Private Tour
Cruise Milford NZ Small Boutique Cruise Experience
Overview
Available languages
1 hour 45 minutes
Mobile ticket
Rated one of the Top 10 Experiences in New Zealand.
Join our boutique small boat cruise and experience Milford Sound the "local" way.
We limit passenger numbers on all cruises to half of the boats capacity (capacity 150 passengers) to guarantee an uncrowded and much more personal experience.
Let us show you our backyard on this once in a lifetime experience.
Relax with complimentary coffee, tea and biscuits and enjoy the skipper’s live commentary while marvelling at the breath-taking scenery.
The smaller size of the vessel enables us to get you up close and personal with the local wildlife like New Zealand Fur Seals, dolphins and the very rare Fiordland Crested Penguin (spring/early summer). A “Glacial Facial” under the Sterling Falls is an experience not to be missed.
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Please feel free to bring your own food and drinks on-board the cruise.
Please note proof of age for children is required upon check-in at Milford Sound.
For any extra information regarding the drive, transport or the cruise please contact us via phone or email.
The main car park at Milford Sound costs $10 per hour. Payment can be made at payment stations on site. This Car park area is approximately a 10 minute walk to the Milford Sound Visitor Terminal building.
A free car park is available on the corner of Milford Road and Deepwater basin, the walk from here to the Milford Sound Visitor Terminal building will take approximately 40min.
Disability Parking can be found outside the main Milford Sound Visitor Terminal and is wheelchair accessible.
Office hours for bookings assistance: 8am to 8pm
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Milford Sound
The best thing about Milford Sound Cruises is that the weather doesn’t matter! On a sunny day, it is beautiful and on a wet day it is spectacular! Fiordland has some of the worlds highest waterfalls and they are a popular feature of Milford Sound. In all weather, you will see water cascading down massive cliffs into the sea. Milford Sound is in the Fiordland National Park, which is part of the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage site which covers 26,000km² and encompassing four national parks. It is widely considered to be one of the World’s top travel destinations. At Cruise Milford we know that you will have a wonderful and truly memorable day out on your Milford Sound cruise. We love sharing the natural beauty of this special place to visitors and your captain will inform you about the Sound, it’s history and wildlife.
Mitre Peak
Mitre Peak is the most photographed mountain located in New Zealand
What‘s Included
Complimentary coffee, tea and biscuits on-board all sailings
No food sold on-board the cruise
Parking fee- $10 per hour (Payment can be made at the parking stations on site with card only).
Options
Cruise only
Award-winning customer service: Received TripAdvisor Best of the Best award for New Zealand experience in 2019 & 2020
Duration: 2 hours: all cruises have a duration of 1hr 45min
free coffee, tea and biscuits
Full length of Milford Sound: We cruise down the southern side of the fiord, turn around in the Tasman Sea and travel back on the northern side
Boat: Our two boats hold 150 passengers- all cruises are limited to 75 to guarantee an uncrowded experience
uncrowded experience: Join our uncrowded boutique small boat cruise on Milford Sound. We limit passenger numbers to 1/2 of our capacity
Day Trip from Queenstown
Duration: 12 hours
Packed Lunch Box included
Reviews
3,077 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Boutique cruise
Tony B,Mar 30, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Boat smaller than other firms giving a more personal voyage. Good safety brief, informative PA, free hot drinks
Very pleasant unhurried tour
Climber20164622922,Mar 30, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great tour, small boat with easy access to optimize photos. Gets very close to waterfalls. quiet and pleasant, knowledgeable captain and crew
Great experience with Cruise Milford.
briangagenc,Mar 29, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great time with Captain Chris and his assistant Faye. Strongly recommend small boat cruise company Cruise Milford.
Yes
Colin J,Mar 28, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We arrived early and they changed our booking for an earlier booking which we thought was very good not overcrowded good knowledge of the sounds
What a view
patrickmK3103QE,Mar 28, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A fantastic cruise, really smooth. Don't worry about your seat because everyone is up and moving around the whole time after you've taken off. Gorgeous views.
Fantastic Small Cruise On Milford Sound
ROSLYN P,Mar 27, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00The Small Boat Cruise was fantastic. It was not crowded and the cruise was more intimate, we were able to sail under a waterfall and right up close to mountains and rocky outcrops. The Captain was very informative and interesting when sailing us around Milford Sound. We had a great and memorable experience.
Wonderful experience
cameronwV9321IQ,Mar 27, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Had a fantastic trip on Milford Sound. The staff on board were friendly and informative. The smaller boat allowed us to get us up close to seals and waterfalls. Would highly recommend this trip.
Great
Flyer767137,Mar 26, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We were very lucky with the weather which made it much more enjoyable than if it was raining. Tea and Coffee provided but not advertised, which was a nice touch.
Very nice experience
Aurelie N,Mar 26, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00A very nice experience for our honeymoon. Everything was perfect and we had the chance to have a wonderful time and see beautiful mammals.
The cruise is great but...
Idalia P,Mar 26, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00The cruise is great but hearing the descriptions/tour guide is difficult while sitting outside. The small boat definitely got closer to the waterfall spray than a larger boat after us.
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Operated by Cruise Milford New Zealand Ltd.