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It was magical to experience the fiord waking up with the clouds rising off the still water and over the cliffs. On the other side, our group boarded two coach buses that would drive us across the Wilmot Pass. The drive is only 21 km but due to the terrain and lots of stops at points of interest, it takes about 45 minutes. I highly encourage you to treat both the lake boat ride and the bus as part of the tour experience instead of just transportation to get you to the fiord. That way, you’ll enjoy the ride and near-constant commentary from the bus driver, rather than have your headphones in and wonder why it was taking so long like I did. The overnight cruise on Doubtful Sound with Fiordland Expeditions was truly amazing.
Inquiry launched after cruise ship runs aground in Doubtful Sound - New Zealand Herald
Inquiry launched after cruise ship runs aground in Doubtful Sound.
Posted: Wed, 24 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Doubtful Sound Wilderness Cruises
The accommodation was comfortable (we had a double ensuite cabin). The onboard naturalist kept up the commentary all the time we were sailing, making it so interesting. Scenery was stunning - would recommend this to anyone.
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Our crew onboard will share stories and help you spot local wildlife. Dolphins, seals and penguins are all frequent visitors. Evenings on the Wanderer are a time for relaxation and indulgence. Enjoy a three-course plated dinner prepared by the onboard chef, socialise with fellow travelers over local wines, and if the night sky is clear, stargaze from the upper deck.
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From start to finish this cruise exceeded our expectations. Definitely recommend the small boat - we had 8 people. Fishing, kayaking, pulling up cray pots - and the food - Kristen your food was out of this world! Jason thank you for going the extra mile to ensure this was indeed the trip of a lifetime. Many say you have not seen Fiordland unless you have seen it in the rain.
Kayaking
The crew were so competent, personable and good fun and enabled the group to gel and get to know one another. The food was first class and beautifully presented, more like a gourmet restaurant than a boat! The cabins were very clean and comfortable and everything we needed was provided. The Fishing, kayaking and diving were highlights and the scenery just breathtaking. However, it’s so remote that it’s the sort of place you’ll probably only visit once.
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And the crew was first-rate and very friendly and helpful. We felt so spoiled getting to see Doubtful Sound in glorious sunshine with incredible service from the crew on board the Navigator and all at Real NZ. An escape from reality into a little piece of paradise in NZ. Discover cascading waterfalls, lush rainforest, and serene beauty - rain or shine. Driving conditions during winter (May to September) can be difficult.
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When it rains in Fiordland the landscape is dramatic - rock faces stream with waterfalls, mist hangs around the tops of the mountains and rivers and streams rage. From a dry comfortable vantage point on the bus or boat, this landscape is spectacular for sightseeing. 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. In the evening, you’ll enjoy a delicious three-course dinner prepared by our onboard chef, served in the dining saloon.
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The Doubtful Sound Wilderness Cruise tour will still operate without the visit underground to the Powerstation. A fiord is a glaciated valley - typically narrow and steep-sided - that has been flooded by the sea after the glacier’s retreat. A sound, on the other hand, is a river valley flooded by the sea following a rise in sea levels or depression of the land, or a combination of both.
That is, until the captain decided to take us out to the Tasman Sea. Depending on weather and water conditions, Doubtful Sound overnight cruises may head out to the Tasman Sea for up to 30 minutes. We were only out on the sea for five minutes before the captain decided it was too rough and headed back into the peaceful fiord. Just those few minutes at sea with the huge quakes and swells had me feeling nauseous for the rest of the night. For the majority of the cruise, you’re sailing along the fiord where the waters are relatively calm. We experienced one rainy day and one sunny day on our overnight cruise – the waters were better on the sunny day but not awful on the rainy day.
Rooms are clean, showers are hot, and the whole property feels like a giant park. Prices start at $68 NZD and you can reserve your room online. It’s super exciting for them as they get to enjoy a real adventure and spot tons of wildlife along the way. The price of this Doubtful Sound overnight cruise depends on how many people you book for.
Join an unforgettable Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise and discover the unspoilt and remote wilderness of Fiordland National Park. Cruise across the beautiful Lake Manapouri, travel the sub-alpine road through dense rainforest over Wilmot Pass and arrive in Deep Cove to board your overnight vessel. Three-course buffet dinner and a cooked continental breakfast provided.
Mayday call after near-full Fiordland cruise ship runs aground - 1News
Mayday call after near-full Fiordland cruise ship runs aground.
Posted: Thu, 25 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
This layer is caused by the incredibly high annual rainfall which is darkly coloured by the tannins of the forest as it tumbles through a huge catchment area to the sea. This dark layer allows corals and undersea life to grow in waters much shallower than they normally would. Creatures of the southern oceans live here – there’s a resident pod of dolphins and lots of fur seals. Others visit and you could glimpse Mollymawks and Royal Albatross, penguins, including the rare Fiordland Crested Penguin which breeds at Doubtful Sound or even a whale.
Our ultimate guide will give you all the tips you need to plan that special holiday in the south island including Queenstown, Te Anau, Stewart Island and Milford and Doubtful Sounds. The vastness of this untouched world will take your breath away as you experience its spectacular beauty and scenery. Most of the rain falls on the seaward side of the mountains. Located deep in the heart of Fiordland, and almost inaccessible to humans, Doubtful Sound is within a temperate rainforest and home to a largely undisturbed wildlife.
Cruises have a flexible itinerary that allows plenty of time to enjoy the scenery and to pause to view highlights. With a maximum capacity of 36 passengers, this Doubtful Sound boat trip is perfect for those looking for a more intimate overnight experience. I’d also recommend the Doubtful Sound overnight cruise instead of the day cruise.
Take on a close-up experience of Doubtful Sound’s waterfalls, abundant wildlife, rainforest and mountains. Your getaway starts with a short cruise across Lake Manapouri, then a coach across Wilmot Pass through dense rainforest where your crew and the Fiordland Navigator boat await. The first European to discover the fiord was Captain Cook during his search for a ‘great southern continent’. Visiting the mouth of Doubtful Sound in 1770 and unsure whether it was navigable, he named it Doubtful Harbour. 23 years later, a visiting Spanish scientific expedition charted the entrance and lower parts of the sound. Escape to the peace and tranquillity of Doubtful Sound on a magical overnight cruise with RealNZ.
There wasn’t any commentary this time, as we had driven the same road yesterday, but we did stop for photos of the pass. We then sailed across the lake and arrived back in Manapouri around 12 pm. A trip we won’t ever forget, and well worth the money.
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