Inclusions
Exclusions
Great informative cruise with beautiful views and atmosphere on a sunny day. Would like to try it again in winter (dressed like a penguin).
Great customer service... Even though they gave me the wrong boarding pass was dealt with easily. Great crew. Boat had awesome facilities. Commentary was light hearted but packed with info. Support during the rain storms good... Shame the parking fees outside are so steep
The team on board was totally friendly and very accommodating. Really high praise! We also found the boat really not full and thought it would be very crowded with tourists beforehand. But that wasn't the case. Very relaxed, space to look everywhere. The comments were also very helpful, but to be honest we thought we would see more waterfalls and that we would drive a little closer to them. The mountains and the bay were beautiful and the one waterfall we drove very close to was also good. But I thought you would see more waterfalls, but of course that could have been due to the very sunny weather.
View original review in German
I really liked the whole boat trip. Beautiful day, friendly staff, good coffee, awesome landscape and also great experience to see some dolphins swimming with us.
The Pure Milford ship was really nice, clean and lots of places to sit and watch the Fiordland! Very nice guide, but too bad we couldn't hear anything the captain was telling us from the outside decks. Also when sitting inside we couldn't really hear what he was telling us. The guide who was outside with us really took the time to explain things and answer all our questions. We had very rainy weather, but it actually gave the landscape so much more character. Definitely one of our best spots this NZ trip!
Seeing Milford Sound on a small ship was a great experience. The staff were friendly and explained everything well. I would improve the guide up to the point of picking up the boarding passes. A small sketch would have been helpful, and online no effort. And an indication of the parking situation and the distance to the terminal. Juergen
View original review in German
The voucher did not match any of the desks, we had to ask around if the voucher we had belonged to them. The guided tour gave minimal info and didn't seem very enthusiastic. The tour said it was 2 hours, it was more like 1.5 hours.
Weather was not the best but it was still fantastic. The crew and ship were awesome! Views were absolutely stunning, couldn't recommend it more.
What can I say but Wow 🤩 !! It was absolutely amazing we all loved it. We all left the boat after the cruise just absolutely amazed by the truly incredible surroundings. We couldn't get enough or take enough photos. The service on the cruise was 5 star.
The boat trip on Milford Sound was memorable. I loved the majestic mountains. The commentary by the captain was interesting and informative.
Milford sound was amazing! The driver of the boat was pretty funny. The crew was really nice and helpful The boat was clean And the free coffee was great
Outstanding experience with an awesome skipper that put the boat into all the nooks and crannies!! Wow!! What a time Awesome boat, awesome crew, awesome destination!! Thanks heaps!!
The cruise experience was excellent. The cruise was spacious and the staff was friendly and also offer to take photos for us too.
Easy and quick booking, fast check-in and boarding, there was enough space on the vessel for everyone, it was not fully packed like other vessels we have seen. So everyone had enough space to see it all and to walk around. We loved the free hot drinks. The crew was very friendly and helpful.
All levels of confidence on boats were catered for, the screens inside were great for nervous Nellie's. Ticketing was very easy.
The fjord was stunning with lots of information as we sailed along. Lucky to see sea lions and dolphins, well spotted by the crew. Clean boat with very friendly staff. Booking experience was ok but it wasn't clear where we booked in when we got to Milford Sounds. Extra charge for the car park at $10 an hour was excessive!
Facilité de retrait des billets au guichet du croisiériste , personnel très sympa . Belle ballade de 2 heures qui en met plein les yeux !
The ticket team was efficient and we were on board in a moment. Boat had a major rework, looking brand new and two Yanmar diesel motors running well. On board before setting off, we had a complementary coffee. After moving to the top viewing deck, the captain set off and we listened to the commentary. We turned back after reaching the ocean. Total trip was just 45 minutes. Thanks to the team.
We were really lucky to have beautiful weather on the day we went to Milford Sound. The 2 hour boat trip was great. Ample time to get to to the entrance of the Sound. The commentary was excellent. The headout app is easy to use but the lack of WiFi made it unusable. Not a problem though, at check-in they had a list of bookings which was enough to be issued with boarding passes. No hesitation in recommending this trip.
