Combine two of the best Milford Sound experiences in one epic day! Explore the sound by kayak before jumping on the Milford Haven for an afternoon cruise.
Deep Water Basin, Milford Sound.
When driving to Milford Sound please allow 5-6 hours from Queenstown and around 3 hours from Te Anau. You will need to meet at Deepwater Basin, the Kayak Base at least 20 minutes before your trip departs to check in and meet the team.
Please wear your swimsuit or kayaking underwear layer beneath warm clothes/waterproof jacket on pick-up (makes changing into paddling gear easier and quicker). The best way to carry your other gear to the launch point is 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.
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.
We had a great time kayaking on Milford Sound. We have kayaked with Go Orange twice before and will continue to choose them for the professional and well organised way they run these trips. We got to get up close to Lady Bowen falls and to the foot of Mitre Peak. Lydia was fantastic. She kept the group of 8 together and safe. I thoroughly recommend this as a way to see the Sound from a different perspective. The second part of the trip was a cruise further down the Sound where we see some wildlife and yet more amazing waterfalls. This is one of the most beautiful parts of NZ and Go Orange certainly know the best way to let you experience it. Thanks Go Orange!
Amazing day out on the water
H made it fun and exciting
Kayaking to the waterfall was the highlight!
Not only was the scenery astounding but so were the people who ran this joint!! My husband and I quickly became friends with everyone! It was an experience I would do again in a heart beat!! Thanks guys!!!
If you are visiting New Zealand or considering it, don't miss Milford Sound. In particular, don't miss Milford Sound on the water kayaking. Go Orange's team was great. Harry picked us up and drove us to Milford Sound from Te Anau. He was a great guide, so excited about the trip, the location, and his country. His passion and excitement wore off on us.
In addition, we traveled to the sound just after a good rain and everything was flowing heavily, not to mention snow at roughly 2500 ft. There were waterfalls all over the place and the scenery on the road to the sound is absolutely amazing.
The view of the sound when we arrived was spectacular. We've seen fjords in Norway that are amazing, but what was most interesting here was the steep and rugged peaks around this sound, the mountains appear much younger than in Norway, so they make for an amazing backdrop to the deep sound.
Our guide took us for a 2.5 hr kayak. We had planned on 5 hrs, but the wind was too strong. However even in that wind he directed use to the Lady Bowen falls where we got a great view. We saw bottle nosed dolphins and jellyfish and many smaller waterfalls. We returned to the shore and Go Orange arranged a 2 hr cruise to the end of the sound given our kayaking trip was shortened. This was an exceptional cruise with outstanding views.
All-in-all an unforgettable day.
One of the great things to do when at Te Anau is to go to Milford Sound. The best thing to do is to kayak at Milford Sound and what better way than to do it with Go Orange!
Tim, our guide was professional, caring and funny. He brought us around the Sound and gave us tidbits on the how the sound was created and the flora and fauna of the area. Apart from that, my transfer from Te Anau was smooth and we went to many a scenic site along the Milford road.
If you want to experience the Sound up close, do it via Kayaking - it also helps burns the calories from the beer you drink!
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 14 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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