My husband and I went on our honeymoon, a 1 day kayak of Milford sound. The day was spectacular.. Apparently there are only 20 days out of the year that are perfect sunshine at Milford and we were lucky enough to get one. Our guides Nicola and brad were wonderful. I had a bit of a fear of kayaking but soon forgot about it when I was surrounded by the most gorgeous place on earth.
All the equipment was in good condition and clean and the ride home was just as interesting as the day there. Brad knew all the best spots to stop, share stories and information about the area.
So much fun we didn't want the day to end. If you have a good sense of humour, an Easy going attitude and a desire for adventure this is the thing for you. Do yourself a favor and enjoy!! Next time we come to NZ we will defiantly look into doing doubtful sound with these guys.
What an incredible way to spend your honeymoon, Milfordl Sound must of known you were coming! Our guides are highly values in our company, making every customer feel comfortable and providing a unique experience. We understand the importance of having high quality equipment on a trip of this style, as well as providing key information on the fiord. With the diverse climate and wildlife that Milforld has to offer, this trip leaves you feeling like a boomerang - wanting to come back time and time again! Doubtful Sound has so much to offer in contrast, we hope to see you on our overnighter in the future.
This was the part of the trip to NZ that I was most apprehensive about on two counts a) wild camping and b) kayaking in such a large body of warter. I am so glad I did this trip despite a few wobbly (literally in rough water and my fear factor) hours on the first morning as we crossed what were to me quite strong currents. Luke, our guide was great and I forgave him for telling me I had a "scardey face on"! The scenery was breathtaking and so remote , I feel honoured to have visited such a spectacular location.
The journey to get there was part of the whole experience with the boat trip across the lake and coach trip to the Sound. On arrival at the water's edge we were well briefed on the kayaks (two person ones, often referred to as "divorce boats" - I wonder why....) and provided with full kit.
We stopped for lunch after two hours and then enjoyed a very peaceful two hours kayaking down one of the side arms of the Sound, eventually ending up at our camp for the night. The camp was well set up and I actually enjoyed the experience. We were lucky to be with a really great group of people from different parts of the world. Our Australian friends on the trip had it sussed when it came to food and the rest of us had "pasta envy" as we ate our backpackers dried food - yuk. We were on the water very early next morning and spent another four hours kayaking. Sadly the dolphins did not come to see us but I would highly recommend this experience but you do need to be a bit tougher minded than me in terms of sea conditions in order to fully relax.
Thank you for the great review. It's always rewarding to face your fears and let the adrenaline kick in. Although a lot of people find this to be a relaxing tour, I can understand how this could be a rush if water isn't second nature to you. Our guides are always very reassuring and know how to make you feel at ease and laid back throughout the tour. The scenery is completely unique with the 'jurassic park' vibe. We understand the importance of providing a high standard of equipment for the trip, with a lunch stop that is well deserved. The bonding you do with the rest of the group is all part of what makes it such a special experience. We're happy to hear you recommend the Go Orange overnight extravaganza!
I paddled Doubtful sound with Fiordland Wilderness Adventures on their two day trip. A kayak is a pretty special way to see such a beautiful place. From the top of the Wilmont pass the view down into the fiord we were about to kayak was stunning, later on, there we were on the water taking in the view from the water. Doubtful sound is far quieter than Milford sound due to it's remote location so there was very little 'human' noise to detract from the exprience. On top of Doubful's scenic beauty we were lucky enough to see Fiordland Crested Penguins and a dolphin and her calf! Kayaking along with just the splash of paddles hitting the water and two dolphins coming up to take a breath isnt a sound or sight Im likely to forget. Our guide was informative and a cheerful, the tents provided were good quality and the sanfly shelter at our camp was a godsend! This trip is ideal for people who like the outdoors and dont mind pitching tents, using thermarests and long drop toilets. If you are a 5 star feather bed type you might not cope with the accomodations or making your own bed and dinner but you are going to miss out on something quite special!
Thanks for the fantastic review. It's certainly the most adventurous and peaceful way to see the fiord. The journey from Manapouri to Doubtful is an experience in itself, followed by immersing yourself in the peacefulness of Doubtful. You were very lucky to discover the unique and rare wildlife that is out there. There is nothing more therapeutic than paddle strokes hitting the water at your own pace with dolphins topping the bucket list of dreams. The guides love what they do making their enthusiasm shine through, offering a wealth of knowledge. It's a trip for true adventurers, in true kiwi style.
Experiencing the Milford Sound from a small kayak makes you feel real small, but it's a very rewarding experience and is simply the way to see Milford Sound if you're not afraid of the water! Our guide, Luke, could not have been better, he shared a wealth of knowledge throughout the tour, gave a good safety briefing before we started and showed us lots of interesting places along the way. Good value for money even though you don't really kayak over very long distances. If we ever come back to Fiordland we would definitely go for one of their longer tours!
Thank you for the lovely review. It's the ultimate way of seeing the fiord on a physical level and our guides and equipment can ensure everyone feels safe and relaxed. Our guides are passionate about what they do making the information and enthusiasm come natural to them. We're happy to hear you found it to be great value and its safe to say the overnight kayaking trip is completely unique.
We had 7 fantastic days on the Milford Wanderer, cruising in and around all the Sounds,from Doubtful, south to Preservatation Inlet. Fiordland turned on the rain for 6 days, but this just made the views more moody. Real Journeys provide a very knowlegable and helpful, nature and history guide. The exact itinery is not given as every sailing, anchorage, and on shore activity is weather dependent. We ate far too much food, with every meal being 2 courses, prepared and cooked by the chef. The 6 crew members catered for our every need with attention to detail and friendliness--even getting me a hot water bottle when I was out on deck with sea-sickness. You need to go with good wet weather gear & gumboots. Insect repellent would be a must if its not raining and some sea sick medication (about 80% of our group of 31 on board were sick on the first day at sea). We were taken ashore 5 of the days, by tender, for walks with an informative history lesson from the guide. Due to the weather there was only one opportunity for kayaking. Evening entertainment was usually a slide show by the crew, of the local area, with an update for Plan A and Plan B, for the next day! Chopper ride out was a great adrenalin rush!! Cabin had very narrow twin beds & we shared bathroom with 2 other couples.
Thank you for the wonderful review. We're happy to hear you appreciated the beauty of Milford in its natural state. The trips are tailored to each experience which as you understand is essential for such a diverse setting. Our guides have a wealth of knowledge and it would be rare for a thought to be left unanswered by the end. The food is one of the highlights of the experience, with no passenger being left hungry at any point. The staff love what they do making it easy to go that extra mile with making sure you are having the best experience possible. It's still fantastic that you were able to kayak for a portion of the trip, this really adds a sense of adventure that you won't forget.
