Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise

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Highlights & inclusions

Coach over Wilmot Pass
Wildlife viewing oppportunities
Leisurely exploration of Doubtful Sound by water
Kayaking and exploring by tender craft
Dining saloon, observation lounge and spacious viewing decks
Traditional style motor vessel with staysail schooner-rigged sails
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From
$969.00NZD
Free cancellation up to 14 days prior to experience

1. Select date

November 2025

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Hot Deal
Last minute deal

2. Select participants

Adult - Single Occupancy
0
Adults • Double Cabin • Double bed for minimum 2There is a minimum quantity of 2 for this option
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Adults • Twin-Share Cabin • Two single beds for minimum 2
0
Children • Twin-Share Cabin Ages 2-15
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Infants 0-23 months • Sleeping in a cot (twin cabins only)
0

What you can expect

Your itinerary starts with a 45min-1hr cruise across Lake Manapouri, where you’ll hop off at the west arm. A coach then takes you across the Wilmot Pass, where you’ll travel on a sub-alpine road through dense rainforest. Arriving at Deep Cove, you’ll be met by our crew and boat.

Designed along the lines of a traditional scow, The Fiordland Navigator blends old-world charm with modern comforts that include spacious viewing decks, dining saloons with fully licensed bars, and observation lounges.

As your captain navigates through the fiord on your Doubtful Sound boat trip, enjoy engaging commentary from the expert nature guides onboard. Learn about the rich biodiversity of Doubtful Sound, from playful pods of dolphins to New Zealand fur seals and rare penguins. Upon anchoring in a secluded cove for the night, you can choose to kayak along the untouched shores of Doubtful Sound, join a small-group tender craft tour, or even take a swim!

After dropping anchor in a sheltered cove, you can choose to explore the shoreline by kayak or tender boat, or simply relax onboard. For those looking to refresh, there’s even a chance to go swimming. All activities are weather-dependent.

In the evening, you’ll enjoy a delicious three-course dinner prepared by our onboard chef, served in the dining saloon. Mingle with fellow travellers, try some local wines from our bar, and if the skies are clear, spend some time on the upper deck gazing at the stars.

Kick off the next day with a hearty cooked breakfast or a nourishing continental selection and get ready to explore the other arms of the fiord. Before long, you’ll return to Deep Cove, and take the trip back to Manapouri where you’ll tell the story of your experience in the remote wilderness of New Zealand.

