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Fiordland Yacht Charter

A Fiordland yacht charter vacation in New Zealand will be an experience unlike any other. It is a certainty that you will be awe inspired and deeply affected. Indeed, Rudyard Kipling described Fiordland as the ‘eighth wonder of the world’. Fiordland, which is home to the famous Milford and Doubtful Sounds is a natural wonder which is unrivaled anywhere. On your yacht charter you will be free to cruise around the inland protected waterways and experience Fiordland's 'unreal' landscapes which lift up almost horizontally out of the deep, calm and mystical waters. The only way to visit all the most amazing areas is by water, and a yacht charter is the best way to cruise with solitude and freedom. You are likely to see incredible wildlife which has been untouched by humans due to Fiordland's remoteness. The natural world still reigns supreme in Fiordland, and on your yacht charter vacation you are likely to meet many of the friendly local residents: bottlenose dolphins, fur seals, Fiordland's crested penguins, albatross, tuis, bellbirds, deer, and also many rare and unusual underwater creatures.

Photo: Milford - Fiordland - Photo by Rob Suisted - Credit to Tourism New Zealand

Fiordland is located on the remote south-west coast of the South Island of New Zealand. Fiordland is one of the most dramatic and beautiful parts of New Zealand and has accordingly achieved World Heritage status. Fiordland is often also often termed the Sightseeing and Walking Capital of the world.  You can cruise on a yacht charter vacation around the protected Milford, Doubtful, Dusky or Breaksea Sounds. The pristine forest, sheer rock walls and tumbling waterfalls are truly a breathtaking sight.

"For thousands of feet upwards the eye looks upon straight cut rocky frontages, not worn smooth by time, or by wind or water, but as sharply defined and as fresh looking in all respects as if riven asunder but yesterday by the stupendous wedges of Titanic Masons.“ James Hingston 1883

Photo 1: Milford Sound - Fiordland - Kayak - Photo by Chris Sisarich - Tourism New Zealand; Photo 2: Rock-hopping - Milford Sound - Photo by Chris Sisarich - Credit to Tourism New Zealand; Photo 3: Waterfalls in Milford Sound - Fiordland - Photo by Chris Sisarich - Credit to Tourism New Zealand;

Milford Sound is perhaps the most famous of the Fiordland Sounds; probably because it is the only sound which is assessable by road. Milford Sound is approx 10 miles in length from its head to the Tasman ocean. Milford Sound  was carved out during successive ice ages and, at its deepest point off Mitre Peak, pictured above, plunges to a depth of 265 meters. The grandeur of Milford Sound can only really be properly appreciated from the air , tour boat, or a yacht charter vacation. Other features you can witness on a boat charter include Bowen Falls which hurtle 165 meters into the sea, and the Stirling Falls, further down the sound, set amidst the towering cliffs and dwarfed by Mitre Peak, are truly spectacular after rain. A fresh water layer that sits on top of the seawater which filters light to allow deep water dwelling sea-life to exist very close to the surface. A visit to the Underwater Observatory, or a guided dive, allows you access to sights which are rarely revealed to human visitors.

When people experience Doubtful Sound yacht charter the normal reaction is also one of awe and wonder. Visitors are humbled by the Sound's physically majestic grandeur and her atmosphere of remoteness and solitude. You will be left in no doubt that you are in the middle of a natural and untouched world. On a yacht charter in the fiord you can see a rich display of flora and fauna. There are also New Zealand Fur Seals and in the breeding season Fiordland Crested Penguins can be seen on many of the small islets in the entrance of the fiord.  Doubtful Sound is the deepest of the fiords, at 421 meters deep, and is long and winding with three distinct “arms”. The distance from Deep Cove to the open sea is around 25 miles.

Snow Landing - Fiordland - Photo by Galcier Southern Lakes Helicopters - credit to Tourism New Zealand 

You can also see the Te Anau Caves and glow-worm grotto on the edge of Lake Te Anau. Lake Te Anau is the largest lake in the South Island and second only within New Zealand to Lake Taupo. Te Anau is the name of the closest town and service base to Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound.

The best time to go on a Fiordland yacht charter is during the New Zealand summer when the temperatures and weather is usually a little more settled. The crewed charter yacht available to cruise Fiordland's Sounds are linked below. Please contact CharterWorld for more detailed information.

To the left is a selection of yachts that are based in, or are available in Fiordland, for a complete list of New Zealand charter yachts go here