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Milford Sound
Things to do in Milford Sound
Southern Discoveries Milford Sound
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Southern Discoveries Milford Sound

See all things to do
Southern Discoveries Milford Sound
4.6
4.6 of 5 bubbles
#9 of 11 Boat Tours & Water Sports in Milford Sound
Boat Tours
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Full view
About
Spectacular Milford Sound is an amazing experience. Southern Discoveries has a wide range of cruises to suit every interest and budget. They also operate the New Milford Discovery Centre & Milford Deep underwater observatory and relaxing 1 hour Kayaking tours in serene Harrisons Cove. Let us show you our Milford Sound.
Milford Sound, New Zealand
Awards
Travellers' Choice
2024
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Tours and Tickets by Southern Discoveries Milford Sound
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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4.6
4.6 of 5 bubbles2,079 reviews
Excellent
1,526
Very good
375
Average
92
Poor
49
Terrible
38
These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
This service may contain translations provided by Google. Google disclaims all warranties, express or implied, with respect to translations, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and freedom from forgery.
Derek Waller
Salisbury, UK13 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Awesome Trip following/during long awaited rain
Feb 2025 • Couples
We almost cancelled when we were woken by monsoon-style rain @ Cascade Creek @5am!! However we persevered and as our skipper said “If you came for beauty you’ll be disappointed. If you want to see waterfalls you couldn’t have come at a better time!” How tight he was. Absolutely stunning array of waterfalls everywhere you looked and an incredible flows particularly down to the two permanent falls. Only glimpses of the mountaintops but an awesome and unforgettable experience. The weather cleared for our beautifully self guided walk from Deep water basin. Amazing day.
Written 26 February 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Southern Discoveries
Kia Ora Derek, Thank you for sharing your amazing experience! We’re so glad you pushed through the rain and didn’t let it dampen your spirits. As your skipper said, it truly was the perfect time to see the waterfalls in all their glory. The sight of so many stunning waterfalls, especially the incredible flow down to the two permanent falls, makes Milford Sound absolutely breathtaking! We’re also happy the weather cleared up for your self-guided walk from Deep Water Basin, making for a beautiful end to an unforgettable day. As someone who has also walked the track in the rain, I can assure you it doesn’t disappoint either way! Thanks again for sharing your story, and we hope to have you back for another adventure soon! Nga mihi,
Written 17 March 2025
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Tracy
58 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
4 seasons in 1 Cruise
Nov 2024 • Family
Wow what an amazing day. Thanks to the rain it was waterfalls galore. The icing on the cake was coming in from the mouth 2 beautiful dolphins crested the waves for us. Amazing time, crew really friendly and informative. Milford sounds a most see in any weather...loved it. New Zealand is beautiful, so untouched
Written 10 December 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Southern Discoveries
Kia Ora Tracy, Thank you for your fantastic review! We’re so glad to hear that you had such an amazing time. It’s true that Milford Sound really comes alive with waterfalls during wet weather, and how incredible that you got to see dolphins as well! Its great to hear that the crew made your experience even better with their friendly and informative service. We completely agree! Milford Sound is a must-see in any weather, and New Zealand’s beauty is truly unmatched. We’re so glad you loved your time with us and hope to welcome you back for another unforgettable adventure in the future. Nga mihi,
Written 10 December 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Trip17626952935
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
A wonderful Cruise - Cultural Respect.
Aug 2024 • Solo
My recent cruise to Milford Sound was an unforgettable experience. The natural beauty of the area is breathtaking, and the staff, including our driver, were incredibly friendly and helpful. However as a girl from
Ngāti kahungunu, one aspect that stood out to me was the pronunciation of Māori place names during the tour. It's important, especially when sharing these beautiful locations with visitors from around the world, to ensure that Māori names are pronounced correctly. This not only shows respect for the culture and language but also helps educate everyone on the significance of these places. I hope that in the future, more emphasis is placed on getting these pronunciations right, so that the richness of Māori culture is properly shared with all who visit!
Written 22 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SGailM
Grand Cayman42 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
A very worthwhile and beautiful experience.
May 2024 • Couples
We were lucky enough to have a clear, sunny day! The tour itself was fantastic. The observatory visit was interesting, informative and well timed. The guide was both knowledgeable and friendly.
On board The Spirit of Milford Sound, the captain was great about calling attention to dolphins and other wildlife. The commentary was interesting.
Lunch was ok. It would have been enough for 2 of us.
This trip was worth the early wake up and 2 hour drive from Te Anau in the wee hours.
We were forewarned about how warmly to dress, but I can't emphasize enough that a warm, waterproof, wind proof coat will enhance enjoyment of this trip.
Written 28 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lockie D
Brisbane, Australia263 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Breathtaking Cruise at Milford Sound, But Limited Food Options
Aug 2024 • Couples
We recently went on the Southern Discoveries cruise at Milford Sound, and it was an incredible experience. The scenery was absolutely stunning, and we were lucky to have a clear day (if not a bit windy), which made the views even more spectacular. We spotted seals, penguins, and even some albatross, which added to the magic of the day.

