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Doubtful Sound


TripAdvisor Traveler Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
TripAdvisor Popularity Index: #3 of 12 attractions in Te Anau
Traveler Description:
Familiar with Doubtful Sound? Write your own description and share what you know with other travelers.
Attraction type: Wildlife park, Waterway
Activities: Kayaking, Viewing wildlife
Address: Fiordland National Park Te Anau
New Zealand

Reviews you can trust

[ Date ] [ Rating ]
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5 of 5 stars
jsjohn   2 contributions
Athens Ohio USA
Oct 12, 2009

We spent an night on a ship in Doubtful Sound on the South Island. We chose this in part because we were worried that Milford Sound might be too crowded. We were pleased with the decision. We were on the water almost 24 hours and saw only one other vessel the entire time. The views were magical and the ship... more

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5 of 5 stars
royandangela   2 contributions
Tauranga
Oct 8, 2009

I did not believe a place such as this could exsist on this planet. We went with Real Journeys who were excellent. Pristine, peaceful & stunningly beautiful including a pod of 60+ dolphins swimming around our boat as a bonus! It's a long day, but not long enough as time flew by but we will visit again some day. We... more

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5 of 5 stars
robinrito86   120 contributions
Nowhere illinois
May 23, 2009
1/1 found this review helpful

Beautiful.....it rained all day but no one cared because it was such a beautiful place. more

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5 of 5 stars
Environs74   6 contributions
London, United Kingdom
Apr 30, 2009
2/2 found this review helpful

Decided to go to Doubtful as it is signifcantly less drive than Milford Sound. Had been raining and continued on/ off for most of the day. This actually adds to the feel of the place and is probably better than just sunshine. Best would be heavy rain then clouds clear. Need to get a 50 minute boat ride from Manapouri... more

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4 of 5 stars
lizanddale   8 contributions
UK
Apr 22, 2009
1/1 found this review helpful

We were advised that Milford Sound was rather commercial so opted for Doubtful Sound. We overnighted (not on the Navigator but a small 10 berth boat, but can't remember the name) and caught our own blue cod which was beautifully cooked by the crew/chef for dinner. My husband actually caught a small shark first which was deftly unhooked and returned... more

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5 of 5 stars
Dogbert   157 contributions
Singapore
Feb 20, 2009
6/6 found this review helpful

This was undoubtedly the highlight of our trip to NZ in Dec 2007. It did not come cheap though, at NZ$584 per person (on a twin share basis in a private cabin) for an overnight cruise but in retrospect, it was worth it for the memories that we took away with us. We were picked up by coach in Te... more

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1 of 5 stars
juju50   2 contributions
USA
Feb 15, 2009
4/4 found this review helpful

If you want to kayak Doubtful Sound, don't pick an overnight! We chose this trip over a cruise on a small ship - it was very expensive, almost as expensive as the cruise, and instead of getting three meals and wonderful snacks, we had to haul our own food, our own supplies, and spend hours hauling all the company's gear... more

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5 of 5 stars
dpk58   22 contributions
Adelaide, Australia
Aug 4, 2008
16/16 found this review helpful

In Australia they say see Tassie first and then NZ.second - that way you wont be disappointed. The same goes for the sounds, do Milford first and then do Doubtful Sound and you definitely wont be disappointed. Pristine, untouched, so quiet and the most breathtaking scenery you will see anywhere on the planet. We did our trip with "realjourneys" and... more

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5 of 5 stars
fingersoffish   7 contributions
melbourne
Jul 5, 2008
8/8 found this review helpful

Visit Milford Sound first- so not to be disappointed after doing Doubtful Sound. A must to see-takes a full day but worth every second. We visited Doubtful sound first then Milford sound the next day but we should have done it in reverse order. We went with realjourneys.co.nz and they were excellent. Public bus service over there was also TOP... more

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5 of 5 stars
rowbee   24 contributions
Melbourne
Apr 18, 2008
4/4 found this review helpful

We went on a one-day kayak trip on Doubtful Sound with Adventure Kayaks. It was beautiful - we hardly saw another boat all day and were lucky enough to watch a seal playing and eating a fish right up close to us. In a kayak you feel very connected to the environment and are able to explore the nooks and... more

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Doubtful Sound Address

Fiordland National Park, Te Anau, New Zealand