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6:00 AM - 8:00 PM
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6:00 AM - 8:00 PM
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6:00 AM - 8:00 PM
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6:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Thursday
6:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Friday
6:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Saturday
6:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Sunday
6:00 AM - 8:00 PM
About
Discover the breath-taking, pristine wilderness scenery of Doubtful Sound, deep in the heart of Fiordland National Park with RealNZ.
Manapouri, New Zealand
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4.7
4.7 of 5 bubbles1,829 reviews
Excellent
1,421
Very good
277
Average
72
Poor
28
Terrible
32

Kris K
Cambridge, New Zealand10 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2024 • Friends
Cannot speak highly enough about Real NZ's overnight cruise on Doubtful Sound in NZ. We were on the Navigator. The crew, the food, the scenery, the weather (lucky us) were all stellar, truly. I would say this was a trip of a lifetime.

Real NZ does a fantastic job -- everything from the first leg across Manapouri Lake, to the informative and fun bus driver across Wilmot Pass, to the excellent cruise in the fjord to the Tasman Sea and back. The captain was an expert navigating the swells and tides. The crew was friendly, helpful, gracious. And Dev the naturalist provided great commentary and education. Thank you all, Navigator staff!
Written 4 January 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Karen G
6 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2020
Real Journeys – Doubtful Sound Wilderness Day Cruise
We did this tour in Nov. The day involved catching a 50 minute boat trip across Lake Manapouri (complimentary tea & coffee on board). Then transfer to a coach (this part was a bit chaotic and could be better organised, as not everyone getting off the boat is doing to same trip, so make sure you don’t miss the call to get on the right coach) to travel along Wilmot Pass down to Doubtful Sound. Enroute is a photo opportunity – we were lucky as the weather was clear blue skies to take advantage of the mountain top view down to the sound. Our driver provided interesting commentary and entertaining anecdotes along the way. The boat trip in the sound involved travelling along a couple of the different arms and the scenery was beautiful. An onboard commentary was provided along the way. There is no alcohol served on board but non-alcoholic drinks can be purchased at the cash bar. I would recommend you take your own packed lunch as this day tour is very long. I would recommend this tour its such a beautiful trip. I booked online direct with Real Journeys and took advantage of their multi buy discount by booking the Milford Sound day coach and cruise as well. This price was cheaper than booking through one of the discount websites for daytrips such as Bookme.com.
Written 22 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Greg F
Auckland Central, New Zealand1,167 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2020
My partner and I picked the day trip with Real Journeys for our trip to Doubtful Sound. It was quiet last minute, as you can never really predict the weather in West Fiordland. What started out cloudy, turned into beautiful late October day.
The boat leaves from Pearl Harbor in Manapouri where the Real Journeys office is located at 10 AM. There is car parking available and public toilets. Of course, if you've booked the trip from Queenstown, you will arrive by bus in time for the cruise.

Once on the boat at Manapouri, it takes about 45 min to an hour to cross the Lake all the way to the West Arm. This is where the hydro power station is located. Over here, there is a small information display about the history of the region and the Power stations construction and working. There are public toilets and washrooms available. The bus will then pick you up from here and drive across the Wilmot Pass to the Doubtful Sound. While the drive across begins through thick bush, once at the top, the driver stops off for you to take a few aerial and iconic snaps of Doubtful Sound. The commentary on board was entertaining for the 30-40 minute drive across the pass. Towards the end, you get a glimpse of Helena Falls.

Once at Doubtful Sound, the real fun begins as the Boat leaves at 12 PM. You can sit up on the deck, (Which you must on a good day!) or inside. We spent a total of 3 hours on the Sound, passed a series of never ending waterfalls. Unable to see alot of wildlife from the boat, just a single penguin. The boat turns around at Seymour island making it's way back. Along the way we made a small detour into the Hall Arm where there was a beautiful 2 minutes silence where the captain shut off the engines and no one spoke or clicked photos. Just taking in the sounds of nature. OF course all itinerary is subject to the weather, and can be different on any day. The way back was extremely windy with a strong head wind.
Free coffee is available on board, however you can purchase a few snacks if you must. ONLY CASH is accepted. It's best to carry your own lunch.