Unkomplizierter Ersatz für ausgefallene Fahrt. Kapitän kommentierte die Fahrt sehr gut und informativ. Die Aussicht bei tollem Wetter war ein Traum
I loved hanging out with the captain and his knowledge of the area. The whole experience was absolutely amazing and I will always look back with fond memories about it! We did a later sailing so a lot of the food was sold out - but the bar was well stocked 🤣 10/10
We had a good time on the boat although it rains. Very beautiful scenery indeed. The only problem is parking. It is too expensive. We paid $30 and still worried about overtime.
Thanks for the service from all nice crews from the boat.. The boat condition and all facility is perfect.. Great experience..
Milford Sound itself the Service on the charter and the ease with how everything flowed so well from online booking payments to checking in to onboard service. Wonderful experience.
The whole experience was great. Checkin was smooth & hassel free. Very friendly, helpful staff. Complimentry hot drink was very welcome. Pie was the best I've ever had.
Inclusions
Milford Track Guided Walk (if option selected)
The cozy boat with options to move around easily ; the shared information by the captain and the atmosphere within the Fijordes for sure
A smaller boat than the other companies. The captain skilfully mastered the elements. Thanks to Math and his first mate.
View original review in French
Views were amazing. Smaller boat with only 40 odd people , so we had heaps of space inside and out. And with the smaller boat, we could go super close to the seals , and waterfalls. The commentary was informative and fun. Completely awesome trip!
This was an amazing cruise, the commentary was informative, the smaller boat and early morning departure at 8.50 am was a great choice as we were able to get up close and personal with penguins, seals and were privileged to have the dolphins join us for a ride, even more spectacular was the incredible scenery of Milford Sound. Very special !!
Excellent trip well organised and plenty to see. Hot chocolate a welcome addition on a cold afternoon’s trip but the sights are the real bonus and the commentary is perfect for the excursion. Well recommend this trip for the sound.
We love the smaller boats as they are more relax and not too crowded. The crew are friendly as well. You have aperfect spot to where you can capture the magic of Milford Sound.
The scenery and the way the captain narrated about the areas.
Guide was very informative ; we could move around boat easily
The tour guide Ben is awesome!
Queenstown
Start your trip here; enjoy the views, grab a coffee, and get ready for the adventure ahead.
Wye Creek Track
Lake Te Anau Lion Lookout Point
1
Te Anau
Free Admission
Te Anau is the gateway to Fiordland National Park. Stretch your legs and explore as the coach stops here for a midway break.
Lake Mistletoe Walking Track
Eglinton Valley and Mirror Lakes
Lake Gunn
Hollyford Lookout
Lake Marian Track
Homer Tunnel
The Chasm
2
Milford Sound Terminal
Tickets included
The gateway to Milford Sound, where you can embark on a cruise to explore one of the most stunning natural landscapes in the world, surrounded by towering cliffs and waterfalls.
12
Queenstown
Inclusions
Exclusions
We loved the natural beauty of Milford Sound and coming up close to the waterfall for a glacial wash. The driver of Altitude Tours passenger van Erik was super interesting like a walking encyclopedia and made the trip a real joy.
Absolutely wonderful! It was so nice to be a smaller group for this adventure. The little van was really confortable for the trip. Our guide Collin was awesome. His explanations on the culture and the region made the 5 hours to get there fly by and the stops were great to relax and enjoy fjordland park. 100% recommended.
We knew from the pictures that Milford Sound would be spectacular. Two things made this even better. Our guide Lynette clearly loves people and her job sharing her knowledge. As importantly, she's a safe and smooth driver which can be a big deal traveling 8 total hours in a bus on the narrow and twisty roads. The captain of the boat found opportunities to get us up close to a group of seals and then a couple of penguins. He also took us almost underneath a waterfall which was an amazing experience. Dress for cold and wet as we did and you won't have to run inside. We usually like to do our own discovering on trips but we're really glad we signed up for this full-day tour.
Our guide Albert was very knowledgeable about the whole area of Queenstown. It was a great relaxing drive with great views. Milford sound was breathtaking. Would highly recommend this tour.
