An epic Milford Sound adventure. The scale of the world-famous fiord is best experienced at sea-level. Our awesome kayak team will guide you through Milford Sound, show you the best spots and provide plenty of banter along the way.
When driving to Milford Sound please allow 5-6 hours from Queenstown and around 3 hours from Te Anau. You will need to be at the Kayak base at least 20 minutes before your trip departs to check in and meet the team.
They claim there’s never a bad weather day in Milford, a place that receives the most rainfall than anywhere in the country one would think this would deter our travellers. But no, during or just after rainfall is one of the best times to visit. Here is a list of things to bring for your epic experience.
Please wear a swimsuit or kayak underwear layer beneath warm clothes and a waterproof jacket. Bring your gear to the launch point in a backpack.
Sea kayaking has inherent risks and can be dangerous. In Fiordland, they are characterised by: remoteness, rapidly changing and sometimes extreme weather and water conditions, cold water and limited kayaking landing sites.
Sea kayaking has inherent risks and can be dangerous. In Fiordland, they are characterised by: remoteness, rapidly changing and sometimes extreme weather and water conditions, cold water and limited kayaking landing sites.
Detailed risk management and strict safety procedures are observed, however, there still remains an element of risk. Go Orange cannot absolutely guarantee participants safety. Go Orange accepts its legal responsibilities but cannot be held responsible for personal injury or for loss, theft or damage of/to your equipment outside legal responsibilities. Participants will be required to sign a liability form to this effect before starting a tour.
Changing conditions can mean that tours have to be modified. No two tours are the same. It is very rare but weather could delay your scheduled return by up to 24 hours e.g. road closures or weather conditions preventing kayaking. Clients on guided tours must listen carefully to and follow guides' instructions and adhere to safety requirements. Our reputation depends on your safety – we give it top priority and take it seriously.
Had our Milford Sound kayak day today. An absolute must do in New Zealand! Had an amazing day with top tour guide Alex! Full of information and fun facts about the location. Thanks again Alex and thanks GoOrange!
Thanks Alex for an amazing day out kayaking - no better way to explore the fjords and we loved your knowledge of the area, laid back attitude and Maori legends :)
They provide all the professional gear, from thermal layers, to neoprene suits, to the waterproof jackets. All you need to wear are shoes or slippers and undies, and they have a changing room to put on all your gear. We've done tandem lake kayak before but this sea kayaking was funner with the waves. It took awhile to get used to the steering but it was manageable for us beginners. We even connected (by holding onto our 6 kayaks), set up a sail, and let the winds sail us back to shore! Our guide said this was his first time doing that in Milford since it's not always that windy (unlike at Doubtful Sound), but it was an awesome and unique experience. Highly recommended for a unique perspective from the water, rather than just on a scenic cruise. Others in our group even jumped into the lake for a dip after the kayak tour!
We had an amazing time kayaking on Milford Sound with Go Orange. The bus driver, Ethan, picked us up in Te Anau and made the drive so interesting with a few stops along the way. He was a wealth of knowledge, and funny! The kayaking itself was more fun than I thought it would be. It rained the whole time but with the gear provided you barely notice. I would suggest bringing your own gloves though. We got to see waterfalls, a penguin, and lots of other nature. The guides Brodie and Joe(?) were fun, instructive and great to chat with. The time flew by. We did a Doubtful Sound cruise the day before so skipped the Milford cruise but by kayaking we got up close and personal with the sound. This experience was the highlight of ourNZ trip.
We couldn't have had a better day on the Sound. Glassy-smooth water, slightly overcast so the sun wasn't too fierce. Pretty cold, but the four (or was it five?) layers of thermals/fleece/wetsuit vest/PFD and jacket kept us warm.
Matt was the perfect guide: clear and relaxed on all the technical and safety side, knowledgeable on the water, the rock, the plants, the animals. Rafting-up to have our lunch in the middle of the sound was magical.
I can't recommend this trip highly enough. Good gear, good people and, of course, a fabulous location.
My girlfriend Amanda and I had an amazing day kayaking on the Milford Sound. The views and weather were incredible, as well as the animals and waterfalls we saw. Our guide Isla (hope I’m spelling that right) was kind, and kept things at a comfortable pace. Well worth the price and the drive from Te Anau.
5 stars!
Aaaaaand... even more amazing was the drive there, where we got picked up before dawn and learned about a bunch of cool conspiracy theories as well as some key recommendations on New Zealand movies.
6 stars!
Aaaaand... just as great, on the way back we learned about naked tunnel runs, great places to eat and drink around Te Anau, and about how Avengers Infinity War is going to tie the whole Marvel universe all together within one movie. Incredible!
7 stars!
Then we got to drive through heaps of sheep on the way back! They were all over the road and surrounding our van. “Heaps” - they say this a lot in New Zealand.
10 stars!!!
Thanks again for a great day you guys.
Our two hour drive up from Te Anau wasn't as grim as you might fear, with stunning views and nuggets of info from the mic'd-up driver.
The pre-paddle info was more detailed than some we've experienced and plenty welcome for newbies or those (like us) with limited experience. The weather was cool, to say the least, there was still snow on the higher peaks and it rained on and off all day, though thankfully there was no wind and the sound was flat-calm.
The supplied clothing - base layers, neorprene vests, fleeces, fleece hats and rainjackets - kept everyone comfortable. The veggie packed lunch was generous too.
Our guide Tobias, aka 'Bob' had plenty of info and advice with an easy rapport with the three double kayaks he was guiding.
