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Fiord-by-fiord guide

Dagg Sound (Te Ra)

Dagg Sound is named after Captain William Dagg of the Scorpion who collected over 4,500 seal skins from the area in 1804 (Hall-Jones, 1979). Its Maori name, Te Ra, means the sun.

Dagg Sound is a narrow, long (13.3 km) fiord. The head of the fiord ends only one kilometre across land from the head of Crooked Arm in Doubtful Sound/Patea (there is a 50-minute track walk between the two arms). Dagg Sound has one prominent arm to the north called Anchorage Arm.

Wonderful underwater scenery and marine growth make for good diving in Dagg Sound. It is also known for the presence of whales, which are regularly seen off the northern entrance to the fiord.

Anchorages

Anchorage Cove

This is a reasonable moderate-weather anchorage at the head of the cove, which is not suitable in strong southerly conditions. No repeater communications are available.

Head of Dagg Sound

There is a good all-weather anchorage at the head of the fiord. Drop anchor in 10 to 15 m.

Radio communication is available on Channel 66.

Navigation

There is a shallow rock on the northern side of the fiord halfway between the entrance and Otago Point (see LINZ Chart 7624) that will break regularly.

When travelling from Dagg Sound to Breaksea Sound – keep in water deeper than 45 m.

Be careful of the shallow area at the entrance to Breaksea Sound south of Rocky Point (see LINZ Chart 7653 marked 64). In a heavy north-west roll this area will break.

Breaksea Sound (Te Puaitaha) / Dusky Sound (Tamatea) complex

Like the Doubtful Sound complex, the Dusky Sound complex is a combination of interconnected fiords. It is made up of Breaksea Sound, Wet Jacket Arm, the Acheron Passage and Dusky Sound. Dusky Sound is the biggest fiord complex in Fiordland, covering almost 30,000 ha. Like Doubtful Sound/Patea to the north, there is a population of bottlenose dolphins that is believed to be resident in the complex.

There are also a number of islands in the area that are internationally important for conservation. Anchor, Breaksea and Pigeon Islands (along with numerous other smaller islands) are predator-free and home to a number of endangered species including the critically endangered kakapo. Resolution Island, which is Fiordland’s biggest island (~20,860 ha), is one of the Department of Conservation’s newest and most ambitious projects for stoat and deer eradication. It was New Zealand’s first-ever area to be set aside as a reserve in 1894 and was managed by Richard Henry. Henry had noticed the damage that introduced predators were having on native bird species and transferred a number of birds to the island to protect them. The remains of Henry’s camp are still visible today on Pigeon Island, which is southwest of Resolution Island.

Please take care when travelling on and around these islands and be aware of what you are taking on to them. (See ‘Island biosecurity in Fiordland’).

Breaksea Sound

Breaksea Sound, also known as Puaitaha, is named after Breaksea Island, which is at the entrance to the fiord. It was named by Captain John Stokes during his survey in HMS Acheron. The fiord was previously named by Captain Cook as ‘Nobody knows what’ because he didn’t have time to explore the arms and find if they connected to Doubtful Sound/Patea. In 1791 Captain George Vancouver completed Cook’s previous exploration and named it ‘Somebody knows what’ (Hall-Jones, 1979). Vancouver Arm was later named in George Vancouver’s honour.

Breaksea Sound is 33 km long and splits into two arms at its head (Vancouver and Broughton), which are similar in appearance to the more northerly fiords. There are many densely forested islands spread throughout the whole of Breaksea Sound, making it another very beautiful place. There is good evidence of early Maori visitation in the heads of Breaksea Sound, where many rock shelters can be found.

Anchorages

Stevens Cove

This is a fair-weather anchorage with a sternline. It is not suitable in strong southwesterly conditions, or in westerly or northerly conditions. No radio repeater communications are available.

Sunday Cove

This is a good anchorage in most conditions; however, it is unsuitable in very strong northwesterly and northerly conditions. Ocean roll will be felt in this anchorage. Water is available from the floating hut. The barge, Uni, is moored here and is commonly used to tie alongside.

There is also a helipad on the Uni. This is used to transport lobsters from commercial holding pots, which are regularly placed on the starboard front side of the Uni. Caution should be used when manoeuvring in this area. Radio communication is available on Channel 66.

Beach Harbour

This is a good all-weather anchorage. In strong northerly conditions anchor in 30 to 35 m at the bottom of the bank.

Second Cove

This is a reasonable all-weather anchorage; however, in strong winds use of a sternline is required. Be aware of the rocks on the western side while entering the cove. Radio repeater communication is available on channel 66.

Third Cove

This is a good all-weather anchorage. Drop anchor at head of cove, sternline not required.

Navigation

At the head of Vancouver Arm there is a shallow estuarine sill off the northern side that must be avoided. Stick to the southern side heading to the top of the arm.

Acheron Passage and Wet Jacket Arm

The Acheron Passage is named after John Stokes’ boat HMS Acheron, while Wet Jacket Arm is named for one of Captain Cook’s lieutenants, Richard Pickersgill, who was caught in a fierce downpour there (Hall-Jones, 1979).

