Those who’ve been to Milford Sounds, one of New Zealand’s most magnificent natural wonders, usually remember it for the rest of their lives.
I recently got the opportunity to explore the best of this fairy tale-look-alike destination on a Milford Sounds Overnight Cruise with our partner Fiordland Discovery. The experience still feels a bit like a dream because of the stunning landscapes that leave you speechless.
Why Take a Milford Sound Cruise
The main attractions of Milford Sounds are the breath-taking scenery and the wildlife. While there are several ways to explore this stunning area, a cruise is without a doubt the best way to come up close with both, which is what makes it incredible special and a must-do activity while you’re here.
Depending on the season, there is a probability that you will see fur seals, dolphins, penguins, and even whales if you’re extra lucky. You will travel through some of our most beautiful landscapes, which will leave you feeling like you are in a postcard.
Trust me, that’s a good feeling.
Feel the water splash from one of the numerous impressing waterfalls, admire the massive rocks rising out of the sea and get lost in the views of the majestic fjords and the snow-capped mountains.
A complete experience
To ensure that you get the best of both worlds, the overnight cruise will be combined with a private helicopter ride over the sound. You can read more about my helicopter experience over Milford Sounds in the latest issue of The Hedonist Magazine. It’s mind blowing and an incredible way to start your exclusive adventure.
Many visitors describe Milford Sounds as the most beautiful place they ever seen. If you’re just a little bit into nature, I personally think that a Milford Sound Cruise experience is as a must-do when you’re in this part of the world. You won’t be disappointed
Get in touch with me to learn more and make your reservation
A Milford Sound Overnight Cruise with everything you want and more
Fiordland Discovery is owned and operated by Rob and Kate Swale. They provide unrivalled access to Milford Sound with their 5-star boat that features a helipad, a hot tub, private king suite accommodation and chef-prepared gourmet cuisine.
Fiordland Discovery only offer tours for smaller groups and leaves the harbour just as the day trippers are about to head back to land, resulting in a more secluded Milford Overnight Cruise experience. Fiordland is currently also the only provider that offers the option to exclusively charter the whole boat and crew for a complete private experience.
The boat, the food and activities during your trip
Their luxury boat, the Jewel, has 9 bedrooms with capacity for up to 18 passengers and wonderful facilities that make it easy to be more than happy on board. The food served is of the highest class, including local delicacies such as fresh crayfish (lobster), often caught on the trip itself. Breakfast and lunch are included in the experience and lovely vegetarian options are available.
As an additional value-add, there is an ROV on board, a remote-controlled vehicle, that captures live underwater footage for everyone to enjoy on the two big screen TVs in the boat lounge. Built for Fiordland and Milford’s dark waters, the ROV has powerful lights that attract marine life, and illuminate the darkness beneath the surface.
“The idea behind Fiordland Discovery and the Jewel is to offer visitors up-close-and-personal access to the stunning wilderness area through operators that have a genuine connection to the area”, Rob explains. “We wanted a boat that gave Fiordland and the incredible scenery justice. We wanted our guests to be able to lie in bed in the morning and take in the scenery. We’re incredibly happy with the result and our guests have been blown away by the boat’s comfort, luxury and our Kiwi hospitality.”
I got the opportunity to speak with several guests during my trip and all of us were more than pleased with the experience. None of us really felt like leaving, which is exactly how I would like my clients to feel about a typical Black Label Experience.
My favourite part, other than the wildlife, was the jacuzzi next to the helipad, where you can watch the stars with a glass of wine in pure silence with stunning sheer cliffs surrounding you. The service was also of highest class, with a knowledgeable crew that went the extra mile to ensure that everyone had a good time.
I felt very well looked after from the second we got on board.
See the best of Milford Sound New Zealand in luxury: The route
The Milford Sound Overnight Cruise starts down the south side of the fjord, passing Bowen Falls, Sinbad Gully, the world-renowned Mitre Peak, Mt Pembroke, Bridal Veil Falls and the Fairy Falls. If the weather allows, the journey continues into the mouth of the fiord past Anita Bay, and heads into the Tasman Sea for a glimpse of the West Coast, before returning into the sound.
From here, the cruise will take you up the north side of the fiord past Dale Point, the Piopiotahi Marine Reserve, Seal Rock, Stirling Falls, The Lion and the Cascade Range. The scenery is just breath-taking with dramatic views at every turn.
Just before sunset, the boat stops at Harrison’s Cove or Deepwater Cove for the night. This is the perfect opportunity to explore the area nearby by yourself in the sea kayaks, before returning to the boat for drinks and dinner. Kayaking in the sunset with these views is an unforgettable New Zealand experience. The night I was on board the sunset was unbelievable, never seen anything like it.
My room, the presidential suite, had big windows and a comfortable bed, perfect for lying down to unwind and watch the stunning scenery pass by before falling to sleep.
A Milford Sounds Overnight Cruise the Black Label Way
A boat trip, in combination with a helicopter ride, is an unforgettable way to explore this natural wonder when in New Zealand.
Apart from exploring Milford Sound overnight, several other options are available if you would like to enjoy New Zealand’s largest national park in complete luxury with amazing scenery, top class facilities and personal service. Ranging from a seven-day scenic cruise of Preservation Inlet and the surrounding Southern Fiords including Doubtful and Dusky Sound, or privately charter the boat for multi-day fishing, hunting and diving trips.
As Kate, one of the owners of Fiordland Discovery puts it; “We are a down-to-earth family that loves sharing our passion for this spectacular area with our guests. We want to help people experience the very best this region has to offer and for them to feel special about their time in Fiordland.”
The Milford Overnight Cruise can be combined with any of our other Black Label services and, as one of the other guests described her experience on board; is too amazing, too beautiful, too much of a wonderful experience not to share.
Get in touch with me to learn more and make your reservation