Doubtful Sound

In Maori legend, Doubtful Sound (named in Maori: Patea) and the other fiords were created by a godly figure (atua) who came wielding a magical adze and uttering incantations.

Tu-Te-Raki-Whanoa, the creator of the fiords, aimed to fashion long winding inlets that would serve as refugees from the restless, often stormy seas. He began is the south and worked north, applying his immense strength and splitting the rock with the adze. As he opened up the land, the sea rushed in. Four young sea gods assisted him by carving the fiord’s long, sheltered arms.

Doubtful Sound is the second largest of the 14 fiords of Fiordland National Park (Dusky Sound is the largest.). It is remote, wild and imposing. Three arms - Hall, Crooked and First - are found on the southern side of the fiord. Fiordland is one of the world's wettest regions. Most of the rain falls on the seaward side of the mountains with Deep Cove receiving 5,290mm of rain a year. Fiordland is home to a variety of marine mammals, including Bottlenose Dolphins, Fur Seals, Fiordland Crested Penguins and the Blue Penguin.

Originally Doubtful Sound was named 'Doubtful Harbour' by Captain Cook when he sailed past in the Royal Navy ship Endeavour on his first circumnavigation of New Zealand in 1770. Cook skirted past the entrance to Doubtful Sound, wondering whether there was sufficient wind to manoeuvre his vessel in the narrow reaches. It was reported that scientists wanted to land, but Cook thought it not worth the risk.

(Source: Real Journeys Visitor Information brochure)

PS. Watching the dolphins playing in the water's of the fiord's arm when the ships engines and generators were turned off, were probably the 5 most amazing minutes in the country.