Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise

Overview

Available languages

English

48 hours

Mobile ticket

Experience the natural beauty of Doubtful Sound on an overnight cruise departing from Manapouri on New Zealand’s South Island. Cruise on a traditional two-mast sailing scow (flat-bottomed trading boat) along the pristine waters of the fiords, and see a vast array of wildlife including dolphins, seals and penguins in their natural habitats.

Please arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled departure time to check in.

Additional Info

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking

Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately

What to bring: comfortable shoes, waterproof jacket, warm clothing, and swimsuit

For passenger comfort and safety, only one overnight bag per person is allowed on board

Maximum of 2 people per booking for twin rooms. Please create separate bookings if multiple twin rooms are required. Odd number of guests will require a mix of twin room and single occupancy. For example, 3 guests would need 1 twin room and 1 single occupancy.

Cancellation Policy

All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.

What To Expect

Day 1

Manapouri to Doubtful Sound

Accommodations

Enjoy accommodation in private cabins with shared bathrooms

Food and Drinks

DINNER

Dinner

Manapouri Lake

Cruise across the crystal waters of Lake Manapouri to West Arm. Then enjoy an epic coach trip over the Wilmot Pass through Fiordland’s rainforest and into the Doubtful Sound

Admission Not Applicable

Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise

Cruise through the fiord, taking in beautiful surroundings before dropping anchor in a sheltered mooring for kayaking and other activities.

20 hours • Admission Included

Day 2

Return from Doubtful Sound

Food and Drinks

BREAKFAST

Breakfast

Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise

A leisurely cruise back through Doubtful Sound to disembark at Deep Cove. The same coach will then take you back through the Rainforest to West Arm.

Admission Unknown

Lake Manapouri

Cruise back to Manapouri and return to the same meeting point at the beginning of the tour (RealNZ, Manapouri visitor centre)

Admission Not Applicable

What‘s Included

Cruise on Manapouri Lake

Coach transfers across Wilmot Pass

Dinner

Specialist nature guide

Breakfast

Overnight cruise on Doubtful Sound

Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)

Hotel pickup and drop-off

Options

Private Single - Manapouri

Private Cabin : Sole use of your own private cabin with shared bathroom facilities

Twin Share - Wanderer Vessel

Manapouri: Accommodation in a twin cabin with shared bathroom facilities.

Private Twin Share Cabin

Manapouri : Private Twin-Share cabin with ensuite bathroom

Reviews

4.80

253 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

224

In the top 5 experiences of NZ.
Cheryl K,,Jan 17, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
This is by far the best experience of seeing a fiord in NZ. Fantastic knowledge and welcoming feeling that the staff deliver sets it aside from just being a cruise.
Tranquility personified
john w,,Jan 16, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
So much more peaceful than Milford. Does take longer (2hrs) to get to the Sound but well worth it. No planes, no helicopters. Only the Navigator. The narrator was exceptional Overnight cabin, again exceptional
A great experience. Every...
Margaret D,,Jan 14, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
A great experience. Every visitor to New Zealand should experience this. Great trip, most enjoyable.
Highly recommended
O5531ZQrr,,Jan 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
The room we booked on the Navigator had a private bath and 2 large windows. It was somewhat more spacious than we expected and very clean. Food was plentiful and good (one could open a tab at the cash bar); the crew were unfailingly friendly and helpful. There were a number of places both outdoors and in to view the beautiful fjord and there was intermittent commentary from the onboard naturalist. The first afternoon there was an opportunity to go on a kyak tour or in a motorized tender. The approximately 2 hour approach to the dock across Lake Manapouri and the Wilmot Pass were unforgettable parts of the journey.
Stella was Stellar!! She was the acting Boss but all staff were awesome
chitake,,Jan 8, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Well friends and family had raved about it. It’s not cheap though but we were persuaded…. And I’m very glad I was. Staff food ambience all awesome. And the Sound… well I’m lucky enough to have traveled a lot of beautiful places and this is right up there. I think better than Milford in fact.
Unforgettable experience
LYSANDERMuenchen,,Jan 6, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
The Doubtful Sound overnight cruise on the Naviagtor was one of the unforgettable experiences on our 4 week tour of NZ. First, it takes about 40 minutes by boat from the Manapouri Visitor Center to the Manapouri Power Station, which is already an impressive drive. Then about 30 minutes by bus to the starting point of the Navigator including photo stop at the Doubtful Sound view point. The impressive navigator is well equipped, despite full occupancy it is never cramped. Best view to all sides without crowds, wonderful, an exclusive experience. Cabin: we had a double cabin (private bathroom/WC), very cosy, windows to the deck, perfect. Food & Drink: the offer included in the price is fantastic. In the evening a really top organized (no queue) buffet. Quality first class, very good selection. We didn't expect that so well. The bar is well stocked and the prices OK. Program: perfectly organized, very good explanations. If you want, you can also enjoy everything largely alone. Crew / Team: the super friendly and mega dedicated crew does everything to make the guests feel comfortable. Conclusion: an exclusive tour through a breathtaking Fford landscape. Worth every penny!
Having done the day trip a while ago we always promised we would one day do the overnight trip. It did not disappoint.
1624,,Jan 4, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
A bit of luxury on the ship and a bit of awe at the scenery. It was a personal ambition to do the trip and it fully delivered..
A lifetime experience everyone should do
Chris G,,Dec 22, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
This is a world class experience enhanced by friendly helpful staff Accomodation and food were exceptional for such a remote area We received lots of information and met engaged fellow travellers
Not enough kayaks
leahhartshorn,,Dec 13, 2025
- Review from Viator
1.00
There are not enough kayaks for all passengers on the boat. The kayaking experience was the reason we booked the overnight tour compared to a less expensive day tour. The rest of the cruise was fine, just be aware that you will have to fight for a kayak as not many people want to ride the jetty boat. Very disappointing as we did not get the experience we paid for.
Doubtful sound overnight cruise
frankchestnut,,Dec 13, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Well worth the money to experience this beautiful quiet space. The real New Zealand staff is exceptional everyone was wonderful