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Doubtful Sound, Te Anau

4.7
#1 of 34 in Wildlife in Southland Region
Water Body · Wildlife Area
Explore the many twists and turns of Doubtful Sound, a large fjord where calm, dark blue water is flanked by green mountain peaks. The sound was named by Captain Cook in the 16th century because he was unsure if it was accessible by sailboat; today, access to this isolated area is restricted to boat cruises and bus trips. To get more out of your visit, consider an overnight cruise or kayaking in the sound. The unspoiled wilderness area supports rare marine life like bottlenose dolphins, penguins, fur seals, and sometimes whales. Using our custom trip planner, Te Anau attractions like Doubtful Sound can form part of a personalized travel itinerary.
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Tours to Doubtful Sound

FROM $341 BOOK WITH VIATOR Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise
4.9
Duration: 2 days
Tours from $341 »
FROM $136 BOOK WITH VIATOR Doubtful Sound Wilderness Day Cruise from Manapouri
5.0
Duration: 8 hours
Tours from $136 »
FROM $147 BOOK WITH VIATOR Private Full-Day Tour in Doubtful Sound with Kayak Experience
5.0
Duration: 9 hours
Tours from $147 »

Doubtful Sound reviews

Rate this attraction
TripAdvisor traveler rating
TripAdvisor traveler rating 5.0
2,288 reviews
Google
4.7
TripAdvisor
  • By Lesley M
    On a beautiful clear calm day we boarded the ferry that would make the 33 km, 50 minute trip to the far side (Western End) of Lake Manapouri (5th largest, 2nd deepest in NZ) then we transferred to...  more »
  • By jacci6
    We booked this overnight cruise on Doubtful Sound with a company called Real Journeys. It was. Different to Milford but equally stunning. Access more difficult as we had to get a boat across lake...  more »
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Google
  • By Julian Kleinbussink
    Save your time and money and go to Milford Sound instead. Average views, I was very bored for most of the journey. At Milford I saw seals, dolphins and a penguin and here I got to see the same scenery for the whole duration.
  • By W R Edwards
    Four seasons in one. We had rain, then snow on the mountain peaks and finally beautiful sunshine. Captain Cook named it Doubtful sound. We saw seals, dolphins and were lucky enough to see a penguin sailing past the boat. It was a delightful trip.
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