A fantastic day beautifully planned, with a great and personable driver (Stan), who looked after us all and drove with professionalism and skill. The destination was awe-inspiring and the journey just so relaxing, enjoying the beauty of the Southland and wilderness. The cruise was wonderful with the roof deck a great feature, including the ship's PA system and the crew announcements. The bus was so comfortable and the glass roof was awesome. The emergency toilet also was a must have for me, and was most appreciated near the end of the journey. The stopover cafes in Ta Anau were fabulous as well. Keep up the great work. We will ceetainly do it again with your company when we next return to New Zealand. Cheers!
The booking process through Headout was easy and they kept me I formed of a minor change to our trip. The drive from Milford was excellent, with the driver providing really good information about the area. The cruise was exactly as described. However, I was disappointed by the trip back to Queenstown and the change of tone of the driver who seemed to be in a hurry to get back. From being asked to get back on the coach as quickly as possible after getting off the boat, only being given 10 minutes in Te Anau, which didn't even allow enough time for a purchase of coffee and finally being told to hurry up off the bus when we disembarked at the bus terminal. This was not a great way to end an otherwise remarkable day.
First, the driver was great and friendly. His guide was easy for me to understand and showed us many sights. My experience in Milford Sound was invaluable, and the crew always supported us to have fun on board. Lunch was great.
Sabastian was a great driver, we felt very safe. His commentary and sense of humour was great. The stops on the way were great and the cruise was excellent. Thanks for a fantastic day!
Shout out to Brian from Pure Milford (our bus driver and tour guide) for making the return journey a smooth and memorable one. With good weather we managed to make a few stops for breaks and photos along the way. The cruise was spectacular! Since we took the trip in early winter (June), the boat wasn't too crowded. The snowcapped mountains made for majestic views. We were lucky to spot bottleneck dolphins on the way which were a rare treat. Great value for money compared to similar tours by other companies we researched online. Absolutely recommend!
Both the bus driver and the ship captain were fun and gave a lot of interesting information. The scenery was breathtaking. The bus ride was long but they accommodates everyone's needs with frequent stops and a toilet on the bus. The whole day was magical
There were two issues. Firstly we were told to be there at pick up point before 7:00. It was raining and cold. However, nobody picked up phone before 7:00. We could not get the message that the bus will pick us up at 7:30. We had to wait for half an hour in cold and in wetness. Secondly, lunch packets could be served earlier, since all of us were super hungry by the time lunch was given.
The bus driver shared with us some great information on our way to Milford Sound. The cruise was stunning with views to amazing waterfalls. It was raining on that day so we could we a lot of them
In addition to Milford Sound itself, the bus drive to it was wonderful. The driver Debby's driving was smooth with detailed commentaries all the way to the ferry terminal. The ferry sailing and commentaries were very good. Lunch served hot with complimentary coffee. I enjoyed the fiords also along the way.
absolutely wonderful from start to finish with awesome staff (both bus driver and crew members on the boat), breathtaking views and an overall fantastic experience !
Driver was safe, careful and skilful. Commentary was amazing, interesting and just the right amount of content. Milford Sound cruises was spectacular. Waterfall shower most delightful.
Tha whole experience was great. Our driver was very knowledgeable and the staff on the cruise were also very good. Some of the scenery on the drive were breathtaking. The highlight was the waterfall....
We had an Awesome coach driver with amazing commentary Felt safe with Cam driving Awesome Cruise , amazing views , delicious lunch and wine Loved it Thankyou
Such a nice driver! And great stops on the way. The food was great, cruise was also amazing and so fun! I didn't know the whole day was an activity and not just the cruise. Had an awesome day alltogether. Will remember it forever. Thanks!
We missed the bus, but guide Ebbie and kate? (maybe) let us take the next bus. Thanks for the kindness. And we loved all experience. Dolphins are wonderfull, Waterfall was amazing. Thanks again.
The entire trip was incredible. Our driver Rodrigo was excellent and went above and beyond. We learned a lot about different sites throughout our enjoy as he was very knowledgeable. Thanks again Rodrigo!
