About Us
Doubtful Sound Kayak
Take the opportunity to lose yourself in nature in one of the most spectacular places on earth! Your adventure departs from Te Anau and transports you across the beautiful Lake Manapōuri by boat, over Wilmot Pass by bus and into Deep Cove at the head of Doubtful Sound/Patea. Our Doubtful Sound Kayak Full Day Tour enables you to explore this remote area of Fiordland at a slower pace, with 3.5 hours of kayaking on Doubtful Sound.
-
All kayaking gear provided
-
Wildlife encounters
-
3.5 hours of kayaking
-
Courtesy coach
-
Water taxi
-
Max. 10 passengers per trip
-
Suits any level of experience
-
Cruise on Lake Manapōuri
-
Knowledgeable kayak guides
-
Small, local & family owned
What makes us great
Why Choose Us
Your Doubtful Sound Kayak adventure is the longest, best-value kayaking day tour of Doubtful Sound. During your 3.5 hour paddle you will journey up to 15km* into Doubtful Sound following Hall Arm, also known as 'The Sound of Silence'.
Launch your kayak into Doubtful Sound at Deep Cove. Wildlife encounters may include dolphins, seals, or penguins. Your return to Deep Cove is via water taxi cruise, so you aren't backtracking with your kayak.
We are a local family company showing Doubtful Sound to just 10 guests per trip. Our guides are extremely passionate and knowledgeable about Fiordland and ensures a personal experience is provided by your guides.
*Route may vary due to conditions at the time of the tour.
it’s a big world out there
go explore!
Meet the Team
Our Kayaking Experts
We’re excited to welcome Blake to our team for his first season as a kayak guide in Doubtful Sound. With a passion for outdoor adventure Blake brings energy, enthusiasm, and a desire for sharing unforgettable experiences with our guests.
Nadine is our Italian import who has now made New Zealand her home. She does all those jobs behind the scenes, from coffee making to marketing, to making sure all your kayak gear is clean and fresh for each day's departure. Nadine is on the job!
Clint has been involved in the tourism industry in the Fiordland area for over 45 years. Doubtful Sound is his 'happy place' and he finds any excuse to spend as much time there as possible.
Nepia is the Operations Manager at our sister company Tracknet, and part-time skipper for Doubtful Sound Kayak. He loves breaking the bounds of the office for a day out on the water in Doubtful Sound whenever he gets the chance.
We’re thrilled to have Maia join the team for her first job! Maia takes on the important role of folding laundry and keeping the office clean, organised, and ready for the next day’s adventures.
What our customers say
Happy Customers
CJ
Absolutely amazing!"I had a wonderful experience with Blake, that might be my #1 experience in New Zealand, thanks team! The only thing to change would be to make it longer kayaking time :D"
Debbie C
Absolutely loved the trip!
"A Stunning scenery from start to finish (boat, bus and kayak!) and felt like we had the fjord to ourselves with such a small group. Awesome guide and skipper, friendly, genuine and knowledgeable. The muffins and swim topped off one of the best days we've had in NZ"
Hennie
This tour is amazing
"The best day tour we did in NZ. Doubtful Sound is as beautiful as Milford Sound, but without the big tourist groups. So special to be in the nature with only a few kayaks and a boat. We also saw penguins that made it even more special."
Pien
We had an epic trip!"Small group, great guide and amazing attention to detail. These guys know what they're doing and that shows in the equipment you get. Great atmosphere and lots of cool stories and nature facts during the tour. 10/10 would recommend!"
Learn More
Doubtful Sound
During the trip, your knowledgeable guide will fill you in on a lot of fun facts about Doubtful. Here are some of our favourite facts:
-
Doubtful Sound was discovered by Captain James Cook in 1770 who named it 'Doubtful Harbour'
-
Captain Cook named it as he was 'Doubtful' that his mode of transport, the ship Endeavour, would be able to navigate out again under sail
-
Doubtful Sound is technically a Fiord, being a glaciated valley filled with water. A Sound is a river made valley filled with water.
-
At 421 metres deep, Doubtful Sound is the deepest of the South Island's fiords
-
Although remote and rugged, Doubtful Sound was explored by Māori and in the 1800s inhabited by whalers and sealers
-
In the 1960s, Deep Cove was the site of a village of workers that worked on the Manapōuri Hydroelectricity project.
Dream Discover Explore with Doubtful Sound Kayak
Immerse yourself in the rugged beauty of Doubtful sound.
Looking for accommodation & transport?
Our Local Recommendations
For a wide range of accommodation options including tent sites, powered sites, cabins and motels.
Steamers Beach is a warm and cosy Te Anau Backpackers accommodation option
Relax in your Marakura Deluxe Lakeview Motel while marvelling at the wilderness of Fiordland National Park.
Tracknet Transport have departures daily from October-May between Te Anau, Queenstown and Milford Sound
