Fiordland Explored: Cruising Fiordland's Iconic Doubtful & Dusky Sounds


South Pacific Subantarctic Islands
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Discover the primordial majesty of Fiordland’s iconic Doubtful and Dusky Sounds on an unforgettable 5-day exploration with Heritage Expeditions, pioneers in authentic small ship expedition cruising

Duration: 5 days
Starts: Te Anau, New Zeland
Ends: Te Anau, New Zeland
Language: English speaking voyage

Jan 29 departure is 6 days with an additional day exploring Dusky Sound


Included


Established in 1952, New Zealand’s Fiordland National Park is now over 1.2 million hectares in size and rightly famous for its epic, grand-scale scenery, untamed wilderness and unique wildlife including Bottlenose Dolphins, Fiordland Crested Penguins and New Zealand Fur Seals. However, Fiordland is also rich in natural history, geology and the location of some historical firsts and important restoration and conservation projects.
It was our early exploration of these rarely visited and remote ice-carved mountains, verdant forests and winding fiords rich in wildlife, conservation and history which inspired our dream for responsible travel. For this special expedition, we have paired two of the most remote, hard to reach and spectacular of Fiordland’s destinations on the one voyage. Retrace the steps of Captain Cook along the shorelines of World Heritage Area Dusky Sound, one of Fiordland’s largest fiords some 40-kilometres long and studded with more than 350 islands. Equally impressive, New Zealand’s deepest fiord Doubtful Sound boasts lush rainforests, towering waterfalls and resident populations of New Zealand Fur Seals and rare Fiordland Crested Penguins.

Only accessible by sea, Doubtful and Dusky Sounds are among the most isolated areas on New Zealand’s mainland ensuring their pristine, epic beauty remains unspoiled and their historic sites undisturbed. Waterfalls, streams, rivers and fiords are enveloped with misty
veils that come and go, revealing steep gradients of mountain peaks and sheltered valleys. Discover the calm waters of Fiordland in solitude and explore some of its most unique and wild parts on this bucket list voyage.

Itinerary

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Day 1: Te Anau/Doubtful Sound
Meet with your fellow expeditioners in Te Anau before travelling across Lake Manapouri and over the Wilmot Pass to Deep Cove in Doubtful Sound (times and meeting point will be confirmed with your voyage documents). The Captain and Expedition Leader will be waiting to welcome you aboard Heritage Explorer and show you to your cabin. Settle into life aboard before we set sail along the scenic waterways of Doubtful Sound before finding a suitable anchorage to enjoy your first evening aboard.

Day 2: Doubtful & Breaksea Sounds
After a quiet night surrounded by the nature and wilderness of Fiordland we continue our explorations of the most spectacular scenery in all of Fiordland – Doubtful Sound, or the ‘sound of silence’ as it’s also known. Spanning some staggering 40-kilometres and holding the title as New Zealand’s deepest fiord, Doubtful Sound with its cloud-scraping wilderness cloaked mountains, sheer stone cliffs, waterfalls, inlets, quiet coves and wildlife presents nature on a scale so grand its off the chart. Sailing along the Fiordland coast towards the extensive protected waters that are Breaksea and Dusky Sounds, join your naturalists on deck to spot seabirds including the majestic Wandering and Buller’s Albatross. Breaksea Island guards the entrance to Breaksea Sound, it was here that the first successful island rat eradication program was completed and today Breaksea Island is a protected nature reserve of great significance to the many endangered species which call the island home.

Day 3: Breaksea Sound & Acheron Passage
Today we explore our way through the waters of Breaksea Sound and Acheron Passage. Resolution Island is separated from the mainland by the scenic waters of Acheron Passage and at the southern end of the passage we enter Dusky Sound, be sure to be on the lookout for resident Bottlenose Dolphins. This afternoon you might like to try your luck fishing for tonight’s dinner, or take the kayaks for a shoreline exploration. Our time here may include venturing into Wet Jacket Arm where the crew of Cook’s HMS Resolution ended up with wet jackets during their survey work. It is also the site where moose were released, and last seen, in New Zealand.

