Doubtful Sound Cruise: Best Cruises through Doubtful Sound

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Doubtful Sound Cruise Port Guide

Dramatic views and incredible natural beauty await you in New Zealand’s second-longest fjord, Doubtful Sound. On your New Zealand cruise, the narrow inlet into Doubtful Sound takes you back to eras where entire continents went undiscovered.Enjoy rare moments in remote nature surrounded by stunning mountains and glacier-fed waters.

They call Doubtful Sound a “place of silence,” and they’re not wrong. Soak up every moment of clear-headed quiet and refreshing mountain air. An incredible blend of saltwater from the ocean and freshwater from mountain runoff creates a unique ecosystem here. The area is known for its wildlife, particularly the blue penguin, the Fiordland crested penguin, and fur seals. Experience pure New Zealand on a Doubtful Sound cruise and marvel at the night sky full of stars.

Cruises Through Doubtful Sound, New Zealand

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Top Sights & Attractions for Cruises through Doubtful Sound

Browne Falls

Browne Falls is one of the largest waterfalls in New Zealand at over 2,000 feet. Listen carefully to the water descending from an incredible view of verdant mountains.

Lake Manapouri

On a Doubtful Sound cruise, you’ll be sailing along Lake Manapouri, a lake formed thousands of years ago. 33 islands around Doubtful Sound are connected by the common thread of Lake Manapouri, and the town along the lake is home to less than 500 people.

Fiordland National Park

Fiordland National Park encompasses both Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound and is home to rugged landscapes and quintessentially New Zealand experiences. Not far from Queenstown, Fiordland National Park was established to preserve and honor the local wildlife, valleys, and fjord systems in New Zealand.

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Top Things to Do in Doubtful Sound

Penguin and Dolphin Sightings

Beyond the visual beauty of Doubtful Sound, wildlife sightings are a huge draw for nature and animal advocates visiting the area. Dolphins, fur seals, and Fiordland crested penguins are just a few of the species you can expect to see in the waters or huddled along the islets.

Admire the Fjords

As your cruise ship elegantly glides through the New Zealand wilderness, the fiords offer incredible views and make you appreciate nature among an ancient, mighty system of fiords, waterfalls, and rainforest.

Culture & History of Doubtful Sound Cruise Port

Doubtful Sound was created by icy, glacier-fed waters cutting into the rockface, creating mountains over thousands of years. The name originated when Captain James Cook sailed near the inlet and was too afraid to enter it. However, the Maori traditions and legends around Doubtful Sound existed long before any outside contact by Cook in the 1700s. Before the 1970s, plans were made to build a power plant along Lake Manapouri. New Zealanders protested the development in favor of protecting the land. Now, Doubtful Sound is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Local Currency & Tipping Customs

The official currency in New Zealand is the New Zealand dollar. Tipping isn’t always expected in New Zealand the way it is in the United States. There isn’t an obligation to tip, but feel free to leave something in the event of exceptional service or if a tour provider really wows you.