Location

What you need to know

Note
  • All food and beverage purchases aboard the vessels in Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound, Queenstown, and Te Anau, as well as at Walter Peak and the Manapouri Café, do not accept cash. A cashless system will provide a smoother, more efficient experience for both guests and staff
  • Payment terminals accept all major credit cards and debit cards, including AMEX, WeChat Pay, AliPay and Union Pay, as well as contactless payment options like Apple Pay and Google Pay.
  • RealNZ is going cashless on all food and beverage purchases in experience.
  • This means that all food and beverage purchases aboard our vessels in Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound, Queenstown, and Te Anau, as well as at Walter Peak and the Manapouri Café, will no longer accept cash. A cashless system will provide a smoother, more efficient experience for both our guests and staff.
  • Our payment terminals accept all major credit cards and debit cards, including AMEX, WeChat Pay, AliPay and Union Pay, as well as contactless payment options like Apple Pay and Google Pay.
  • Note: Fee of 1.5% applies to food and beverage purchases by credit card only. The fee does not apply to purchases in Retail Store at Walter Peak, or merchandise purchased from our Visitor Centres.
Inclusions
  • Overnight cruise on Doubtful Sound
  • Launch transfers across Lake Manapouri
  • Coach over Wilmot Pass
  • Water activities
  • Buffet dinner and breakfast prepared by an on-board chef
  • Specialist nature guide on board to provide insightful commentary
Highlights
  • Leisurely exploration of Doubtful Sound on board the Fiordland Navigator
  • Traditional style motor vessel with staysail schooner-rigged sails
  • Dining saloon, observation lounge and spacious viewing decks
  • Wildlife viewing opportunities including - fur seals, penguins and dolphins
  • Dedicated nature guide with specialist knowledge of the regions history, flora and fauna
  • Interpretation hand out in five languages (English, German, French, Spanish and Japanese)
  • Kayaking and exploring by tender craft
  • Buffet dinner and breakfast prepared by an on-board chef
  • A mix of ensuites and shared bathroom facilities based on room type
Seasons
  • 1-night cruises from September to April each year
  • 2-nights cruises in August each year
  • Itinerary may change depending on the season
FAQs
  • How long does it take to travel to Manapouri? From Queenstown to Manapouri by car or coach takes around 2 hrs 45 mins and from Te Anau around 30 minutes
  • Is there car parking at Manapouri? Overnight car parking is 950m from the Manapouri Visitor Centre and daytime car parking is provided adjacent to the Visitor centre
  • Are there luggage storage facilities at Manapouri? Yes, there is very limited luggage storage available at the Manapouri Visitor Centre for our overnight cruise passengers (maximum one bag only per person)
What To Bring
  • Non-slip shoes/ boots, waterproof jacket
  • Warm sweater/fleece jacket
  • Change of clothes
  • Sunscreen/sunglasses
  • Insect repellent
  • Swimwear (optional)
  • Camera
  • Cash for bar and snacks
  • Overnight bag only
  • Baggage
  • Only one overnight bag should be brought on board for passenger convenience and safety reasons. There are limited luggage storage facilities available at the Real NZ Visitor Centre in Manapouri
Additional Information
  • Vessel Information
  • Fiordland Navigator - A traditional style motor vessel with staysail shunner-rigged sails. Features a dining saloon, observation lounge and viewing decks. Has 18 private cabins with ensuite bathrooms , shared bunk style compartments with a shared bathroom facility. Holds 72 passengers overnight.
  • Adults - Double Cabin - Double bed with ensuite for minimum 2 guests per cabin. Fare is per guest.
  • Adults - Twin-Share Cabin - Two single beds with ensuite for minimum 2 guests per cabin. Fare is per guest.
  • Single Occupancy - Private cabin with ensuite for one adult. Fare is per guest.
  • Children - Twin-Share Cabin - Ages 2-15 - An adult must be booked per child
  • Infants - Ages 0-23 months - Sleeping in a cot (twin cabins only)
  • Meals
  • Evening dining includes three-course buffet meal with a selection of mains (please advise dietary requirements at time of booking). Breakfast includes a choice of cooked and continental. All meals are served in the dining saloon
  • It is recommended that passengers order a Picnic Lunch for Day 1
Terms And Conditions
  • Seasonal price variation
  • Oct 01 to Oct 31 2025 (Off Peak Season Rate), Nov 01 2025 to Dec 19 2025 (High Season Rate), Dec 20, 2025 to Mar 31, 2026 (Peak Season Rate), Apr 1 - April 15 2026 (High Season Rate), Apr 15 2026 to Apr 30 2026 (Off Peak Season Rate), 1 - 30 September 2026 (Off Peak Season Rate)
  • Child rates : Children Twin-Share Cabin Ages 2-15 ( An adult must be booked per child )
  • Infants Ages 0-23 months - Sleeping in a cot (twin cabins only) otherwise child rates apply. Passengers to provide their own cot, unless by prior arrangement.
Booking Information
  • Confirmation in the form of a tour voucher will be received at time of booking
  • Upon completion of purchase, please print the voucher and present on day of the experience
  • For your information, complete Tour Operator Information including contact details is included on your tour voucher
  • Availability was accurate at the time of booking, however, is subject to change due to circumstances out of our control. We strongly suggest reconfirming your booking with the tour operator within 24 hours of making your booking and prior to making other travel arrangements
  • Prices are seasonal and are constantly changing. The 'from price' displayed may not always be the price you are going to pay, as once you click on your specified date, the price will change to reflect the price for that date/season. Please note that in some cases where you cannot click on a date to obtain the price, please call us so we can assist you