What‘s Included

What To Expect

Reviews

• Amazing Experience

  jadegreenleaf,

  Nov 26, 2025

  - Review from Viator

  5.00

  Pickup from Queenstown by bus, then ferry across Lake Manapouri then bus again for ferry in Doubtful Sound (about 2h-ish). The beauty of Doubtful Sound is incredible. Ferry was very comfortable. The entire day was long but the drivers/guides were great and knowledgeable and the crew on the cruise also did a great job. The only issue is that, the itinerary that's listed on Viator is a little confusing. This is a day trip, with pickup and dropoff from/at Queenstown.

• Incredible

  chirag483,

  Nov 26, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  We struggled to choose between Doubtful Sound and Milford sound during our trip but ultimately went with Doubtful due to having read it being less touristy. The team and real NZ was amazing and the trip there was really relaxing from Queenstown. We got lucky and it was raining during our visit to Doubtful and the waterfalls and mist looked magical. Also we didn’t see another tour boat in sight during our cruise which really added to the experience. I’m glad we went with Doubtful and real NZ were fantastic tour operators. The boat was very comfortable and spacious and had very good food and drink options. Just remember to bring mosquito repellent for the sand flies, they’re no joke. Would highly recommend!

• An incredible experience!

  Peggy K,

  Nov 15, 2025

  - Review from Viator

  5.00

  This experience is incredibly special because it is so remote and beautiful. Taking the boat down the river before taking a bus through the mountains was icing on the cake for the Sound cruise. We had gorgeous weather and saw penguins and seals, as well as numerous waterfalls. The most special experience was when they turned off the engines and we enjoyed the nature around us in silence.

• A very full very picturesque day, very well organised.

  Sherpa55364391040,

  Nov 10, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  Awesome day out with beautiful scenery all the way. Very informative and interesting driver Dan - thanks! Pick up went smoothly as organised, beautiful drive to Manapouri, lovely cruise across the lake, time to check out visitors centre before the next very picturesque bus trip down to the doutbtful sound jetty. Brilliant day out.

• Once-in-a-lifetime experience

  elizabethhJ7836CA,

  Nov 10, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  I had a great driver, Brendon, who was very knowledgeable about the area and friendly! It was a long day but the views and photos were worth it! We saw sea lions and fiordland penguins. Doubtful sound is truly one of the most beautiful places I've ever been to and this trip was worth the price! Make sure to bring waterproof gear as it was raining almost the entire day!

• The highlight of our three week trip to NZ

  Lindsey G,

  Nov 1, 2025

  - Review from Viator

  5.00

  Wow! What an experience. It certainly is a journey to get there but man, it’s so worth it. Both breathtaking and jaw dropping. Perfect silence in possibly the most beautiful place on earth. Coach driver Craig kept us enthralled with fascinating stories of NZ’s history. Loved every minute of this fabulous tour. All the stars!!

• Doubtful Sound

  966wendyj,

  Oct 31, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  The scenery was just over the top… the drivers, boat crews were very kind… thoroughly enjoyed the trip … overload on the senses

• A mystical tour

  Antoinette D,

  Oct 26, 2025

  - Review from Viator

  5.00

  Our driver/guide Blake was very knowlegeable about the history of the sheep and deer farms. The stories about trying to catch the deer to lure them into farms were very entertaining. I’d call those men who hunted or tried various daring ways to help reduce the overwhelming number of deer, deer boys. In spite of the wind, clouds and rain, the spectacular boat trip through the fiord and the Doubtful Sound with the roaring sound of the magnificent waterfalls, had a mystic vibe.

• Lovely but a bit overhyped

  Joseph B,

  Oct 26, 2025

  - Review from Viator

  3.00

  We had quite the day! First of all the weather the day we were scheduled was bad and it was rescheduled to the following day. They informed us that since our tour was rescheduled we would need to rent a car and drive to Lake Manapouri ourselves as they had no room on a bus for us. We had to basically beg for money off the excursion since we had to hire a car for $250 for the day. We finally received $132 off 4 days after the fact with multiple phone calls and emails. So once we arrived it was lovely and a very long day. It rained nonstop so with that and some fog it wasn’t as pretty as it could be. Don’t get me wrong, it was lovely but the four of us traveling together all felt it wasn’t worth the cost, effort and time and was underwhelming. It didn’t help that all towns around the sound including Ta Anau had no power. Which meant no gas or ability to get food for the trip.

• Awesome place

  MrDigzz62,

  Oct 20, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  We booked this trip well in advance as part of our NZ three week tour. We arrived in Queenstown a couple of days before and the weather wasn't great. This prompted us to consider cancelling the trip. Thankfully we didn't- the weather wasn't great, rained all day with sporadic winds but that didn't detract from the stunning beauty of Doubtful Sound. It's a long day with coach, ferry and more coach travel to get to deep cove and the start of the cruise but the backdrop of new Zealand's countryside never disappoints. We were held up by cattle crossing the road heading home but even this didn't dampen our spirits. I'd honestly say if you're in a position to go, then go. RealNZ take great care of you (got to mention our driver Gordy who was great!).

  

  

  

  
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