Dusky Sound is a large and complex fiord located on the southwest coast of New Zealand's South Island. It is the second largest fiord in the country and is part of the Fiordland National Park.
The fiord stretches for more than 40 kilometres and is surrounded by steep, forested sides that reach up to 1,500 metres in height. It is home to numerous islands, bays, and coves and is fed by several rivers including the Wairaurahiri, Waitutu, and Tuatapere.
The area was first discovered by Europeans in 1773 when Captain James Cook sailed into the sound and named it after his friend and colleague, John Dusky. Cook was the first European to circumnavigate New Zealand and mapped much of the country's coastline during his voyage.
In the late 19th century, Dusky Sound became an important hub for whaling and sealing operations. Over the years, the sound has been visited by a number of famous explorers, including Charles Darwin and Robert Falcon Scott.
Today, Dusky Sound is a popular destination for tourists. The area is known for its stunning natural beauty and is home to a variety of wildlife, including fur seals, dolphins, and penguins. The sound is also a popular spot for fishing, kayaking, and sailing.
In 1990, Dusky Sound was declared a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. This designation was made in recognition of the area's unique natural and cultural significance.
Experience Dusky Sound with unforgettable activities by our partner GetYourGuide. The offer is also ideal as a special gift idea for family and friends who are planning to visit Dusky Sound. Cancellations are possible up to 24h before the start of the activity (unless otherwise stated in the activity description), with a full refund of the booking price.
Dusky Sound in New Zealand experiences a maritime climate, with mild temperatures and high levels of rainfall throughout the year. In the summer months (December to February), temperatures range from 10-20°C and rainfall is at its highest, with up to 200mm per month. Autumn (March to May) is slightly cooler, with temperatures ranging from 8-18°C and rainfall decreasing to around 100mm per month. Winter (June to August) is the coolest season, with temperatures ranging from 4-14°C and rainfall still averaging around 100mm per month. Finally, spring (September to November) brings mild temperatures and increasing rainfall, with temperatures ranging from 6-16°C and rainfall reaching up to 200mm per month.
Our weather forecast for Dusky Sound helps plan your stay according to the weather. For sunny days, pack light and breathable clothes, swimwear, and sunscreen. For winter weather, it's recommended to bring warm clothes, gloves, a hat, sturdy footwear, and a raincoat.
| Date | Icon | Temperature | Wind speed/gusts | Cloudiness/Visibility | Air humidity/pressure | Sunrise/Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun. 18th 2026 Jun. 18th 2026 | max: 10.9 °C min: 9.1 °C |
25.9 m/s 30.2 m/s |
93.1 % 21.0 m |
74.6 % 1,015 hPa |
08:34:43 17:15:28 |
|
| Jun. 19th 2026 Jun. 19th 2026 | max: 13.8 °C min: 10.5 °C |
61.6 m/s 82.1 m/s |
98.4 % 11.2 m |
89.9 % 1,012 hPa |
08:35:03 17:15:36 |
|
| Jun. 20th 2026 Jun. 20th 2026 | max: 13.7 °C min: 10.3 °C |
59.4 m/s 83.2 m/s |
90.9 % 9.3 m |
89.1 % 1,009 hPa |
08:35:20 17:15:45 |
|
| Jun. 21st 2026 Jun. 21st 2026 | max: 10.6 °C min: 9.1 °C |
24.5 m/s 26.6 m/s |
90.4 % 21.7 m |
73.0 % 1,023 hPa |
08:35:36 17:15:57 |
|
| Jun. 22nd 2026 Jun. 22nd 2026 | max: 10.6 °C min: 9.8 °C |
11.9 m/s 14.4 m/s |
78.0 % 24.1 m |
72.4 % 1,024 hPa |
08:35:49 17:16:11 |
|
| Jun. 23rd 2026 Jun. 23rd 2026 | max: 10.6 °C min: 9.7 °C |
20.6 m/s 26.2 m/s |
83.1 % 20.9 m |
74.5 % 1,019 hPa |
08:35:59 17:16:27 |
|
| Jun. 24th 2026 Jun. 24th 2026 | max: 10.5 °C min: 8.1 °C |
35.3 m/s 44.6 m/s |
100.0 % 16.5 m |
69.2 % 1,018 hPa |
08:36:08 17:16:45 |
|
| Jun. 25th 2026 Jun. 25th 2026 | max: 9.2 °C min: 6 °C |
27.7 m/s 38.9 m/s |
32.7 % 22.6 m |
69.5 % 1,022 hPa |
08:36:14 17:17:05 |
|
| Jun. 26th 2026 Jun. 26th 2026 | max: 8.3 °C min: 5.8 °C |
10.4 m/s 10.4 m/s |
0.1 % 24.1 m |
59.9 % 1,022 hPa |
08:36:18 17:17:27 |
|
| Jun. 27th 2026 Jun. 27th 2026 | max: 8.8 °C min: 5.9 °C |
10.1 m/s 10.1 m/s |
2.5 % 24.1 m |
62.4 % 1,021 hPa |
08:36:20 17:17:52 |
|
| Jun. 28th 2026 Jun. 28th 2026 | max: 10.6 °C min: 7.3 °C |
23.4 m/s 31.6 m/s |
32.4 % 24.1 m |
69.2 % 1,024 hPa |
08:36:19 17:18:18 |
|
| Jun. 29th 2026 Jun. 29th 2026 | max: 10.9 °C min: 8.6 °C |
28.4 m/s 56.5 m/s |
100.0 % 21.9 m |
73.2 % 1,021 hPa |
08:36:16 17:18:46 |
|
| Jun. 30th 2026 Jun. 30th 2026 | max: 13.4 °C min: 10.9 °C |
50.8 m/s 67.7 m/s |
85.3 % 17.9 m |
82.7 % 1,013 hPa |
08:36:10 17:19:17 |
|
| Jul. 1st 2026 Jul. 1st 2026 | max: 13.5 °C min: 11.6 °C |
51.1 m/s 64.4 m/s |
75.7 % 15.0 m |
83.6 % 1,010 hPa |
08:36:02 17:19:49 |
Would you like to travel to Dusky Sound on a cruise ship or would you just like to know when a certain ship will dock there? Here you will find an overview of the cruise ships that will be calling at the port of Dusky Sound.
