Fiordland's West Coast is deeply indented by 14 fiords spanning 215 km (129miles) of coastline. A true "Sound" is a river valley that has been drowned due to the land sinking below sea level. Fiords are created by glacial action that produces u-shaped valleys with steep cliffs. Fiords are also characterised by shallow entrances that slope quickly seaward to deep water. Although the famous Sounds continue with the misname, the region was renamed Fiordland to recognise this error.
Doubtful Sound Wilderness Daytime Cruise: Your Doubtful Sound adventure begins as you cruise the crystal clear waters of LakeManapouri. Then its over WilmotPass, stopping along the way to experience some of Fiordlands densest rainforest and to view the colourful alpine moss gardens. On reaching Deep Cove, you will board our spacious catamaran for a three hour cruise that takes in the most dramatic scenery of Doubtful Sound. Our skippers provide a detailed commentary and point out highlights. Keep a look out for wildlife as bottlenose dolphins frequently come alongside our vessel, fur seals bask on the rocks around the fiord and rare penguins can at times be observed.Includes visit to Manapouri Underground Power Station.
Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise: Visitors feel humbled, yet uplifted by the atmosphere of powerful solitude in the presence of superb physical grandeur of Doubtful Sound.Sometimes called the sound of silence there is a cloistered serenity within Doubtful Sound that contrasts Milford Sound.Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise offers a very special dinner, bed and breakfast wilderness experience and cruising along the full length of the spectacular fiord. Departing from beautiful LakeManapouri the journey to Doubtful Sound begins with a cruise across LakeManapouri. Followed by an informative coach ride over the WilmotPass through dense rainforest before boarding the Fiordland Navigator at Deep Cove, Doubtful Sound. There is plenty of time to enjoy the stunning views. Fur seals and bottlenose dolphins are often seen and at times, Fiordland Crested penguins can be observed. There is also time for you to kayak around the shoreline or go exploring in the tender vessels with a nature guide. As the shadows lengthen the anchor is dropped in one of Doubtful Sounds hidden arms. The vessel offers spacious viewing decks for viewing the wilderness scenery and wildlife of Doubtful Sound, a comfortable dining saloon and observation lounge.The following morning, after a hearty breakfast, there will be time to explore once again before returning to Deep Cove.Features:Three course buffet dinner and cooked breakfast, kayaks and tender craft, 18 private cabins with ensuite bathrooms.
Milford Sound Overnight Cruise: The Milford Mariner offers a very special dinner, bed and breakfast experience. The vessel is designed along the lines of a traditional New Zealand
coastal trading scow to reflect Fiordlands heritage and is purpose
built to accommodate passengers in private cabins with ensuite
bathrooms.It has a spacious dining saloon, observation lounge and large open deck areas for viewing the scenery of Milford Sound.The Milford Mariner cruises the length of Milford Sound to the Tasman Sea.The
vessel explores in a leisurely way many points of interest, with plenty
of time available to view waterfalls, rainforest, mountains and
wildlife with the experience nature guide on board.The vessel returns to and anchors overnight in sheltered Harrison Cove.Activities include kayaking and exploring the shoreline by tender craft.The overnight cruise includes delicious four course buffet evening meal.The next morning enjoy a hearty breakfast and more cruising before returning to MilfordWharf.Optional luxury coach return along the spectacular scenic Milford Road to Queenstown or fly back from MilfordAirport.Features:Three course buffet dinner & cooked breakfast, kayaks and tender craft, 28 private cabins with ensuite bathrooms.
Milford Sound Nature Daytime Cruise: Explore Milford Sound in a leisurely and
casual way with our nature guides. The Milford Mariner and Milford
Wanderer have been designed along the lines of traditional trading
scows and have been purpose built to operate in the fiords. These
modern vessels offer a relaxing, extended cruise option. For
those on board wanting to learn about the magnificent scenery and
wildlife, nature guides provide a detailed commentary. Keep a look out
for dolphins, seals and penguins.Duration:2.5 hours, optional visit to Underwater Observatory, luxury coach transfers to Te Anau, Queenstown or fly out option available.
Scenic Flights: For those limited on time; or for those looking for a truly magical
experience, there are a wide range of fabulous scenic plane or
helicopter flights to view both Milford and Doubtful Sounds which
depart from either Wanaka or Queenstown. A fabulous special occasion
experience is a heli flight and glacier landing or a heli flight and
romantic picnic on a peak. We can arrange many memorable experiences.
Ask us for details.
Kayak Milford Sound Full Day Guided Tour: Kayak an environment of waterfalls, glacial fiords and home to dolphins, fur seals, crested penguins and much more. Journey along NZ’s most spectacular alpine road, the Milford Road, a World Heritage highway with highlights such as the famous Homer Tunnel wedged into a world of slab-sided mountainous rock faces, icy-clear streams, avalanche scars plus the CleddauValley, and the rocky gorge of the Chasm.Along the way you will learn about the history and conservation. After a safety briefing and paddling instruction you will be on the fjords for 4-5hours, often encountering seals, penguins and sometimes dolphins. Like the weather conditions, such encounters, although not guaranteed, can determine the actual kayak route. We aim to paddle to BowenFalls, out to Harrison Cove, across to MitrePeak before returning via Sinbad Gully and a lunch stop. Up the ArthurRiver to the end of the Milford Track and back to DeepwaterBasin.This is a full 12 hour day from Te Anau, with no more than 6-8 kayakers in each small group, minimum age is 15.Please note that sea and lake kayaking in Fiordland is characterised by: remoteness, rapidly changing weather and water conditions, cold water and in many cases limited kayak landing sites.Although no previous experience is required, you must have a willingness, along with the physical ability to deal with any challenges, as instructed by your expert guides.
Doubtful Sound Wilderness Daytime Cruise: 
