Nova Zhang
Milford Sound in New Zealand is renowned for its breathtaking beauty and rich biodiversity, with its steep-sided, deep U-shaped inlet or fjord, created by glaciers millions of years ago. The area is home to a unique mix of fresh and saltwater, with a 10-15 metre layer of freshwater formed by heavy rainfall, floating above the saltwater below. This dark top layer blocks much of the sunlight from the lower salty layer, which is a few degrees warmer. The fiord's unique geography, with its deep, narrow channels and low salinity levels, makes it less suitable for many shark species. While the likelihood of encountering sharks in Milford Sound is very low, it is not impossible.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Sharks in Milford Sound | The likelihood of encountering sharks in Milford Sound is very low and rare |
| Marine Life | Seals, dolphins, penguins, brachiopods, shellfish, starfish, lobsters, conga eels, sponges, black coral, octopus, perch, wrasse, crayfish, nudibranchs, rays, seahorses, kelp reef fish, and more |
| Geography | Deep, narrow channels with low salinity levels |
| Water Temperature | 45-degree water |
| Water Layers | 10-15 meters of freshwater on top of saltwater |
| Wildlife | New Zealand birds, Whio ducks, Tawaki penguins, fur seals |
| Biodiversity | Rich biodiversity, including various fish species and marine plants |
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What You'll Learn
The likelihood of shark sightings in Milford Sound
That being said, it is important to remember that the marine world is diverse and ever-changing. While the chances of spotting sharks in Milford Sound are slim, it is always prudent to exercise caution and adhere to any safety guidelines provided by local authorities or cruise operators.
Milford Sound is renowned for its breathtaking beauty and rich marine ecosystem, which sparks curiosity about the presence of sharks in its waters. The fiord is home to a variety of marine life, including New Zealand fur seals, dolphins, and penguins. Seals find refuge along the rocky shoreline and occasionally swim in the fiord, while dolphins delight onlookers with their playful antics. The unique mix of fresh and saltwater in Milford Sound provides a habitat for many species that typically live at greater depths, such as black coral, which usually lives around 75 metres down but thrives at 10 metres in Milford Sound.
While shark sightings are rare, there have been rumours of their presence in the area. Divers have reported hearing strange barking sounds and sensing a seal eyeing them but staying out of sight. The colony of fur seals in Milford Sound is much smaller than the population outside the Sound on Stewart Island, where they are a favourite food of New Zealand's great white sharks.
Overall, the chances of encountering sharks in Milford Sound are very low, but the fiord offers a captivating array of other marine life to discover.
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The rich biodiversity of Milford Sound
The dark top layer of freshwater, stained by tannins picked up from plants and soil, blocks much of the sunlight from the lower saltwater layer. This means that many marine creatures, including some that usually live in much deeper water, can be found near the surface. The underwater world of Milford Sound includes coral forests, sponges, conga eels, lobsters, starfish, octopus, perch, wrasse, and more.
Milford Sound is also home to a variety of birds, including the rare Whio, a type of duck with deep blue feathers that blends in with the water. The area is a haven for these ducks, as they thrive under forest canopies and are one of the only ducks in the world to live in fast-flowing rivers.
New Zealand fur seals are a common sight in Milford Sound, with colonies living there year-round. The Tawaki, an endangered species of penguin, can also be found on the West Coast shores during breeding season from July to November.
While the likelihood of encountering sharks in Milford Sound is very low due to the fiord's unique geography and low salinity levels, there have been rumours of shark sightings and the presence of small spiny sharks, ground sharks, and Sevengills sharks.
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The unique geography of Milford Sound
Milford Sound is a fiord in the southwest of New Zealand's South Island. It is nestled in the Fiordland National Park, which is part of the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage Site. The fiord was formed by the erosion of ancient glaciers and is characterised by its steep-sided, deep U-shaped inlet. The rocks that make up Milford Sound were once part of a huge mountain range on the megacontinent of Gondwanaland over 600 million years ago.
The geography of Milford Sound is unique due to its high rainfall, which creates a distinct underwater environment. The freshwater drains through the lush forests, becoming stained with tannins, giving it a dark colour. This layer of freshwater sits on top of the seawater, blocking light and allowing deep-sea life to exist in relatively shallow waters. The fiord is home to the world's largest population of black coral trees, with about seven million colonies, some of which are up to 200 years old.
The high rainfall in Milford Sound also contributes to the dramatic landscapes and an abundance of temporary waterfalls. The rainfall creates dozens of temporary waterfalls cascading down the cliff faces, some reaching a thousand metres in length. The most iconic peak in Milford Sound is Mitre Peak, standing at 1,692 metres above sea level. It is named after its resemblance to a bishop's mitre.
