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Milford Sound Cruise: Stunning Views & Optional Picnic or Buffet

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From NZD 159

Number of Travelers

Overview

Available languages

German
Portuguese
Korean
English
Chinese (China)
French
Spanish

1 hour 45 minutes

Mobile ticket

Get closer to Milford Sound's natural wonders aboard our spacious, purpose-built catamarans. Enjoy more room to move around, with incredible views from our outdoor viewing decks or cosy interior cabins.

Get closer to the famous waterfalls and towering cliffs of Milford Sound, plus expert commentary sharing fascinating insights into the local wildlife and geological formations. Download our free app for commentary in eight languages.

Includes options to pre-order a freshly prepared picnic lunch or choose the To Kai buffet on selected departers. With 70+ years of expertise, we deliver unforgettable journeys in this breathtaking landscape and ensure a premium experience for all.

Additional Info

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

All passengers please advise country of origin at the time of booking

Car Parking: On arrival at Milford Sound you can park at the Milford Sound carpark at a fee of $10 per hour. Please allow 10 minutes to walk from the main carpark to the Milford Wharf Visitor Centre. Alternatively, you can park free of charge at Deepwater Basin Carpark and walk over to Freshwater Basin to the Cruise Terminal. This walk is approximately 30 minutes in duration, so additional time will need to be allocated in order to do this comfortably and arrive at the terminal 15 minutes prior to your cruise for check-in.

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What‘s Included

Lunch (if option selected)

Multi-lingual app for cruise commentary

Sightseeing cruise on Milford Sound for up to 2 hours

Live commentary provided by the skipper

FREE tea and coffee are provided to all passengers

Hotel pickup and drop-off

On arrival at Milford Sound you can park at the Milford Sound carpark at a fee of $10 per hour.

Options

11.15am Nature Cruise & Buffet

11.15am Nature with Buffet: 1hour 45min Milford Sound Nature Cruise with a freshly made buffet onboard

10.30am Nature Cruise only

Milford Sound Nature Cruise for 2 hours. Includes complimentary tea and coffee

12:30pm Nature Cruise & Picnic

12:30pm Nature Cruise & Picnic

1.30pm Nature Cruise & Picnic

1.30pm Nature Cruise & Picnic

12:45pm Nature Cruise & Picnic

12.45pm Nature Cruise & Picnic

3.45pm Nature Cruise & Picnic

3.45pm Nature Cruise & Picnic

11.15am Nature Cruise only

1hr 45min Nature Cruise

1.15pm Nature Cruise & Picnic

1:15pm Nature with Picnic: 2-hour Milford Sound Nature Cruise with a freshly packed Picnic Lunch.

2.45pm Nature Cruise only

2.45pm Nature Cruise only

2.45pm Nature Cruise & Picnic

2.45pm Nature Cruise & Picnic

1.15pm Nature Cruise only

1:15pm Nature Cruise: 2 Hour Milford Sound Nature Cruise with Complimentary Tea & Coffee.

10.30am Nature Cruise & Picnic

2 Hour Milford Sound Nature Cruise with complimentary tea and coffee.

1.30pm Nature Cruise & Buffet

1.30pm Nature Cruise & Buffet

3.15pm Nature Cruise & Picnic

Milford Sound Nature Cruise for 1 hour 45 mins. Includes a freshly prepared Picnic Lunch and complimentary tea and coffee.

3.45pm Nature Cruise only

3.45pm Nature Cruise only

9.30am Nature Cruise & Picnic

9.30am Nature Cruise & Picnic

1.15pm Nature Cruise & Buffet

1.15pm Nature with Buffet: 1hour 45min Milford Sound Nature Cruise with a freshly made buffet onboard

9.30am Nature Cruise only

9.30am Nature Cruise only

12.45pm Nature Cruise only

12.45pm Nature Cruise only

3.15pm Nature Cruise only

Milford Sound Nature Cruise for 1 hour 45 mins with complimentary tea and coffee.

1.30pm Nature Cruise only

1.30pm Nature Cruise only

11.15am Nature Cruise & Picnic

11.15am Nature with Picnic: 1hour 45min Milford Sound Nature Cruise with a freshly packed Picnic Lunch.

Reviews

4.43

192 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

122
44
14
10
2
  • Milford Sound in the sunshine.

    Richard M,

    Mar 9, 2025

    - Viator

    5.00

    Great views. Crew was very friendly. Bring a jacket. It was chilly and breezy on deck, even in the summer.

  • Fantastic sites, great commentary, beautiful buffet.

    Melissa K,

    Mar 9, 2025

    - Viator

    5.00

    Get there early to book in and line up. If you have the buffet you won’t be disappointed. This happens first thing so join the line and find a table. Be prepared for rain with wet weather jacket so you can be on the top deck for the best sites. If it rains you will get the most wonderful show of extra waterfalls.

  • Very beautiful, it feels...

    Brajesh K,

    Jan 24, 2025

    - Viator

    5.00

    Very beautiful, it feels like you are in heaven. Nice drive from Queenstown to Milford sound. Very good experience.

  • Amazing experience.

    Susan F,

    Oct 29, 2024

    - Viator

    5.00

    I've had 4 attempts over 55 years to see Milford Sound, and I finally have. It was everything I was hoping for. The staff were amazing! We arrived a couple of hours earlier than we were booked for, and were told we could get the early boat that was just about to leave. The scenery was breathtaking, commentary was informative and funny. You have to listen to the captains little jokes. The picnic lunch was great, the boat itself was very comfortable. The parking is expensive and the signage was confusing. Heard a few people ask the exact same question we asked.

  • Great location, poor sightseeing cruise and really lowsy food

    Matthew W,

    Oct 27, 2024

    - Viator

    2.00

    Purchased the cruise including buffet to complete our journey in NZ and was to be the highlight of the trip. Drove from Te Anau to Milford Sound. The drive was definitely 10/10. Picked up the tickets and passed several staff who greeted us whilst embarking the ship. Took our seats and awaited the start of the 11:15am cruise. About 20 minutes later we were away. An announcement was made that the buffet would be closing in 5 minutes. Generally I have been on other cruises where food is at the end of the trip and not before noon. Went to the buffet and it was rice, noodles, limp lettuce, quinoa, pork belly, small chicken wings and potato bake. The food had been clearly sitting there at least an hour as the sauce had developed a thick skin on it. Not worth the $70AUD paid. I only ate 2 mouthfuls and returned my plate, mentioning to a staff member there how bad it was, who just shrugged and said 'oh ok' - very disinterested. The rest of the cruise was a little better, but it did not get close to the waterfalls and returned after about 1h 15mins. There were 2 young male tour guides doing their best to impress the young female tourists only, which at least provided for some amusement. Limited narration was provided that was a bit uninspiring - I think he was concentrating on moving the ship. Overall, I would suggest packing your own lunch or buy some in Te Anau. I would not recommend this tour operator. Try a smaller cruise. The staff lack any enthusiasm or professionalism and this is evident in the experience received. I did receive a partial refund of the buffet from Natalija N. as a 'gesture of goodwill'. It was evident from their email that my complaints were not believed and that no improvements would be made. Milford Sound remains a must see for anyone visiting New Zealand's South Island.

From NZD 159

Number of Travelers

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Operated by Southern Discoveries

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