The trip was well organized and everything worked as it should. Special thanks to our driver/guide Rodrigo, he was super helpful, told interesting facts about Queesntown/Milford Sound area and handled well the delay we had due to road being closed because of an accident.
Beautiful enrobe to Milford. The lady driving the our van was also very sweet
The Guide/Bus Driver is kind and helpful. We enjoyed this tour
Milford Sound is the absolute highlight of my trip to Queenstown.
Incredible and Our Argentinian driver Ian was amazing!!
Te Anau
Start your trip here; enjoy the views, grab a coffee, and get ready for the adventure ahead.
Eglinton Valley and Mirror Lakes
Hollyford Lookout
Homer Tunnel
1
Milford Sound Terminal
Tickets included
The gateway to Milford Sound, where you can embark on a cruise to explore one of the most stunning natural landscapes in the world, surrounded by towering cliffs and waterfalls.
5
Te Anau
Inclusions
The booking online was efficient. The information emailed beforehand was helpful in backing up the reservation process. The experience itself on Milford sound speaks for itself as I'm sure ma y thousands of people will confirm. Our coach driver was very informative One negative was that the coach arrived 30 minutes later than we were advised.
The explanation of the busdriver during the coach drive and the help and explanation of him also on the boat. Sooo helpfull.
The bus was new and clean. It's so easy and convenient to just have a seat and relax while looking at the scenery. It's a good idea to stop several times so we can take pictures and get some fresh air. The cruise was amazing. Big thank to our bus driver Simon ! He gave us a lot of information about the area of Te Anau and Milford Sound. He is cheerful and also passionate about this region. Thanks for the safe drive, the jokes, the stories, and the great mood. Legend !
Excellent Driver with lots of knowledge and explanations of surroundings, plants and animals and stopping for views and photos!👌👏👏👏 Very confortable Coach!👍👍 Excellent Cruise on Milford Sounds with à very good lunch and nice choice of local wine!😋🥂 Wonderful Day!👌👌
There were some work roads that made the whole trip delayed by an hour. Not the driver's fault. Ended up, the one house delay was not compensated to us in other forms. It was like, no one was responsible for that. Overall, the bus driver was good, multi skilled and hillarious.
Very good bus driver/commentator. Ticketing was fine. Unfortunately the bus was full when my husband and I boarded in Te Amou so we were not able to sit together. Very friendly staff on the cruise. We rode up in the wheelhouse and enjoyed the commentary from the staff.
Everything went to plan ticketing etc well organised. Loved all the goodies in the bag for lunch. Enjoyed the waterfall experience though did not stay on deck to get wet. Staff were very efficient.
Great bus driver who gave interesting facts and history about the area along the ride in. Nice to have some stops for photos. The boat trip was great and lunch was good.
Great people Debbie the coach driver excellent. Mark and the staff on the boat excellent. Modern coach. Only issue we were told to meet in the cafe at Te anua but I had to find the coach outside well after the agreed time clear instr
OMG. EVERYTHING! Great coach driver, full of fantastic information. Awesome coach with the glass ceiling. So much to see and this was a huge advantage. Fabulous stopping points for photos especially the Kea's, waterfalls etc. Then on to the boat cruise around the sounds. Again the commentary on the cruse ship was very funny and informative.
The ticketing was easy via internet. The meeting point was easy to find because of detailed information. The bus arrived punctual (with guests from Queenstown), enough place. The driver Sebastian was very friendly, for us he had a good english - he spoke slowly and not so fast as sometimes other guides. It is relaxing not do drive yourself, no worries about full parking. We had sunshine at Milford Sound, (well organised!!) For lunch we got pie, to choose chicken or vegetarian, was a good idea, and sweets, chips and an apple. We saw fur seals, the boat was going slowly at important view points, the crew gave extra informations. At the bus journey back we did the viewing points we missed in the morning. We enjoined the trip
We loved the comfortable coach drive to and from Milford Sound and the interesting commentary from the knowledgable, welcoming and friendly driver. The nature walk was much shorter than we expected but very prettty otherwise. The cruise was spectacular and the ship offered many places to view. The captain was also friendly and informative about the Sound and steered the ship around well. Door to Door very efficient. Lunch was pretty good.
