Roscos Milford Sound Kayaks — Local services in Fiordland Community

We had an overall wonderful experience with Rosco's kayaking through the Milford Sound! We have nothing bad to say about our experience with Rosco's, but instead just some commentary to set clear expectations on the kayaking experience overall.

Wildlife: If you book the "sunriser classic" you will not kayak past the underwater observatory. We were hoping to go further out, but even this portion was pretty tiring. Additionally it's not likely you will get to see dolphins on this tour, which was a bit unexpected (although not surprising) for us. As with any wildlife, it's not guaranteed to see them, but if this is a high priority for you, I would try a more difficult tour with Rosco or going by cruise.

Drive: The tour started at 7:15am. We drove from Te Anau that morning, and left around 4am as we read the drive can be difficult (narrow roads, one ways, etc). Compared to driving through the Coromandel, we found the roads and conditions to Milford Sound to be perfectly safe and drivable. Of course, some extra attention is necessary, but the drive was plenty do-able in clear weather. The one part that made it difficult so early in the morning was the amount of critters out on the roads. Careful not to hit anything, because you will definitely see them!

What to wear: Since you wear a spray skirt, your lower body will stay mostly (if not completely) dry during the tour. They offered fleeces and leggings. Definitely worth bringing gloves if your hands blister easily to wear while kayaking.

I highly recommend kayaking to view the sound as there is no better way to get an intimate and up close experience there, but be prepared to work for it.

If you're less active and don't mind being more crowded, the cruises will likely be...

If you're seeking an authentic and immersive way to experience Milford Sound, look no further than Rosco's Milford Kayaks. I embarked on the Sunriser Classic tour, and it was nothing short of spectacular.

From the outset, the team ensured we were well-prepared with top-notch gear, including thermal layers and waterproofs, keeping us comfortable throughout the journey. Our guide, Chris, was exceptional—knowledgeable, engaging, and passionate about the region's natural wonders. He shared fascinating insights about the fiord's history, wildlife, and geology, enriching the experience.

Paddling through the calm morning waters, we were treated to breathtaking views of towering cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and serene landscapes. The small group size allowed for a personalized adventure, and the early start meant we avoided the usual crowds, making the experience even more special.

Whether you're an experienced kayaker or a beginner, this tour offers something for everyone. The combination of stunning scenery, expert guidance, and the tranquility of the sound made this one of the highlights of my New Zealand trip.

Highly recommend Rosco's Milford Kayaks for an unforgettable Milford...

Rosco's is a company that exhibits poor and untimely communication, setting an unwanted benchmark for causing customers frustration and inconvenience. And that's an understatement

Our tour was cancelled due to unfavourable weather conditions for which that company had no control over. However, the company did not communicate in advance that there is a potential cancellation based on weather forecasts which would have allowed our group to have a plan B. Since we had booked the sunriser tour, we got up at 2.30am, drove 4 hours from Queenstown in the rain, cold and darkness only to be told that due to high winds our tour was cancelled. We turned around rather frustrated, drove another 4 hours back to Queenstown, waste of petrol and our time most importantly.

While Roscoe's is providing a full refund of the ticket price, it does little to compensate us for our time wasted (we can't get back), a full tank of petrol and the opportunity cost of alternative activities we could have participated in instead of kayaking. Very disappointed and would not recommend these...