DF xmas trip Sophie Piearcey
Why you should plan an overnight stay in one of the sounds?
Kayaking in Doubtful Sound - Sophie Piearcey

We believe that Fiordland National Park is the most beautiful place in the world and we wish to share that with you and the world. Fiordland, Lake Te Anau, and Lake Manapouri are home to some of New Zealand’s finest adventures.

Date 03 Feb 2021

Did you know that you can cruise overnight in Fiordland?

Piopiotahi / Milford Sound, Patea / Doubtful Sound, and Tamatea / Dusky Sound are three of our most beautiful fiords, here you can embark on an overnight or multi night cruise to explore deeper into the untouched, hidden landscapes. With expert commentary and hosts, chartering a boat is possibly the best and easiest way to see more of Fiordland. Small boats allow visitors to take part in a personalised, authentic experience that you will remember forever. Now is the perfect time to grab your crew and head further into Fiordland National Park.

Experience the tranquillity.

There is nothing quite like being the only people sailing and sleeping in Patea / Doubtful Sound. Doubtful Sound was named Patea by the Maori and the name translates to the sound of silence. Engines off, no light or sound pollution, and being the only people floating around… pure bliss. Even during the day, you may only pass a few small fishing boats. Fiordland is a magical and mysterious place, one that truly comes alive at night or during a bout of wet weather.

Get off the beaten track

Most who visit Fiordland only have eyes for one sound, Piopiotahi / Milford Sound. She may be the jewel in our crown and deserves all the attention she gets, but the other sounds deserve a look in too. Patea / Doubtful and Tamatea / Dusky are two of the most untouched, preserved landscapes here in New Zealand. What you see now is largely what would have been viewed all those years ago by the Maori tribes and the early European sailors. Chartering a boat here is the best way to leave the known behind and experience the wilderness.

Do something new

2021 is your year to do something you have never done before and sailing around the fiords, sounds like the perfect plan to us. No matter your crew, big or small you are in for a real adventure. Getting into the heart of Fiordland National Park now, while we have the chance to experience it all to ourselves will be an unforgettable adventure, don’t you think?

Treat your team

Are you looking for your next corporate venture? Nothing says team building like an overnight on a boat pulling your weight, relaxing, and bonding in close quarters now does it? This could be the trip your whole team needs or the perfect way to say thank you to your team after their stallion efforts throughout 2020.

Disconnect and reconnect with nature

The moment you leave Te Anau or Manapouri you leave civilisation and reception behind. The beauty of Fiordland is its remoteness and lack of cell phone coverage. The emails, the phone calls, and everyday life can wait, you have a chance to switch off for a few days and re connect with what makes our land so unique, one of mother nature’s greatest creation (and unofficially the 8th wonder of the world).

Educate yourself

Your guides are some of the most knowledgeable people. They live, breathe, think, and operate in these waters more than anyone else and know the national park like the back of their hand. Time spent on board with Fiordland guides is not only educational but inspiring. Native flowers, fauna, wildlife, history, and more will fill your days as you cruise through paradise.

Experience the unexpected

The beauty of Fiordland National Park is its unpredictable nature. One moment sunshine, next a downpour that will awaken the thousands of temporary waterfalls waiting to come to life. Wildlife is a plenty and if you are lucky the dolphins may entertain you as you cut through the water, the seals may be feasting on their local delicacies or the birdlife will entertain you with their song. Also, be prepared for bucket list activities like cray fishing, kayaking, and paddleboarding in remote bays along the way.

Wildlife encounters

Doubtful Sound is home to a range of rare and beautiful wildlife. From the elusive Fiordland Crested Penguin to Fur Seals, Dolphins, Whales, and birds you may be lucky enough to share your adventure with one or all of the above. Have your camera at the ready for what could be your David Attenborough moment here in New Zealand.

Are you ready to embark on the adventure of a lifetime? Discover more about the charter boats and overnight experiences to be had here in Fiordland National Park.

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