of salads and hot dishes, as well as a selection of desserts and cheeses (dietary requirements can be catered for and should be noted at the time of booking).
On the two-night trip, lunch is included on the second day.
There is a licensed bar on board
Includes kayaking and tender craft (small boat) activities
You’ll enjoy a buffet breakfast on-board
Extra information
Duvets, sheets and towels provided.
Complimentary teas and coffee are available throughout.
Suitable for all ages, except for infants intending to stay in a quad-share cabin.
Due to the multi-leg journey and floating wharf access, guests will need to have a reasonable level of mobility.
Snacks and drinks are available for purchase (please note we are cashless).
Waiau St Café, below the Manapouri Visitors Centre, opens from 9am - 1.00pm. The menu offers a range of homemade food and Allpress Coffee to enjoy before the experience or to take with you.
Departure Times
The trip leaves Pearl Harbour, Manapouri at 12.30pm and returns 12pm the following day.
You are required to check in at the RealNZ Visitor Centre 30 mins before your departure time.
Getting there
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.
Free parking is available in Manapouri.
What to bring
Only one carry-on bag is recommended for passenger convenience and safety. Don't forget the following:
Non-slip walking shoes/boots
Waterproof jacket*
Warm sweater/fleece jacket
Change of clothes*
Sunscreen/sunglasses
Insect repellent*
Swimwear (optional)
Camera
Lunch and snacks for the first day
Personal medication, including for asthma and allergies
*Essential items if you are doing activities. Activities take place even if it is raining.
Fiordland Navigator
About the Fiordland Navigator
The Fiordland Navigator is a purpose-built vessel designed to replicate a traditional trading scow and is perfectly suited to cruising the fiords.
Sleeps 52
Private cabins with ensuites (twin or double bed configuration)
Spacious viewing decks, dining saloon, licensed bar and observation lounge
Delicious buffet dinner served up by our onboard chef
Carries kayaks and tender craft onboard
The Wanderer
About the Wanderer
Our vessel, the Milford Wanderer, is a modern motorised vessel that has been purpose-built for navigating southern New Zealand.
Sleeps 36
Warm, comfortable accommodation (two passengers per sleeping compartment)
Duvets, sheets and towels provided
Modern shared bathroom facilities with hot showers
Delicious plated meals prepared by onboard chef
Spacious viewing decks, dining saloon, licensed bar and observation lounge
What an amazing experience onboard the Navigator for a Doubtful Sound overnight cruise. Thanks so much!!The best boat trip I’ve ever taken! Thanks also for giving us glorious sunshine and the atmospheric clouds the next day 😉 The views, the staff, the food and the comfort were all outstanding. We got the luxury of exploring the sound by kayak, and experiencing an amazing sunset over the Tasman. Shout out to Brock for his amazing insight and commentary.
This was a fantastic highlight of our south island tour. After a very enjoyable boat ride across the lake, we boarded one of 2 coaches taking us over the pass to the mooring of the Fjordland Navigator. A great crew on board, enthusiastic and very informative about the background and flora/forna of the sound. We saw dolphins and shearwaters at close quarters. The food was excellent, our cabin was comfortable and the whole experience was unforgettable. The highlight was probably the sound of silence, where the engines and generator were stopped, so you could hear nothing but the birds and the breeze! Awesome.
What a wonderful trip, I'm SO glad we decided to take an extra day to do the overnight. The whole area was stunningly beautiful (I actually liked it better than Milford).
The transition from boat to bus to ship was seamless, and everyone involved was friendly and knowledgeable. The ship was great, our room (a double) was cozy and the bed was really comfortable. The food was excellent and they had a bar for drinks.
It was one of our favorite experiences in a month-long trip and we would definitely recommend it!
Wonderful experience aboard the overnight vessel. The extra time is really the best way to take in how amazing and vast Doubtful Sound is. Great good, super nice accommodation & communal areas and a wonderful & informative nature guide in Brock! Thanks RealNZ for an amazing experience.
In case you haven't found the information you were looking for, we've put together some of the most common questions our customers ask about our trips. If you need more specific answers, please contact us directly.
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How long does it take to travel to Manapouri?
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.
Is there car parking at Manapouri?
Yes, we have plenty of free parking at Manapouri. Daytime car parking is provided adjacent to the Visitor Centre. Overnight car parking is a available on View St, a short 2 minute walk from our Manapouri Visitor Centre.
Are linen and towels provided on the Milford and Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruises?
Yes, bedding and towels are provided to all guests.
What is the difference between a double room and a twin room?
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.
We are a group of three people and would like to book a shared quad-share room. Will this mean we would be sharing with another person?
Yes, you could potentially be sharing with another guest. Alternatively you could choose to pay for the entire quad cabin, or two double cabins, to ensure privacy. If you wish to pay for an entire quad cabin, please contact us directly.