| Date | Ship | Passaengers (min - max) | Arrival | Departure | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct. 20th 2026 Tuesday, 20th of Oct. 2026 | Celebrity Edge | 2918 - 3521 | 03:30 pm | 05:15 pm | |
| Oct. 28th 2026 Wednesday, 28th of Oct. 2026 | Celebrity Solstice | 2850 - 3420 | 08:30 am | 10:15 am | |
| Oct. 31st 2026 Saturday, 31st of Oct. 2026 | Celebrity Edge | 2918 - 3521 | 03:30 pm | 05:15 pm | |
| Nov. 17th 2026 Tuesday, 17th of Nov. 2026 | Anthem of the Seas | 4168 - 4825 | 08:00 am | 09:00 am | |
| Nov. 22nd 2026 Sunday, 22nd of Nov. 2026 | Celebrity Edge | 2918 - 3521 | 03:30 pm | 05:15 pm | |
| Dec. 25th 2026 Friday, 25th of Dec. 2026 | Celebrity Edge | 2918 - 3521 | 04:00 pm | 05:15 pm | |
| Dec. 29th 2026 Tuesday, 29th of Dec. 2026 | Norwegian Spirit | 2018 - 2414 | 12:00 am | 12:00 am | |
| Dec. 30th 2026 Wednesday, 30th of Dec. 2026 | LE SOLEAL | 224 - 264 | 12:00 am | 12:00 am | |
| Jan. 3rd 2027 Sunday, 3rd of Jan. 2027 | Anthem of the Seas | 4168 - 4825 | 08:00 am | 09:00 am | |
| Jan. 13th 2027 Wednesday, 13th of Jan. 2027 | LE SOLEAL | 224 - 264 | 12:00 am | 12:00 am | |
| Jan. 17th 2027 Sunday, 17th of Jan. 2027 | Celebrity Edge | 2918 - 3521 | 03:30 pm | 05:15 pm | |
| Jan. 31st 2027 Sunday, 31st of Jan. 2027 | Norwegian Spirit | 2018 - 2414 | 12:00 am | 12:00 am | |
| Feb. 3rd 2027 Wednesday, 3rd of Feb. 2027 | Celebrity Edge | 2918 - 3521 | 08:30 am | 10:15 am | |
| Feb. 9th 2027 Tuesday, 9th of Feb. 2027 | Anthem of the Seas | 4168 - 4825 | 08:00 am | 09:00 am | |
| Feb. 9th 2027 Tuesday, 9th of Feb. 2027 | Celebrity Edge | 2918 - 3521 | 03:30 pm | 05:15 pm | |
| Feb. 10th 2027 Wednesday, 10th of Feb. 2027 | Norwegian Spirit | 2018 - 2414 | 12:00 am | 12:00 am | |
| Feb. 21st 2027 Sunday, 21st of Feb. 2027 | Celebrity Edge | 2918 - 3521 | 03:30 pm | 05:15 pm | |
| Feb. 22nd 2027 Monday, 22nd of Feb. 2027 | Norwegian Spirit | 2018 - 2414 | 12:00 am | 12:00 am | |
| Mar. 4th 2027 Thursday, 4th of Mar. 2027 | Norwegian Spirit | 2018 - 2414 | 12:00 am | 12:00 am | |
| Mar. 9th 2027 Tuesday, 9th of Mar. 2027 | Crystal Serenity | 740 | 12:00 am | 12:00 am | |
| Mar. 16th 2027 Tuesday, 16th of Mar. 2027 | Celebrity Edge | 2918 - 3521 | 03:30 pm | 05:15 pm | |
| Mar. 16th 2027 Tuesday, 16th of Mar. 2027 | Norwegian Spirit | 2018 - 2414 | 12:00 am | 12:00 am | |
| Mar. 26th 2027 Friday, 26th of Mar. 2027 | Norwegian Spirit | 2018 - 2414 | 12:00 am | 12:00 am | |
| Mar. 30th 2027 Tuesday, 30th of Mar. 2027 | Anthem of the Seas | 4168 - 4825 | 04:00 pm | 05:00 pm | |
| Apr. 7th 2027 Wednesday, 7th of Apr. 2027 | Norwegian Spirit | 2018 - 2414 | 12:00 am | 12:00 am | |
| Apr. 17th 2027 Saturday, 17th of Apr. 2027 | Norwegian Spirit | 2018 - 2414 | 12:00 am | 12:00 am | |
