However, some respondents felt traffic around the Milford village "negatively affected" their experience.
The survey was completed as part of a joint agency project between Environment Southland (ES) and the Department of Conservation (Doc), which aims to develop a holistic approach to how activities - for which they have statutory responsibility in Fiordland - are managed.
Doc Southland Conservancy community relations manager Martin Kessick said the report was an "important step forward" in working with the community to ensure the right management direction for Milford.
"It's about listening to what people consider is most important about Milford and ensuring the things that make it special are protected."
The report was the culmination of four years' work between Doc, ES and community representatives and was seen as an opportunity to ensure the area was managed "appropriately" to enable all users to enjoy the area.
User groups were identified and surveyed over February and April this year.
Tourism Industry Association advocacy manager Geoff Ensor said for most user groups, viewing wildlife and experiencing peace and quiet were two other important opportunities.
"While we knew the scenery of Milford Sound/Piopiotahi was particularly important to visitors, we now have a better understanding of the other attractions that draw visitors to the area."
Milford Sound attracted more than 500,000 visitors annually and the results of the survey showed many of the users had a good experience.
However, monitoring had found the experience of several user groups was being impacted on by "some activities", with several thresholds having been exceeded.
A "number of private boaties, hunters/climbers/trampers and workers" felt traffic around the Milford village "negatively affected" their experience at Milford.
Overall, most users said they were not affected by traffic around the village, fishing boats, or other visitors.
Just over half of New Zealand visitors completing the survey thought the number of visitors to Milford Sound "was about right", while 26% thought there were a few or "far too many" visitors.
Nearly two-thirds of international visitors completing the survey (63%) thought the number of visitors to was about right, with 17% thinking there were a few, or far too many.
Planes and helicopters recorded the greatest proportion of negative responses in the survey.
Visitor responses were not significantly different between February (peak-use season) and April (shoulder-use season).
Cruise boats in Milford Sound were shown to have "no effect upon most people", although, several kayakers and divers on a commercial trip, private boaties, and hunters/climbers/trampers felt cruise boats negatively affected their experience at Milford on their trips.
ES policy and planning manager Ken Swinney said as part of the project, ES and Doc were assessing planning documents to see if they aligned, or could align more closely, to the important values of the area.
