Once your flight lands into Milford Sound you will experience this intimate cruise with numbers capped at 150, and on-board Nature Guides offering personal attention. The “Spirit of Milford” catamaran explores nooks and crannies along the edge of the fiord, nudging into sheer rock faces to examine flora and fauna in detail for 2 hours.
This ‘ecotour’ is perfect for close-up shots of seals, birds and other Fiordland wildlife, including dolphins ‘riding’ the bow wave and the rarest penguin in the world, the Fiordland crested penguin (Spring & Autumn).
The smaller boat helps you appreciate the sheer size and grandeur of the fiord’s cliff faces rising hundreds of meters 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 (they’ve got jackets on board to keep you dry!).
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, with a delicious buffet lunch included in this option.
Why the Nature Cruise?
Within touching distance of flora, fauna and wildlife
Smaller passenger numbers, friendly Nature Guides
Drink pure glacial water from a waterfall
Free tea, coffee and buffet lunch
Spot seals basking on the rocks and sometimes dolphins and rare Fiordland crested penguins.
Top Tip:
Because of the weather dependent nature of flying in the Southern Alps to Milford Sound, we recommend booking in for your first available day in Queenstown. So that, should the weather be unfavorable for flying on the first day, you will have maximum flexibility to roll your excursion on to a following fine weather day.
