5-Day Dusky Sound Cruise: Explore Remote Fiordland
price from
NZ$ 5914
per person (twin share)
New Zealand - South Island 
Cruise 
5 days 
Te Anau 
Te Anau 5-Day Dusky Sound Cruise | 18-Guest Yacht | Helicopter & Coach Transfer | Kayaking, Fishing & Guided Walks | Dusky Sound, Acheron Passage & Breaksea Sound | Wildlife, History and Local Cuisine Included
Join us on this unforgettable Dusky Sound cruise, a 5-day voyage into the primordial majesty of Fiordland. It’s a bucket list trip for anyone chasing solitude and untouched wilderness.
This Dusky Sound cruise aboard an 18-guest expedition yacht starts and ends with scenic helicopter flights between Te Anau and Supper Cove. We pair onboard comfort with kayaking, fishing and guided walks across Dusky Sound, Acheron Passage and Breaksea Sound. Expert Kiwi naturalist guides join you throughout. For a longer voyage that also explores Doubtful Sound, our Fiordland Explored: 5-Day Cruise of Doubtful Sound & Dusky Sound covers both fiords.
Fiordland’s Largest and Most Isolated Fiord
Dusky Sound is Fiordland’s largest fiord, some 40 kilometres long and studded with more than 350 islands. Part of the World Heritage Area, it’s only accessible by sea and remains among the most isolated areas on New Zealand’s mainland. Misty veils of waterfalls, streams and rivers come and go, revealing steep mountain peaks and sheltered valleys. This isolation has kept its epic beauty unspoiled and its historic sites undisturbed.
Fiordland National Park, established in 1952, now spans over 1.2 million hectares. It’s famous for grand-scale scenery, untamed wilderness and unique wildlife, including Bottlenose Dolphins, Fiordland Crested Penguins and New Zealand Fur Seals. Fiordland is also rich in natural history and geology, and holds several historical New Zealand firsts and important conservation projects.
Captain Cook, Kākāpō and a Conservation Pioneer
Captain Cook moored the HMS Resolution here in 1773. You can walk in his footsteps at Astronomer’s Point, where his astronomer William Wales recorded the observations that made New Zealand the most accurately located place on the globe at the time. Nearby, predator-free Anchor Island shelters half the world’s population of Kākāpō and Little Spotted Kiwi. It’s also home to historic Luncheon Cove, site of New Zealand’s first sealing gang and its first European-built ship, the Providence, launched in 1795.
On nearby Pigeon Island, learn the story of conservationist Richard Henry and his pioneering live transfer of birds to island refuges, an international first in wildlife conservation. Though stoats swimming across undid his original efforts, the island is now pest-free and thriving, fulfilling his vision at last.
If you’d prefer to explore other parts of New Zealand’s coastline, please take a look at all our New Zealand cruises below.
- 10-Day Fiordland Expedition Cruise – All the Fiords
- 7-Day Marlborough Sounds Cruise: Explore New Zealand’s Sounds Up Close
- Fiordland Explored: 5-Day Cruise of Doubtful Sound & Dusky Sound
- 13-Day Expedition Cruise Around the New Zealand Coast
- 7-Day Northern Fiords Cruise: Expedition Through Fiordland’s North
- 7-Day Southern Fiords Discovery: A Deep Exploration of Fiordland’s Southern Fiords
- 9-Day Top of the South Cruise: Explore Beyond Marlborough Sounds
- 5-Day Dusky Sound Cruise: Explore Remote Fiordland
- 6-Day Fiordland & Stewart Island Explored
- 5-Day Queen Charlotte Sound Cruise: Walking & Sailing Tour
- 8-Day Stewart Island Cruise: Wilderness and Wildlife Adventure
You can experience this firsthand on any of the following upcoming voyages: 27 Jan 2027, 4 Feb 2027, 28 Feb 2027, 5 Aug 2027
Tour Photo Gallery
Tour Information, Departure Dates & Price
Transportation
- Cruise, Helicopter & Coach
Tour Departures
- Please review the cruise departure options below
Airport Transfers
- N/A
Pricing
-
from NZD5,914
Meals
- Check the meal details in the itinerary
Accommodation
- Yacht Cabins
Cities/Regions Visited
-
Te Anau – Supper Cove – Dusky Sound – Acheron Passage – Breaksea Sound – Te Anau
Group Size
- 18-Guest Yacht
Tour Code
- HE17082026
Pre & Post Accommodation
- Available
5-Day Dusky Sound Cruise: Explore Remote Fiordland Days
Meet with your fellow expeditioners in Te Anau, then take in the grand views and awe-inspiring scenery on a spectacular helicopter transfer to Supper Cove at the very head of Dusky Sound (times and meeting point will be confirmed with your voyage documents). Your Captain and Expedition Leader will be waiting to welcome you aboard and show you to your cabin.
