Secretary Island
Island Uninhabited Fiordland island, predator-free nature reserve
An uninhabited island in Fiordland National Park, New Zealand, accessed by boat from Doubtful Sound; cruise passengers look for coastal wildlife, steep forested slopes and secluded fiord scenery.
Secretary Island is an uninhabited island in Fiordland, New Zealand, located in the Doubtful Sound / Patea area of Fiordland National Park. The island is rugged and largely covered in native forest and scrub.
There are no permanent settlements or visitor facilities on the island; human access is by boat only and visits are typically limited to conservation work or guided excursions that land briefly. The island forms part of the remote coastal and fiord landscape characteristic of Fiordland.
As part of Fiordland National Park the island is within a protected natural area and forms part of regional conservation and marine-park networks. It lies within the fiord system west of the South Island and is reached from regional departure points such as Deep Cove and other Doubtful Sound access locations.
Geographically Secretary Island sits inside the Doubtful Sound / Patea complex in Fiordland, southwest New Zealand, amid steep-sided fiords and adjacent to the mainland fiord coast.
- Boat access only: Uninhabited and accessible only by boat, so visits require private or chartered water transport from nearby Fiordland departure points.
Tips for Visiting Secretary Island #
- Secretary Island lies inside Fiordland's marine/fiord landscape and is reachable only by boat; the island is most commonly seen on Doubtful Sound and Dusky Sound cruises rather than reached by road.
- Book a small-boat wildlife or eco-cruise if you want a closer, quieter view-large sightseeing tours often stay farther offshore and crowd the most popular viewing spots.
- Bring binoculars and plan for variable weather windows: many operators run shorter trips that time crossings to calmer conditions for better wildlife and shoreline viewing.
Best Time to Visit Secretary Island #
Secretary Island is best visited in New Zealand's summer (December-March) when sea conditions and daylight are most favorable for boat access and exploring conservation sites.
Weather & Climate near Secretary Island #
Secretary Island's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with cool summers (peaking in February) and cold winters (coldest in July). Temperatures range from 3°C to 16°C. Heavy rainfall (2339 mm/year), wettest in October.
January
January is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 9°C. Heavy rain (289 mm) and breezy conditions.
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February
February is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 9°C. Significant rainfall (199 mm) and breezy conditions.
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March
March is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 9°C. Heavy rain (210 mm) and breezy conditions.
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April
April is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 7°C. Significant rainfall (136 mm) and breezy conditions.
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May
May is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 5°C. Significant rainfall (146 mm) and breezy conditions.
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June
June is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 3°C. Significant rainfall (154 mm).
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July
July is the coolest month with highs of 8°C and lows of 3°C. Significant rainfall (136 mm).
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August
August is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 3°C. Significant rainfall (119 mm) and breezy conditions.
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September
September is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 4°C. Significant rainfall (163 mm) and breezy conditions.
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October
October is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 5°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (291 mm) and breezy conditions.
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November
November is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 6°C. Heavy rain (253 mm) and breezy conditions.
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December
December is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 8°C. Heavy rain (243 mm) and breezy conditions.
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