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
Day Trip from Queenstown
Duration: 12 hours
Packed Lunch Box included
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
Reviews
2,937 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Really enjoyed our trip....
Belinda W,,Jan 30, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Really enjoyed our trip. Great commentary although we needed to move away from the back of the boat to hear. Lovely to have tea, coffee and biscuits included. Very well organised. We were extremely lucky to encounter a pod of dolphins and the captain was happy to stop to let us really enjoy the experience with them,
Such an amazing way to...
chase b,,Jan 29, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Such an amazing way to see the fjord. Except the driver could spend a bit more time at the final waterfall but other than that still a 10/10
A Perfect Day
Mobile58504620400,,Jan 29, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was a very easy booking system and the website gave useful information of how to get to Milford Sound and the Check - In process. The boat had comfortable seating and was clean, tea and coffee making facilities were available and taking own food on board was permitted. The staff were friendly and efficient. The safety briefing at the start and the subsequent informative commentaries were given in a friendly manner which made them a pleasure to listen to. The boat stopped in certain places eg. waterfalls and seal colonies, to enable people to get a better look. It was a damp, windy day which made the waterfalls look great, but to go onto the outdoor deck for better viewing would be a challenge for anyone who was unsteady on their feet.
Relaxed boat tour on the fjord of Milford Sound.
Rex V,,Jan 29, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Nice and relaxed boat trip in the beautiful Milford Sound fjord. Free coffee and thee with cookies and allowed to bring your own sandwiches. If going by car from Queenstown, please allow for plenty more time to travel as the last part of the road is quite winding and foremost, you want photo breaks as the route brings you to beautiful views! It took us 6 hours instead of the 4 hours Google maps showed...
Good value for money
X9262DAkarolinag,,Jan 28, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Awesome cruise, nice views, and good organisation 🙂 We saw sea lions, but unfortunately no penguins. We had pretty nice weather without rain.
We had a fantastic time...
Mary W,,Jan 28, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We had a fantastic time visiting Milford Sound. We were able to see many waterfalls throughout the sound. We also were very fortunate to see a pair of dolphins following our boat cruise, as well as seals resting on the rocks. Well worth the money.
Milford Magic.
Gerald M,,Jan 28, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Milford Sound. What can I say. This is one of the most beautiful and majestic places I have ever seen. The boat ride was great. The shop is comfortable and our Captain was an excellent guide. It is a long drive to the sound, but the drive itself is worth seeing for its beauty. I highly recommend this tour.
Fantastic experience with a dolphin encounter!
868emilyo,,Jan 28, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our experience with Cruise Milford was fantastic from start to finish. It was made even better by Matej who was very attentive throughout the trip, offering to take photos and tell us about Milford sound. He really went above and beyond to make everyone’s experience great. We went on the 8.45 trip and were one of the first boats out which I think made a big difference as the water had been undisturbed. The boat was well equipped and comfy and not overloaded with passengers. We were lucky enough to see dolphins, which stayed with our boat for around half an hour. A truly memorable experience and I highly recommended.
Spectacular experience
87margp,,Jan 28, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Amazing and breathtaking views. Dan the cruise boat driver was so informative and knew his history. Excellent driver as well.
Great all round cruise.
BrunoC1083,,Jan 27, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Excellent cruise with great crew. The dolphin sighting was great. Pity about some rude passengers standing in front of others that were at their spot first and refusing to move when asked to.
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Operated by Cruise Milford New Zealand Ltd.