Fiordland Discovery

Francis brought the boat close to several waterfalls, which really showed us the scale of the cliffs around the sound. That was a real highlight. The scenery was excellent, and the whole overnight cruise was a standout part of our South Island trip. Our cabin had great views and a comfortable bed, and the food was good. The boat was clean, practical, and had everything we needed. The crew were friendly and enthusiastic, and nothing felt rushed. A great experience :)

The overnight stay was wonderful, and taking the flight back to Queenstown the next morning worked just as planned, though of course that depends on the weather. It spared us the 4.5-hour drive back. Driving one way is a good way to see the sights, but doing that same trip in reverse would be 😱. Ross made the drive down enjoyable and informative, with plenty of scenic stops, and everything ran to plan. The boat, crew, and cooking were all high quality, and Captain Jack and the team made the trip both fun and informative. We had such good weather that we reached the Fiord edge at the Tasman Sea and got to swim and kayak. The waterfalls and scenery along the fiord lived up to all the expectations. I’m really glad we experienced Milford this unhurried way. A must do 🇳🇿👌👏👌.

The cabin view was lovely, and the dinner, snacks, and drinks were all good. Kayaking was a lot of fun. The cruise was amazing, though I wish we’d seen more waterfalls since it wasn’t raining. Don’t miss the sunset while watching the video! :)

Lance drove us and shared fascinating stories about New Zealand’s history and everyday life, with sightseeing stops along the way. On board, Jack and his crew brought the same dedication. It really does feel like a family business, with genuine passion and personal attention, and they know their stuff. We watched an interesting film about the fiords with underwater footage, then Jack talked us through the geology and wildlife during the cruise. He was great at spotting animals, too. We went kayaking in the afternoon and some of us took a quick swim in the fiord. Later, the jacuzzi on deck was a nice way to warm up. Breakfast was every bit as good as a meal on land, especially the eggs Benedict. We booked our overnight cruise with Fiordland Discovery at the last minute and couldn’t have been happier. Luca was incredibly helpful and flexible. She answered emails late at night, told us where to park our camper van, and sorted out a last-minute pickup change without any fuss. Definitely the right operator for us!