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Beyond the visual beauty of Doubtful Sound, wildlife sightings are a huge draw for nature and animal advocates visiting the area. Dolphins, fur seals, and Fiordland crested penguins are just a few of the species you can expect to see in the waters or huddled along the islets. After the water activities, our boat sailed onto where we would moor for the night, a cozy cove with near still waters. I was finally starting to feel better, just in time for our dinner buffet. We enjoyed a delicious spread of local and international meats, vegetables, seafood, salads and more.
Doubtful Sound Day Trip
Others visit and you could glimpse Mollymawks and Royal Albatross, penguins, including the rare Fiordland Crested Penguin which breeds at Doubtful Sound or even a whale. 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. Despite it being the priciest thing we did in Aotearoa New Zealand, I am so glad we splurged on the overnight cruise of Doubtful Sound.
Doubtful Sound cruise ship grounding prompts council discussion - RNZ
Doubtful Sound cruise ship grounding prompts council discussion.
Posted: Sat, 10 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Experience fishing Doubtful Sound
33 islands around Doubtful Sound are connected by the common thread of Lake Manapouri, and the town along the lake is home to less than 500 people. We’ll pause along the way to experience the dense Fiordland rainforest and view Doubtful Sound glistening below. This isolation makes this fiord a very special place, only those in the know get to see.
Wildlife Wonders
As you cruise the peaceful waters you will see amazing vistas. The mountains rise directly from the seafloor to the highest of peaks in near vertical cliff forms where trees unexplained hanging on; and waterfalls cascading from top to bottom. Our crew onboard will share stories and help you spot local wildlife.
Cruise ship runs aground in Doubtful Sound, 67 people evacuated - Stuff
Cruise ship runs aground in Doubtful Sound, 67 people evacuated.
Posted: Wed, 24 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Quality Experiences
We also learned that Doubtful Sound is home to 70 bottle nose dolphins and the Tawaki Fiordland crested penguin. Unlike the road to Milford Sound, you cannot drive your own vehicle all the way to Doubtful Sound. Yet, the true essence of this place lies in its delicate balance of nature and the respect with which the Maori and later settlers have treated this sanctuary. As inspired travelers, it becomes our responsibility too, to tread lightly, ensuring that our footprints don’t disturb its tranquility.
Fresh from the Waters: Seafood Delicacies
You will then travel by coach over the Wilmot Pass to Deep Cove where you will board your Doubtful Sound Patea scenic cruise boat. The Wilmot Pass is a 671m-high (230ft) pass connecting the west arm of Lake Manapouri to Deep Cove in Doubtful Sound Patea. Day trips and overnight trips to Doubtful Sound Patea include your transport by boat and bus. Our coach driver Dino was an absolute gem, providing live commentaries.
Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise - Fiordland NavigatorDoubtful Sound
We were only out on the sea for five minutes before the captain decided it was too rough and headed back into the peaceful fiord. Just those few minutes at sea with the huge quakes and swells had me feeling nauseous for the rest of the night. However, it’s so remote that it’s the sort of place you’ll probably only visit once. As such, I recommend staying overnight to enjoy it a little longer and see the sunrise over the water. This overnight tour is my favorite option because it takes care of all the logistics and includes several perks like kayaking and a comfy private room onboard.
Wildlife
These accommodations are quiet, clean, and super spacious – perfect if you like privacy and comfort. If cancelling or amending a retail booking, a refund will only be granted when RealNZ receives notification 24 hours prior to departure. 93% of new customers that used Everything New Zealand to provide advice and securely book their NZ activities have let us know they've had a good or excellent experience with us.
I’ve stayed here plenty, so to help you out, I’ve rounded up my favorite options for each budget. If you’re very sensitive to sound, then you might want earplugs for the morning when the cruise begins sailing. They need to switch the engines on to get going, and although it’s not super loud, you might wake up if you’re a light sleeper. It isn’t as popular as Milford Sound, mostly because it’s harder to get to. In fact, it’s so remote that Captain Cook thought it would be impossible to sail here, hence the name “Doubtful Sound.” He actually called it “Doubtful Harbour” starting in 1770.
My favourites were the kumara (a local sweet potato), chicken curry, mussels and roast beef. We were also served a chocolate tart or passion fruit and mango panna cotta for dessert. We went on our Doubtful Sound overnight cruise in April 2023 and it was truly one of the best parts of our three weeks in Aotearoa. Doubtful Sound is one of the most remote places in the country, which is why it requires a tour! And if you’re based in Te Anau, this wilderness cruise is my favorite option.
Escape to the peace and tranquillity of Doubtful Sound on a magical overnight cruise with RealNZ. Voyage across lake Manapouri, over the breathtaking Wilmot Pass and into the heart of Fiordland National Park. It’s a shorter cruise and a shorter day trip (a big advantage if you are traveling with kids). Doubtful Sound is gorgeous, with its steep mountains, waterfalls, and vegetation. These are narrower bodies of water with steeper mountain faces and more dramatic scenery.
A fiord is a narrow inlet of the sea that runs between steep cliffs. A fiord was carved out by a glacier and then filled with water from the sea. Norway is also famous for its fjords, which are the same geographical structure, just with a slightly different spelling. Start you holiday from the time you land with transfers from Queenstown or Invercargill to your cruise departure.
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