Fodor's Expert Review Milford Discovery Centre & Underwater Observatory

Even in heavy rain and storms Milford Sound is magical. Rainfall is so excessive that a coat of up to 20 feet of fresh water floats on the surface of the saltwater fjord. Lightly stained with tannins from the plants and soil, it creates a unique underwater environment similar to that found at a much greater depth in the open ocean. Head downstairs at the Milford Underwater Observatory, and you can see rare black coral (that looks white) as well as anemones, starfish, octopus, and any number of fish swimming by. The Discovery Centre and Observatory is operated by Southern Discoveries and is only accessible by boat; you can add it on to most Milford Sound cruises.