Settle into life aboard before we set sail past Cooper, Long and Indian Islands, finding a suitable anchorage to enjoy your first evening at sea.
After a quiet night surrounded by Fiordland’s nature and wilderness, we continue exploring some of the most majestic scenery in New Zealand. We have two full days to discover the rich history, wilderness, wildlife and grand-scale scenery of Dusky Sound, visiting some of the country’s most significant historical and conservation sites along the way.
We plan to walk in the footsteps of Captain Cook and astronomer William Wales at Astronomer’s Point, site of a temporary observatory in Pickersgill Harbour where the crew moored the HMS Resolution in 1773. Our explorations also include predator-free Anchor Island, home to half the world’s population of Kākāpō and Little Spotted Kiwi, and historic Luncheon Cove, where New Zealand’s first sealing gang worked and launched the country’s first European-built ship, the Providence, in 1795. On nearby Pigeon Island, learn the story of pioneering conservationist Richard Henry and his early efforts to protect New Zealand’s native birdlife.
A navigation through Acheron Passage today, separating Resolution Island from the mainland, is sure to be one of the highlights of our time in Fiordland. Resident Bottlenose Dolphins often frequent this scenic waterway. Our explorations 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’s also the last known site where moose roamed New Zealand.
The extensive sheltered waters of Breaksea Sound, once scouted for sheep farming by early settlers in the 1850s, also hold Breaksea Island. This is an iconic site in New Zealand conservation history, one of the first large islands declared rat-free, in 1988, and now home to many endangered species. This afternoon you might try your luck fishing for tonight’s dinner, or take the kayaks out for a shoreline exploration.
This morning we return to Supper Cove, where we enjoy a last opportunity to bask in the majesty of the fiords over breakfast before boarding your scenic helicopter transfer back to Te Anau. In case of unexpected delays, we ask that you not book any onward travel from Te Anau until after 1pm today.
Note: During the voyage, weather or opportunities for unplanned excursions may require deviations from the planned itinerary. Your Expedition Leader will keep you fully informed. We plan and schedule voyages pending final regulatory approval.
Inclusions & Highlights
Cruise Highlights:
- Explore Fiordland’s largest and most isolated fiord, part of the World Heritage Area
- Retrace Captain Cook’s 1773 voyage at Astronomer’s Point
- Visit predator-free Anchor Island, home to half the world’s Kākāpō population
- Discover historic Luncheon Cove, site of New Zealand’s first sealing gang
- Learn the conservation legacy of pioneer Richard Henry on Pigeon Island
- Navigate scenic Acheron Passage, home to resident Bottlenose Dolphins
- Enjoy scenic helicopter transfers to and from remote Supper Cove
Includes: Landing fees, pre and post cruise helicopter transfer, all onboard ship accommodation with meals, all shore excursions and activities, GST, house drinks and expert onboard naturalist guides.
Excludes: All personal items, laundry, domestic flights, Queenstown packages, extensions and travel insurance.
Tour Departure Dates
- 27 Jan 2027
- 4 Feb 2027
- 28 Feb 2027
- 5 Aug 2027
Accommodation
All lodging is on board the ship, and meals are included throughout your stay.
About the Expedition 18-Guest Yacht
Setting a new standard for discovery travel in New Zealand, our yacht combines the ultimate in comfort with unique itineraries and a personalized experience for a maximum of just 18 guests on board.
The expedition yacht is a 30-meter, 4-deck, New Zealand-flagged vessel built in 2004 by the renowned wooden boat-building family at Carey’s Boatyard in Picton. It features a contemporary wood-finished interior, 10 well-appointed cabins across three decks, a dining room boasting spectacular 180-degree panoramas and theater capabilities, a lounge and bar featuring a complimentary selection of regional New Zealand wines and beers, and a well-stocked library.
Outside, guests can enjoy plenty of covered space on the Bridge Deck — perfect for wildlife spotting, watching sunrises and sunsets, or simply taking in the voyage as it unfolds. Kayaks and fishing equipment are available for use throughout the voyage, while two tenders allow for deeper exploration and unforgettable wildlife encounters.
As with our other vessels, the yacht operates an open bridge policy and features a full commercial kitchen helmed by a talented chef who focuses on showcasing local produce and any guest catches of the day. Guests are also accompanied by an enthusiastic and passionate expedition team, with the vessel crewed by a New Zealand captain and crew.
The expedition yacht features state-of-the-art technology to ensure a comfortable voyage, including high-performance dual Scania 653-horsepower engines, bow thrusters, fin stabilizers, full air conditioning, sound-attenuated twin generators, and a hydraulic aft ramp. A comprehensive navigation package rounds out the vessel’s capabilities, ensuring the ultimate Kiwi adventure awaits every guest.
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