Milford Sound Cruise: Stunning Views & Optional Picnic or Buffet
Overview
Available languages
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 To Expect
Your journey starts here, check in with friendly staff at least 15 minutes prior to departure.
Fiordland National Park
Fiordland National Park is in the southwest of New Zealand’s South Island. It’s known for the glacier-carved fiords of Doubtful and Milford sounds. A beech forest trail on the sandy Milford shore offers views of towering Mitre Peak. Nearby, the craggy Earl Mountains are reflected in the glassy surface of Mirror Lakes. On the Cleddau River, the Chasm Walk passes over bridges with views of powerful waterfalls.
What‘s Included
Multi-lingual app for commentary available: App Store and Google Play search Southern Discoveries
Lunch (if option selected)
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
1.15pm Nature Cruise & Picnic
1:15pm Nature with Picnic: 2-hour Milford Sound Nature Cruise with a freshly packed Picnic Lunch.
10.30am Nature Cruise & Picnic
2 Hour Milford Sound Nature Cruise with complimentary tea and coffee.
12.45pm Nature Cruise only
12.45pm Nature Cruise only
1.15pm Nature Cruise only
1:15pm Nature Cruise: 2 Hour Milford Sound Nature Cruise with Complimentary Tea & Coffee.
3.45pm Nature Cruise & Picnic
3.45pm Nature Cruise & Picnic
3.15pm Nature Cruise only
Milford Sound Nature Cruise for 1 hour 45 mins with complimentary tea and coffee.
11.15am Nature Cruise & Buffet
11.15am Nature with Buffet: 1hour 45min Milford Sound Nature Cruise with a freshly made buffet onboard
11.15am Nature Cruise & Picnic
11.15am Nature with Picnic: 1hour 45min Milford Sound Nature Cruise with a freshly packed Picnic Lunch.
3.45pm Nature Cruise only
3.45pm Nature Cruise only
12:45pm Nature Cruise & Picnic
12.45pm Nature Cruise & Picnic
10.30am Nature Cruise only
Milford Sound Nature Cruise for 2 hours. Includes complimentary tea and coffee
1.15pm Nature Cruise & Buffet
1.15pm Nature with Buffet: 1hour 45min Milford Sound Nature Cruise with a freshly made buffet onboard
1.30pm Nature Cruise & Picnic
1.30pm Nature Cruise & Picnic
11.15am Nature Cruise only
1hr 45min Nature Cruise
1.30pm Nature Cruise & Buffet
1.30pm Nature Cruise & Buffet
1.30pm Nature Cruise only
1.30pm Nature Cruise only
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.
Reviews
238 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Awesome view
BrendaK00,Mar 29, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Milford Sound is a must-see—the scenery is absolutely amazing!
Long, but great
Passport434674,Mar 23, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The day was long but great. We got lucky, we had beautiful weather. Our driver and tour guide was Ivan and he was incredible. He kept us entertained with information and drove smoothly. The ride there was almost as good as the boat trip! Beautiful scenery, and stops, and plenty of bathroom breaks. Ivan kept us informed so we knew what to expect throughout the day. The ride back is a necessary evil (unless you opt for the helicopter!), but we just drifted in and out of sleep.
A magical experience with Southern Discoveries
luningningverab,Mar 23, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was the most magical experience ever and Southern Discoveries helped me achieve my dream! KEITH, the driver/guide was so accommodating and funny and knowledgeable. He was the best!
Nice gentle cruise in exceptionally beautiful setting.
I5059BXwilliamh,Mar 19, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Nice gentle cruise in exceptionally beautiful setting.
Expensive and overcrowded but cool to see
Resort23802382640,Mar 18, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00It was pretty expensive, food was really bad, and WAY WAY WAY to crowded with rude and inconsiderate ppl. The bus ride there was super nice(fancy expensive interior with huge windows and sky lights so you could see everywhere), boat was average.
The sound
Richard S,Mar 18, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00It's a lovely boat and Cruise and well worth the money. We were a bit spoiled by a previous sailboat that only has 16 people so we were not as happy as we could have been but that's the way it goes.
Recommend
hoooops,Mar 16, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The best guide/driver Vaughn. Very kind and well guide us. Would recommend to find him. Lunch buffet, food is general, but my parents are happy with it.
Looked after and had an amazing experience
Passenger59553821343,Mar 7, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Bus driver was really friendly and pointed out key landmarks on our way to Milford Sounds. The cruise was amazing and once again we were taken care of by the captain and crew. The buffet was great. Over all the experience was amazing and would recommend Southern Discoveries most highly.
Day trip to Milford Fiord was good.
Shane H,Mar 3, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Day trip to Milford fiord was good. The bus ride from Te Anua was long. Felt like we didn’t need to stop in a valley or a short board walk at a stagnant pond. Toilet break was probably the only stop needed. Bus driver Michael was excellent. Great driver. Ellie our tour leader was brilliant. Very informative and friendly. Helpful also. She needs to work on some of her jokes tho. 😉. The boat ride itself was good. It was quite windy the day we went. Beautiful fiord. Waterfalls and mountains. Great scenery. All up a great fun day with family. Definitely don’t drive a vehicle out there. Go on a bus. It’s $10 an hour to park near the terminal. Or park for free about 25 mins walk to the terminal.
a perfect day!
kaytU3033QA,Mar 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Even the bus ride from Te Anau to Milford Sound was an experience: the stunning scenery and excellent explanations from our bus driver, Michael. What's more, Michael's humor kept us laughing! The cruise on the fjord was not only interesting but also relaxing.
From NZ$165.00
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Operated by Southern Discoveries