Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise
Overview
Available languages
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‘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
What To Expect
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
Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise
Cruise through the fiord, taking in beautiful surroundings before dropping anchor in a sheltered mooring for kayaking and other activities.
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.
Lake Manapouri
Cruise back to Manapouri and return to the same meeting point at the beginning of the tour (RealNZ, Manapouri visitor centre)
Options
Private Single - Manapouri
Private Cabin : Sole use of your own private cabin with shared bathroom facilities
Private Twin Share Cabin
Manapouri : Private Twin-Share cabin with ensuite bathroom
Twin Share - Wanderer Vessel
Manapouri: Accommodation in a twin cabin with shared bathroom facilities.
Reviews
230 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Nice experience
Sandy B,
Oct 21, 2025
- Viator
4.00Views and staff were good, nature guide was informative, room was basic, no hot water for the shower, but I think that was not the norm. Food was ok, not spectacular. . .take Ear plugs, it can be noisy.
Doubtful Sound in all its glory!
Anita L,
Oct 5, 2025
- Viator
5.00This was the trip of a lifetime! From start to finish we couldn’t fault the staff, who we found friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. The nature guide- Brock was entertaining and made the most of a difficult situation when his laptop failed to load his presentation. He carried on and very successfully delivered an off the cuff commentary, much to our delight. Our trip started with a rainy day which produced many temporary waterfalls in the mountains. Then we awoke to a fine day with sunshine and we all ventured outside to make the most of the photo opportunities. We were in a twin room and found it quite roomy, warm and comfortable. The food was good and plentiful. The whole experience was very memorable and we would recommend it highly to others.
Our experience was great....
David W,
Feb 24, 2025
- Viator
5.00Our experience was great. The organisation of the trip was superb. All the staff we met were very friendly, helpful and informative. Our cabin was clean. The beds were comfortable. All the food on board was well presented and delicious.
Fantastic
Sarah F,
Feb 22, 2025
- Viator
5.00The cruise was fantastic! We were awed and inspired by nature. Highly recommend going! Ferry, bus, ship ran smoothly considering your out in the middle of nowhere. Very comfortable accommodations and plenty of food. Crew was friendly and made things fun with commentary, sights to see, kayaking, and swimming. Mother Nature did not disappoint in this pristine place!!!
Lovely cruise on a quaint roomy boat.
Geoffrey M,
Jan 25, 2025
- Viator
5.00Wonderful in most ways except the bathroom facilities were hostel style, I gather the other boat, navigator has some private bathrooms. Didn't bother me though. We have been spoiled by the barista coffee on our holiday so it was a blow to only have coffee from a big pump flask. I would be willing to buy premium coffee at the bar. Please put a machine in.
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Operated by RealNZ