Scuba Season
Underwater reef at Milford Sound
Not surveyed

Milford Sound

New Zealand · Fiordland

Milford Sound on New Zealand's South Island is a fjord with a freshwater tannin stained surface layer that mimics deep water conditions just below the surface — black coral, basket stars, and species normally found at 100m+ accessible at recreational depth.

How this reef is doing

ⓘ How we measure this

Reef state

Not surveyed

Live science signals for this reef are still being gathered.

Coral cover

Not surveyed

Fish life

Not surveyed

Heat

Not surveyed

Fishing

QuietBusy

Open to fishing, and the water is fairly quiet.

Open

Sources · Global Fishing Watch and reef gravity

What you will see

13 species across the dive sites here

Dive sites

What divers say

Deep-water animals at 15m because the fresh water blocks their light — unlike anywhere else in diving.
— Marine biologist

Good to know

Water temp

10–14°C; drysuit only.

Gear & getting wet

  • Basic kit

    • Mask and fins
    • BCD and regulator
    • 7mm wetsuit or drysuit · cold water
    • Dive computer

  • For specific sites

    • Drysuit · Milford Sound Fjord
    • Hood · Milford Sound Fjord
    • Dive light · Milford Sound Fjord