Discovering Fiordland: A brief overview

A few weeks ago I was minding my own business when a mate asked, are you going? I had no idea what he was talking about but it turned out a group of guys had arranged a fishing trip out of Doubtful Sound and decided I could go too. I had to think about this long and hard – 2.5 milliseconds.
The trip was with the Fiordland Jewel berthed at Deep Cove, from Queenstown past the Manapouri power station and over the spectacular Wilmot Pass.

Once on the Jewel we decided to make the run to Dusky where the fish are bigger, the crays even bigger and the paua and kina huge. On the one line I caught the two biggest cod I’d ever seen. That day we fished for five hours and got our full four days’ quota! Cod, groper, trumpeter… the most fun I’ve ever had on a boat.

We reluctantly headed home after an incredible few days laden with seafood and memories. A great trip with some fantastic people and a great crew. Would I do it again? You bet! – From Norm Morgan, Auckland
Being so remote few people have enjoyed the amazing, untouched part of New Zealand that is Fiordland. Even fewer have had the chance to see it underwater.

Fiordland is remarkable in that many species normally found only at great depth are visible in shallower waters due to a light-absorbing freshwater layer. The water is also relatively warm and remarkably clear allowing access to flora and fauna usually out of reach, including black coral, saucer sponge, large tube anemone and spiny sea dragons, and 160 fish species. Plus crayfish for dinner.

Five key Fiordland marine reserves for divers

Dive destinations include five marine reserves: Gaer Arm, the Gut and Elizabeth Island in Doubtful Sound and Wet Jacket Arm in Dusky Sound which have up to seven metres of rainfall floating on top of the seawater. The Five Fingers Peninsula Marine Reserve is exposed to wave action mixing fresh and salt water together.
Fiordland Discovery supplies all dive tanks and weights and has its own compressor on board. Other dive gear can be arranged on request.

As well as diving their charter service offers fishing and hunting with accommodation over five or six days. These are fully catered, and guided by expert crew, and include heli-transfer, Lake Manapouri and Willmott Pass crossings, cabins with private ensuites, on-deck hot tub, air conditioning, heating and an underwater HD video camera, so that if you want to rest onboard you can watch the diving action below.

Last words are from Paul Straight in April this year: So I’m back at home this morning and still getting over our incredible adventure to Fiordland. What an amazing vessel… I would think there wouldn’t be a boat in New Zealand doing fishing charters at the same level. We all had an amazing time. Craig and I managed to get a stag, the divers had a ball, we caught plenty of fish and the scenery was absolutely breath taking. The weather really turned it on for us too, we never needed to break out the wet weather gear and it was flat calm everywhere inside the fiords. The helicopter trip out was incredible and really was the icing on the cake. Thanks! (I have a smile on my face every time I think about the trip.)

Fiordland goes up. It also goes down!

For details and information on Discover Fiordland

Phone: +64 3 441 3322Email: hello@fiordlanddiscovery.co.nz
Website: www.fiordlanddiscovery.co.nz