Once you’ve arrived at Milford Sound, the best way to see the fiord in all its glory is by boarding a cruise and getting out on the water. Milford Sound cruises must be experienced to be believed. The stunning sheer cliffs surrounding you, the inky blackness of the water and the frosty alpine peaks looming over it all combine to create a stunning tableau.
There are Milford Sound cruises departing throughout the day, giving you the chance to experience the fiord in all its different guises. However, most cruises depart in the middle of the day or the afternoon, allowing time to travel from Queenstown or Te Anau.
Choosing a cruise can be daunting, given the wide range of types of Milford Sound cruises and different operators to choose from. We’ve gathered some information to make it easier to research and book your Milford Sound cruise.
Getting to Milford Sound from Queenstown takes approximately 3.5 hrs and a professional coach tour is highly recommended for visitors not familiar with driving in icy alpine conditions. We’ve collated some of the most popular Milford Sound day tours here and prices start from just $179 including the cruise.
Day Cruises
Experience a daylight cruise on Milford Sound for amazing views of the fiord and its wildlife. Day cruises can easily be incorporated into your travel plans and are included in most Milford Sound day tours.
Cruise + Day Tour
Getting to Milford from Queenstown takes round 4hours each way so consider leaving the driving to a local expert and sit back and relax as you travel through the rugged and winding Milford Road. Tours to Milford Sound from Queenstown and Te Anau depart daily and offer a range of options to suit travelling styles and budgets. All tours combine the cruise in Milford Sound and many include a lunch option. You’ll also get plenty of opportunities to stop for those iconic photographs en-route and the local drivers provide great commentary to keep you entertained throughout the day.
Overnight Cruises
Selected tour companies offer overnight cruises in Milford Sound. This can be a great way to experience the fiord at its most peaceful – in the evening and first thing in the morning, before the day trippers arrive. Milford Sound overnight cruises can include dinner and breakfast as well as transport to and from Milford Sound. If you have limited time to view Milford Sound you may wish to choose a day tour instead.