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However, if you are exceptionally sensitive to the condition then being stuck on a boat overnight may not be the right choice for you. That said, there were other passengers who struggled in the worst of it. But we had mostly favorable weather and the crew keeps the ship primarily in calm water. The Fjordlands National Park receives more rainfall than any other region of New Zealand.
Things to consider before you book a Doubtful Sounds Overnight Cruise?
It was so impressive to see the powerful cascade of water up close and the mist coming off of it. Next, he pulled into Hall Arm for something he likes to call the Sound of Nature. We got ready and headed back to the mess hall for our buffet breakfast.
Is the Doubtful Sounds Overnight Cruise worth the cost?
As such, I recommend staying overnight to enjoy it a little longer and see the sunrise over the water. This overnight tour is my favorite option because it takes care of all the logistics and includes several perks like kayaking and a comfy private room onboard. This is an overnight cruise, so you’ll definitely want to bring a change of clothes. I actually think it’s a good idea to bring two changes of clothes. After kayaking or tender boat rides, you might want to change into something clean and dry.
The Sound of silence - Sponsored Stories News - New Zealand Herald
The Sound of silence - Sponsored Stories News.
Posted: Tue, 14 Nov 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Fiordland
All our Doubtful Sound experiences start in Manapouri which is around 2.5 – 3 hours from Queenstown and 30 minutes from Te Anau. If cancelling or amending a retail booking, a refund will only be granted when RealNZ receives notification five days prior to departure. If you want to learn more about New Zealand, check out my other blogs here. I’ve lived and traveled all over the country and love sharing what I’ve learned. To get started, you can just click on one of the links below.
What to pack for Doubtful Sound overnight cruises
You can reach Manapouri by car (self-driving) or by tour bus from Queenstown or Te Anau. All prices listed are valid until September 30th 2024. If booking for 1st October 2024 onwards, please contact us to check if the price will change. Hi Keely, your 1 year old will travel free of charge on the Fiordland Overnight Cruise. You can either book a premium cabin or economy cabin so you will have a double bed and bunk or else you can book in the bunkroom.
A big thanks to the Captain for allowing us to stand beside him in the Bridge as we sailed back. In summary, this overnight cruise covers your transportation from the Manapouri Visitor Center all the way to Doubtful Sound and back. You get to stay in a private cabin on the cruise, which includes dinner and breakfast. However, you’re responsible for buying any alcoholic drinks at the cash bar. And if you need transportation from Queenstown or Te Anau, you’ll be charged an extra fee. Doubtful Sound is very remote, so you need a tour to get here!
You can also stay overnight in a comfy cabin and enjoy breakfast on board. We weren't too sure whether to spend a chunk of our holiday budget on an overnight cruise, but it was worth every penny. Milford Sound is great for a day trip, but Doubtful Sound offers much more diversity.The trip starts with a trip across Lake Manapouri, which is fabulous on it's own. The connecting short minibus transfer includes stop-offs at places of interest and viewpoints. Our vessel caters for up to 12 passengers (there were 11 of us).
While planning, you may also want to queue up our guide to the best time to visit New Zealand to give you a better idea of the pros and cons of each season. Whereas, the Doubtful Sounds overnight cruise guarantees you a sunset, sunrise, and multiple blue and golden hours. If photography is your goal, the overnight option is definitely preferred.
While you are having fun, don't forget to keep an eye out for the amazing wildlife that inhabits the Doubtful Sound area. You may see Fiordland Crested Penguins, Bottle-nosed Dolphins and NZ Fur Seals while you scan the phenomenal scenery. The scenery itself is simply jaw-dropping – huge mountains meet the glassy water while thick, emerald bushland cascades from their steep sides. No matter where you look, you will be awestruck by natural beauty.
Plus, the entirety of it is covered in large glass so seeing out is never a problem. You are even welcome to join the captain in the bridge and have a chat; the crew is truly hands-on and service-oriented. It is worth noting that even the bus ride, usually tolerable at best, was fun and enjoyable. The driver provides history, facts, and commentary throughout the entire drive. You will need to draw your own conclusion on this of course.
If you’re feeling brave there’s always the option of a refreshing swim too. Activities include wildlife viewing, kayaking, and exploring the shoreline in tender crafts with a specialist nature guide. A delicious three-course dinner and cooked continental breakfast are also prepared and served by an onboard chef.
If you are a backpacker on a budget who can stretch $500 NZD out for weeks, you will probably not find this experience justifies cutting your time short in New Zealand. Factor how much you would spend on all your meals, lodging and entertainment for the time you are on the cruise. Now deduct that from your cost at $500 NZD ($300 USD) per person. This is how much the experience is truly going to cost. We would also be remiss in failing to mention the gourmet coffee and meals that were provided on the cruise we took.
Try as we might, however, the only wildlife activity we experienced was a few adorable fur seals. Perhaps the most important thing you will have to consider is whether or not you can afford to use two full days of your visit to NZ doing an overnight cruise of the Doubtful Sound. So, on our last visit to the New Zealand South Island, we decided to book a Doubtful Sounds overnight cruise and see this lesser-visited Fiordland gem. Remember that these long rides are part of the journey and experience of Doubtful Sound where you can still see beautiful views and learn a lot from the guides. Our first day on the boat was rainy, which meant grey skies, lots of fog and mostly staying indoors. Luckily we still got to see lots of Doubtful Sound’s powerful waterfalls from the windows.
To reach Doubtful Sound you’ll need to get to Manapouri (by car or tour bus), take a one hour boat across Lake Manapouri and then an hour bus ride across Wilmot Pass. Everrything to be totally honest.....from the online booking service which was simply excellent to every tiny detail of the cruise itself. The Sound itself is obviously out-of-control blow-your-mind glorious...
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