Our Fly-Cruise-Fly to Milford Sound is Air Milford’s most popular tour, offering an unforgettable experience that combines breathtaking aerial views and a serene cruise. However, when weather conditions make it difficult to fly directly into Milford Sound, we have a wet weather backup plan that still provides an incredible scenic flight and cruise adventure.
What to Expect from Our Wet Weather Milford Sound Tour
Due to the wet weather pattern currently affecting the Queenstown and Fiordland regions, we’ve been using this alternative route more frequently. This backup plan offers a beautiful scenic flight from Queenstown to Te Anau Downs, an exclusive airstrip located just over an hour from Milford Sound.
Upon arrival at Te Anau Downs, you’ll board a comfortable shuttle for a transfer along the most scenic part of the Milford Road, complete with picturesque stops along the way. This drive brings you to the Milford Sound boat terminal for the next leg of your journey.
Experience Milford Sound by Sea
In Milford Sound, you’ll board a Southern Discoveries Nature Cruise, a 1 hour 45-minute journey through stunning landscapes. From the boat’s top deck or behind the comfort of large windows, you’ll witness breathtaking views of natural wonders like Stirling Falls. Wildlife enthusiasts will love the opportunity to spot native species like seals, and depending on the season, you might even encounter dolphins or penguins!
Throughout the cruise, the crew provides insightful commentary, enriching your experience with fascinating information about the area’s natural history.
Seamless Return to Queenstown
After your scenic cruise, your driver will meet you at the terminal for a relaxing transfer back to Te Anau Downs. From there, your pilots will fly you back to Queenstown, where your full air, land, and sea experience of Milford Sound will come to a close.
How Do We Book?
You just need to book the standard Fly-Cruise-Fly tour, ideally everything proceeds as planned. However, if we anticipate consecutive days of unfavourable weather preventing a direct flight to Milford Sound, but conditions are suitable for flying to Te Anau Downs, we will reach out via email to offer this alternative option, which is based on availability, minimum numbers and weather.
Our backup plan is able to operate around 85% of the time, as the weather in Queenstown and Te Anau Downs is often more stable than in Milford Sound. This ensures that, even on days when conditions aren’t ideal, you can still enjoy the awe-inspiring beauty of Milford Sound by air, land, and sea.