| Oct. 20th 2027 Wednesday, 20th of Oct. 2027 | Celebrity Solstice | 2850 - 3420 | 03:30 pm | 05:15 pm | |
| Nov. 14th 2027 Sunday, 14th of Nov. 2027 | Celebrity Edge | 2918 - 3521 | 03:30 pm | 05:15 pm | |
| Nov. 28th 2027 Sunday, 28th of Nov. 2027 | Celebrity Edge | 2918 - 3521 | 08:30 am | 10:15 am | |
| Dec. 4th 2027 Saturday, 4th of Dec. 2027 | Celebrity Edge | 2918 - 3521 | 03:30 pm | 05:15 pm | |
| Dec. 5th 2027 Sunday, 5th of Dec. 2027 | Anthem of the Seas | 4168 - 4825 | 08:00 am | 09:00 am | |
| Dec. 25th 2027 Saturday, 25th of Dec. 2027 | Celebrity Edge | 2918 - 3521 | 03:30 pm | 05:15 pm | |
| Dec. 25th 2027 Saturday, 25th of Dec. 2027 | Norwegian Spirit | 2018 - 2414 | 12:00 am | 12:00 am | |
| Jan. 1st 2028 Saturday, 1st of Jan. 2028 | Anthem of the Seas | 4168 - 4825 | 05:00 pm | 06:00 pm | |
| Jan. 17th 2028 Monday, 17th of Jan. 2028 | Celebrity Edge | 2918 - 3521 | 03:30 pm | 05:15 pm | |
| Jan. 31st 2028 Monday, 31st of Jan. 2028 | Anthem of the Seas | 4168 - 4825 | 04:00 pm | 05:00 pm | |
| Feb. 3rd 2028 Thursday, 3rd of Feb. 2028 | Celebrity Edge | 2918 - 3521 | 03:30 pm | 05:15 pm | |
| Feb. 17th 2028 Thursday, 17th of Feb. 2028 | Celebrity Edge | 2918 - 3521 | 08:30 am | 10:15 am | |
| Mar. 5th 2028 Sunday, 5th of Mar. 2028 | Norwegian Spirit | 2018 - 2414 | 12:00 am | 12:00 am | |
| Mar. 15th 2028 Wednesday, 15th of Mar. 2028 | Celebrity Edge | 2918 - 3521 | 03:30 pm | 05:15 pm | |
| Mar. 15th 2028 Wednesday, 15th of Mar. 2028 | Norwegian Spirit | 2018 - 2414 | 12:00 am | 12:00 am | |
| Mar. 25th 2028 Saturday, 25th of Mar. 2028 | Anthem of the Seas | 4168 - 4825 | 04:00 pm | 05:00 pm | |
| Mar. 26th 2028 Sunday, 26th of Mar. 2028 | Norwegian Spirit | 2018 - 2414 | 12:00 am | 12:00 am | |
| Apr. 6th 2028 Thursday, 6th of Apr. 2028 | Norwegian Spirit | 2018 - 2414 | 12:00 am | 12:00 am | |
| Apr. 12th 2028 Wednesday, 12th of Apr. 2028 | Celebrity Edge | 2918 - 3521 | 08:00 am | 09:00 am | |
| Nov. 21st 2028 Tuesday, 21st of Nov. 2028 | Scenic Eclipse II | 228 | 12:00 am | 12:00 am | |
| Dec. 9th 2028 Saturday, 9th of Dec. 2028 | Scenic Eclipse II | 228 | 12:00 am | 12:00 am |
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There are a few basic rules to follow
.| Port | Distance |
|---|---|
| Doubtful Sound in New Zealand | 58,22 km |
| Thompson Sound in New Zealand | 65,46 km |
| Fiordland National Park in New Zealand | 67,68 km |
| Milford Sound in New Zealand | 162,45 km |
| Stewart Island in New Zealand | 169,67 km |
| Bluff - Invercargill in New Zealand | 171,83 km |
| Oban in New Zealand | 180,19 km |
| Ulva Island in New Zealand | 182,94 km |
| Queenstown in New Zealand | 185,21 km |
| Snares Islands in New Zealand | 257,77 km |