Wet Jacket Arm is approximately 20 km long, heading inland from about halfway along the Acheron Passage. The Acheron Passage is about 15 km long and stretches from Breaksea Sound in the north to Dusky Sound in the south. The passage is very narrow and is bordered on the western side by Resolution Island.

Anchorages

Muscle Cove

This is an all-weather anchorage. When approaching from the southern side of Stick Island, keep to port as there are rocks on the south-west corner of the island.

Oke Island

This is a good fair-weather anchorage between the island and the mainland.

Acheron Passage/Wet Jacket Arm China Shop: no-anchoring area

At the intersection of Acheron Passage and Wet Jacket Arm there is a no-anchoring area, which is shown in red on the fiord map.

Dusky Sound (Tamatea)

Dusky Sound was named by Captain Cook during his first visit to Fiordland in 1770, as it was getting dark when he sailed past (Department of Lands & Survey, 1986). The Maori name for Dusky Sound is Tamatea after the great explorer.

Dusky Sound is Fiordland’s longest, most extensive fiord, penetrating 43.9 km inland. It is dotted with many islands inside its wide entrance. Anchor Island in the middle of the fiord’s mouth is one of two islands where a proportion of the last remaining kakapo reside, along with yellowhead (mohua), saddleback (tieke), parakeet (kakariki) and a host of other native birds. There is an interesting walk on Anchor Island which heads through this pest-free reserve and up to a large lake that almost cuts the island in half. Please be aware of the quarantine requirements before you set foot on or moor alongside Anchor Island (see ‘Island biosecurity’ section).

Dusky Sound is steeped in history. New Zealand’s first European house and wooden ship were constructed at Luncheon Cove on Anchor Island by an 11-man party from the sealer Britannia, who were dropped off in November 1792 and lived on Anchor Island for 10 months.

There are many wrecks around the fiord, the most famous being the 800-ton Endeavour, which sank off Facile Harbour in 1795, and the 3,071-ton steamer Waikare, which sank off Stop Island in 1910 during a summer cruise.

The head of Dusky Sound is also the location of the final Department of Conservation hut on the Dusky Track. The hut, which sleeps 12 people, overlooks the fiord at Supper Cove.

Anchorages

Supper Cove

This is a fair-weather anchorage and should not be used in strong winds. No radio repeater communication is available.

Shark Cove

This is a fair-weather anchorage. It is not recommended in strong south-westerly conditions (see Eastern Cooper Island). No radio repeater communication is available.

Eastern Cooper Island

This is a good south-westerly and westerly anchorage. Use sternline as shown on map. No radio repeater communication is available.

Nine Fathom Passage, Cooper Island China Shop: no-anchoring area

Where the passage narrows, high currents foster dense colonies of particularly large bryozoans, black corals and red corals. These brittle species are protected by the no-anchoring zone.

Fanny Bay

This is a moderate weather anchorage only. No radio repeater communication is available.

Sportsman Cove

This is a fair-weather anchorage only and should not be used in any strong winds. The entrance is narrow but is clear of rocks. Anchor in the middle of the cove. No radio repeater communication is available, but it is possible to receive Channel 01 with a good VHF aerial.

Inner Luncheon Cove

This is a good all-weather anchorage and is known for its lack of sandflies. However, it can be very gusty in strong northerly conditions. Use a sternline on the south-eastern shore in conjunction with the breastline that is attached to the sternline, and anchor as shown on the map. Caution should be taken on the approaches to Luncheon Cove because of numerous rocks, most of which are submerged (use the map for guidance). No radio repeater communication is available.

Duck Cove

There is a fair-weather anchorage in the middle of Duck Cove. Be aware of the large area of mud flat that protrudes out into the cove. There is another moderate-weather anchorage at the entrance to Duck Cove on the south-western side, as shown on the map. Use of a sternline is essential. There is a water hose halfway along the southern wall of the cove. The entrance to the cove has repeater communication on channel 01.

Outer Luncheon Cove

This is a good fair-weather anchorage and is known for its lack of sandflies. Anchor where shown on the map.

Cormorant Cove

This is a moderate-weather anchorage and should not be used in any fresh to strong northerly conditions. It is possible to get radio repeater communication here in good conditions and with a good aerial: Channel 01.

Facile Harbour

This is a fair-weather anchorage only. Caution should be used when entering the harbour as there is a rock on the port-hand side and it is extremely shallow on the starboard side.

Earshell Cove

This is a fair-weather anchorage and the bay should only be entered during daylight hours, through the channel either side of the island at the entrance. It is very narrow but has sufficient depth for safe navigation. No radio repeater communication is available.

Cascade Cove

This is an all-weather anchorage. Stay alongside the barge as shown on the map. There is a water hose available on the barge. Be aware of the rocks as shown on the map as you enter Cascade Cove.

Navigation

It is very important to have the most up-to-date chart, as there is a multitude of rocks and hazards throughout the Dusky Sound complex.

