Photos of Doubtful Sound / Patea

Doubtful Sound, also known as "Silent Fiord", is a relatively long (421m) and longer (40km) fjord in the South Island. It shows the ingenious workmanship of nature, which is quiet and pleasant, mysterious and wonderful, and has not been influenced by modern society. 1. The name of the fjord comes from Captain Cook. Because the fjord is relatively narrow and the boat is very dangerous, Captain James Cook did not enter the port at that time. When they got there later, whale and seal hunters called it Doubtful Sound. Like other fjords in the region, Doubtful Sound's waters are divided into two distinct layers. A few meters above is fresh water flowing down from the surrounding mountains, and below is salt water from the sea. Due to the different refractive indices of freshwater and seawater, it is difficult for light to penetrate. As a result, many deep-sea species, such as black coral, grow in relatively shallow places. 2. The natural landscape is beautiful and the wildlife is abundant. There are several waterfalls in the Doubtful Fjord, which are especially spectacular in the rainy season. Brown Falls in Hall Bay is 619 meters long; Helena Falls in Deep Bay is 220 meters long. Wonderful wildlife is another reason the fjord attracts tourists, with rare bottlenose dolphins, seals and penguins all haunting the area.