Very good driver with excellent explanations. The lunch was OK. Thanks to the rain we could see a lot of water coming down the mountain. Nice cruise, even with the rain and the wind. The timing was well respected.
What a hell of a driver/guide on our trip! Verry admirable and with a great knowledge of the interesting things on our trip towards Milford sound (fjord)
Captains guide was good but weather could have been better. Low cloud level spoilt the experience.
Everything from start to finish
The scenery was beautiful and our driver and the boat captain were helpful and informative.
The scenic tour the beautiful boat ride and the safe experience
Everything was fantastic. Debbie the bus driver was so informative.
Friendly and well experienced bus driver. So many interesting information on the road. Stops at interesting outlooks.
Our busdriver Washington fantastisk- No less. Milford Sound was extraordinary.
Its about how you handle the tourist well, Debbie our bus driver she handle us very well...
The view of milford sound, good explanation of the driver
It was my 3rd visit to Milford and the best. Our coach driver was the most informative and the cruise excellent.
Boat trip awesome lived going right out to the ocean Coachtrip also stopped at great viewing points
Queenstown
Start your flight from Queenstown, the adventure capital of New Zealand, known for its stunning lake and mountain views.
Central Otago
Lake Wakatipu
Mt Aspiring National Park
Fiordland National Park
5
Queenstown
Inclusions
Exclusions
Amazing experience, one of our favorite from the trip so far. We had perfect weather for the flight and boat trip and were able to see fur seals, penguins and get up close to the waterfalls.
Loved everything about the experience. The flight was fantastic, great pilot. The cruise was amazing. The scenery was almost a religious experience.
We really enjoyed this plane and boat package at Milford Sound. The pilot was very friendly, guided us well, and took the time to speak not too quickly. He explained the landscapes we were flying over, which we were not familiar with. We recommend this activity. It would be interesting to offer a package that allows us to stay the day at Milford Sound, such as arriving in the morning and leaving in the evening, thus allowing, in addition to the cruise, to walk around Milford Sound. ------------------------------------------------- Nous avons beaucoup apprécié ce package avion et bateau à Milford Sound. Le pilote a été très sympathique, nous a bien guider et a pris le temps de parler pas trop rapidement. Il nous a bien expliqué les paysages que nous survolions et que nous ne connaissions pas. Nous recommandons cette activité. Il serait intéressant de proposer un package qui nous permette de rester la journée à Milford Sound, comme par exemple arriver le matin et partir le soir, permettant ainsi, en plus de la croisière de se promener à Milford Sound.
The entire trip was well ogranized, friendly staff, super courtious and just lovely.
Thrilling and very scenic plane ride. The pilot was very informative. Cruise was amazing.
2 starting points available
1. Te Anau
If you've opted for round-trip transfers from Te Anau, sit back and relax on the scenic route on the comfortable coach to Milford Sound.
2. Queenstown
118 km
1 hour 44 minutes
1
Milford Sound
150 min
10 attractions
Cruise the full length of Milford Sound on the MV Sinbad. With breathtaking scenery and expert nature guides, experience waterfalls, wildlife, and fascinating local history—all with fresh canapés.
Nearby things to do
2
Te Anau
Inclusions
Queenstown
Start your journey in the stunning city of Queenstown on a comfortable AC minibus where your guide will guide you past some of the area’s top highlights.
1
Lake Wakatipu
Free Admission
Devils Staircase
2
Lake Te Anau
Free Admission
The largest lake in the South Island, Lake Te Anau is the gateway to Fiordland National Park. Meet some of the local animals or wildlife and then stop at Te Anau Downs, the starting point for the Milford Track, to hear the stories and admire the views.
3
Eglinton Valley
Free Admission
Eglinton Valley is a stunning flat-floored valley surrounded by towering peaks. Its vibrant grasslands make it a perfect spot for a peaceful walk or a photo stop.
4
Mirror Lakes
Free Admission
A short walk from the highway, Mirror Lakes offers reflective views of the surrounding mountains. On calm days, the reflections are almost perfect, creating an optical illusion.
