Taiari / Chalky Inlet is a large, remote fiord within Fiordland National Park on the southwest coast of New Zealand's South Island. It is the third largest fiord in the country, situated immediately north of Rakituma / Preservation Inlet. The inlet's geography is reasonably complex, resembling an inlet in its outer reaches more than the well-defined fiords to the north, and it leads into Edwardson Sound and Kanáris Sound. The area is exceptionally remote, with paddling activity being among the lowest levels in Fiordland. This contributes to a wilderness experience, and regulations exist specifically to protect that wilderness character for paddlers and other users. The region is a known habitat for a southern subpopulation of bottlenose dolphins. A significant hazard for any vessel is the presence of reefs; a historical shipwreck occurred when a ship struck a reef at the entrance to Taiari / Chalky Inlet. Biosecurity is a major concern for all visitors. An invasive Asian seaweed, Undaria, was discovered in the inlet in 2019. A rigorous control program has been declared successful, with no mature plants found for five years as of 2024, and the area is again considered free from this pest. Strict biosecurity measures are mandatory for all vessels, including kayaks, entering the Fiordland Marine Area; a 'Fiordland Clean Vessel Pass' is required, and all equipment must be checked, cleaned, and dried to prevent the spread of marine pests. The underwater soundscape of the inlet is an area of scientific study, with hydrophones deployed to record marine life.