Milford

OK – Milford Sound is the one Fiord accessible by road. It is also the most spectacular (vertically speaking). Over 500,000 people visit here per year. More amazing since the sounds south of here are unhabited and visited by just a few. Further, the next safe stop northbound by visiting yachts is around Farewell Spit at the top of the South Island to Nelson or back to Queen Charlotte and Picton via Cook Straight.

In terms of anchorages, there are none for visiting yachts (unless you can anchor in 50 plus meters of water). There are no protected coves. There is one small facility at the end of the sound run by a fisheries company but that is it.

These first pics are on our way from Doubtful.

Departure thru Thompson Sound.

Up the coast

And an encounter with a sperm whale.

Ansd more dolphin having fun.

Approaching Milford.

A long swell (that was nothing at sea) busting 5o feet high on the rocks.

Now it gets impressive.

Those “small” boats in the picture are actually cruise ships – and another pic just so you can get the picture.

And more pics.

And now a bunch of Iron Lady.

And some in front of Miter Peak – sorry that the sun was against us.

All this was made more interesting by the fact that the afternoon winds (in fair weather) came up to 40 knots. Typical of fickle Fiordland.

We thought about staying, but with a good weather window, we made the call to head north. A few parting pics.

Farewell Fiordland – what a spectacular place!