The return trip across the pass and Lake Manapouri takes about 2 hours and you get there around 5 PM if not before. Overall a great day out, and good value for money, by New Zealand standards. FYI, the Doubtful sound is beautiful in any weather, although best to check before going , depending on your expectations. The day before, the tour went ahead in almost whiteout conditions.
Written 27 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Brandon Pankey
3 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2023
This was our favorite thing we did in New Zealand. The team on the boat were friendly and helpful, and the scenery is unbelievable. There was a great sense of community from the experiences we had in just over 24 hours.

We loved the boat, the scenery, the people, and the food. Great time all around.
Written 20 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This review has made our day! Thank you so much for joining our Fiordland adventure.
Written 4 April 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

islandcrazy
CA68 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2019
We did the Doubtful Sound overnight cruise. Since we had a car we choose to drive from Queenstown to Te Anau as we had booked their Glowworm Cave tour the next day. You can also use their transport or drive to Manapouri where they depart. The drive is just beautiful.The transportation, staff and food are top notch. My favorite moment of the entire trip was when the Captain shut down the boat engines, had us put away cell phones, cameras to experience the grandeur in complete silence. To just focus on the extreme beauty that surrounded us was unforgettable.
Thank you, real Journeys
Written 15 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Ron O
Fairbanks, AK109 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2023
At the time we booked Doubtful Sound only family quarters were available. We were promised by the Realnz agent I booked with, Tamara, that the family room accommodations would have an en suite bath. Not only did it not have a private bath, It was on the lowest guest deck and was extremely cramped. Had I known the true conditions I would have never booked the excursion. The accommodations were misrepresented.

I booked an overnight cruise on Milford sound at the same time. Although the Milford Sound boat has all en suite baths, we were again assigned a cabin in "steerage." I am disappointed that Realnz staff did not noticed that we booked back-to-back overnight cruises, and give us some deference in the assignment of an upper deck room. I'm very unhappy with Realnz, and will be very cautious with my future bookings, if any.

If it weren't for the very poor accommodations, and Realnz's inability or unwillingness to remedy the situation, I would have given them a much higher rating. The staff on Doubtful Sound was excellent, but not so much on Milford Sound. We were unaware of the swimming and kayaking opportunities (as were several other passengers), so we were not prepared to take advantage of them. Although the scenery was interesting and majestic, it was all very much the same at Doubtful Sound. A day trip would have sufficed. Milford Sound was much more beautiful.

In hindsight, I would have skipped Doubtful Sound or done both Doubtful and Milford Sounds as day trips.
Written 5 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback about your experience. It's disappointing to hear that the accommodations on both cruises were not what you expected and that the RealNZ staff did not provide the level of service or information you had hoped for. We apologise for any inconvenience and discomfort that this caused you. We appreciate your feedback regarding the staff and activities on the cruises, and we will take this into consideration as we continue to improve our services. It's important for us to represent our experiences accurately, so we will use this feedback to train and improve our customer service. We understand that you may be hesitant to book with RealNZ again, but we hope you'll give us another chance in the future.
Written 3 April 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Lena M
Haast, New Zealand19 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2020 • Couples
Is this a white person getting upset over my review below:

We came to Manapouri in our campervan to go with Real Journeys on the boat across the lake, to a bus, then across land to another boat.
Check in was not very friendly, or no info about where things were if we needed to go toilet, or if we could access water, food or anything on the boat. Nothing about our journey coming up.

Getting on to the boat, we were just ushered on, asked if we checked in, and then nothing about where we could go and sit, any info about our up coming trip, nothing.
As the tour got underway, we sat at our seats, had something to eat that we provided ourselves, and watched the map as the boat moved through it's course. The person over the speaker started talking about safety, and then about the lake and some things about history. As we arrived, the speaker said to go inside and wait for the buses. As we walked in, there was a building with lots of information about the history of the place which was good. Nobody was talking to us about what to expect, and where the toilets were, water or if there's any food vending machines. We waited for a bus and three came. We choose a bus with a WHITE Caucasian woman who had obvious health issues, who forgot the names of the places we were going, and mispronounced Maori names and areas of high significance. When she talked it sometimes didn't make sense. Disappointed is an understatement.
We got into the bigger boat and were very happy with the size and comfort. The people were happier and we were given alot more hospitality. They passed around hot drinks, but still nobody talked about what to expect. A person over the speaker gave a safety brief. We cruised for about an hour or two and had a great time.
We arrived back at the buses and got onto a different one with Malcolm. He was very knowledgeable and seemed like he knew his stuff and loved his job.
When we arrived back, the speaker thanked us for our time, and we left.
Written 14 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