On the drive back to Te Anau, we stopped at some beautiful locations to snap Kias, enjoy another hot brew up and take part in the Milford Olympics. All in all, a grand day out.
In case you haven't found the information you were looking for, we've put together some of the most common questions our customers ask about our trips. If you need more specific answers, please contact us directly.
Do we kayak from the ferry terminal in Milford Sound?
No, you leave from Deepwater Basin, the home to our Kayak Base.
Is there somewhere for me to park before my kayak trip?
Yes, you can leave your car at the Deepwater Basin car park for the duration of your trip.
Will we be the only people out on the water at Milford Sound?
In parts yes, but Milford Sound is a busy place and we can’t guarantee the whole sound to yourself. There will be boats in the water, but we stay far away from those guys. If you’re really lucky you will share the sound with our marine life.
What if the kayak trip is cancelled due to weather?
We will do our best to accommodate you on another trip, there is always the option to cruise in Milford Sound. If not a date change or refund will be arranged.
What is the difference between Milford and Doubtful?
You will find both Milford and Doubtful Sound deep down in the South Island of New Zealand in the Fiordland National Park.
Milford Sound is around 13kms long and famous for its dramatic mountain peaks waterfalls. Home to Mitre Peak, it’s easy to see why people flock here.
Doubtful Sound is three times longer than Milford Sound, home to three arms named Hall, Crooked and First arm. Commonly known as the sound of silence and famous for Wildlife sightings, Doubtful is a real adventure experience.
What kind of weather will we experience in Fiordland?
Bring your raincoats as sometimes we experience all four seasons in one day. Rainfall is what makes Fiordland so unique, a land of rivers, waterfalls, luscious forest and fiords. You should be prepared to experience some rainfall during your visit, after all it rains approximately 200 days of the year. Please bring sensible clothing for cool and wet weather.
What is the difference between a sound and a fiord?
A fiord is a valley created from Glacial movement. Typically, narrow and steep sided, flooded by the sea after glacial retreat. A sound is a river valley that has been flooded by the sea, from and movement or rising sea levels. Throughout Fiordland our fiords are officially mapped as sounds, however we should call them fiords.
Is it worth visiting Milford Sound or Doubtful Sound on a wet day?
Yes, yes and yes. We say you haven’t experienced the real Fiordland unless it rains. The landscape is dramatic, rock faces are covered in waterfalls and the resident waterfalls are way more powerful. From the comfort of our boats you can experience the spectacular landscape.
Do you pick up from accommodation in Te Anau?
Unfortunately we do not for this experience.
Will I see any of the local wildlife?
The awesome thing about our local residents is that they are totally wild. Although we can’t 100 percent guarantee a sighting, Dolphins and Seals are spotted on the regular. If you’re really lucky you may see a Fiordland Crested Penguin or a whale!
How long will it take me to travel to Milford Sound?
It will take around 5 hours to reach Milford Sound from Queenstown. Te Anau to Milford Sound is approximately 2.5 hours. We have allowed a little extra time for short nature walks and photo stops along the way. Please make sure you have petrol, when you leave Te Anau there is nowhere to fill up in the National Park.
What shall I bring on my kayak trip?
If you have booked a Kayak trip you should have received a Kayak Itinerary, this details everything you need for your experience. If you need extra information, please call our team or email them at info@goorange.nz
Will we still kayak if it rains?
It may rain during your experience down in Fiordland, but that’s okay. We will still go ahead with your kayak experience if it rains. We base our weather decisions on the marine weather forecast and will only cancel if there was a threat to our safety.
What about the Sandflies?
When out in the water Sandflies are not a problem, however they do make an appearance on land. We suggest you bring strong insect repellent and wear clothes that cover your skin. For guided overnight trips we provide insect shelters, great for cooking, relaxing and keeping the little pests away.
How safe is kayaking?
We have awesome, experienced and knowledgeable guides that accompany you on every trip. We will provide you with a full safety briefing before each trip and ongoing instructions throughout the day.
Am I fit enough to kayak? Do I need any experience?
No previous experience is required to kayak with us on our 1 day experiences. We do ask that you are water confident and a moderate fitness level is required. You will be kayaking for at least 4 hours a day. Our overnight experience would therefore have 8 hours total of kayaking with an overnight camp.
Is this a guided kayak tour or can we rent kayaks from you?
Our tours are guided yes, ideal for those without experience. The guides make all the decisions and give paddling instructions throughout the day. They add the local flavour and have a heap of local history and facts for you along the way.
We do not offer kayak rentals.
What is the minimum and maximum age for a kayak tour?
The minimum age for all our kayaking experiences is 16 years old. There Is no maximum age, we just ask you are physically fit.
Can I fish from the kayak?
There is absolutely no fishing from our boats or kayaks in Fiordland due to our fragile eco system and Marine Reserve status.
Am I going to get wet?
Unless you opt for a swim it is unlikely you will get wet, from the ocean that is. If it rains, yes you will. We do provide you with a waterproof spray jacket and skirt to keep you dry should the heavens open.
Do you provide the kayak?
Yes. All our kayaks are double seated sea kayaks. They comfortably seat two, with enough space to store a few valuables in the hole or strapped to the front on the ropes.
How many people will go on the kayak experience?
Along with your guide then the minimum people on your trip will be two. There is a maximum of eight people per guide so if we have more people, we will provide more guides
Will I return on time from the kayak experience?
Yes, it is very rare that the weather will delay us. However, we have experienced it in the past, so we suggest you leave plenty of time after your experience for your onward journey.
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