Visit Milford Sound
Visit Milford Sound
The dramatic cliffs and plunging waterfalls of picturesque Milford Sound are best appreciated from the water. While some choose to take a relaxing cruise, some prefer to explore by kayak, but whichever method you choose, you’ll have nothing but the deafening silence and the lapping waves for company. Keep an eye out for penguins, seals and dolphins.
For more advice or to start planning your holiday today, talk to one of our New Zealand Experts on 0800 707 6010.
Sandwiched between dramatic cliffs, with the Tasman Sea at one end and the snow-capped peaks of Fiordland National Park at the other, Milford Sound is one of the South Island’s, if not New Zealand’s, top sights . It’s truly beautiful here among the waterfalls and mountains, with the scene best appreciated from the water on a cruise or, for the more active, a kayaking excursion. Just keep an eye out for dolphins.
Did you know?
Milford Sound is nine miles long and up to 400 metres deep. Its cliffsides can reach heights of 1,692m.
Milford Sound is the wettest inhabited place in New Zealand, with an annual rainfall of 6,412mm. The rain fills the cliffs with numerous waterfalls, making for an impressive sight.
The water in Milford Sound is black. All that precipitation washes tannins into the fjord, turning the top layer, which is mostly fresh rainwater, a darker shade.
It’s not just dolphins that frequent these waters – look out for humpback and southern right whales as well as Fiordland penguins.
How to get around
Take a cruise
There’s no better way to take in the geology and sheer size of Milford Sound than on a cruise. These vary in length and itinerary, but most start around midday, and include stops at the Milford Deep Underwater Observatory, where you can descend into an underwater room (no need to get wet) to look at Milford’s fish. If that’s not exciting enough then rent a kayak and get out on the water, although do prepare to get wet this time. Finally, there are plenty of walks in Fiordland National Park, many of them offering fabulous views of the sound. Take your pick!
