Milford Sound in summer

A KIWI SUMMER ESCAPE TO ONE OF THE WETTEST PLACES ON EARTH MIGHT SEEM UNUSUAL, BUT RAIN IS ONE OF THE REASONS MILFORD SOUND IS SO POPULAR DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS.

Milford Sound, the eighth wonder of the world, is at its most magical in summer as it experiences peak annual rainfall creating ephemeral and magnificent waterfalls as well as thunderous rainfalls.

Exploring Milford Sound is best undertaken via an overnight cruise on a boat especially designed for guests to enjoy the area’s breath-taking 360-degree vistas. It’s even better arriving on the boat via a helicopter that lands on the top-deck helipad.

The Fiordland Jewel, a custom-built catamaran with five-star marine fit-out, is a recent addition to Milford Sound by familyowned company Fiordland Discovery. The

Jewel has a helipad, a top-deck hot tub and the onboard chef prepares freshly-caught cuisine daily. The boat caters for up to 20 passengers in nine climate-controlled cabins, each with their own ensuite and specially-designed windows to let in as much scenery as possible.

Fiordland Discovery owners are husband and wife Rob Swale and Kate Rollason. Swale is one of Fiordland’s most experienced skippers, and he designed and built the Jewel in response to guests wanting more comfort while spending time in Fiordland.

“We wanted guests to have an up-closeand-personal experience of the phenomenal wilderness in a luxury setting,” Swale says. “This boat does justice to Fiordland and its incredible scenery. Our guests are able to lie in bed and take in the scenery.”

Summer presents so many options for experiencing Milford Sound’s natural beauty on the Fiordland Jewel – guests can kayak to the waterfalls, jump off the top deck or enjoy star-gazing from the hot-tub.

Fiordland Discovery also offers multi-day cruises in Doubtful, Breaksea and Dusky Sounds, and Preservation and Chalky Inlets and Stewart Island, when the Jewel is not at Milford Sound.