Southern Secret Overnight Cruise Details
For one night we invite you to journey into the wilderness of Doubtful Sound & experience this spectacular Fiord with your hosts aboard the Southern Secret. Marvel at steep mountain cliffs surrounding the deep waters of the Fiord. View incredible scenery, wildlife and waterfalls from the comfort of your vessel.
You can meet us in either Queenstown*, Te Anau or Manapouri for your Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise experience.
- Departing Central Queenstown at 7:00 am (26th October 2021 – 1st May 2022 inclusive)
* Note that there is an extra charge for Queenstown transfers
- Departing from Te Anau at 9:00 am, (pick up from your accommodation from 8:45 am).
- Departing from Pearl Harbour, Manapouri Visitor Centre at Lake Manapouri at 10:00 am.
Inclusions:
- Free Transport from Te Anau or Manapouri
- Lunch, Dinner & Breakfast
- Small ship with maximum of 12 guests per cruise
- Fishing & checking Fiordland lobster pots
- Local, Te Anau family owned business
- Knowledgeable crew
- Kayaking
- Fishing
- Sightseeing
- Wildlife &smp; waterfall viewing
Sample Itinerary: Day One
| Timings | Location | Events |
|---|---|---|
| 09:00 | Te Anau | Depart Te Anau by bus at 9:00am to check-in and meet other guests by 9:40am at Manapouri. |
| 10:00 | Manapouri | Depart Manapouri's Pearl Harbour, you will board a scenic cruise across Lake Manapouri to West Arm (50-minute cruise). At West Arm you will see the above-ground sections of the Manapouri Power Station, an underground hydroelectric power station which is capable of generating up to 850 MW using water from Lakes Te Anau and Manapouri. It is the largest hydroelectric power station in New Zealand. |
| 11:00 | West Arm | At West Arm you will meet your crew, who will take you by courtesy bus over the Wilmot Pass where you will capture breathtaking views of Doubtful Sound from Wilmot Pass. |
| 12:00 | Deep Cove | You will arrive at the Southern Secret at its mooring in Deep Cove around midday. Onboard refreshments and Lunch will be served as you set off and begin to explore the environs of Doubtful Sound such as Hall Arm, Crooked Arm, Bradshaw Sound and more. Cruises may include a visit to the entrance of Doubtful Sound where you may visit the Shelter Islands. |
| 13:00 | Doubtful Sound | Your Doubtful Sound Overnight adventure includes: sightseeing and exploring the history and splendor, pause at features for photographs and to observe marine mammals, cast a line for fishing, check our crayfish traps and savor the spectacular scenery and wildlife. Activities onboard can include: fishing, kayaking, mammal watching and star gazing on clear evenings. Wildlife often sighted in Doubtful Sound may include bottle-nose dolphins, penguins, seals and sea birds. |
| 18:30 | Doubtful Sound | Your evening meal is served at one of our overnight anchorages in Doubtful Sound – these include Crooked Arm, First Arm, Hall Arm and Precipice cove in Bradshaw Sound or on the eastern tip of Secretary Island. |
Sample Itinerary: Day Two
| Timings | Location | Events |
|---|---|---|
| 06:30 | Doubtful Sound | The Ship awakens, and after a light breakfast we have a leisurely cruise back towards Deep Cove. |
| 09:30 | West Arm | Journey back across the Wilmot Pass and Lake Manapouri. |
| 11:00 | Lake Manapouri | Travel back across Lake Manapouri from West Arm to Pearl Harbour by boat. |
| 12:00 | Manapouri | Arrive back at Manapouri's Pearl Harbour. |
| 12:30 | Te Anau. | Arrive back in Te Anau. |