Fiordland Expeditions - Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruises & Multi Day Charters
Fiordland Expeditions - Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruises & Multi Day Charters
Fiordland Expeditions - Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruises & Multi Day Charters
4.9
8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Full view
About
Fiordland Expeditions offers a Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise experiences or alternatively you can explore more of Fiordland on a Multi-day Live-aboard charter cruising throughout the fiods, year round. With over 2o years exploring Fiordland we can offer tailored cruises throughout Fiordland incorporating some fishing or scuba diving, or deer hunting; or head off for a paddle in one of our kayaks to get an up-close personal experience. Our cruises have become sought after from people all over the globe and show off the beauty that Fiordland has to offer. Our small family owned business offers cruises to smaller groups of clients of up to 12 on our two vessels based from Doubtful Sound in Fiordland, New Zealand. Our crews are friendly, attentive and passionate about Fiordland. Your cruise with us will leave you with memories that last a lifetime.
Manapouri, New Zealand
Meets animal welfare guidelines
Awards
Travellers' Choice
2024
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Fiordland Expeditions - Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruises & Multi Day Charters
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.9
202 reviews
Excellent
191
Very good
6
Average
4
Poor
1
Terrible
0
Abbie C
1 contribution
Feb 2025 • Couples
Amazing experience! Crew were fantastic and super friendly. We got to fish for our dinner and spent some time kayaking and jumping off the boat into the water. There was so much food (including a jar of delicious cookies available all the time!). It was so surreal being in a such a quiet spot for the nighttime - there was literally no-one else around for miles. Only downside was that it’s initially a bit of a trek to get to the dock from Manapouri (a boat ride across Lake Manapouri and then a 45 minute-ish coach journey) but I would say it’s worth it for the experience. Even though the weather was cloudy and a bit rainy, it was still incredible - if anything, it made all the scenery more dramatic. Would definitely recommend.
Written 8 March 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.
Cherie S
1 contribution
Feb 2025 • Couples
One of the best things we did in NZ! Of course, the scenery was amazing but it's the crew and your fellow passengers who make the trip. Brett, Jackie and Tristan were great fun and so accommodating. Jackie made me a special dinner since I'm not a fan of seafood. The date sticky pudding was amazing, and it was nice to have a jar of cookies to munch on. With only 12 passengers, it's easy to get to know people and share stories over the dining table. We had a blast fishing and did catch our dinner. The rooms were comfortable, but I would consider the the bunk room next time. You're up higher and the room is all windows, so on a nice, cloudless night, it would be great to be up there to see the stars. It was just nice to be somewhere that others weren't. We had a few boats anchor with us overnight, but it still felt like we were in a special place.
Written 9 March 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.
Frank R
Gaylord, MI53 contributions
Feb 2025 • Couples
Other than a helicopter tour of the Franz Joseph Glacier (what can beat a helicopter ride?), this was the best activity on our 30 day tour of the north and south islands of NZ. The staff and crew were very friendly and generous with their time and information. The onboard chef was amazing given the small galley he had to work in and we were very well fed. It was very overcast for our trip but the views were still spectacular. The scheduled activities (pulling lobster pots, fishing, kayaking, and swimming (although it was too chilly for these old bones) were entertaining. We had fun group of 10 that bonded quickly. The cabins were "tight" but still highly functional. I recommend a cabin with a head since the other head would be shared by 4 people.
Written 5 March 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.
Paul R
Royston, UK248 contributions
Feb 2025 • Couples
Wow what an amazing trip. The crew Brett, Frazier and Arturo could not have been better. Clearly what you do is heavily weather dependent, but the crews experience maximise the whole cruise so that you get the most out of staying in such an incredible place. The boat is functional, but what makes the whole trip something that should be on everyone’s bucket list is the care and attention the crew give to every detail of your stay. The food was amazing, the kayaking great, the fishing fun and catching cups of fresh water from waterfalls a great way to bring out the kid in everyone. The fact that we caught a yellow fin tuna meant that we ate like kings at dinner. Photos cannot do justice to this surreal part of our planet. There are very limited tours on Doubtful sound compared to the much more popular Milford, so if you want peace, tranquility this is the place for you. Go on this trip and it will exceed your highest expectations.
Written 25 February 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.
Kellie B
Brisbane, Australia29 contributions
Nov 2024 • Couples
The doubtful sounds is indeed gorgeous, even on a grey day. A stunning part of the world for sure, a small boat meant only 8 other guests on our trip
Staff and Jacqui in particular were amazing. The food was plentiful and high quality with all dietary needs catered to. Hot lunch, 4 course lobster dinner, 2 course breakfast plus fruit and snacks for in between. We were intrigued that many more lobsters were caught than were offered at dinner, we felt we should have been offered seconds given the price point
Activities are susceptible to weather and the fishing seems dependent on others on the boat (you can only fish properly outside of the fjords if everyone onboard doesn’t get motion sickness so this can’t be relied on and we felt it should have been highlighted for folks to take motion sickness pills so others can enjoy, my partner is an avid fisherman)
kayaking was great.
On the last morning I was not allowed a 5 minute quick swim as ‘we had to go’ - the water was about 14degrees so I wasn’t going to be long!
The cabins were very clean although small - the double beds only just big enough for 2 and not long enough for someone over 6”, of course it is a boat!
