7-Day Northern Fiords Cruise: Expedition Through Fiordland’s North
price from
NZ$ 5917
per person (twin share)
New Zealand - South Island 
Cruise 
7 days 
Te Anau 
Te Anau 7-Day Northern Fiords Cruise | 18-Guest Yacht | Helicopter & Coach Transfer | Kayaking, Fishing & Zodiac Cruising | Milford, Bligh, George, Caswell, Nancy, Thompson & Doubtful Sounds | Wildlife, History and Local Cuisine Included
Join us on this unforgettable Northern Fiords cruise, a 7-day voyage through some of Fiordland’s most remote and rarely visited waterways. It’s a chance to explore fiords few travellers ever see.
This Northern Fiords cruise aboard an 18-guest expedition yacht sails from Milford Sound through Bligh, George, Caswell, Nancy, Charles, Thompson and Doubtful Sounds. Onboard comfort is paired with kayaking, fishing and Zodiac cruising. Expert Kiwi naturalist guides join you throughout. For a longer voyage exploring the southern fiords too, our 10-Day Fiordland Expedition Cruise covers all of Fiordland’s waterways.
Glacier-Carved Peaks and Untamed Wilderness
Established in 1952, Fiordland National Park now spans over 1.2 million hectares. It’s famous for its grand-scale scenery, untamed wilderness and unique wildlife, including Bottlenose Dolphins, Fiordland Crested Penguins and New Zealand Fur Seals. Clouds scud the ragged peaks of glacier-cleaved mountains streaked with waterfalls throughout this remote corner of the park.
Fiordland is also rich in natural history, geology and important restoration and conservation projects. Captain Cook and his crew were the first Europeans to visit, landing here aboard the HMS Resolution in 1773 and spending five weeks in Dusky Sound. His records and maps attracted sealers and whalers soon after, who went on to form New Zealand’s first European settlements. From the mid-19th century, this coastline also drew prospectors in search of greenstone, or New Zealand jade.
Elk, Explorers and Marine Reserves
George Sound, the longest of the Northern Fiords at some 26 kilometres, was where Wapiti (elk) were first introduced to New Zealand in 1905, part of a herd gifted by American President Theodore Roosevelt. Nearby Caswell Sound holds the last physical remains of the 1949 New Zealand-American Fiordland scientific expedition, a hut still standing on the banks of the Stillwater River.
Nancy Sound was likely named after the vessel Nancy by Captain John Grono, one of the earliest sealing captains to explore Fiordland, and its unusual leg-shaped waterways carry names like Foot Arm, Heel Cove and Toe Cove. Charles Sound is home to the Kahukura Marine Reserve, one of the most extensive marine reserves in the inner fiords, while Thompson Sound holds Secretary Island, one of the first large islands in New Zealand declared rat-free, back in 1988.
The isolation of the Northern Fiords has kept their beauty unspoiled and their historic sites undisturbed. Join us as we sail these calm waters in solitude, exploring some of the wildest parts of Fiordland.
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 the following upcoming voyage: 26 Jul 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 NZD5,917
Meals
- Check the meal details in the itinerary
Accommodation
- Yacht Cabins
Cities/Regions Visited
-
Te Anau – Milford Sound – Bligh Sound – George Sound – Caswell Sound – Charles & Nancy Sounds – Thompson Sound – Doubtful Sound – Te Anau
Group Size
- 18-Guest Yacht
Tour Code
- HE13082026
Pre & Post Accommodation
- Available
7-Day Northern Fiords Cruise: Expedition Through Fiordland’s North Days
Make your way to the designated meeting point in Te Anau for the scenic drive through the Eglinton Valley to Milford Sound (times and meeting point will be confirmed with your voyage documents). The Captain and Expedition Leader will be waiting to welcome you aboard and show you to your cabin.
Settle into life aboard and prepare for the adventure ahead, taking in the spellbinding scenery of Milford Sound.
Join your onboard naturalists to spot albatross and seabirds as we sail the Fiordland coast toward the seldom visited waters of Bligh Sound. With its crooked “Z” shape, this fiord puts you at the heart of Fiordland’s wilderness. We venture to Bounty Haven at its head, where the Wild Natives River flows down from the mountains. Look out for one of Fiordland’s “China Shops,” fragile zones where deep sea life can be seen closer to the surface than usual.
After a peaceful night in Bligh Sound, we sail to George Sound, the largest and longest of the Northern Fiords at some 26 kilometres. Several arms branch off the main fiord, giving us multiple options for exploration, but the highlight is usually Alice Falls, tumbling out of Lake Alice at the fiord’s head. This is where Wapiti (elk) were first introduced to New Zealand in 1905.
Another rarely explored fiord, Caswell Sound holds the last physical remains of the 1949 New Zealand-American Fiordland scientific expedition, a simple hut on the banks of the Stillwater River. Tiny Styles Island guards the fiord’s entrance to the Tasman Sea. Walks include a nature-filled stroll along the Stillwater River toward Lake Marchant, and the fishing here is good if you’re after tonight’s dinner.
Today we explore the southernmost of the Northern Fiords. Flanked by steep peaks including Mount Napier and Command Peak, Nancy Sound was likely named after the sealing vessel Nancy. Its unusual leg-shaped waterways carry names like Foot Arm, Heel Cove, Toe Cove, Leg Head and Bend Point. At nearby Charles Sound, the fiord branches into Emelius and Gold Arms, with Gold Arm home to the extensive Kahukura Marine Reserve. We find a sheltered anchorage for the night, with options for kayaking or a Zodiac coastal exploration.
A short sail south brings us to the sheltered waters of Thompson Sound, once scouted for sheep farming in the 1850s and home to Secretary Island, one of the first large islands in New Zealand declared rat-free, in 1988. We then explore Doubtful Sound, known locally as the “sound of silence.” Spanning some 40 kilometres and holding the title of New Zealand’s deepest fiord, its cloud-wrapped mountains, sheer stone cliffs and quiet coves make for scenery on a grand scale. Time here may include cruising Blanket Bay, the Shelter Islands, Pandora River, Deas Cove and Open Bay. Tonight we enjoy a farewell dinner aboard.
This morning we sail to the very head of Doubtful Sound in Deep Cove, home to Helena and Lady Alice Falls. After a final breakfast and farewells, head ashore for the transfer to Te Anau via the picturesque Wilmot Pass, built as part of the Manapouri hydro scheme. In case of unexpected delays, we ask that you not book any onward travel from Te Anau until after 3pm today.
Note: During the voyage, circumstances may require deviations from the planned itinerary, including poor weather or opportunities for unplanned excursions. Your Expedition Leader will keep you fully informed. Voyages are planned and scheduled pending final regulatory approval.
Inclusions & Highlights
Cruise Highlights:
- Sail seven of Fiordland’s most remote and rarely visited waterways
- Explore Bligh Sound’s fragile “China Shop” marine zones
- Visit George Sound, birthplace of New Zealand’s Wapiti herd
- Discover the last remains of the 1949 Fiordland scientific expedition in Caswell Sound
- Kayak or Zodiac cruise the sheltered waters of Charles and Nancy Sounds
- Explore Doubtful Sound, New Zealand’s deepest fiord
Includes: Landing fees, pre and post cruise coach transfers, 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, extensions and travel insurance.
Tour Departure Dates
26 Jul 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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