When travelling from Dusky Sound to Chalky Inlet – keep in water deeper than 45 m.

Chalky Inlet (Taiari)

Chalky Inlet, which is named after Chalky Island, has striking white cliffs. It is also known as Te Kakahu-o-Tamatea, meaning the cloak of Tamatea (Hall-Jones, 1979).

Chalky Inlet has a very wide, exposed double seaward entrance of 7–8 km, divided by Chalky Island, which lies in the middle of the entrance. The expansive fiord stretches 15 km inland until it splits into Edwardson Sound and Cunaris Sound, both of which are roughly 12 km long. Chalky Inlet is a substantial body of water of over 60 sq km.

The area has a rich Maori and European history. Maori occupied many sea caves and frequented nohoanga (campsites) during their seasonal visits to the fiords. European settlers started a number of short-lived industries in the area, beginning with sealing and whaling, followed in the 1890s by a fish-freezing depot and sawmill.

The exposure to the open ocean assists the growth of significant quantities of seaweed, especially bladder kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera), which in turn supports large kina populations.

Anchorages

Radio communication is available on Channel 01 for all the anchorages below.

North Port

The two main anchorages in North Port are to be approached only through Ship Entrance, which is between Little Island and Great Island, and not through Blind Passage, which is very shallow. The good all-weather anchorage is on the northern and south-western side of Little Island and can be approached from either side with caution. Anchor and use the sternlines as indicated on the map.

The second anchorage is towards Mosquito Point, and is a good anchorage except in strong winds. Water is available from a waterfall in a little bay on the northern side of this anchorage, where a black hose will be found floating in the water.

Anchorage Cove, South Port

This is a fair-weather anchorage only and is not suitable in north to north-west conditions. Caution should be used when entering South Port as there is a shallow area adjacent to Anchorage Cove (indicated on the map).

Lake Cove

This is a good all-weather anchorage.

Islet Cove

This is a fair-weather anchorage.

Navigation

It is very important to have the most up-to-date chart for Chalky Inlet, as there is a multitude of rocks and hazards throughout, making navigation difficult at times.

There is a shallow area in Western Passage that can break in heavy swells.

The entrance to Chalky Inlet can be a dangerous place in large west/south-west swells so take extra care in these conditions.

When travelling from Chalky Inlet to Preservation Inlet – use Broke Adrift passage. This passage is relatively safe unless there is very heavy weather.

Preservation Inlet (Rakituma)

Preservation Inlet was initially named by Europeans as Preservation Harbour, and then Port Preservation. The Maori name for this area, Rakituma, means the threatening sky (Hall-Jones, 1979).

Preservation Inlet is the southernmost of the fiords, extending 36 km into the heart of southern Fiordland. It starts off being wide and open and contains a number of islands, coves and small bays. The expansive and aptly named Long Sound begins at Narrow Bend.

As with Chalky Inlet to the west, Preservation Inlet has a host of historical sites and past industries. There is plenty of evidence of gold mining, with quartz gold stamping batteries, various mines, a smelter, sawmills and bush tramways. Mining sites date from the 1890s through to 1913 when the last mine closed. There were even two small towns that sprung up at Cromarty and Te Oneroa to service the gold miners and to ship out sawn timber; the remains are now largely reclaimed by the forest. There is a very interesting, usually windswept, walk out to the lighthouse on Puysegur Point, where the area’s first lighthouse was built. It was first lit to warn shipping in 1879.

There is one Department of Conservation hut in Preservation Inlet. The Te Oneroa A-frame hut is a basic bivvy that has two bunks. Kisbee Lodge, a private lodge, is situated in the former Cromarty settlement at Kisbee Bay.

Anchorages

Radio communication is available on Channel 01 for all of the anchorages below.

Isthmus Sound

This is an all-weather anchorage and should be approached with caution because of the shallow nature of the area. Use of a sternline, as shown on the map, is essential.

Otago Retreat

When approaching the anchorage, keep to the south-eastern side of the channel as the area is very shallow. This anchorage is not recommended for overnight use but is used to access the track to the Puysegur Point lighthouse. When approaching the boatshed landing in your dinghy, take extreme care through the narrow channel that was blasted out of the rocky reef during the construction of the lighthouse.

Weka Island

This is a fair-weather anchorage and is not suitable in strong south-west conditions. There is a barge moored in this cove, with a helipad on top, used for berthage of commercial rock lobster fishing vessels and helicopter servicing.

Keep well over to the starboard side upon entering the anchorage (as shown on the map), as there is a shallow rock reef that extends on the port side.

Cuttle Cove

This is for moderate south-west to north-west conditions.

Powell’s Beach, Kisbee Bay

This is a reasonable easterly anchorage as well as being good in light to moderate south-west conditions.

Preservation Lodge, Kisbee Bay

This is a fair-weather anchorage in moderate conditions.

Navigation

It is very important to have the most up-to-date chart for Preservation Inlet, as there is a multitude of rocks and hazards throughout, making navigation difficult at times.

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