5
Lake Gunn
Free Admission
Hollyford River
6
Darran Mountains
Free Admission
The Darran Mountains are a rugged mountain range within Fiordland National Park, offering jaw-dropping vistas and a chance to click photos of some large, cheeky, and colourful birds.
Homer Tunnel
7
Milford Sound
Tickets included
Embark on a 2-hour cruise of Milford Sound, a breathtaking fjord known for the towering Mitre Peak rising sharply from its waters and the famous Pop's View Lookout that offers panoramic views of the Hollyford Valley and beyond.
Boat
11
Queenstown
Inclusions
Minibus
Cruise
These are the sights you can look out for during the cruise:
We loved the natural beauty of Milford Sound and coming up close to the waterfall for a glacial wash. The driver of Altitude Tours passenger van Erik was super interesting like a walking encyclopedia and made the trip a real joy.
Absolutely wonderful! It was so nice to be a smaller group for this adventure. The little van was really confortable for the trip. Our guide Collin was awesome. His explanations on the culture and the region made the 5 hours to get there fly by and the stops were great to relax and enjoy fjordland park. 100% recommended.
We knew from the pictures that Milford Sound would be spectacular. Two things made this even better. Our guide Lynette clearly loves people and her job sharing her knowledge. As importantly, she's a safe and smooth driver which can be a big deal traveling 8 total hours in a bus on the narrow and twisty roads. The captain of the boat found opportunities to get us up close to a group of seals and then a couple of penguins. He also took us almost underneath a waterfall which was an amazing experience. Dress for cold and wet as we did and you won't have to run inside. We usually like to do our own discovering on trips but we're really glad we signed up for this full-day tour.
Our guide Albert was very knowledgeable about the whole area of Queenstown. It was a great relaxing drive with great views. Milford sound was breathtaking. Would highly recommend this tour.
Beautiful enrobe to Milford. The lady driving the our van was also very sweet
Why choose this experience?
Recommended experiences:
Why choose this experience?
Recommended experiences:
Why choose this experience?
Recommended experiences:
Arrive at least 15 minutes before the time mentioned on your voucher to allow sufficient time to check-in and settle down in the boat before departure. The captain may also share some tips and safety measures for you to follow during the cruise.
All Milford Sound cruises more or less follow the same route - the boat goes along the left side of the fiord out towards the Tasman Sea. Once you’ve reached the open water or Anita Bay, the boat turns back to cruise along the right side of the fiord and then drops you back at the Milford Sound wharf.
Along your journey, the captain will make several short stops at notable attractions like Mitre Peak, Copper Point, Fairy Falls and more. Listen to your cruise guide for fascinating local tales and historical facts about each tourist point. If there’s enough time on your cruise, you may even take short walks along the shore to view them up close.
Choose between two popular catamarans for your cruise, the Maiden of Milford and the Gem of the Sound. Get brilliant panoramic views of the nearby peaks through giant windows or a glass ceiling. Just so you don’t miss anything, the boat also has a live feed that will be cast through the journey.
A standard Milford Sound cruise lasts about 2 hours. However, some premium cruises can last up to 3 hours to include more stops along the way.
Several operators offer Milford Sound cruises in multiple slots, some that begin as early as 8:45am. The last cruise departs at 3:30pm.
You’ll see a lot more cruises towards midday to accommodate tourists traveling from Queenstown or Te Anau.
Boarding time: The timings mentioned on your voucher is the departure time of your cruise. Arrive at least 15 minutes before this time to comfortably board your cruise and settle down before departure.
Peak season: Summer (Dec to Feb)
Low season: Winter (Jun - Aug)
Milford Sound makes for a wonderful visit at any time of the year, except for winter when it gets quite cold on the fiord.
Summer (13 to 15°C) has warm weather, plenty of daylight, frequent showers and floating mist at Milford Sound. However, it also brings the most tourists and afternoon cruises can get extremely crowded.
Spring (Sep - Nov) and Autumn (Mar to May) are also great times to take a Milford Sound cruise, especially if you prefer lesser crowds. Spring-time includes clear skies and lush waterfalls and fewer showers compared to the summer. Autumn has far lesser crowds with more affordable cruise options and the weather is also quite pleasant
Best time to visit Milford SoundMilford Sound jetty: Milford Sound Visitor Centre (Terminal and Boat Harbour, 1 Milford Sound Highway, Milford Sound 9679, New Zealand. Find on Maps
At any time, multiple vessels are preparing and departing for their journey near the jetty. Follow the directions mentioned on your voucher to reach the exact boarding point location for your cruise.
