Ah, dreamy Doubtful Sound – one of my favorite places in New Zealand. This massive fiord (it’s 40 km long) is the deepest fiord in the country and it’s insanely beautiful here. Think, lush green towering mountains, and crystal clear water. It felt like I was in the movie Avatar!
Because Doubtful Sound is so hard to get to, it remains a hidden gem in New Zealand. With many tourists skipping it from their Queenstown itinerary. Which is a real shame, because I actually prefer Doubtful Sound to Milford Sound – you’ll read why below.
It’s so quiet and peaceful here and its Maori name (Patea) literally means ‘place of silence.’ And that description couldn’t be more true, on a cruise here the only other sounds you’ll hear are gushing waterfalls and birdsong!
I’ve been lucky enough to visit Doubtful Sound twice as I lived in Queenstown for a number of years – and know what cruises offer the most unforgettable experience!
What is the difference between Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound?
Milford Sound is one of the most visited destinations in New Zealand, attracting around 800,000 visitors every year. So it can feel crowded at times. There are also several Milford Sound cruises which leave at the same time so you won’t have a quiet, peaceful experience like you will in Doubtful Sound. Another big difference is that you can drive into Milford Sound, from Queenstown it will take around 4 hours each way. There’s also a small village in Milford Sound with a restaurant, cafe, hotel, and gas station. Whereas in Doubtful Sound there’s nothing!
Doubtful Sound is much larger than Milford Sound but because it’s so hard-to-reach (you can only get here on a guided tour) it’s much quieter! It’s also highly likely that you’ll be the only boat on the sound during your cruise as only a few boats operate here.
How long is a Doubtful Sound Cruise?
The cruise through Doubtful Sound is 3 hours long. But because it’s such a lengthy journey to get here from Queenstown you will need to allow a full day (12 hours plus).
Your Next Read: Check out our detailed guide on how you can get from Queenstown to Milford Sound. Including the best tours and how to drive there.
Which Doubtful Sound Cruise is the best?
That answer depends on how much time you have to explore the area. For example, if you’re on a tight schedule the full-day tour from Queenstown is your best option as it will return you to Queenstown that evening (around 8 pm). If you have more time on your hands and are after a bucket-list-worthy experience then the Overnight Doubtful Sound Cruise is a no-brainer.
Another alternative if you’re not on a tight schedule is to drive from Queenstown to Te Anau the day before, spending the night in the cute town of Te Anau. And then join the Doubtful Sound Cruise from Te Anau in the morning.
Anyway, we wanted to let you in on the most important factors that affected us when deciding on our Doubtful Sound cruise. There are a couple of options, so you’re spoiled for choice.
1. My personal favorite – Doubtful Sound Wilderness Cruise from Queenstown
This is the tour I did (twice) and although it’s a long day at 12 hours or more long it’s awesome and one of my favorite tours I did while I was living in Queenstown!
The cruise section of the tour is 3 hours long and you’ll get to see giant forest-covered mountains and dark blue waters that is surprisingly so clear. You’ll also likely be lucky enough to spot dolphins, Fiordland Penguins, and fur seals along the ride. My favorite part about a Doubtful Sound cruise and why I prefer it to Milford Sound is that it’s so quiet – you likely won’t see another boat.
As I said earlier, Doubtful Sound is nicknamed the ‘sound of silence’ and when you visit you’ll understand why. I felt like I was in a dream!
Along the boat cruise, your knowledgeable guide will provide a detailed commentary over the speaker system of what you’re seeing and the history of the area. I loved when the boat went all the way through the sound to where the sea meets the sound, it was so cool to see the difference in the water between the two, The water in Doubtful Sound was so calm in comparison to the choppy waters of the ocean!
Keep in mind, too, that Doubtful Sound is hard to reach. From Queenstown, it’s over a 2-hour drive to Manapouri where you must catch an hour-long ferry to the Wilmot Pass. Then, when you hop off the ferry you must get on a 30-minute very bumpy bus ride over the Wilmot Pass to your boat.
You can choose from two departure times in Queenstown 6:55 am or 7:40 am. This tour from Queenstown costs from $429 NZD per person.
2. If you’re staying in Te Anau – This Doubtful Sound Tour from Te Anau
Same as the above tour from Queenstown except this one departs from Te Anau which is much closer to Doubtful Sound. The bus journey is just 30 minutes from Te Anau to Manapouri, from where you will catch the ferry across to Wilmot Pass.
The cruise section is the exact same as I described above, it’s 3 hours long and gives you the chance to take in the awe-inspiring scenery as well as spot unique marine life like dolphins and Fiordland Penguins.
If you have a rental car, I highly recommend departing from Te Anau as then you can stop off along the drive from Queenstown into Te Anau in cute spots like Kingston. Te Anau really surprised us; there are lots of great food options in the town, and it had a lovely laid-back vibe. We stayed at the Kingsgate Hotel along the lakefront and loved it!
You also have a bigger selection of departure times from Te Anau – 6:45 am; 9:15 am and, 9:45 am. So, you can have a lie-in if you wish.
