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Doubtful Sound, Te Anau

4.7
#1 of 34 in Wildlife in Southland Region
Water Body Wildlife Area Must See
Explore the many twists and turns of Doubtful Sound, a large fjord where calm, dark blue water is flanked by green mountain peaks. The sound was named by Captain Cook in the 16th century because he was unsure if it was accessible by sailboat; today, access to this isolated area is restricted to boat cruises and bus trips. To get more out of your visit, consider an overnight cruise or kayaking in the sound. The unspoiled wilderness area supports rare marine life like bottlenose dolphins, penguins, fur seals, and sometimes whales. Using our custom trip planner, Te Anau attractions like Doubtful Sound can form part of a personalized travel itinerary.
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Tours To Doubtful Sound

Te Anau Super Saver: Doubtful Sound Cruise plus Te Anau Glowworm Cave Tour BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $226
4.5
8 reviews
Duration: 2 days
Buy tours from $226
Doubtful Sound + Dusky Sound // Helicopter Scenic Flight from Te Anau BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $728
Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes
Buy tours from $728
Discover Doubtful Sound // Helicopter Scenic Flight from Te Anau BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $439
Duration: 1 hour
Buy tours from $439

Doubtful Sound Reviews

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TripAdvisor Traveler Rating
TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 5.0
2,256 reviews
TripAdvisor
  • By KarenM1_10
    We passed through Doubtful Sound on our cruise ship, the Celebrity Solstice. Our Cruise Director provided us with information about the sounds and pointed out some of the highlights as we sailed...  more »
  • By ChristineM4730
    This was the highlight of our visit to New Zealand. Clint, owner and skipper, his wife Jill and their lovely friends made this an unbelievably truly wonderful experience for us. Keith (Brian) and I.....  more »
  • By 433shirleyw
    The trip to Doubtful Sound with Real Journeys was one of the highlights of our trip to NZ. The combination of a boat cruise across Lake Manapouri, a coach journey through a mountain pass and the boat....  more »
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Popular things to do in Te Anau

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Milford Sound
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Te Anau Glowworm Caves
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Kepler Track
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Lake Te Anau
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Side trips from Te Anau

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Hidden gems in Te Anau

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Trails in Te Anau

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The Chasm Walk
4.6
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Tours in Te Anau

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Helicopter Tours
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Golf in Te Anau

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Te Anau Golf Club
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Plans to Doubtful Sound by other users

21 days in New Zealand BY A USER FROM CANADA January, popular sights Preferences: January Attraction style: Popular sights Pace: Medium 18 days in New Zealand BY A USER FROM CANADA December, popular sights Preferences: December Attraction style: Popular sights Pace: Medium 11 days in New Zealand BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES February, popular sights Preferences: February Attraction style: Popular sights Pace: Medium 25 days in New Zealand BY A USER FROM AUSTRALIA January, popular sights Preferences: January Attraction style: Popular sights Pace: Medium 18 days in New Zealand BY A USER FROM NEW ZEALAND July, popular sights Preferences: July Attraction style: Popular sights Pace: Medium 25 days in New Zealand BY A USER FROM NEW ZEALAND June, teens, popular sights Preferences: June, teens Attraction style: Popular sights Pace: Medium 9 days in South Island BY A USER FROM NEW ZEALAND September, popular sights Preferences: September Attraction style: Popular sights Pace: Medium 22 days in New Zealand BY A USER FROM AUSTRALIA September, popular sights Preferences: September Attraction style: Popular sights Pace: Medium 16 days in New Zealand BY A USER FROM NEW ZEALAND July, popular sights Preferences: July Attraction style: Popular sights Pace: Medium 22 days in New Zealand BY A USER FROM NEW ZEALAND October, popular sights Preferences: October Attraction style: Popular sights Pace: Medium 19 days in South Island BY A USER FROM NEW ZEALAND July, culture, outdoors, relaxing, historic sites, wildlife, popular & hidden gems Preferences: July, culture, outdoors, relaxing, historic sites, wildlife Attraction style: Popular & hidden gems Pace: Medium 29 days in New Zealand BY A USER FROM THAILAND June, popular sights Preferences: June Attraction style: Popular sights Pace: Medium
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