When to go · Milford Sound
Milford Sound in May
Mixed month. Outside 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.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Mixed
- Temperature
- 13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C) / 5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 18
- Crowds
- Low
- New Zealand overall
- Prices
- Low
- New Zealand overall
Verdict
Outside 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.
Is another month better than May?
May is rated mixed. These months rate higher:
- NovemberGreatInside Milford Sound's best window: Nov–Apr (long days, road open); rain year-round.
- DecemberGreatInside Milford Sound's best window: Nov–Apr (long days, road open); rain year-round.
- JanuaryGreatInside Milford Sound's best window: Nov–Apr (long days, road open); rain year-round.
- FebruaryGreatInside Milford Sound's best window: Nov–Apr (long days, road open); rain year-round.
Weather in May
- Milford SoundHighs around 12.5 °C (55 °F), lows around 4.9 °C (41 °F), rain on about 18 daysHighs around 55 °F (12.5 °C), lows around 41 °F (4.9 °C), rain on about 18 days
- West Coast and Fiordland, New Zealand · Franz Josef, Fox, Milford Sound, Te Anaurainy
Among the wettest places on earth (Milford gets 6–7 m a year): rain makes the waterfalls, but slips close roads; sandflies all summer.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · New Zealand overall
- Low
- Prices · New Zealand overall
- Low
New Zealand overall: Cool and short days; Great Walk huts leave peak season, services thin; good value in the north.
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Milford Sound, side by side.
Verdict
May: Mixed
Jan: Great (better)
Daytime high
May: 12.5 °C (55 °F)55 °F (12.5 °C)
Jan: 19.5 °C (67 °F)67 °F (19.5 °C)
Night low
May: 4.9 °C (41 °F)41 °F (4.9 °C)
Jan: 10.7 °C (51 °F)51 °F (10.7 °C)
Rain days
May: 18
Jan: 18
Crowds
May: Low
Jan: High
Prices
May: Low
Jan: High
Festivals listed
May: 0
Jan: 1
May: Outside 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.
January: 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.
What to pack
- A warm coat, hat and gloves for mornings and evenings
- A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast