Tawaki Adventures, Milford Sound, New Zealand

For the complete Milford experience, join us on a journey above and below the water to discover the special marine life that Fiordland has to offer.

Daily trips will be operating 12 months of the year, excluding days when the Homer Tunnel is closed due to excessive snow.

Each year between 1st October to 30th April, there will be an additional scenic trip of 3 hours duration for non divers, offering a more personalised guided tour with the unique opportunity of allowing passengers to go ashore midway up the sound.

Your guide for the day will pick you up bright and early from your Te Anau accommodation, so you can sit back and enjoy the journey through stunning Fiordland scenery to the famous Milford Sound itself……

Milford Sound

… where you'll be off on our purpose built dive boat for two great dives in the shadow of 'mile high' Mitre Peak; scenery doesn't get much better than this.

In this most unique of environments, century-old black coral colonies live at depths of only 15m. This is due to a layer of tannin stained fresh water, which 'floats' on top of the warmer salt water, filtering out some of the light. In this clear salt water, the average visibility is over 10m. A diverse variety of fish will also be on hand to watch the underwater proceedings.

Snake Star - photo: Paddy Ryan

All dives are non-extractive and will be fully guided by a qualified SSI Dive Instructor with guiding and diving experience in Milford Sound. Of course there'll be time to discuss each dive, view the magnificent scenery and hear tales (both tall and short) about this World Heritage Area, whilst relaxing with a hot drink.

And if you don't dive, you're welcome to join us for an alternative to the 'big boat' cruises of Milford Sound; at 3 hours or more, it's also the longest cruise available. Get away from the crowds, try a bit of snorkelling and play under the waterfalls - we've got all the gear you need. Or you can just kick back and enjoy a beautiful day out on the fiord.

Afterwards we'll take a break for lunch; identify the marine life we've seen, write up log books and have a yarn, before heading back in a leisurely fashion along the picturesque Milford Road. There'll be plenty of stops for you to stretch your legs, admire the sights and take photos to remember a great day down in Milford Sound.

Black coral - photo: Kevin Bone

As part of the journey home, we like to get you involved in a bit of conservation, New Zealand style. Tawaki Adventures has an ongoing involvement in pest control in the Milford area and, together with other tourism operators, we work closely with the Department of Conservation to help keep our forests and wildlife as healthy and predator-free as possible.

Hot drinks, snacks, reference books and some warm clothing, to keep you cosy, are also provided, along with a range of good quality rental gear.

All divers must have completed a recognised dive course and be able to present their certification card before diving.

First-aid and oxygen kits, together with a VHF, 2-way radio, are carried on every trip and all our guides are appropriately trained in their use. Dive profiles are planned to enable you to leave Milford Sound (via an alpine road) the same day.