New Zealand, A cruise on Doubtful Sound
21/02/2018


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Doubtful Sound is the deepest (421 metres) and second longest (40 kilometres) of the South Island's fiords. It was named 'Doubtful Harbour' by Captain James Cook, who didn't sail into the inlet as he was uncertain whether it was navigable under sail. It was later renamed Doubtful Sound by whalers and sealers, although it is not technically a sound but a fiord. Access to the sound is either by sea or via the isolated Wilmot Pass road from the Manapouri Power Station. Most areas of the sound itself are accessible only by sea, however, as the road network in this area of New Zealand is sparse or nonexistent, as is the human population.
The fiord is home to NZ Fur Seals, Bottlenose dolphins and rare Fiordland Crested and Little Blue penguins.
One of the highlights of the trip was the 'Sound of Silence', a period when all engines are turned off and the ship is floating silently.
My gratitude to Real Journeys for the map I've modified and used on this page.


Photo Gallery

The trip to Doubtful Sound involves a journey along Lake Manapouri east to west to a jetty close to Manapouri Power Station, which is an underground hydroelectric power station on the western arm of the lake.
Now on the coach journey between the power station and the southeast end of Doubtful Sound, we stop high up at a viewing point with Deep Cove down below us. This is where we will board the larger catamaran for our 3 hour cruise up and down the Sound.
Typical of the fiordland area, another mountain stream heading down towards the Sound.
Our cruising catamaran 'Patea Explorer' which is operated by the company 'Real Journeys'. It takes about 130 passengers, offers free tea and coffee and there is a shop and bar on board.
Kayakers on the water at Deep Cove as waterfalls pour fresh water down into the Sound, which is mainly composed of salt water from the open sea.
Under way from Deep Cove, we head northwest up the Sound.
The waterway starts to widen out and the huge rock formations, cliffs and peaks plunge sometimes vertically into the Sound, which at its deepest plunges to 1400 feet below the waves.
There was a stiff breeze on deck which increased as we headed onwards towards the open sea.
The Nee Islets mark the end of the Sound and beyond these large rocks is the Tasman Sea.
There were a number of fur seals on the small island in the photo, but we didn't get that close to view them.
This cruise ship came into the Sound and then headed back out to sea.
We turn back on a southeast course with the cliffs and peaks to our right again. There are a couple of dead end channels named 'First Arm' and 'Crooked Arm' whose entrances we pass on our way back to Deep Cove.
More high waterfalls plunging off the cliffs.
The look of quiet contemplation and enjoyment.
An iconic view from the stern. This is one of my favourite images, it kind of sums up the experience of the 3 hours on this enjoyable journey.
Heading back towards Deep Cove.
Seems like a row of three sleeping giants laying by the waterside.
A view of the water ingress of the power station at the western tip of Lake Manapouri.
The power station utilises the 230-metre (750 ft) drop between this location and the Deep Cove branch of the Doubtful Sound 10 km (6.2 mi) away to generate electricity. The construction of the station required the excavation of almost 1.4 million tonnes of hard rock to build the machine hall and a 10 km tailrace tunnel, with a second parallel tailrace tunnel completed in 2002 to increase the station's capacity.
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