Day 4: Dusky Sound
Visit Luncheon Cove on Anchor Island, where the first European boat was built in New Zealand. Take a short walk or explore along the coastline and be amazed by the birdlife with South Island Saddleback, Robins, Yellowhead and Parakeets in abundance on the island thanks to its predator-free status. It was on nearby Pigeon Island pioneering conservationist Richard Henry was based during his time in Dusky Sound. At Astronomer’s Point there may be the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of Captain Cook and his astronomer William Wales as it was here that the HMS Resolution was moored during their time in Dusky Sound. Our expedition cruise through Dusky Sound visits some of the most significant historical and conservation sites in New Zealand, as well as offering some of the most majestic scenery in New Zealand as we sail deep into the heart of Fiordland. Note our 26 Jan departure spends an additional day exploring Dusky Sound.

Day 5: Dusky Sound/Te Anau
This morning Heritage Explorer sails to Supper Cove at the very head of Dusky Sound, it is the last opportunity for you to bask in the majesty of the fiords, then take in the grand views and awe-inspiring scenery as you enjoy a spectacular helicopter transfer back to Te Anau. In case of unexpected delays, we ask you not to book any onward travel from Te Anau until after 1pm this afternoon. Note: Some voyages will operate the itinerary in reverse. During our voyage, circumstances may make it necessary or desirable to deviate from the proposed itinerary. This can include weather and opportunities for making unplanned excursions. Your Expedition Leader will keep you fully informed. Voyages are planned and scheduled pending final regulatory approval.

Itinerary

Day 1: Te Anau/Doubtful Sound
Meet with your fellow expeditioners in Te Anau before travelling across Lake Manapouri and over the Wilmot Pass to Deep Cove in Doubtful Sound (times and meeting point will be confirmed with your voyage documents). The Captain and Expedition Leader will be waiting to welcome you aboard Heritage Explorer and show you to your cabin. Settle into life aboard before we set sail along the scenic waterways of Doubtful Sound before finding a suitable anchorage to enjoy your first evening aboard.

Day 2: Doubtful & Breaksea Sounds
After a quiet night surrounded by the nature and wilderness of Fiordland we continue our explorations of the most spectacular scenery in all of Fiordland – Doubtful Sound, or the ‘sound of silence’ as it’s also known. Spanning some staggering 40-kilometres and holding the title as New Zealand’s deepest fiord, Doubtful Sound with its cloud-scraping wilderness cloaked mountains, sheer stone cliffs, waterfalls, inlets, quiet coves and wildlife presents nature on a scale so grand its off the chart. Sailing along the Fiordland coast towards the extensive protected waters that are Breaksea and Dusky Sounds, join your naturalists on deck to spot seabirds including the majestic Wandering and Buller’s Albatross. Breaksea Island guards the entrance to Breaksea Sound, it was here that the first successful island rat eradication program was completed and today Breaksea Island is a protected nature reserve of great significance to the many endangered species which call the island home.

Day 3: Breaksea Sound & Acheron Passage
Today we explore our way through the waters of Breaksea Sound and Acheron Passage. Resolution Island is separated from the mainland by the scenic waters of Acheron Passage and at the southern end of the passage we enter Dusky Sound, be sure to be on the lookout for resident Bottlenose Dolphins. This afternoon you might like to try your luck fishing for tonight’s dinner, or take the kayaks for a shoreline exploration. Our time here may include venturing into Wet Jacket Arm where the crew of Cook’s HMS Resolution ended up with wet jackets during their survey work. It is also the site where moose were released, and last seen, in New Zealand.

Day 4: Dusky Sound
Visit Luncheon Cove on Anchor Island, where the first European boat was built in New Zealand. Take a short walk or explore along the coastline and be amazed by the birdlife with South Island Saddleback, Robins, Yellowhead and Parakeets in abundance on the island thanks to its predator-free status. It was on nearby Pigeon Island pioneering conservationist Richard Henry was based during his time in Dusky Sound. At Astronomer’s Point there may be the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of Captain Cook and his astronomer William Wales as it was here that the HMS Resolution was moored during their time in Dusky Sound. Our expedition cruise through Dusky Sound visits some of the most significant historical and conservation sites in New Zealand, as well as offering some of the most majestic scenery in New Zealand as we sail deep into the heart of Fiordland. Note our 26 Jan departure spends an additional day exploring Dusky Sound.

