FacebookBlogger

2 Day Doubtful Sound Wilderness Kayaking

Kayaking-Doubtful-Sound

Practically untouched by man. The physical grandeur of towering peaks descending into moody waters, outstanding waterfalls from high-up ice-age valleys and fiords clad with ancient vegetation, create a powerful atmosphere of solitude and serenity.

Three times longer than Milford Sound and with a surface area 10 times larger, this is an unspoiled wilderness of many moods. Browne Falls cascades 619m to the fiord near Hall Arm and Helena Falls is an attractive feature of Deep Cove. Seals and dolphins are frequently seen, as well as the occasional penguin.

Day 1 - Lake Manapouri to Deep Cove, Doubtful Sound

A 6.00am start and as the sun rises an early morning journey from Te Anau to Manapouri. We travel by motorboat 30km across Lake Manapouri, a stunning lake. At West Arm we leave the boat and drive 24km from east to west over Wilmot Pass to Deep Cove. Preparation and instruction time and then kayaking for about 5 hours each day. We aim to paddle down Deep Cove saying hi to any NZ fur seals on the way, and to Rolla Island, nesting place for Fiordland crested penguins. Into Hall Arm with lunch on a small beach, then to Mt Danae at the head of the Arm in the afternoon. We camp in a small clearing in the ancient podocarp forest, some evenings exploring the valley, listening for kiwi, morepork, weka. Time to experience the remoteness, the being alone in this raw wilderness.

Day 2 - Elizabeth Island, exploring Olphert Cove and Home

The stillness and silence of Hall Arm in the morning broken only by birdcall, lures us back to the kayaks -often the splashes and exhalations of Doubtful Sound’s resident bottlenose dolphins gives added impetus. Paddling out of Hall Arm we head down Malaspina Reach for lunch, if possible circling Elizabeth Island exploring Olphert Cove. Back to Deep Cove with a tail wind - test your kayaking skills or put the sails up for a cruisy trip home. Return to Te Anau by 7.00pm to civilisation (?).