RealNZ | Doubtful Sound Cruises

Absolutely amazing 2 night tour, blessed with fabulous weather and wildlife. The crew and food exceeded standards, thank you Alex, the most knowledgeable and friendliest nature guide out there, Glenn, Hillary, Grace and John (compliments to the chef- have never eaten better in my life). This is a must do if you’re in the Otago/Southland region and an unforgettable tranquil yet entertaining experience. If you don’t make the effort, you will never see such stunning landscape and scenery as this.

Absolutely amazing day trip to Doubtful Sound! Everything was perfectly organized and we felt very well taken care off during the day. The various boat and bus operators always provided nice and informative commentary without chatting our ears off. And then of course there's the Sound itself - Doubtful Sound is simply stunning, and it presented itself from its sunniest side to us! From the majestic rock walls towering up around us to the absolute serenity of having the Sound almost completely to ourselves, it was a truly magical experience. Bonus points for the large colony of seals we saw out in the Tasman sea part of the journey! 10/10 would recommend!

Well organized day by RealNZ. Cruises and coach rides both scenic and informative and well timed. Pre-ordered lunch was good, filling and eco conscious!

Highly recommend this trip. What a treat to view such a private and tranquil location with no other boats to be seen. Includes a 1hr cruise across Lake Manapouri, a 40 min bus trip over Wilmot Pass (where we also got to stop and play in the freshly falling snow!) and a 3 hour cruise throughout the sound. Hot drinks and bathrooms aboard both boats. Thanks for such a memorable experience.

An experience of a lifetime - Doubtful Sound is one of the most spectacular places on earth. We were lucky to have a beautiful sunny day and the views were sensational. We did both Milford and Doubtful - both were epic but Doubtful just has 'more' to it. The Real NZ experience was very positive. You start with a 45 minute cruise across the lake with some commentary. The boat is well equipped with a well stocked cafe/bar offering. Incredibly nice toilets too! You are then loaded onto busses for the trip across the mountain pass to the actual Doubtful Sound departure. The bus drivers were friendly, knowledgeable and funny and you stop at a couple of viewpoints. Bus takes around an hour including stops. Finally you arrived at Doubtful Sound and go on the 3 hours cruise, and it was just incredible. A large boat with an even better stocked cafe/bar - we brought a packed lunch but there was plenty food to buy on board. The tour got off to the best start imaginable with a pod of dolphins appearing off the side of the boat. You then meander round the Sound taking in the views and listening to the wonderful commentary from the knowledgeable guide. We were concerned before booking at the whole ferry - bus - ferry experience and how many people would be on the tour, but it really wasn't an issue at all. We had over 130 people and you never felt herded like cattle like you're part of a large tour group. The boats have loads of space and it is all efficiently organised. Truly was an experience of a lifetime!

Absolutely the best. Lovely staff who know their stuff, very informative and friendly. Enjoyed the cruise immensely and highly recommend. You get taken up all arms of the sounds , out to the Tasman sea and right up the the waterfalls. Stunning scenery on calm waters. Upstairs or downstairs seating. Deck out the front to take g8 photos and also out the back.

Absolutely phenomenal experience on the RealNZ Doubtful Sound cruise. Quite a unique day out, we drove only 2hrs from Queenstown and then were taken by ferry and then a bus to reach Doubtful Sound, all the while listening to our fantastic and humorous tour guides. The actual cruise around Doubtful Sound was a life changing experience. We were lucky enough to see a pod of dolphins with their calf! We also saw seals and penguins on this trip. The experience is something I will never forget and I would like to sincerely thank the RealNZ crew.

We did the overnight cruise and it was worth every penny, an unforgettable experience. We were on the Navigator, which was nicely maintained and charming. The cabins were clean and the bed and pillows were surprisingly some of the most comfortable we had on our whole 3 week trip! The whole experience was so well organized and the crew were great. The food was good and plentiful, and the guest ratio was just right so it was lively but never felt too crowded. And then of course, there's the beauty of the Sound itself. We were blessed with absolutely fabulous weather both days and got to see the Sound at its most serene, and even got to cruise in the Tasman Sea. Loved the "sound of silence" experience, I thought it would be a bit hokey but it was really incredible.