HelloBalou
Denmark266 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2020
The two-day cruise on the Navigator was splendid. Carole, our nature guide, was a tresure trove of knowledge. I chose the tender tour which brought us close to the shore insted of the kayak trip. Food was another highlight - both dinner and breakfast. We started at the cruise center in Te Anau where a bus brought us to Lake Manapouri, then a boat trip over the lake and finally another bus trip to the cruiseship. We had a lovely little cabin on the upper deck (there was even a hairdryer - remeber only to take little luggage as there is no real shelf space in the cabin).
Written 27 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Alan G
4 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2024 • Couples
Realnz
Preservation Inlet Discovery Cruises
Milford Wanderer
A wonderful experience to cruise and walk the very remote Fiordlands of New Zealand's South Island. Started with a spectacular scenic helo ride to the vessel anchored in Preservation Inlet and finished with a beautiful cruise through the snow capped peaks of Doubtful Sound. This discovery cruise allows access to the beautiful landscapes of New Zealand's remote fiords and showcases the rugged history and the wonderful conservation efforts of the region. Each day a different boat ride, shore landing and walk. Followed by fabulous meals and comfortable night on the Milford Wander.
Special thanks to the crew of the Milford Wanderer for their excellent care, passion and commitment.
Written 30 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience with us! It sounds like you had an incredible time exploring the most remote areas of New Zealand's South Island with us. We're delighted that you had the opportunity to experience the beautiful landscapes, rugged history, and conservation efforts of the region through our Preservation Inlet Discovery Cruise. We'll be sure to pass along your special thanks to the crew for their excellent care, passion, and commitment.
Written 6 May 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Chris Sonya B
Sydney, Australia4 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2020
"Fiordland Discovery." Real Journeys 6 nights on Milford Wanderer.
Just writing to say how much I enjoyed the Discovery Cruise, from 1st to 8th August, 2020 and to congratulate the crew on their hospitality. Everyone went out of their way to make sure that all passengers were comfortable. The scenery was stunning, the food was amazing and the cabin was cosy and warm. Spending time gazing at the views, walking with a very knowledgeable guide, chatting with new friends and taking numerous photographs. Saw Kaka, Brown creeper, Kekeru, Saddleback, Mohoua, Kakariki, Robins, Dolphins, Seals, Penguins and Albatross.

John does an amazing job in the galley, and his attention to the extra little finishing touches have to be seen to be believed, and it is wonderful how the others all pitch in to help, a credit to Royden our Captain and his dishwashing ability. A birthday was celebrated during the week and a decorated cake was made for us all to enjoy. Whether we were off loaded at the shore, from the tender, on our walks, or kayaking, someone was always there to lend a helping hand. Roydon, Richard, Felix, John, Kate and Schendy, they should all be very proud of themselves, obviously they love the working environment and it shows through.

Richard our nature guide, informs, as we trace the route that Captain Cook took during his historic 1773 voyage, then ashore on New Zealand’s island sanctuary, visiting the home of the first conservationist Richard Henry. Royden does a wonderful job in handling the Milford Wanderer, and kept everyone informed during the entire trip from Doubtful to Preservation Inlet and all stops between. The hike to Puysegaur Point lighthouse is a must do – it might be the most isolated lighthouse in New Zealand. The boat takes 32 passengers, and 6 crew. The trip finished with a helicopter flight over the snow-covered southern alps - amazing scenery! Real Journeys Fiordland put it on your bucket list, Chris B.
Written 17 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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REALNZ (2025) All You Should Know BEFORE You Go (with Reviews)

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