When to go · Milford Sound
Milford Sound, month by month
The best months for Milford Sound: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, Nov, Dec. Months to avoid: Jun, Jul, Aug.
Month by month
- JanuaryGreatInside Milford Sound's best window: Nov–Apr (long days, road open); rain year-round.19.5 °C / 10.7 °C, 18 rain days67 °F / 51 °F, 18 rain daysCrowds: High · 1 festival or holiday
- FebruaryGreatInside Milford Sound's best window: Nov–Apr (long days, road open); rain year-round.20 °C / 10.7 °C, 16 rain days68 °F / 51 °F, 16 rain daysCrowds: High
- MarchGreatInside Milford Sound's best window: Nov–Apr (long days, road open); rain year-round.18.5 °C / 9.2 °C, 18 rain days65 °F / 49 °F, 18 rain daysCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
- AprilGreatInside Milford Sound's best window: Nov–Apr (long days, road open); rain year-round.15.9 °C / 7 °C, 17 rain days61 °F / 45 °F, 17 rain daysCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
- MayMixedOutside the best window (Nov–Apr (long days, road open); rain year-round). Across New Zealand: Cool and short days; Great Walk huts leave peak season, services thin; good value in the north.12.5 °C / 4.9 °C, 18 rain days55 °F / 41 °F, 18 rain daysCrowds: Low
- JuneAvoidListed as a month to avoid: Jun–Aug (ice, avalanche closures, no overnight cruises).9.3 °C / 2.3 °C, 17 rain days49 °F / 36 °F, 17 rain daysCrowds: Low
- JulyAvoidListed as a month to avoid: Jun–Aug (ice, avalanche closures, no overnight cruises).9.2 °C / 1.6 °C, 17 rain days49 °F / 35 °F, 17 rain daysCrowds: Medium
- AugustAvoidListed as a month to avoid: Jun–Aug (ice, avalanche closures, no overnight cruises).11.2 °C / 2.7 °C, 17 rain days52 °F / 37 °F, 17 rain daysCrowds: Medium
- SeptemberMixedOutside the best window (Nov–Apr (long days, road open); rain year-round). Across New Zealand: Spring: lambs and blossom, but changeable weather and late snow; daylight saving starts late in the month.13.2 °C / 4.1 °C, 18 rain days56 °F / 39 °F, 18 rain daysCrowds: Low
- OctoberGoodOutside the best window (Nov–Apr (long days, road open); rain year-round). Across New Zealand: Spring warms up; waterfalls full; Great Walk season starts late in the month (check dates).15 °C / 5.8 °C, 19 rain days59 °F / 42 °F, 19 rain daysCrowds: Medium
- NovemberGreatInside Milford Sound's best window: Nov–Apr (long days, road open); rain year-round.16.4 °C / 7.6 °C, 18 rain days62 °F / 46 °F, 18 rain daysCrowds: Medium
- DecemberGreatInside Milford Sound's best window: Nov–Apr (long days, road open); rain year-round.18.5 °C / 9.7 °C, 18 rain days65 °F / 49 °F, 18 rain daysCrowds: High · 1 festival or holiday