Milford Sound is also home to a diverse range of marine mammals and wildlife. Species such as seals, dolphins, penguins, and numerous seabirds can be found in the area. It is also a breeding site for the endangered Tawaki penguins, making it an Important Bird Area. The unique geography of Milford Sound, with its combination of freshwater and saltwater habitats, provides an ideal environment for a wide range of species to flourish.
Milford Sound offers a range of activities for visitors, including tramping, canoeing, and other water sports. The Milford Sound Underwater Observatory in Harrison's Cove allows visitors to explore the unique marine environment and observe deep-water animals such as black coral at a depth of 10 metres.
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The marine life that inhabits the fiords
Milford Sound, nestled within the breathtaking Fiordland National Park in New Zealand, is a mesmerizing fiord with towering cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and deep-blue waters. The marine life that inhabits the fiords is as diverse as the landscapes themselves, with a unique mix of fresh and saltwater species coexisting in the steep-sided, deep U-shaped inlet.
The fiord is home to a variety of marine mammals, including the New Zealand fur seals, or Antarctic fur seals, which can often be spotted sunbathing on Seal Rock. Seals were also a source of food for the Maori people when they first arrived at Milford Sound. The fiord is also home to the southernmost wild population of bottlenose dolphins, and Hector's dolphins, the world's smallest and rarest dolphin species, can also be seen leaping playfully through the waves.
Whales, including humpback and southern right whales, are increasingly observed in the area due to the recovery of these species. The rare Tawaki penguins, recognised by their bright orange beak and crown of golden blonde feathers, can be found on the West Coast shores during their breeding season from July to November.
The underwater forests of Milford Sound are just as rich in biodiversity as its shores. There are about seven million coral colonies, including black coral, which usually lives at depths far beyond the reach of divers, but in Milford Sound, it can be found at shallower depths of around 10 metres. This provides a rare opportunity for divers to witness this ancient species, which has been building its underwater forests for 200 million years. Other rarely glimpsed sea creatures include brachiopods, a primitive type of shellfish, and spiny starfish, which nibble on seashells as they move across the underwater landscape.
The unique environment of Milford Sound, with its high annual rainfall and resulting layer of freshwater, creates a dark top layer that blocks much of the sunlight from the lower saltwater layer. This means that many species of marine life, including those that normally live in deeper waters, can be found hanging out near the surface. Divers can explore this underwater world, but the remote location and challenging diving conditions mean that it is not a typical tropical diving destination.
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Diving in the sheltered fiords
The dive itself can be challenging, with depths of up to 265 metres and poor visibility due to the freshwater layer. Divers need to be aware of the potential for decompression sickness, known as the "bends", when ascending to higher altitudes after diving. However, the rewards of diving in Milford Sound are great. The unique environment has led to the development of a diverse range of marine life, with many species typically found in deeper waters now accessible to divers.
The fiords are home to stunning deep-water coral trees, including the rare black coral, which usually lives at greater depths. Divers can also expect to encounter a variety of marine life, such as crayfish, moray eels, octopus, stingray, nudibranch, dog or carpet sharks, and even the occasional seven-gill shark. Over 150 species of fish have been recorded in the fiords, including warm water and cool water species. The playful New Zealand fur seal is also a common sight, with colonies living in Milford Sound year-round.
For those seeking a more relaxed experience, the Milford Sound Underwater Observatory in Harrison's Cove offers the chance to descend 10 metres under the water and observe the marine life through windows. This includes anemones, mussels, sea stars, conga eels, sponges, black coral, octopus, perch, wrasse, and even dolphins, sharks, and seals.
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Frequently asked questions
While the likelihood of encountering sharks in Milford Sound is minimal, it is not impossible. The majority of sharks prefer open ocean habitats and deeper waters, but the unique geography of the fiord, with its deep, narrow channels and low salinity levels, makes it less suitable for many shark species. However, there have been rumoured sightings of sharks, and some divers have claimed to have seen sevengill sharks in the area.
Milford Sound is home to a rich marine ecosystem, including New Zealand fur seals, dolphins, penguins, and various fish species, colourful sponges, and intriguing marine plants. The area is also known for its black coral forests, which thrive in the unique mix of fresh and saltwater.
Diving in Milford Sound offers a unique experience due to the area's distinct characteristics. The freshwater layer can be up to 15 meters deep, creating a dark environment below. The temperature can be as low as 45 degrees Fahrenheit, requiring a thick exposure suit. The dive site also presents a challenge due to its remote location and elevation, with divers advised to spend a night in Milford before ascending to avoid decompression sickness.