Day 5: Dusky Sound/Te Anau
This morning Heritage Explorer sails to Supper Cove at the very head of Dusky Sound, it is the last opportunity for you to bask in the majesty of the fiords, then take in the grand views and awe-inspiring scenery as you enjoy a spectacular helicopter transfer back to Te Anau. In case of unexpected delays, we ask you not to book any onward travel from Te Anau until after 1pm this afternoon. Note: Some voyages will operate the itinerary in reverse. During our voyage, circumstances may make it necessary or desirable to deviate from the proposed itinerary. This can include weather and opportunities for making unplanned excursions. Your Expedition Leader will keep you fully informed. Voyages are planned and scheduled pending final regulatory approval.


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INCLUSIONS

Landing fees, pre cruise helicopter transfer and post cruise coach transfer, all on board ship accommodation with meals and all shore excursions and activities. GST, house drinks, expert on board naturalist guides.

EXCLUSIONS

All items of a personal nature, laundry, domestic flights, Queenstown packages, extensions and travel insurance.


Dates & Rates


Ship: Heritage Explorer | Date: 09 Sept 2025 - 13 Sept 2025 (4276)
Buller´s
$2,975
Salvin´s Double
$3,335
Salvin´s Twin
$3,335
Wandering
$3,495
Royal
$3,995
Ship: Heritage Explorer | Date: 13 Sept 2025 - 17 Sept 2025 (4277)
Buller´s
$2,975
Salvin´s Double
$3,335
Salvin´s Twin
$3,335
Wandering
$3,495
Royal
$3,995
Ship: Heritage Explorer | Date: 29 Jan 2026 - 03 Feb 2026 (4278)
Buller´s
$3,750
Salvin´s Double
$4,195
Salvin´s Twin
$4,195
Wandering
$4,405
Royal
$5,035
Ship: Heritage Explorer | Date: 07 Feb 2026 - 11 Feb 2026 (4279)
Buller´s
$3,125
Salvin´s Double
$3,495
Salvin´s Twin
$3,495
Wandering
$3,670
Royal
$4,195
Ship: Heritage Explorer | Date: 28 Feb 2026 - 04 Mar 2026 (4280)
Buller´s
$3,125
Salvin´s Double
$3,495
Salvin´s Twin
$3,495
Wandering
$3,670
Royal
$4,195
Ship: Heritage Explorer | Date: 12 Mar 2026 - 16 Mar 2026 (4281)
Buller´s
$3,125
Salvin´s Double
$3,495
Salvin´s Twin
$3,495
Wandering
$3,670
Royal
$4,195
Ship: Heritage Explorer | Date: 01 Aug 2026 - 05 Aug 2026 (4282)
Buller´s
$3,125
$2,500
Salvin´s Double
$3,495
$2,796
Salvin´s Twin
$3,495
$2,796
Wandering
$3,670
$2,936
Royal
$4,195
$3,356
Ship: Heritage Explorer | Date: 09 Aug 2026 - 13 Aug 2026 (4283)
Buller´s
$3,125
$2,500
Salvin´s Double
$3,495
$2,796
Salvin´s Twin
$3,495
$2,796
Wandering
$3,670
$2,936
Royal
$4,195
$3,356

* The prices are per person in US Dollars, unless expressly specified in a different currency. In that case, payment will be in US dollars at the exchange rate of the day.
** Rates are correct at the time of publication. All prices will be re-confirmed by email at the time of booking.
NOTE: Embracing the unexpected is part of the legacy—and excitement—of expedition travel. When traveling in extremely remote regions, your expedition staff must allow the sea, the ice and the weather to guide route and itinerary details. This itinerary is a tentative outline of what you’ll experience on this voyage; please be aware that no specific itinerary can be guaranteed.

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