Doubtful Sound, Apr 2026

Doubtful Sound is the second largest fiord in Fiordland National Park, about 3 times longer than Milford Sound, and also known as “Sound of Silence”.  I chose to do the overnight cruise on The Navigator.  There is no direct access road like in Milford Sound, so first we take a scenic cruise across Lake Manapouri, about a 15-minute drive from Te Anau, and then a scenic bus ride over Wilmot Pass to get to our vessel.  With very few visitors, you can really feel the wilderness and stillness and the disconnection from everyday life.  Doubtful Sound is one of the best places to spot native New Zealand animals in the wild such as the rare Fiordland Crested Penguin.  Although I didn’t see any wildlife on my cruise, I did encounter one of the most amazing sunsets ever at Shelter Islands.  What a beautiful end to my visit to New Zealand’s South Island.
View of Doubtful Sound from Wilmot Pass
The Navigator

 

 

My cabin on board The Navigator

 

 

 

 

Common areas of The Navigator
Our route through Doubtful Sound on board The Navigator

 

 

Doubtful Sound

 

 

 

 

 

Doubtful Sound

 

 

 

 

 

Doubtful Sound

 

 

 

 

 

Doubtful Sound

 

 

 

 

 

Short kayak and tender activities in First Arm of Doubtful Sound

 

 

 

 

Short kayak and tender activities in First Arm of Doubtful Sound

 

 

 

 

Learning about the vegetation and tree avalanches in Fiordland.

 

 

 

 

 

Sunset at Shelter Islands, Doubtful Sound

 

 

 

 

 

Sunset at Shelter Islands, Doubtful Sound

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunset at Shelter Islands, Doubtful Sound

 

 

 

 

 

Sunset at Shelter Islands, Doubtful Sound

 

 

 

 

 

Sunset at Shelter Islands, Doubtful Sound

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunset at Shelter Islands, Doubtful Sound

 

 

 

 

 

Cresent moon at Doubtful Sound

 

 

 

 

 

The headwind was over 100km/h and my snuggly worn beanie hat got whipped away while I struggled to stand up and take these photos.

 

 

 

 

 

Daybreak at Doubtful Sound

 

 

 

 

 

Doubtful Sound

 

 

 

 

Doubtful Sound

 

 

 

 

 

Doubtful Sound

 

 

 

 

Doubtful Sound

 

 

 

 

Doubtful Sound

 

 

 

 

 

Doubtful Sound

 

 

 

 

Crooked Arm, Doubtful Sound

 

 

 

 

 

Crooked Arm, Doubtful Sound

 

 

 

Heading back to Deep Cove

 

That’s a wrap for my trip to the South Island of New Zealand.  I will definitely be back again to take more photos.  Stay tuned!

 

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