However, the food options were a bit disappointing. Unless you booked the buffet in advance, the selection was extremely limited, which felt like a missed opportunity given the otherwise excellent experience.

Despite the food situation, the cruise itself was fantastic and definitely worth it for the natural beauty and wildlife sightings. I’d highly recommend it for anyone visiting Milford Sound—just plan ahead for meals!
Written 28 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Southern Discoveries
Kia Ora, Thank you for your review, Your Milford Sound cruise sounds incredible! The clear day and diverse wildlife sightings, including seals, penguins, and albatross, must have made for a memorable experience. We recommend guests book the buffet in advance to avoid disappointment as we only have a set amount available per cruise. However I can definitely look at our current bar menu and see if we can incorporate some more variety into the food options! Please let us know if you have any recommendations based off your experience and i would be happy to see what we can do. We appreciate this feedback and thank you again for choosing Southern Discoveries as your Milford Sound cruise operator. Nga Mihi,
Written 2 September 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
JS W
6 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Tour 👍
Feb 2025 • Couples
At first I was driving directly, and a few days ago I quickly changed to a bus shipping item, kindly helping.
I realized the distance to drive directly.
With a friendly description, the driver safely and comfortably took over 8 hours to return.
Thank you so much for being able to watch the tour with comfort and fun.
Automatically translated
Written 17 February 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Southern Discoveries
Kia Ora, 이 훌륭한 리뷰를 공유해 주셔서 감사합니다! 귀하의 경험이 즐거우셨다니 기쁘게 생각합니다. 우리는 버스 여행이 경치와 여행을 즐길 수 있는 좋은 방법이라는 데 동의합니다! 감사합니다. 다시 만나길 바랍니다. Nga mihi,
Written 17 March 2025
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Sandra I
5 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Good cruise overall
May 2024 • Couples
We booked a 3 hour discover more cruise but the boat returned back well before the 3 hours was up. The cost of car parking took the edge off the trip. The parking price was a real scam. Disgraceful prices. I feel sad to be a Kiwi. So many people saying how over priced the parking was. The cruise was good, just shorter than we expected.
Written 9 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Southern Discoveries
Kia Ora, Thank you for choosing Southern Discoveries as your Milford Sound Operator. Unfortunately the parking is controlled by a third party, however i will be happy to pass this feedback along to them. We are glad you enjoyed the cruise and hopefully the Underwater Observatory as well! Sometimes if the Tasman Sea is too rough our Head Skipper will make the judgement call to cut back into the fiord which cuts the timing by roughly 15 minutes. Nga mihi,
Written 17 May 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Natwhal
20 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Excellent - highlight of the cruise and would definitely recommend
Mar 2024 • Couples
Highlight of the trip - would definitely recommend if you do the Milford Sound Cruise with Southern Discoveries. We saw black coral, lots of different fish and an eagle ray! Felt like we were on a diving trip!
Written 22 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Southern Discoveries
Kia Ora Natwhal, Thank you so much for sharing your experience with us! The Underwater Observatory is one of our "Must Do's" in Milford Sound and we are very happy you found it a highlight of your trip. Seeing an Eagle Ray must have been surreal, you are very lucky! Your recommendation means the world to us and we look forward to hopefully seeing you again in future. Nga mihi,
Written 1 May 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Lizzie565
Middlesbrough, UK63 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
A must do
Mar 2025 • Friends
An amazing day
Stan was our driver/guide and kept us entertained/informed throughout our day.
The coach was excellent, Stan was a great driver and the scenery was fantastic. Don't skip the coach trip - it flies by and is an excellent part of the experiment.
We left from Queenstown.
Written 19 March 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fiona E
Colchester, UK169 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Stunning
Jan 2024 • Couples
Eagerly anticipated day trip from queenstown to Milford sound. Early morning departure for the coach journey which took a total of 5.5hrs. We stopped several times along the way for photo opportunities, and to pick up passengers en route. Our driver Barbar entertained us with the history and geography of the terrain, vegetation and wildlife throughout the whole journey. The cruise itself was 1.5hrs and enjoyable despite the fact that we didn’t have the best weather conditions for it. There was apparently an option to add in an underwater discovery centre visit during the cruise which we had not been told about. We were also not told that the buffet or picnic lunch on the boat needed to be booked beforehand.
The disappointment of the day was discovering that the plane we had paid extra for our return journey to queenstown for had not been able to fly into Milford Haven due to low cloud cover so we had another 4+ hr return coach journey we had not bargained for! I doubt if we will see a refund for this!
Take plenty of warm and waterproof clothes.
Delighted to find usb ports on every seat on the bus, sadly only a few of them worked.
Written 25 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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SOUTHERN DISCOVERIES MILFORD SOUND (2025) All You Should Know BEFORE You Go (with Reviews)

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