Milford Discovery Centre and Underwater Observatory (Milford Sound Observatory)

The marine environment at Milford Sound is special, as it combines a top layer of fresh water and underlying layers of salty seawater. Visitors to New Zealand’s only floating underwater observatory can see black coral—normally found deep in the ocean—fish, seals, penguins, and possibly even dolphins. While the experience might seem a bit like an aquarium, what visitors observe is actually the open water, not contained within an enclosure. As well as the viewing area, there are displays and videos with information about the history and environment of Milford Sound, and the construction of the Homer Tunnel through the mountains, which many travelers will have passed through on their way to Milford Sound. As the center can only be accessed by boat, most travelers visit while on a cruise or kayaking tour.