Fiordland Explored

Discover the primordial majesty of Fiordland’s iconic Doubtful and Dusky Sounds on an unforgettable 5-day exploration with Heritage Expeditions, pioneers in authentic small ship expedition cruising. Established in 1952, New Zealand’s Fiordland National Park is now over 1.2 million hectares in size and rightly famous for its epic, grand-scale scenery, untamed wilderness and unique wildlife including Bottlenose Dolphins, Fiordland Crested Penguins and New Zealand Fur Seals. However, Fiordland is also rich in natural history, geology and the location of some historical firsts and important restoration and conservation projects.

It was our early exploration of these rarely visited and remote ice-carved mountains, verdant forests and winding fiords rich in wildlife, conservation and history which inspired our dream for responsible travel. For this special expedition, we have paired two of the most remote, hard to reach and spectacular of Fiordland’s destinations on the one voyage. Retrace the steps of Captain Cook along the shorelines of World Heritage Area Dusky Sound, one of Fiordland’s largest fiords some 40-kilometres long and studded with more than 350 islands. Equally impressive, New Zealand’s deepest fiord Doubtful Sound boasts lush rainforests, towering waterfalls and resident populations of New Zealand Fur Seals and rare Fiordland Crested Penguins.

Only accessible by sea, Doubtful and Dusky Sounds are among the most isolated areas on New Zealand’s mainland ensuring their pristine, epic beauty remains unspoiled and their historic sites undisturbed. Waterfalls, streams, rivers and fiords are enveloped with misty 
veils that come and go, revealing steep gradients of mountain peaks and sheltered valleys. Discover the calm waters of Fiordland in solitude and explore some of its most unique and wild parts on this bucket list voyage.