Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise
Fiordland Expeditions
4.5 12 reviews
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If you have the budget for one overnight experience in Fiordland, this is the one. With just 12 guests max on board, it feels genuinely intimate out there. Use promo code RANKERS for 10% off and it helps makes the spend a little easier to justify.
What comes through across the reviews is how much the small group size matters. Past a certain number of passengers, you're queuing for everything. A reviewer who had 14 on board noted the wait times honestly, but still called it "a totally brilliant trip." The sweet spot is clearly when numbers are kept tight and the crew are in their element. Enthusiastic, knowledgeable, nothing too much trouble.
The food gets a consistent mention too. Fresh crayfish and blue cod caught on the day, prepared properly by an onboard chef. That's not something you expect on a boat. Add kayaking by a waterfall, lobster potting, and being genuinely out in the middle of nowhere overnight, and it starts to feel like pretty good value for what it is. Pack togs and a warm layer. The swims are worth it.
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Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise
If you're looking for a small boat cruise with only a dozen people aboard; where you can fish for your dinner, dive for lobster or kayak for that up close personal experience and have lots of fun then Fiordland Expeditions offer the cruise for you!
Does catching a fish for your dinner, diving for lobster or kayaking to exerience the serenity of the sounds sound like what you're looking for?
With outstanding scenery all around and abundant wildlife to amuse. The dolphins love riding the bow of the Tutoko II as she glides through the pristine waters of this untouched place. Penguins are often seen with little Blues around most of the year and Fiordland Crested visiting over the winter months. And New Zealand Fur Seals abound on the rocks at the entrance. You can often see the Molly Mawks (albatross), Black Back gulls and Shearwaters as they skip accross the waves.
Kayaking in the peace and quiet is a moving experience and you can climb into one of Tutoko II's kayaks and wander off by yourself or with a friend to explore this spectacular place; without the noises of civilisation. And enjoy the serenity and rediscovering the noises you thought were lost.
Fishing is a relaxing pastime and a great way to get your dinner. As a crew prepares whatever you catch for dinner another slips over the side for the lobster for the table. The meals are hearty, plentiful and delicious! All consisting of ingredients from Fiordland freshly caught that day! And they will be served to your table; no standing in a queue with these guys.
After dinner socialising continues where stories abound of past ventures from the skipper. Or you can relax with a book from the library before retiring to your comfortable bed where the deafening silence will ensure you have a good nights sleep.
Next day the cruise back to the wharf takes in more sights and wildlife; though all too soon the journey comes to an end.
After meeting new friends and saying goodbyes you’re off back to the world wondering why? If only all of the world could be like this... what a wonderful place it would be; and you take away your memories that last a lifetime!
Details
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Organisation |
Doubtful Sound Overnight CruiseCommercial organisation |
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Location |
South Island ▷ Fiordland ▷ Doubtful Sound |
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Operating Season And Hours |
In the winter, departures are at 10am on day 1 with final check-in at 9:30am, returning to Manapouri around 5pm the next day. In the summer, departures are at the same time but guests return by mid-day the next day. |
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Promo Code 10% Off |
Use discount code RANKERS with Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise and 10% off. |
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Directions To Coordinates |
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Directions Te Anau Office Office |
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Boat Cruises
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Outstanding, the crew are all enthusiasts.
Stuart Arrol -
We had a great time on the boat!
amyd -
The best tourist company ever.
Tamsin Banks -
We had 14 passengers and it was a bit crowded.
C -
Excellent dive boat...
Abo1
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The best tourist company ever.
They provided us with a magical overnight cruise in Doubtful Sound, small, personal and value for money, loved the fishing and kayaking.
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Excellent dive boat...
great facilities... friendly crew and they really went the extra mile. We'll be back!!!
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We had a great time on the boat!
The weather was a little iffy (on and off rain) and we didn't get to see Dolphins or seals, but the experience was great. On a boat with a total of 10 passengers and 2 crew, you really feel like you're out in the middle of nowhere. We had arrived in Te Anau via the Routeburn Track, and they were able to arrange us free rides to & from Manapouri. We had fun fishing - I caught a big blue cod, which we ate for dinner. We kayaked by a waterfall. They also picked up a bunch of crayfish, which were excellently prepared as our entree. The food was quite good! I guess on a small boat, your experience could be affected by the other passengers, but we had a good group!
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10/10 simply due to the small size of the group and our driver/skipper - Informative as an encylcopaedia!
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Absolutely fantastic trip.
Was the highlight of our honeymoon. The captain and his wife were incredibly hospitable and nothing was too much trouble. From lobsters too big to fit on a plate to an amazing breakfast after a very comfortable nights sleep, everything was perfect. Thank you.
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Would have been a ten if the price a little cheaper.
The captain dived for some crayfish and we ate some that night.
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Friendly, funny staff, lots of wildlife: penguins, dolphins, seals.
Kayaking and especially the swimming was fun. Awesome food.
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We had 14 passengers and it was a bit crowded.
Had to wait for fishing, wait for kayaking, wait for toilet, wait for showers. However, it was a totally brillant trip. I loved the food, scenery and taking part in lobster haul. I think the crew needed a break as they seemed to be going through the motions. Its not a luxury boat at all, but its an adventure and fun. The bunkhouse is very basic but comfortable. I think the price was fair considering the food, boat, activities and just getting there over Lake Manapouri and Wilmot pass. I will be back one day.
Thankyou for your candid comments. We're looking forward to having you back some day.
For the record we have 4 toilets, 3 showers, 8 kayaks and 7 fishing poles aboard.
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Overnight cruise.
Cost = $500pp surrounding is nice but this is too much money for the service you get. Although we were with only 6 passengers the (young) crew introduced themselves as people who also want to have a good time. No problem, but it shouldn't be more important than your guests. Food was poor (crayfish = nice, but not as only ingredient with 1 potato).
I agree, very poor attitude form the crew; we're very sorry. I am not sure why you got a potatoe with your second of four courses; it should have been with the main course? Very sorry to hear you had a poor experience.