Note: quad-share cabins are mixed gender.
What is the difference between Milford and Doubtful Sounds?
Our places. Our experiences. Milford and Doubtful Sounds, NZ.
The main difference between Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound is their locations in Fiordland. Milford Sound, in the northern region, is captivating with its dramatic beauty. Doubtful Sound, on the other hand, is further south, in the heart of Fiordland, and is vaster and wilder, approximately ten times larger than Milford Sound.
What weather can I expect in Fiordland?
Fiordland’s weather is what gives the region its unique character. Rainfall is what makes Fiordland a land of lakes, rivers, streams, waterfalls and fiords. Visitors should always be prepared to enjoy some rainfall during their stay. It is recommended to bring sensible clothing for cool and wet weather to fully appreciate your stay.
The temperatures you can expect in the different seasons are as follows:
Spring (September-November) 10-19 Celsius / 50- 66 Fahrenheit
Is it worth going to Milford/Doubtful Sounds on a wet day?
Many say you have not seen Fiordland unless you have seen it in the rain. When it rains in Fiordland the landscape is dramatic - rock faces stream with waterfalls, mist hangs around the tops of the mountains and rivers and streams rage. From a dry comfortable vantage point on the bus or boat, this landscape is spectacular for sightseeing.
How much luggage can I take on my overnight cruise?
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.
How likely are we to see wildlife in Fiordland?
While we cannot guarantee you will see wildlife, sightings of fur seals are reasonably common in both Doubtful and Milford Sounds. A pod of bottlenose dolphins resides in Doubtful Sound so you have a good chance of seeing these fascinating mammals, and in Milford Sound dolphins are occasional visitors. In both sounds the rare Fiordland crested penguin can at times be observed.
What is the difference between a sound and a fiord?
Throughout Fiordland the fiords are officially mapped as sounds. Strictly speaking, they should be called fiords.
A fiord is a glaciated valley - typically narrow and steep-sided - that has been flooded by the sea after the glacier’s retreat. A sound, on the other hand, is a river valley flooded by the sea following a rise in sea levels or depression of the land, or a combination of both.
Is the Manapouri Underground Power Station accessible?
The Manapouri Underground Power Station visit is CLOSED indefinitely due to maintenance by operators Meridian Energy. We are not permitted to access the Power Station for tours during this time. The Doubtful Sound Wilderness Cruise tour will still operate without the visit underground to the Powerstation.
Online transactions/prices are conducted in what currency?
All prices and transactions on the RealNZ website are in New Zealand dollars (NZD). This is specified on the Terms & Conditions page.
What happens if there is an emergency?
Our staff are trained to deal with incidents and in case of an emergency you should listen to their instructions. We have a portable defibrillator on each of our overnight cruise vessels (Milford Mariner, Milford Wanderer and Fiordland Navigator). In addition to this we also have portable defibrillators at the following locations: • Milford Sound Visitor Terminal • RealNZ Visitor Centre, Manapouri • Cavern House (Te Anau Glowworm Caves) • Colonel’s Homestead Restaurant, Walter Peak • TSS Earnslaw Vintage Steamship • Stewart Island Ferry (Bluff - Oban - Bluff)
Can my dietary requirements be accommodated?
Yes, dietary requirements can be catered for. Please provide detailed information regarding your dietary requirements when making a booking.
Will I be sharing a quad room?
There is a possibility that you might share a quad room with other customers, and it’s important to note these rooms are equipped with a curtain partition instead of a door. Please be aware of this configuration when booking and please contact us if you need further clarification.
Is the boat accessible for individuals with impaired mobility?
When we are informed in advance about guests with hindered mobility, we make every effort to mitigate the impact by assigning rooms in proximity to the main areas. However, it’s important to note that our vessels are not optimally equipped for potential needs. While we extend a warm welcome to individuals with impaired mobility, all our vessel’s doorways feature a sea sill, there are no ramps within the boat, and a flight of stairs separates rooms from the main saloon.
What is the best room type for families or children on an overnight cruise?
Our twin sleeping compartments provide the best privacy for travelling with your family and children. A twin room is a private room for two people with two single beds.
What happens if my travel is disrupted by COVID-19?
If your travel plans are disrupted by COVID-19, our standard cancellation policy applies. This includes flexible cancellation options designed to accommodate unexpected changes. To ensure you are fully covered for any unforeseen circumstances, we strongly encourage you to obtain travel insurance. Travel insurance can help cover any costs incurred from having to cancel or reschedule your trip due to COVID-19, giving you peace of mind.
For more details on our cancellation policy and the specific terms and conditions, please refer to our Terms and conditions page or contact our customer service team.
