Milford Sound Cruises
Nov 29th, 2015, 05:24 PM
#1
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Milford Sound Cruises
As part of a larger NZ SI tour in Feb 2016, we'll be spending 3 days in Te Anau to experience what the Fiordlands have to offer. One day will be dedicated to Milford Sound and one to Doubtful Sound. For the Milford Sound day, we'll be driving our own car from Te Anau and enjoying the beautiful drive. My question is about the various tours in Milford. I am researching several of them on various travel sites, but as always, Fodors is one of my top resources. If anyone has specific experience with the various day tours (not the overnight cruise), can you give me your thoughts on them, and about timing as well (drive there early/get a morning cruise/drive slowly back to enjoy the drive, or vice versa with an afternoon cruise)? Cheers.
Nov 29th, 2015, 05:43 PM
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Do you like to kayak? I highly recommend a morning kayak trip with Roscoe's Kayaks. They fully equip and guide you around and across a portion of the lake, and it's a great paddle. we had a sunny morning for that. I also enjoyed the afternoon boat cruise with one of the companies (2+ hours long, out along the sound to the swells--did that on a rainy day, with hundreds of waterfalls gracing the cliffs, falling into the sound. Magic! So don't shy away from going to the sound if it's raining.
Nov 29th, 2015, 08:39 PM
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We went with Southern Discoveries--their Nature Encounter cruise at 2:45, ending at 5 pm. This was the company the folks at Milford Sound Lodge (where we were staying) suggested--smaller boat, more maneuverable in getting close to the waterfalls (we went under one). But there are sure plenty of boats to choose from. We reserved the day before the cruise. (Traveled in mid-November so it wasn't as crowded as peak season.) Saw penguins, dolphins, seals. On the Roscoes kayak trip we paused along the shore for quite a while and watched the antics of a fjordland created penguin taking a bath. We loved Milford Sound more than we expected to--it's one of those much-touted places that lives up to the hype--at least when we were there.
On the way to the sound we had rain so it wasn't conducive to extensive exploration. And on the way out we needed to get to Queenstown to meet up with guides four our Routeburn Track hike, so we checked out just a couple places along the road. If the weather is good on your way to the sound, I think that would be the best time to explore the road highlights. You never know--it might be raining on your way back.
On the way to the sound we had rain so it wasn't conducive to extensive exploration. And on the way out we needed to get to Queenstown to meet up with guides four our Routeburn Track hike, so we checked out just a couple places along the road. If the weather is good on your way to the sound, I think that would be the best time to explore the road highlights. You never know--it might be raining on your way back.
Nov 30th, 2015, 05:51 AM
#5
I've taken several Milford cruises with different operators and they're basically the same - same sound, only so many places to go.
The difference is in what they offer - size of boat, meals, drinks, or additional activities.
If you plan on a cruise only, I strongly suggest you arrive in Milford early before the tour buses arrive (before 11) or late in the day, just as the tour buses are leaving.
If you go early, you can take a cruise and then take your time driving back to Te Anau, stopping en route to enjoy some of the many walking tracks, overlooks, etc. You'll be going in the opposite direction of the buses on your way out, so no crowds at the sights.
Likewise, if you take the last cruise of the day, you can take your time getting there, stopping to see the sights along the way (the buses will be well ahead of you), take a late cruise and then drive straight back out afterwards.
The last time I took the last cruise of the day, we pretty much had the boat to ourselves - peaceful! The road was virtually empty when we left for Te Anau. It was the perfect way to do it.
Keep in mind, it's a full day regardless, so you'll want to get an early start, no matter which way you do it.
The difference is in what they offer - size of boat, meals, drinks, or additional activities.
If you plan on a cruise only, I strongly suggest you arrive in Milford early before the tour buses arrive (before 11) or late in the day, just as the tour buses are leaving.
If you go early, you can take a cruise and then take your time driving back to Te Anau, stopping en route to enjoy some of the many walking tracks, overlooks, etc. You'll be going in the opposite direction of the buses on your way out, so no crowds at the sights.
Likewise, if you take the last cruise of the day, you can take your time getting there, stopping to see the sights along the way (the buses will be well ahead of you), take a late cruise and then drive straight back out afterwards.
The last time I took the last cruise of the day, we pretty much had the boat to ourselves - peaceful! The road was virtually empty when we left for Te Anau. It was the perfect way to do it.
Keep in mind, it's a full day regardless, so you'll want to get an early start, no matter which way you do it.
Dec 17th, 2015, 08:22 AM
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we are trying to decide whether to do just Doubtful Sound and forego Milford Sound (using the bus/boat option out of Te Anau to Doubtful and giving the driver a break). I had read some posts saying you don't really need to do both... Reading this exchange makes me wonder whether we should add an extra night to Te Anau and do Milford as well. Mel makes it sound very doable!!
