About | Doubtful Sound Overnight | Southern Secret

About Fiordland Cruises

Who are We.

Southern Secret Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruises is a local family-owned business with four generations of family offering hospitality in Te Anau and Fiordland for over 60 years. Come and join us to cruise Doubtful Sound aboard the MV Southern Secret.

Why choose Us.

Fiordland is the most spectacular place in the world, and we wish to share that with our guests in the best possible way. Our small ship and leisurely pace allows visitors to take part in a personalised, authentic and memorable experience.

What we Do.

Southern Secret Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruises have operated small-ship overnight cruises in Doubtful Sound for over 45 years. We hold the necessary Department of Conservation Concessions and Marine Mammal Watching permits for the area.

Activities onboard Southern Secret, Doubtful Sound

Sit back and enjoy the view from one of the viewing areas. Here are some of the things you may see and do while on your Doubtful Sound boat trip.
Catch & Release

Fishing Doubtful Sound

Fishing is loads of fun and takes place outside of the marine reserves. We catch and release where possible, as currently, there is a moratorium on certain fish species. Common catches can include Blue Cod, Sea Perch, Terakahi, and School Groper.

Adventure & Fun

Kayaking

Experience the majesty of Doubtful Sound from water level. Five single sit-on-top kayaks are onboard. Kayaking is an adventurous activity; there is a safety briefing before going on the water. Lifejackets are provided and are compulsory. Kayaking only occurs at the discretion of the skipper and is weather-dependent.

Spiny Red Rock Lobster

Fiordland Lobster

Traps are baited each evening to show our guests the technique of how Fiordland Lobster (or Crayfish as it's known locally) are caught in the area by commercial fishermen. While we cannot guarantee that fresh Fiordland Lobster will be on the menu, there is a certain excitement in watching the traps being lifted.

Fish & Mammals

Doubtful Sound Wildlife

Doubtful Sound is home to a range of rare and beautiful wildlife, and encounters may include Fiordland Crested Penguins, Southern Fur Seals, or Doubtful Sound’s indigenous Bottlenose Dolphins. To protect our rare and endangered wildlife, we operate to a strict code of practice when we encounter wildlife.

Optional: Doubtful Sound Flights

Fiordland by Seaplane - Wings &Water

Scenic Amphibious Float Plane Flights

From Doubtful Sound to Lake Te Anau, direct 20 minutes flight is $1170 for up to 4 passengers with very light luggage.

From Doubtful Sound to Lake Te Anau, exploring Dusky Sound 1 hour & 30 minutes. $1995 for 2 or 3 people. An extra $665 for extra passengers

Southern Lakes Helicopters

Scenic Helicopter Flights

Doubtful Sound to Te Anau: The return journey will depart from Deep Cove. While flying Doubtful Sound, you'll detour into a unique hanging valley known as Campbell's Kingdom, complete with its own lake and waterfall. The return journey flies aloft the Main Divide of the Southern Alps with a landing at Mt Kidd, a remote alpine location with dramatic views, before descending back to Te Anau.
DURATION: 40 minutes
LANDINGS: 1
PRICE: $965 per person

Dusky, Doubtful Sound to Te Anau: The return journey will depart from Deep Cove. While flying Doubtful Sound, you'll detour into a unique hanging valley known as Campbell's Kingdom, complete with its own lake and waterfall. You'll fly over three more fiords before landing at Mt Pender, Dusky Sound, one of Fiordland's largest and most remote fiords. 40km-long Dusky Sound is dotted with more than 350 small islands. Access to Dusky is by sea or air only – very few people experience this magical place's beauty.
DURATION: 1 hour 10 minutes
LANDINGS: 2
PRICE: $1385 per person