By bus: The nearest bus stop is the Milford Sound stop that’s located right next to the wharf. Coaches will stop here for you to proceed to boarding.
By car:
Parking:
Although the roads to Milford Sound are well maintained, it has its challenges. During the winter, icy road conditions can get especially dangerous if you don’t have experience navigating them.
Instead, we highly recommend that you pick a day trip that offers comfortable return transfers to and from Te Anau or Queenstown. Most day trips have air conditioned coaches with expert drivers who will take care of the commute for you.
Depending on your tour, you will either be picked up near a prominent landmark in either Queenstown or Te Anau, or you can mention the name of your accommodation while booking your tickets to get hotel transfers.
For those with mobility issues: Some Milford Sound cruises are accessible by wheelchairs and other mobility aids. Inform your cruise operator beforehand to keep the main access areas close by.
Foldable wheelchairs are ideal: Some cruises, although wheelchair accessible, can only be accommodated if they can be folded.
Dietary restrictions and vegetarian meals: The meal included cruises provide both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options. You can also request for special dietary accommodations like gluten-free food, allergies or vegan options.
Note: We suggest that you mention any special requests while booking your tickets to keep your cruise operator informed.
Milford Sound cruises begin at the wharf and take you along the left side of the fiord, covering important sights along the way. The boat turns around once you reach Anita Bay or Tasman Sea to cover the sights on the other side of the fiord.
Yes! Milford Sound cruises are perfect for families, offering plenty of opportunities to explore the natural beauty. There are kid-friendly amenities, and the shorter cruises make it easy for children to stay engaged.
There is just one accommodation option at Milford Sound, the Milford Sound Lodge. However, several stay options are available at nearby towns in Te Anau and Queenstown and you can easily book a day trip to Milford Sound. We suggest that you make your hotel bookings in advance to ensure availability.
Milford Sound cruises are usually conducted on comfortable catamarans that remain quite stable even in rough waters. You can choose between 2 different catamarans, Maiden of Milford and Gem of the Sound.
Milford Sound cruises cover several points of interest along the fiord, including Mitre Peak, Stirling Falls, Bowen Falls, Lion Mountain, and wildlife such as fur seals basking on Seal Rock.
We suggest that you bring warm layers as it gets quite cold in the fiord. Along with this, get sunscreen, sturdy boots and any necessary medication you might need as there aren’t many pharmacies available nearby.
Early morning and late afternoon cruises are the best time of day for a Milford Sound cruise to avoid crowds. The lighting is softer during these times, enhancing the fjord’s dramatic scenery.
Many cruises offer snacks and beverages for purchase onboard, and some premium options even provide lunch. Be sure to check your specific cruise for details.
You can drive to Milford Sound from Te Anau or Queenstown or take a shuttle service that offers pick-up and drop-off options. We suggest that you get a day tour that includes transfers as the road conditions can get dangerous unless you have experience in navigating alpine roads.
Yes, your boat will have accessible restrooms onboard.
It's advisable to book your cruise at least a few weeks in advance, especially during the peak tourist season from December to February, to secure your preferred time slot.
Keep an eye out for seals, dolphins, penguins, and occasionally whales on your Milford Sound cruise. You can also spot a few rare native birds in the area.
Yes, service dogs are generally allowed onboard. However, it's recommended to confirm specific policies with your cruise provider while booking.
Yes, there is a designated parking area near the Milford Sound cruise terminals.
Yes, Milford Sound cruises operate throughout the year. However, extremely adverse weather conditions like heavy winds and thunderstorms may lead to rescheduling or cancellation of the cruise.
Many cruises offer accommodations for those with disabilities. However, we suggest that you check the accessibility of your cruise and make any special requests while booking your tickets.
Most Milford Sound cruises accept both cash and card payments for onboard purchases, but it's advisable to bring some cash in the local currency just in case.