This tour from Te Anau costs from $349 NZD per person and is a shorter tour on account of the fact it leaves from Te Anau – therefore allow 9 hours for this tour.
3. If you have a car – This Doubtful Sound Tour from Manapouri
This tour from Manapouri (the closest town to Doubtful Sound) is similar to the two above listed tours the only difference is because it departs from Manapouri it’s a quicker tour at 8 hours long. That’s because you’re cutting out the lengthy bus journey from Queenstown.
If your itinerary allows I highly recommend spending the night in the tiny town of Manapouri (there are a couple of Airbnb options here). Or if you prefer you could stay in the larger town of Te Anau which has plenty of accommodation options and then make the 30-minute drive to Manapouri in the morning.
As I said, you’ll need your own car if you choose this tour as there’s very limited public transport into Manapouri. However, the start times for this tour are later than the tours from Queenstown or Te Anau. So, you’ll still get a lie-in. The tour departs from Manapouri at either 10 am or 10:30 am.
This is the cheapest tour on the list at $329 NZD per person.
4. The most bucket-list-worthy tour – This overnight Doubtful Sound Cruise
Now, this next suggested Doubtful Sound tour is one for the bucket list! Imagine getting to wake up in the morning in the ‘Sound of Silence’ – taking in those views and feeling like you have the place to yourself. Which you will likely have, as this is the only overnight boat in Doubtful Sound!
I must admit one of my regrets is not going on the overnight cruise while I lived in Queenstown! Oh well, it’s another excuse to return to wonderful New Zealand again.
Your home for the night is a large boat called the ‘Wanderer’, it’s a 3-mast motorized boat that’s designed on a traditional scow. Your room is comfortable and luxurious and most have a small balcony for you to take in the views! You can also go kayaking from the boat or if you’re feeling brave jump from a safe spot into the icy-cold waters of the sound!
It includes breakfast, a 3-course dinner, and a specialist nature guide who will provide commentary over the speakers about the sights you’re seeing! Alcoholic drinks are available on board but come at an extra cost.
This Doubtful Sound overnight cruise costs from $699 NZD per person and you can choose to join the cruise in Manapouri or connect by luxury coach from Queenstown or Te Anau.
Book your Doubtful Sound Cruise in advance!
As I said, there aren’t many tour operators in Doubtful Sound and as such the tours tend to sell out quickly. This is why we STRONGLY recommend booking your cruise as soon as you know the date you want to do it. That way, you can avoid disappointment and pick the cruise that’s right for you.
As you have read above there are a couple of Doubtful Sound cruises to choose from, but as I detailed earlier, this full-day tour from Queenstown was the perfect choice for us. In fact, I did that exact tour twice, It wasn’t crowded – there were around 40 other guests on board. And I loved how we cruised out to where the sound meets the Tasman Sea. Our guide was also really knowledgable and we learned heaps of facts about the history of the area.
Top Tip: If you’re going to rent a car to drive to Te Anau or Manapouri, we highly recommend Discover Cars. We tend to always book our rental car through Discover Cars when we’re traveling. It is a search engine for rental cars and allows you to filter by price if you’re on a budget or by vehicle type if there’s a specific car you’re after.
What is the cheapest way to see Doubtful Sound?
The cheapest way to see Doubtful Sound is by booking a full-day cruise from Queenstown. This costs from $429 NZD per person. Unlike Milford Sound, you can’t self-drive to the port in Doubtful Sound and the only way to get there is by booking a guided tour.
Another option is to book a slightly cheaper Doubtful Sound tour from Te Anau or Manapouri but keep in mind that because public transport is limited from Queenstown to these towns you will need to have a rental car and pay for your own gas. As well as that, unless you want to leave Queenstown super-early in the morning to drive to where the tour leaves from you will need to pay for a nights accommodation in either Te Anau or Manapouri.
Is the Doubtful Sound Cruise worth it?
Yes, a Doubtful Sound Cruise is 100% worth it! As I said, it’s one of my favorite tours I’ve done in New Zealand. It’s so peaceful there and the scenery will have you mouthing ‘wow’ every couple of minutes. You’ll also get to see marine life like Fiordland Penguins, fur seals, and dolphins on your cruise. Plus, I really loved it when the captain took us out to where Doubtful Sound meets the Tasman Sea – the difference in the color of the water is crazy!
If you’re visiting Queenstown in the summer, then, a trip to Doubtful Sound is a must as this is the best time of year to visit. As the clear skies lead to reflective waters. So photogenic!
So, yup, despite its very remote location it’s SO WORTH it to book a Doubtful Sound cruise.
Your Next Read: How to spend 3 days in Queenstown!
Final thoughts!
I hope that helps to narrow down some of the choices. When it came to planning a visit to Doubtful Sound, I realized how many choices there are. But, ultimately which one you pick will depend on your personal preference. If you have time on your side and a bigger budget then the Overnight Cruise is ideal for you while if you’re tight on time and money the full-day tour departing from Queenstown will be better suited to you!
Tell me have you been to Doubtful Sound? If so, what cruise did you pick? We would love to hear about your experience in the comment section.
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Last Updated on September 4, 2024 by snaphappytravel