Doubtful Sound Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience Doubtful Sound. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Doubtful Sound Wilderness Day Cruise from Manapouri
• Doubtful Sound Wilderness Cruise from Te Anau
• Doubtful Sound Wilderness Cruise from Queenstown
• Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise
• Discover Doubtful Sound // Helicopter Scenic Flight from Te Anau

While it’s free to explore Doubtful Sound independently, most travelers explore this area on a boat trip. Prices for a full-day trip from Manapouri typically begin at around US$198, with higher prices from Queenstown at around US$258. Overnight cruises are closer to US$499, and helicopter tours are from US$599.

Doubtful Sound is New Zealand’s deepest fjord, known for its magnificent natural landscapes, including immense cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and abundant wildlife. Located in Fiordland National Park along the remote southwestern coast of the South Island, it’s about 100 miles (170 kilometers) southwest of Queenstown and just south of Milford Sound.

Doubtful Sound can’t be reached by road, so you’ll need to drive or take the bus to Manapouri—about a 2-hour journey from Queenstown or 20 minutes from Te Anau. From there, cross Lake Manapouri by boat, then drive over the Wilmot Pass to Deep Cove, where fjord cruises depart.

Why not try both? Most kayaking tours explore part of the fjord by kayak before returning by boat, affording the best of both worlds. While kayaking does let you get closer to the shore and wildlife, you will need a suitable fitness level and may get wet!

Yes—in fact, the only way to visit the remote Doubtful Sound is by guided tour. Land tours include a boat ride across Lake Manapouri to reach the Sound, after which you’ll explore the fjord by boat or kayak. Alternatively, scenic flights and helicopter tours afford magnificent aerial views of the fjord.

The striking scenery isn’t the only highlight of Doubtful Sound—it’s also a popular destination for wildlife watching. Look out for bottlenose dolphins, New Zealand fur seals, and penguins, including the rare Fiordland crested penguin. If you’re lucky, you might also see southern right whales or minke whales.

Yes, there are four hiking trails near Doubtful Sound, which range from the easy Brassell Point Nature Walk (1-hour return) to the challenging Old Doubtful Sound Track (3-hour return). All trails leave from Deep Cove at the edge of the fjord, so you’ll still need to travel across Lake Manapouri and Wilmot Pass.