This is an intimate experience with numbers capped at 75, and on-board Nature Guides offering personal attention. Our smaller boat explores small nooks and crannies along the edge of the fiord, nudging into sheer rock faces to examine flora and fauna in detail. Then visit New Zealand’s only floating underwater observatory which is a unique, interactive learning experience.
The smaller boat helps you appreciate the sheer size and grandeur of the fiord’s cliff faces rising hundreds of metres out of the water, scarred here and there by tree falls. You’ll get within touching distance of impressive geological features and close enough to catch and drink pure glacial water, or feel the full force from the powerful 15,000-year-old Stirling Falls.
Join the skipper on the bridge for a birds-eye view and see first-hand how the boat operates. Help yourself to free tea and coffee – delicious lunch options available on board.
The Milford Discovery Centre was refurbished and re-launched in January 2010 with striking new information panels, the Centre’s where you delve into the natural history, geology and environment of Milford Sound, deepen your understanding of fiord formation, intrepid Maori explorers and early European tourism.
Engage with the history and hardships of those who built the Milford Road and Homer Tunnel, and the struggles of Milford’s first settlers. Find out more about our Sinbad Sanctuary project – how Southern Discoveries is working to preserve and enhance our environment for generations to come and other environmental initiatives underway in the fiord.
Then descend 10m underwater into a spacious viewing chamber with uninterrupted 360-degree views of a rich marine ecosystem unparalleled anywhere else in the world.
It’s a world of primeval creatures and exotic habitats, including rare Black Coral.
Due to its unique underwater environment, Milford Sound is home to species of Black Coral usually found at depths of 500m or more, including magnificent 300-year-old coral ‘trees’.
VENUE LOCATION
LOCATION
Milford, around five hours from Queenstown to Milford depending on road conditions and around 2 hours 30 min to drive from Te Anau to Milford.
STATE
South Island
SESSION TIMES
DETAILS
Available daily in Summer at 10:30am. 1:15pm and 3:45pm.
Available daily in Winter at 9:45am and 12:45pm.
DURATION
3 Hours 15 Minutes
PARTICIPANTS
MINIMUM / MAXIMUM NUMBERS
Maximum of 75 passengers.
GUIDELINES
Children are aged 4 - 14 years inclusive.
Children 3 years and under travel free.
DRESSCODE / WHAT TO BRING
Due to the changeable nature of the weather in Milford it is always a good idea to bring a warm jacket and wear sensible shoes. Raincoats are provided for passengers.
OTHER
Translation sheets are provided in Japanese, German, French, Spanish, Korean and Mandarin. The Scenic Cruise is family and wheelchair friendly, with a whole top deck for viewing and panoramic photo opportunities, and large covered seating areas and viewing windows on other levels. Rates are valid from 01 November 2010 to 30 April 2011.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
HOW LONG IS MY GIFT VOUCHER VALID FOR?
All gift vouchers are valid for 6 months from the date of purchase.
CAN I EXTEND THE VALIDITY OF MY GIFT VOUCHER?
Extension options are available upto an additional 3 months from the date of purchase.
If your voucher has not yet expired, we can extend your voucher for an administration fee of $10.00 per month / per voucher (upto three months).
If your voucher has already expired and you contact us within 30 days of its expiry, we can extend it for an administration fee of $30.00 per month / per voucher (one month only).
If your voucher has already expired and you contact us more than 30 days after the expiry of your voucher, the voucher cannot be extended.
WHAT ARE THE EXACT LOCATION DETAILS AND DIRECTIONS?
Once you have made an online booking and activated your experience voucher, you will receive an email containing exact location details.
WHAT ARE THE CONTACT DETAILS OF THE SUPPLIER?
After making an online booking and activating your gift voucher, you will receive an email containing the suppliers' contact details.
There are currently no testimonials for this experience.
MILFORD SOUND ENCOUNTER CRUISE WITH MILFORD DISCOVERY CENTRE (NZ0005)
To make a booking for this experience, please enter the number of packages required and then click on the 'buy gift voucher' or 'book now' button. Experience Vouchers are valid for 6 Months from the date of purchase.
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Operating Days Generally Operates Occasionally Operates Never Operates
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PACKAGE
ADULT
CHILD
CONCESSION
FAMILY
Summer 10:30am
$118.00
$33.00
Summer 1:15pm
$128.00
$33.00
Winter 9:45am
$115.00
$33.00
Winter 12:45pm
$128.00
$33.00
Package ONLY
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This is an intimate experience with numbers capped at 75, and on-board Nature Guides offering personal attention. Our smaller boat explores small nooks and crannies along the edge of the fiord, nudging into sheer rock faces to examine flora and fauna in detail. Then visit New Zealand’s only floating underwater observatory which is a unique, interactive learning experience.
Generally Operates 
Occasionally Operates 
Never Operates
