Cruise Milford — Local services in Fiordland Community

Unforgettable Adventure at the Milford Sound Underwater Observatory and Cruise - A 5-Star Experience! ✮✮✮✮✮

As a seasoned traveler with high expectations, I am rarely left speechless, but my recent encounter with Milford Sound's Underwater Observatory and the subsequent cruise has done just that. Never have I experienced such a mesmerizing blend of natural beauty, world-class facilities, and exceptional customer service that perfectly encapsulates a true New Zealand gem.

From the moment I arrived, it was clear that the team at Milford Sound takes immense pride in delivering an extraordinary experience. Our tour guide, Jack, captivated us with his abundant knowledge, passion, and enthusiasm about the local marine life and fascinating history of this region.

The Underwater Observatory, nestled in the depths of the pristine glacier-carved fiord, is a marvel on its own. Gliding down into the heart of Milford Sound, we encountered an astonishing array of marine life. It was enchanting to observe the black coral and various fish species in their natural habitat, undisturbed by human intervention. Floor-to-ceiling glass windows provided an impressive 360-degree view that left me breathless.

As if visiting this hidden underwater treasure was not enough, the Milford Sound Cruise experience took the adventure to unparalleled heights. Aboard our luxurious vessel, we sailed through breathtaking landscapes where cascading waterfalls, dramatic cliffs, and vibrant flora intertwined with the abundant wildlife of seals basking in the sun and dolphins playing in our wake.

Not to be overlooked, the cruise also included a delectable assortment of refreshments sourced from local ingredients - a perfect embodiment of New Zealand's culinary expertise. The crew's attentiveness and engagement with guests made us feel like a part of their family, creating a warm and cherished atmosphere throughout the journey.

I wholeheartedly recommend the Milford Sound Underwater Observatory and Cruise to anyone seeking a truly unforgettable adventure. This once-in-a-lifetime experience truly earns its 5-star rating, leaving an indelible mark on my soul and memories to...

This may have been the single greatest experience of my life. I mean, travel experience - obviously being on a boat for two hours isn’t quite as significant as certain family / relationship experiences, but… wow. It came close.

So first, I’m not big on travel or touristing or anything like that, and I can’t stand most vacation destinations - they’re very hot and sunny and bland. Milford Sound was frigid, extremely windy, and had pounding rain the entire time we were there. And it was a more beautiful and sublime experience than I could’ve ever imagined. Every nook of the titanic cliffs around us was alive with streaming waterfalls, while the captain (Julie or Julia I think?) took us so close to the large ones that we came away awestruck. I genuinely cannot express how profound an experience this place had on me, and the amazing crew of this ship played no small part in that. I didn’t understand a single thing the captain said because her Kiwi accent was so thick, but her voice was mesmerizing. So calm amidst all the rain and waves. And the first officer, Hope, was constantly refilling our coffee and tea carafes (there’s bottomless coffee and tea and cookies for the entire cruise!) so that no one went without a hot beverage for one second. Also she held the door open for me so I could step on deck and bring the tea to my sister even as we got to the ocean and the ship was bucking and waves and my coffee and my sister’s tea were flying everywhere (sorry again if I got any coffee on you, Hope!).

I have a favorite place on Earth now, and it’s all thanks to this wonderful company and...

I highly recommend the small boutique tour from Te Anau. You get picked up from your accommodation in Te Anau and there are many stops along the way to Milford Sound so you can enjoy the scenery.

We had a brilliant day and a spectacular cruise, it was so good to have a day off from driving so we could just enjoy the views. The tour comes with a very tasty and generous picnic lunch and our driver/guide Stephen looked after us so well, it felt like a VIP experience. He knows all the good spots to stop for photos or a break and gave us lots of insight into the area.

The cruise was also awesome, we saw a seal!

We went to Doubtful Sound a few days before Milford Sound and I definitely think Milford Sound is worth it because you get both the gorgeous drive through the mountains as well as the cruise. Milford Sound is stunning.

Make sure you bring really warm clothes though if you want to enjoy being seated on the outside deck of the boat, because the mountains cast shadows so half of the cruise was in the shade. Some people were underdressed - leggings and a fleece is not enough unless you plan to sit inside, those of us who stayed on the upper deck the whole time were wearing either thick down jackets or arctic style coats, beanies and gloves.

The bus was nice and small and there were 12 of us, (I believe 16 is the max) so it felt personal and it’s easier for the driver to stop where big buses cannot.

Basically the whole day was as amazing as we could have hoped for. Such a...