Dec 17th, 2015, 10:15 AM
#11
Christie -
If you have two full days, it is quite doable to visit both Doubtful and Milford, but personally, I wouldn't do both in the course of two days.
I've visited Milford many times and have taken the Doubtful Sound cruise only once...it's expensive, and a very full day, and IMO only worth the money if the weather is cooperative (which it wasn't when we did it despite having a couple of days to work with). The tour operators will tell you that the rain brings the waterfalls, oh aren't you lucky, blah, blah, blah, but in reality, both sounds get heaps of rain year round and you're very lucky if you see either one on a beautiful sunny day.
IMO the road to Milford is the highlight of the Milford bit - the sounds themselves pale in comparison, so for that reason alone it's a worthwhile effort.
Having said this, I have only visited Milford once in the high season and I have no interest in repeating that experience. Too busy for me.
FYI - it's only about a 25 minute drive from Te Anau to Manapouri (where the Doubtful Sound tour begins), so your driver won't be getting much of a break. The drive from Te Anau to Milford on the other hand is two hours each way, but I strongly encourage confident drivers to drive themselves, as you will see so much more than on the bus tour and will have endless flexibility.
If you have two full days, it is quite doable to visit both Doubtful and Milford, but personally, I wouldn't do both in the course of two days.
I've visited Milford many times and have taken the Doubtful Sound cruise only once...it's expensive, and a very full day, and IMO only worth the money if the weather is cooperative (which it wasn't when we did it despite having a couple of days to work with). The tour operators will tell you that the rain brings the waterfalls, oh aren't you lucky, blah, blah, blah, but in reality, both sounds get heaps of rain year round and you're very lucky if you see either one on a beautiful sunny day.
IMO the road to Milford is the highlight of the Milford bit - the sounds themselves pale in comparison, so for that reason alone it's a worthwhile effort.
Having said this, I have only visited Milford once in the high season and I have no interest in repeating that experience. Too busy for me.
FYI - it's only about a 25 minute drive from Te Anau to Manapouri (where the Doubtful Sound tour begins), so your driver won't be getting much of a break. The drive from Te Anau to Milford on the other hand is two hours each way, but I strongly encourage confident drivers to drive themselves, as you will see so much more than on the bus tour and will have endless flexibility.
Dec 17th, 2015, 05:51 PM
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Thanks! Think I shall shift to Milford Sound, make the drive, take the late cruise... Only Red Boat I have found is through Viator... price seems very reasonable too!
Is Mar 2 still considered high season on the South Island?
Is Mar 2 still considered high season on the South Island?
Dec 17th, 2015, 05:57 PM
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The Red Boat is run by Southern Discoveries. http://www.southerndiscoveries.co.nz
Dec 17th, 2015, 09:56 PM
#14
Early March is still high season, but not as bad as Jan and Feb - local kids will be back in school, as will the visiting Aussie kids. It gets darn busy again over the long Easter weekend (Fri-Mon) and during Warbirds over Wanaka which I believe begins March 25. After Easter NZ gets very quiet.
Jan 2nd, 2016, 02:33 PM
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We ended up booking early morning cruises for both Milford (Southern Discoveries) and Doubtful (Go Orange) on back-to-back days so that we could see for ourselves what both have to offer, and to hedge our bets that we'll get one out of two good weather days. Fingers are crossed!
Jan 11th, 2016, 04:00 PM
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We did both Milford and Doubtful Sounds in early November 2015 and were very lucky to get 2 blue sky days. Stayed at Blue Thistle Cottage in Te Anau, which was excellent. We asked them for recommendations on which boat trips to take. Both trips were worth it. We came a long way and wanted to see as much as possible.
Drove ourselves to Milford Sound for the afternoon Nature Cruise on Southern Discoveries. Stopped a lot along the way and also had the option to stop again on the way back. Bring food with you. Options are not great.
Went with Go Orange to Doubtful Sound the next day. Took the bus from Te Anau. It was a long day, but was relaxing. The sound wasn't as dramatic as Milford, but it was still beautiful and getting there was fun too. The power station was not open, so we couldn't do that tour. Bring food.
Drove ourselves to Milford Sound for the afternoon Nature Cruise on Southern Discoveries. Stopped a lot along the way and also had the option to stop again on the way back. Bring food with you. Options are not great.
Went with Go Orange to Doubtful Sound the next day. Took the bus from Te Anau. It was a long day, but was relaxing. The sound wasn't as dramatic as Milford, but it was still beautiful and getting there was fun too. The power station was not open, so we couldn't do that tour. Bring food.
Jan 16th, 2016, 01:49 PM
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Sounds like we booked similar trips, ctusa. We almost booked the Blue Thistle but went with The Croft instead. We are doing the morning Nature Cruise so we'll be doing all of our drive stopping on the way back with no other constraints. Thanks for the food recommendation. Did you do the underwater observatory? Any good?
