Doubtful Sound

　　   The term "fjord" comes from Norwegian and describes a long, deep bay that was originally a steep, narrow glacial valley in high-latitude areas and later flooded by seawater. Doubtful Sound (also known as Tamatea / Dusky Sound) is located in the southwestern part of New Zealand’s South Island. Stretching 40 kilometers in length and reaching depths of 420 meters, it is the deepest fjord in New Zealand and, after Milford Sound, another major fjord tourism hotspot in the country.

　　   In 1770, Captain Cook sailed into this fjord and deemed it unfathomably deep, likely posing a risk of shipwreck, so he ultimately chose not to explore it. Later, whalers and seal hunters named the area Doubtful Sound. In February 1793, a Spanish scientific expedition led by Alessandro Malaspina entered Doubtful Sound. They created the first map of the fjord’s entrance and named various features based on their characteristics. Today, a section of New Zealand’s map still bears Spanish names — that area is Doubtful Sound.

　　   Within Doubtful Sound are two inner fiords and numerous waterfalls, especially during the rainy season when cascades of all sizes pour dramatically down the cliffs.

　　   Doubtful Sound Reason to visit: New Zealand’s deepest fjord Continent: Oceania Country/Region: New Zealand Province/State: Southland Region