Milford Sound or Doubtful Sound – Which Is Better?

New Zealand is known for its stunning fjords. Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound are by far the most famous ones. Both are located in Fiordland, New Zealand’s largest national park, on the South Island, and both are easily accessible from the town of Te Anau. But should you visit Milford Sound or Doubtful Sound? Or perhaps both? I’m happy to share my experiences of both fjords with you!

Which is better? Milford Sound or Doubtful Sound?

Milford Sound is one of New Zealand’s most popular attractions. One of the main reasons: it’s much easier to reach and offers an incredible experience. You can drive there with your own car or campervan, take various hikes, join a scenic cruise, and enjoy the lush rainforests of Fiordland National Park. There are countless photo stops along the way, and the narrow Homer Tunnel is quite special! It takes about three hours to drive from Te Anau to the end point of Milford Sound. This is also where the boat trips depart from. You can make numerous stops along the route.

Doubtful Sound is the deepest of Fiordland’s 14 fjords. It’s three times longer and ten times larger than Milford Sound. The Māori call it Patea, meaning “the place of silence.” Doubtful Sound attracts far fewer tourists because you can only get there by taking a boat trip, then a bus ride, and another boat trip. That makes Doubtful Sound much more mysterious than Milford Sound. You’ll find truly unspoiled nature and absolute tranquility here, unlike in Milford Sound, which draws many more visitors. However, the waterfalls in Doubtful Sound are less dramatic than those in Milford Sound.

Milford Sound vs Doubtful Sound: Pros and cons

Feature	Milford Sound	Doubtful Sound
Accessibility	Easy: by car/campervan	Harder: only with an organized tour and longer travel time (with scenic views)
Crowds	Busier	Much quieter
Nature	Rainforests, waterfalls	Rainforests, waterfalls
Transport	Own car, campervan, or organized bus tours	Only via organized boat trip
Waterfalls	Spectacular	Spectacular, but Milford Sound is more dramatic
Experience	Hikes, cruises, scenic driving routes	Boat trips
Time needed	Day trip or longer	Day trip or overnight cruise
Cost	Lower	Higher
Atmosphere	Mysterious	Even more mysterious

Photo impressions of Milford Sound

Below you’ll find a few photos from Milford Sound so you can judge for yourself. The great thing about Milford Sound is that you can make many stops by car, book a cruise, and explore several hikes.

Photo impressions of Doubtful Sound

Below are some photos from Doubtful Sound so you can judge for yourself. The peace and silence here make Doubtful Sound truly unique in the world!

What’s the weather like in Milford and Doubtful Sound?

In short: probably wet. Fiordland is known for heavy rainfall, though the climate varies considerably between the two places. It rains here around 200 days a year. But this rain also creates the stunning scenery—spectacular waterfalls. These powerful cascades can make it seem as if the mountains are crying. Some waterfalls in Milford only appear after rainfall.

Where to stay: Queenstown, Te Anau, or Milford Sound?

We recommend staying overnight in Te Anau before visiting Milford or Doubtful Sound. Free camping isn’t allowed in Milford Sound, and in Doubtful Sound, you can only stay overnight on a cruise (read more about that in this blog).

The drive from Queenstown to Milford Sound takes about four hours. Once there, you’ll have already encountered many beautiful sights. The only downside is that you have to drive out again—and the Homer Tunnel, which you pass through (see photo in the Milford Sound photo impressions), closes in the evening.

From Te Anau, it’s less than a two-hour drive to the end of Milford Sound. You’ll also have more opportunities to be there during less busy hours—a morning or late-afternoon cruise or kayak trip truly lets you experience the “Sounds of Silence” that Milford Sound is famous for.

If you prefer to stay in Queenstown, you can also book a bus tour combined with a cruise. However, I’d recommend going by your own car or campervan. Do make sure to book your Milford Sound cruise in advance.

The verdict: which one to choose?

The challenge with Doubtful Sound is getting there, but the mystical atmosphere makes it magical. In Milford Sound, you can plan your own day freely and also book a boat tour.

Do you have a bit more budget and time? Then definitely include Doubtful Sound in your itinerary—and also visit Milford Sound. Short on time? You might skip Doubtful Sound, because Milford Sound is an absolute must-see.

Both Milford and Doubtful Sound are wonderful to visit. Whichever one you choose, it will certainly be a highlight of your trip.