Fiordland Explored: Doubtful & Dusky Sound Cruise

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.