Overall we had a great time however expensive given so much is not guaranteed due to weather (essentially you then only have great food and scenery)
Staff and Jacqui in particular were amazing. The food was plentiful and high quality with all dietary needs catered to. Hot lunch, 4 course lobster dinner, 2 course breakfast plus fruit and snacks for in between. We were intrigued that many more lobsters were caught than were offered at dinner, we felt we should have been offered seconds given the price point
Activities are susceptible to weather and the fishing seems dependent on others on the boat (you can only fish properly outside of the fjords if everyone onboard doesn’t get motion sickness so this can’t be relied on and we felt it should have been highlighted for folks to take motion sickness pills so others can enjoy, my partner is an avid fisherman)
kayaking was great.
On the last morning I was not allowed a 5 minute quick swim as ‘we had to go’ - the water was about 14degrees so I wasn’t going to be long!
The cabins were very clean although small - the double beds only just big enough for 2 and not long enough for someone over 6”, of course it is a boat!
Overall we had a great time however expensive given so much is not guaranteed due to weather (essentially you then only have great food and scenery)
Written 7 December 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.
Kat
Hawke's Bay Region, New Zealand32 contributions
Jan 2025 • Couples
The scenery was outstanding, and the crew were also great. We were lucky to have fantastic weather which enabled us to go out of the sounds for a fish. Overall we had a great cruise, but unfortunately there were a couple of things that did meet expectations. The meal selection for lunch and dinner was disappointing for the $2000 price we paid. There was a really good platter for nibbles in the evening, and the fish and crayfish we caught were included in the 4 couse dinner. All courses were “nice “, and there was plenty to eat, but there was no WOW factor. The breakfast in the morning was great.
The glass of Bubbles when we started the cruise was a lovely touch, but a NZ wine would have been appreciated, rather than a $10 bottle of Jacobs Creek.
We knew when booking the boat was an old girl, but she was in desperate need of some R&M, everything was very tired. The beds and pillow’s were very comfortable, but the rooms are extremely small, I couldn’t imagine having 3 in a room. My husband I couldn’t lie straight in bed, and there was no ventilation so we had to open the door to let air in.
We chose this cruise due to the small passenger numbers, and 2 didn’t make it so we had 10 people. 12 would have been a tight squeeze around the dining table.
We did have a night we will remember forever, and I’m sorry for the negative feedback, but for the price we paid, we had higher expectations,especially with the menu.
The glass of Bubbles when we started the cruise was a lovely touch, but a NZ wine would have been appreciated, rather than a $10 bottle of Jacobs Creek.
We knew when booking the boat was an old girl, but she was in desperate need of some R&M, everything was very tired. The beds and pillow’s were very comfortable, but the rooms are extremely small, I couldn’t imagine having 3 in a room. My husband I couldn’t lie straight in bed, and there was no ventilation so we had to open the door to let air in.
We chose this cruise due to the small passenger numbers, and 2 didn’t make it so we had 10 people. 12 would have been a tight squeeze around the dining table.
We did have a night we will remember forever, and I’m sorry for the negative feedback, but for the price we paid, we had higher expectations,especially with the menu.
Written 11 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.
Imi L
15 contributions
Jan 2025 • Couples
Don't miss out on the beautiful of the Doubtful Sound, waking up in a magnificent mysterious landscape, fantastic food and good laughs with the crew. Those guys are great. The travel to the sound is more efficient than you might think so we were really glad we did this. Activities were so fun: fishing, taking a kajak out for a spin. This smaller vessel just makes is possible to do all that, much better than big ships and big groups of people on board. Did I mention de food and the crew :-)) ? Those guys are legends. Took great care of my gluten free dietary needs. 10 out of 10! And the fiords are amazing.
Written 9 March 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.
Discover41027053887
Dunedin, New Zealand1 contribution
Dec 2024 • Friends
Absolutely recommend Fiordland Expeditions to see Doubtful Sound and stay overnight on the boat. Wonderful, knowledgeable crew, food was amazing and so much of it. Richard, Josh, Jackie, Harj, Mandy and Jo are an amazing bunch of people, real friendly helpful. We had eight guests on our trip and it was intimate, friendly and we had a great time. If you're looking for an intimate trip with no set agenda this is the trip for you. The scenery is absolutely amazing, kayaking was fun and while swimming was great. Couldn't sing the teams praises enough.!!!
Written 9 December 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.
nan845
Boston, MA5 contributions
Feb 2025 • Friends
My friend and I toured New Zealand for a month. Our favorite experience of the whole trip was an overnight cruise through Fiordland Expeditions. Fraser, Capt. Brett, and Arturo the steward were wonderful to be around. All exceptional. Fraser shared his extensive knowledge of the ecosystems and made our adventure special; Capt Brett was fun to be around and a great Captain. Arturo’s 4-course dinner with lobster fresh from the ocean in front of us, and fish caught by the guests was soooo delicious! I tell everyone if they go to New Zealand, this is the adventure to choose, with this company. Only 12 guests made for an intimate, unique and special experience. I will return and hope to go on a longer trip with them.
Written 18 March 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.
JB R
6 contributions
Apr 2024 • Family
This is a highly recommended overnight cruise, with an extremely friendly crew and fantastic food in an amazing fjord. The team will look after your every need, and have wonderful local stories to share. We stayed in the room located upstairs with 4 bunk beds which I would recommend if you are a group of 3 or 4, as it has an amazing view.
Written 8 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.
Hi, Just wondering what advice you would give for clothing for outside activities for this time of year... March
Written 19 March 2017
I would add swimwear if you would like to jump into the water. A dry set of clothing if you get splashed while kayaking and non slip shoes to wear on board. Take stretchy clothing with all that yummy food that is coming your way ;-)))
Written 20 March 2017
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