Dusky Sound Cruises
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Dusky Sound Cruises
Dusky Sound: A Hidden Gem in Fiordland National Park
Dusky Sound, nestled within the breathtaking Fiordland National Park in southwest New Zealand, is a natural wonder that spans 40km in length and 8km in width, making it the largest of the fourteen fiords in the region.
With its remote location, Dusky Sound is nearly impossible to reach by land, making a cruise the ideal way to explore this wildlife haven. The fiord is dotted with several large islands, including:
- Resolution Island
- Anchor Island
- Long Island
- Cooper Island
The Best Time to Cruise to Dusky Sound
The weather in Fiordland National Park is famously unpredictable, with the possibility of snow, rain, and hail at any time of year. Temperatures can also drop suddenly, so it’s important to be prepared for all weather conditions when setting out on a cruise in this region.
However, the summer months of January and February typically offer the warmest days, with average temperatures ranging from 10-18℃.
Things to Do in Dusky Sound
Dusky Sound is a paradise for nature lovers, offering a rich tapestry of rare wildlife, stunning landscapes, and native plants. Here are some highlights you can look forward to:
- Explore Resolution Island: Cruise past the largest island in Fiordland National Park, and admire its dense forests, rugged mountains, and serene wetlands.
- Spot Unique Wildlife: Keep an eye out for the endangered Crested Fiordland penguins with their distinctive yellow eyebrows, fur seals, mottled petrels, and other remarkable species that inhabit Dusky Sound.
- Visit Astronomer’s Point: Discover the historic observatory established by Captain Cook and his crew, where New Zealand was precisely charted on the globe.
Top Cruise Lines
Not all cruise lines that offer Fiordland National Park cruises include Dusky Sound in their itineraries, as it is quite remote and not easy to reach. Here are some great cruise lines that do: