The 14 Best Milford Sound Tours & Cruises

1.Premium Milford Sound Small Group Tour & Cruise from Queenstown

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3,001 reviews · from $216Our pick

Travel from Queenstown to Milford Sound in a small group of up to 15, with hotel pickup, live commentary, scenic stops, snacks, water, lunch, and a two-hour cruise. Guides such as Andy, Jess, Joe, Danny, and Dean bring local stories and Maori folklore to the long road journey. The drive is winding but avoids the stress of self-driving.

“Excellent small group tour . Felt more intimate Excellent guide Drop off and pick up excellent Guide Dean was excellent”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Cruise Milford NZ Small Boutique Cruise Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,930 reviews · from $111

Cruise Milford takes you across Milford Sound for about 1 hour 45 minutes on a smaller boat capped at half capacity. Expect lounge-style seating, live skipper commentary, tea, coffee, biscuits, and close views of Mitre Peak, waterfalls, seals, dolphins, and possibly penguins. You board at Milford Sound and return to the same point.

“Excellent views of the fjord. Easy check in. Accommodate at least 30 mins prior to boat time to walk from the parking lot to the boat terminals. Otherwise, check in process was smooth.”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.2-Hour Small Boat Scenic Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 2,561 reviews · 2 hours · from $101

Cruise Milford Sound for two hours with Mitre Peak Cruises, the fiord’s smallest operator. Your skipper points out Mitre Peak, Stirling Falls, Seal Rock, and more while the boat gets close enough for waterfall spray. You can move between indoor and outdoor decks, use free hot drinks, and watch for seals, dolphins, and Fiordland crested penguins.

“Was really good, want to go back when it's raining also.”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.2-Hour Milford Sound Scenic Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,520 reviews · from $104

Make your own way to Milford Sound’s visitor center for a two-hour Mitre Peak Cruises sailing. A smaller boat takes you close to Bowen Falls, Mitre Peak, cliffs, seals, dolphins, and perhaps Fiordland crested penguins, with live commentary and free tea, coffee, and hot chocolate.

“Great day out, the scenery is stunning and we saw some seals as well. The staff were really helpful and polite, it was great that they didn't overfill the boat and we had loads of space to move around and see everything. Booking was easy, Read more”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Nature Cruise on a Modern Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,006 reviews · 1h 45m · from $92

Take Pure Milford’s 105-minute cruise from Milford Sound Visitor Centre aboard a spacious catamaran with three levels, wide windows, outdoor decks, live commentary, and HD screens showing the view outside. Expect waterfalls, seals, possible dolphins and penguins, plus close approaches to the cliffs and spray.

“The Skippers excellent, witty and fun narrative, with so many interesting facts. The stability of the craft, friendly nature of the crew.”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Premium Milford Sound Tour, Cruise & Lunch from Te Anau

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 755 reviews · from $185

Travel from Te Anau to Milford Sound with guides such as Steve or Jeremy, stopping at Mirror Lakes, Lake Gunn, the Homer Tunnel, and other Fiordland sights. Your day includes a picnic lunch, snacks, water, and a smaller-boat cruise with chances to see seals, dolphins, penguins, waterfalls, and Mitre Peak.

“The small group tour from Te Anau was fantastic. Our driver Steve was an absolute highlight of the experience with his knowledge of Milford Sound and NZ as a whole. He made the whole day relaxed, comfortable and fun. We were also ablRead more”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Nature Cruise – Grand Views & Optional Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 723 reviews · 90 - 135 minutes · from $98

Cruise Milford Sound for up to two hours on Southern Discoveries’ roomy catamaran, with outdoor decks, indoor windows, live English commentary, and optional lunch. You’ll pass Mitre Peak, Bowen Falls, Stirling Falls, and Copper Point, with chances to see fur seals, dolphins, and Fiordland crested penguins. Guide Courtney has earned special praise for her friendly, engaging style.

