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 (67 °F) / 10.7 °C (51 °F), 18 rain days67 °F (19.5 °C) / 51 °F (10.7 °C), 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 (68 °F) / 10.7 °C (51 °F), 16 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 51 °F (10.7 °C), 16 rain daysCrowds: High
- MarchGreatInside Milford Sound's best window: Nov–Apr (long days, road open); rain year-round.18.5 °C (65 °F) / 9.2 °C (49 °F), 18 rain days65 °F (18.5 °C) / 49 °F (9.2 °C), 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 (61 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 17 rain days61 °F (15.9 °C) / 45 °F (7 °C), 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 (55 °F) / 4.9 °C (41 °F), 18 rain days55 °F (12.5 °C) / 41 °F (4.9 °C), 18 rain daysCrowds: Low
- JuneAvoidListed as a month to avoid: Jun–Aug (ice, avalanche closures, no overnight cruises).9.3 °C (49 °F) / 2.3 °C (36 °F), 17 rain days49 °F (9.3 °C) / 36 °F (2.3 °C), 17 rain daysCrowds: Low
- JulyAvoidListed as a month to avoid: Jun–Aug (ice, avalanche closures, no overnight cruises).9.2 °C (49 °F) / 1.6 °C (35 °F), 17 rain days49 °F (9.2 °C) / 35 °F (1.6 °C), 17 rain daysCrowds: Medium
- AugustAvoidListed as a month to avoid: Jun–Aug (ice, avalanche closures, no overnight cruises).11.2 °C (52 °F) / 2.7 °C (37 °F), 17 rain days52 °F (11.2 °C) / 37 °F (2.7 °C), 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 (56 °F) / 4.1 °C (39 °F), 18 rain days56 °F (13.2 °C) / 39 °F (4.1 °C), 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 (59 °F) / 5.8 °C (42 °F), 19 rain days59 °F (15 °C) / 42 °F (5.8 °C), 19 rain daysCrowds: Medium
- NovemberGreatInside Milford Sound's best window: Nov–Apr (long days, road open); rain year-round.16.4 °C (62 °F) / 7.6 °C (46 °F), 18 rain days62 °F (16.4 °C) / 46 °F (7.6 °C), 18 rain daysCrowds: Medium
- DecemberGreatInside Milford Sound's best window: Nov–Apr (long days, road open); rain year-round.18.5 °C (65 °F) / 9.7 °C (49 °F), 18 rain days65 °F (18.5 °C) / 49 °F (9.7 °C), 18 rain daysCrowds: High · 1 festival or holiday
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Milford Sound, side by side.
Verdict
Jan: Great
Feb: Great
Daytime high
Jan: 19.5 °C (67 °F)67 °F (19.5 °C)
Feb: 20 °C (68 °F)68 °F (20 °C)
Night low
Jan: 10.7 °C (51 °F)51 °F (10.7 °C)
Feb: 10.7 °C (51 °F)51 °F (10.7 °C)
Rain days
Jan: 18
Feb: 16 (better)
Crowds
Jan: High
Feb: High
Prices
Jan: High
Feb: High
Festivals listed
Jan: 1
Feb: 0
January: Inside Milford Sound's best window: Nov–Apr (long days, road open); rain year-round.
February: Inside Milford Sound's best window: Nov–Apr (long days, road open); rain year-round.
Milford Sound: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.