Cruises
Cruises are the most popular way to experience the beauty of Milford Sound, and a Milford Sound boat cruise is on the bucket list of most first-time visitors to the South Island of New Zealand.
Routinely ranked among the top three tourist destinations in New Zealand, Milford Sound is renowned for its beauty, with its mysterious grey waters, many waterfalls, surrounding steep cliffs and mountain peaks, and the chance to spot wildlife.
And what better way to experience this magical landscape than to get out onto the water on a leisurely cruise of the sound?
On a day cruise of Milford Sound, you get to admire the beautiful scenery in daylight, and look for wildlife.
To experience the sound late in the evening, overnight, or early in the morning, opt for a Milford Sound overnight cruise!
Milford Sound day cruises depart throughout the day, with more departures at mid-day and in the early afternoon to accommodate travelers arriving from Te Anau or Queenstown.
What to Expect on a Milford Sound Boat Cruise
Day cruises of Milford Sound last about two hours, plenty of time to admire the beauty of your surroundings from the deck of your boat.
Milford Sound is about 16 kilometers (9.94 miles) long from the head of the sound to the Tasman Sea, and on your Milford Sound cruise you will travel the length of the fjord, out into the open sea, and back to the terminal.
As you cruise on the dark waters of Milford Sound, you can take in the majesty of the peaks that surround the famous body of water.
Mitre Peak rises from the south shore of Milford Sound to loom over it. Mitre Peak is 1,692 meters (about 5,551 feet) tall, and got its name from the fact that it looks like a bishop’s head dress.
Mitre Peak, with the waters of Milford Sound at its base, makes for stunning photos.
Other mountain peaks to admire on your Milford Sound cruise are The Elephant and The Lion.
The many waterfalls of Milford Sound are among the top attractions here for visitors. They cascade down from the rainforest cliffs that surround Milford Sound and make for memorable photos.
There are two permanent waterfalls: Lady Bowen Falls and Stirling Falls. But if you visit after rains (which is much of the year!) you will see many more temporary cascades.
Look for seals, penguins, and birds as you cruise.
Best Milford Sound Cruises
In this article we have rounded up the best Milford Sound day cruises from which to choose.
Whether you visit on a sunny day or a rainy day, Milford Sound’s beauty will take your breath away.
This small boutique Milford Sound cruise gets rave reviews from participants for the more intimate experience provided by the smaller boat and smaller group size: the boat is only filled to one-half its capacity.
You have plenty of room to move around and take in the scenery from all angles, and there is luxury lounge seating if you want to sit down and relax as you take in the views.
The cruise is narrated and the crew, lauded for being accommodating and knowledgable, will answer questions and point out wildlife. Enjoy complimentary coffee, tea, and biscuits as you cruise.
The cruise lasts one hour and 45 minutes, with four departures during the day: 10.45, 12.45, 1.45, and 2.45.
On this cruise, boarding is at Milford Sound. No food is available for purchase onboard, so bring high-energy snacks to stay fueled as you cruise.
This top-rated cruise has a 5 star rating with over 2,650 reviews on Viator. Dates in high season tend to sell out so book early to get the date and cruise time you want!
>>> Check price and availability for this small-boat boutique Milford Sound cruise now!
This Milford Sound cruise offers the same small-boat boutique experience, with round trip transport from Queenstown. The popular cruise + coach option has a 5-star rating on Viator with over 2,200 reviews.
On the 5-hour journey from Queenstown to Milford Sound, you will be transported by premium Mercedes van, with stops at Lake Wakatipu, Lake Te Anau, Eglinton Valley, and Mirror Lakes.
Then you will enjoy your 2-hour cruise of Milford Sound before heading back to Queenstown.
You can opt to include a packed lunch (with vegetarian option).
>>> Check price and availability for this Milford Sound coach + cruise from Queenstown now!
You can also choose this cruise with round trip transport from Te Anau. The excursion lasts about 9 hours and your coach ride will include stops at several scenic locations: Eglinton Valley, Mirror Lakes, Lake Gunn, Pops View Lookout, and the Darran Mountains.
>>> Check price and availability for this Milford Sound coach + cruise from Te Anau now!
Want a tour led by a naturalist? On this small-vessel, small-group nature cruise that boards at Milford Sound, you will enjoy commentary and insights from a knowledgable naturalist.
Learn about the fascinating geology of Milford Sound (it’s actually a fjord, not a sound!), and about the wildlife you may be lucky enough to see, from fur seals to bottlenose dolphins and Fiordland crested penguins.
The cruise lasts about 2 hours and there are several departures each day: 10.30, 11.15, 1.30, and 3.15.
>>> Check price and availability for this naturalist-led Milford Sound cruise now!
You can also opt for the nature cruise with round-trip transport from Queenstown. This full-day excursion takes 12.5 hours, but the views are well worth the long day!
>>> Check price and availability for this coach + nature cruise from Queenstown now!
Top-Rated Milford Sound Tours