“One of the most beautiful places I've ever seen! Worth every penny! We went on the 11.15am boat and it was amazing as it wasn't full. We were super lucky with the weather (no rain) and the views are absolutely stunning. Wish there was a bit more info by the speaker but recommend it 100%, def worth it ❤️”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Milford Sound Premium Coach & Cruise from Queenstown with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 581 reviews · from $214

Travel from Queenstown to Milford Sound in a glass-roof coach with local commentary, scenic stops, and USB charging. Cruise the fiord for up to two hours, with buffet lunch, tea, and coffee included. Guides such as Vaughan, Yoda, Greg, and Junior are praised for keeping the long day engaging, but expect many hours on the road.

“The bus driver was informative and kind. The buffet was delicious and offered a variety of food. The cruise was smooth and seemed to be the right amount of time.”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Milford Sound Day Tour with Scenic Cruise from Queenstown

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 547 reviews · from $197

Spend a full day travelling from Queenstown to Milford Sound with an informative coach driver, stops at Mirror Lakes, Homer Tunnel, and Monkey Creek, then take a 90-minute scenic cruise with lunch included. The glass-roof coach has WiFi, selected hotel transfers, and space for up to 48 people.

“Absolutely breathtaking, had picnic lunch can choose buffet. Scenery was awesome and driver very informative.”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Wildlife & Nature Cruises

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 513 reviews · 2 hours · from $92

Cruise the full length of Milford Sound for two hours aboard The Haven, The Mariner, or The Sovereign. Your skipper adjusts the route for weather and wildlife, while guides such as Aiden share stories about Fiordland. Expect close waterfall views, outdoor decks, indoor lounges, a cafe, and chances to spot seals, dolphins, and penguins.

“We toured Milford Sound onboard the Milford Haven. The boat was great with lots of space indoors and outdoors. Drinks and food onboard was at a reasonable price. The cruise of the Sound was one of our highlights of our New Zealand trip. Gorgeous scenery everywhere and we were blessed with great weather.”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.Milford Sound Cruise – RealNZ

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 467 reviews · from $96

Spend two hours aboard the Milford Haven or Milford Mariner, cruising the full length of Piopiotahi from Milford Sound toward the Tasman Sea. You can watch from an outdoor deck or indoor lounge while the crew points out cliffs, waterfalls, seals, dolphins, and possibly Fiordland crested penguins. Food is available to buy, but bring rainwear and arrive early.

“Excellent cruise to enjoy the untouched beauty of the Milford Sounds. The views are breathtaking, and the waterfalls are superb, the best part is that you get to see them up close.”

Check availability →Read our full review

12.Milford Sound Nature Cruise with Southern Discoveries

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 325 reviews · from $102

Board Southern Discoveries at the Milford Sound Visitor Centre for a 1-hour-45-minute nature cruise beneath Mitre Peak and Stirling Falls. Your skipper provides live commentary while you watch for seals, dolphins, and Fiordland crested penguins. Tea and coffee are free, and picnic lunch upgrades are available.

“Good overall! Would reccommend. Our booking did not have that many people so it was nice to move around and not feel crowded.”

Check availability →Read our full review

13.Milford Sound Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 252 reviews · from $89Best value

Cruise Milford Sound aboard Pure Milford’s three-deck catamaran, with two glass roofs, open and covered viewing decks, café-bar service, and live commentary from the skipper and crew. The boat travels to the Tasman Sea and back, passing Mitre Peak, Bowen Falls, Stirling Falls, Seal Rock, and other major sights.

“It’s a must see when visiting the South Island. Gorgeous views, good food and good drinks. Love it so much!”

Check availability →Read our full review

14.Milford Sound Cruise: Stunning Views & Optional Picnic or Buffet

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 217 reviews · from $102

Board Southern Discoveries at Milford Wharf for an approximately 1 hour 45 minute cruise through Fiordland. You will pass Mitre Peak, Bowen Falls, Stirling Falls, and Seal Point while watching for dolphins, fur seals, and penguins. Choose the cruise alone, a picnic, or a buffet lunch. Commentary is live, with a multilingual app available.

“Absolutely stunning views and experience. We had fantastic weather and even though it was -2 degrees the sun and the wildlife kept us warm and distracted. Seals, Dolphins, Crested Penguins and we think 2 Albatross made for an awesome trip. Just loved it. Even the trip from Te Anua to the Sound was very scenic and enjoyable.”

Check availability →Read our full review