Milford Sound, New Zealand

Milford Sound, located within the Fiordland National Park in the southwest of New Zealand's South Island, is a magnificent fiord landscape. It was carved out by immense glaciers and seawater erosion, resulting in sheer rock faces, towering peaks, and jade-green waters. Milford Sound is regarded as one of the world's most iconic fiords and is among New Zealand's most beloved tourist destinations.

🐬 Observing Marine Life

Visitors to Milford Sound can embark on a cruise to appreciate the vertiginous cliffs and observe a variety of marine fauna, including dolphins, penguins, sea lions, and whales. During my own sailing experience, I witnessed dolphins riding the bow waves of the fast-moving vessel, and while staying overnight on the boat, I saw sea lions playing in the light cast by the vessel at night.

The Milford Discovery Centre and Underwater Observatory, situated in Harrison Cove, is only accessible by boat. Tickets to visit the observatory can be booked as part of the Southern Discoveries cruise or selected kayaking packages. This allows guests to experience the mesmerizing underwater environment up close without needing to enter the water! You can get an intimate view of the vibrant marine ecosystem and discover species of black coral typically found at depths of 500 meters.

🥾 Hiking

Prior to boarding the cruise, I registered for the Milford Track Guided Walk. A young Japanese guide led us on the final section of the world-renowned Milford Track, specifically from Giant Gate Falls to Sandfly Point, a round trip of approximately five hours. We began the walk at 8:30 AM, returned to the Visitor Centre in the afternoon, and were able to catch the 4:30 PM sailing afterward.

🚢 Cruising Options

There are two primary ways to experience Milford Sound by boat:

Day Cruise: This involves travelling by road from Queenstown or Te Anau to Milford Sound, followed by a two-hour cruise that journeys from the Visitor Centre to the Tasman Sea and back.

Overnight Cruise: This option allows you to sleep aboard the vessel. (A detailed guide on the overnight cruise will be featured in a subsequent Xiaohongshu post.) If your time and budget permit, the overnight cruise is highly recommended.

Kayaking within the fiord is also an excellent recreational activity.