Doubtful Sound

In the far south west of New Zealand in Fiordland National Park is a very large and naturally imposing fiord, Doubtful Sound. The untouched wilderness framed by rugged peaks, lush rainforest and home to abundant wildlife is guaranteed to take your breath away.

Initially named ‘Doubtful Harbour’ in 1770 by Captain Cook, as he feared venturing too close to the mountains and was doubtful he would escape if he sailed i[n, this stunning inlet was later renamed Doubtful Sound by whalers and sealers.

Like its neighbouring natural attraction, Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound is in fact a fiord rather than a sound as its name might suggest, as it was formed by the erosive effects of a glacier. This is as opposed to a sound which is a river formed valley which has been flooded by the sea.

Not accessible by road, the trip into Doubtful Sound is a journey in itself. A 20 minute drive from the hub of Fiordland National Park, Te Anau, followed by a scenic cruise across Lake Manapouri will see you surrounded by natural beauty.

Doubtful Sound is the deepest of the fiords and characterised by 3 distinct ‘arms’. This stunning natural wonder is rich in flora and fauna and is home to a myriad of wildlife including the resident bottle-nose dolphins, New Zealand fur seals and the Fiordland Crested Penguins.