Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise

The Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise

Your Doubtful Sound overnight cruise with Fiordland Expeditions offers you the opportunity to explore a small part of what Fiordland has to offer on an overnight cruise.

Having evolved over millions of years, Fiordland, still prehistoric, can offer you the feeling of being isolated and free from the shackles of mankind. No phones, no cars, no sirens…

Once onboard and the formalities are complete the captain will lead you off on an adventure to explore the fjord. As you cruise the peaceful waters you will see amazing vistas. The mountains rise directly from the seafloor to the highest of peaks in near vertical cliff forms where trees unexplained hanging on; and waterfalls cascading from top to bottom.

As you cruise your Capt. will offer an enlightening and entertaining commentary; the crew are there to help with your needs as the chef diligently prepares lunch for the first of many delectable delights.

Kekeno (fur seals) and terehu (bottlenose dolphins) are found cruising the waters and kororā (blue penguins) can be found near the entrance. There is a Kekeno colony out at the front and they laze in the sun, resting from a hard nights feeding. Toroa (albatross) can be seen out on the coast as you partake in some fishing for that elusive pākirikiri (blue cod) or tarakihi. Then a quick visit to the rocky shoals to maybe gather some kōura (lobster) to complement the evening feast. *

After gathering enough kai moana (seafood) we cruise to a sheltered cove where you can paddle in your kayak for an up close and personal experience, away from the mother ship, and listen to the sounds of nature; birds in the trees, waterfalls, and surprisingly nothing else. Gone are the phones and the trucks horns and sirens; you are one with nature and it’s a surreal experience.

And whilst your away our resident chef prepares a feast you’ll remember. You’ll arrive back to the smells of the delightful offerings and the evening socialising begins in earnest.

At the end of the evening when the fun and hilarity subsides, with the engines completely shut down, silence descends for a peaceful nights sleep.

As the day breaks and the lines are dropped, the smell of fresh coffee awaits in the galley. As we cruise back to the wharf we take in the new day with the new light exposing different scenes; it’s a brand new day.

All to soon it has come to an end and it is time to depart along with new friends.

On the trip out you can contemplate and reflect, for this experience will undoubtedly leave you with memories that last a lifetime!

• if you would like your catch prepared for dinner just let our chef know and I am sure he will make best use of it.

• Seafood may be a quotient of the evening feast but there are no guarantees; that’s why they call it fishing.