Milford Sound vs. Doubtful Sound, New Zealand
Anyone planning a trip to the South Island of New Zealand is tasked with the challenging decision of which fiords to visit. The ideal scenario is having enough time and money to visit both, since they offer totally different views and experiences.
Milford Sound
With stunning views as soon as you enter the parking lot, you can see the picturesque ford without having to embark on a cruise.
There is a peaceful (10 minute) loop trail that gives you the opportunity to enjoy the native flora and fauna up close, before reaching a beach that opens up to the famous views of Milford Sound. The lack of effort required to see a place so beautiful left me dumbfounded. A cruise is still an excellent way to see new vantage points and experience the narrow fiord in a more immersive way. There are plenty of companies that offer cruises that last around 3 hours, but naturally, that comes with an influx of visitors. The quantity of people in the cruise departure area was a juxtaposition from the tranquil lakeshore trail we had previously experienced, but we still enjoyed our boat ride and the unique views it gave us.
We learned that visiting the beach on the shoreline trail after all the cruises have finished for the day will leave you with an opportunity to have the place almost entirely to yourself. It was a surreal feeling after witnessing how many visitors were there just a couple hours prior.
Doubtful Sound
In comparison to Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound is significantly larger, more spread out, and harder to access. We chose to explore Doubtful sound via an overnight cruise , and thoroughly enjoyed our time in the fiord that wasn’t crowded or rushed.
Getting there felt like logistical gymnastics (shuttle->boat->shuttle->boat), but thankfully our cruise company took care of the planning. We experienced quite a bit of rain, but the wonderful thing about that is the fantastic waterfalls that ensue! Both fiords experience more than 200 rainy days a year, so it’s important to expect rain when you plan a visit.
Doubtful Sound has a lot more “arms,” so it’s easy to find an area where no other boats are present and you feel like it’s just you and nature. Our tour allowed us to kayak when the rain stopped, which was a beautiful and peaceful experience.
The biggest treat was pod of wild dolphins putting on a spectacular show, jumping out of the water at great heights!
In summary, I still recommend visiting both fiords if you are able to. If faced with a decision between the two, I suggest Milford Sound. The views are next to none, and the ease of access makes it an excellent choice to visit. As with everything in the beautiful country of New Zealand, you will not be disappointed with either option!