The BEST Milford Sound Cruises – Complete Guide

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The 6 Best Milford Sound Cruises

The Milford Sound is one of the most iconic places to visit while travelling in New Zealand. It’s hard to truly believe it until you’re there, cruising through the fjord, taking it all in. There are a few different types of cruises to choose from, from nature tours to overnight stays…

So, let’s dive into the best cruises on the market:

1. Milford Sound Nature Cruise (my personal fav!)

• Duration: 1.5-2 hours.
• Cost: Starting from $159 NZD
• Best for: Travellers who want to learn more about the wildlife in the Milford Sound.
• Transport options: The meeting point for this cruise is at Milford Sound.
• Rating: 4.7/5 based on over 500 reviews – check it out here.

If you’re a wildlife lover (like me!), this cruise is an absolute dream. From fur seals lounging lazily on rocks to the adorable Fiordland crested penguins waddling around the place. If you’re lucky, you might even get to see one of the 60 bottlenose dolphins that live in Milford Sound! 

The guides on this cruise are a HUGE highlight – they’re a certified naturalist, which means they don’t just help you spot wildlife but also share fascinating insights about Milford Sound’s unique flora and fauna. It’s not just a cruise; it’s like being part of a live nature documentary – David Attenborough… is that you? (just kidding, they are usually verrrrrry Kiwi accents).

My favourite animals were the baby seagulls… I know it doesn’t sound that cute, but they are just little fluff balls when they are babies!

Beyond the wildlife, the sheer magnificence of the Milford Sound is breathtaking. Surrounded by mountains and towering cliffs draped in waterfalls, as you glide across the serene water. Pro tip: take the time to go to the front of the boat for a panoramic view – it’s 100% worth braving the wind.

On that note, don’t forget to dress warmly – it can get pretty cold out on deck, even in the summer months. Trust me, you’ll want to spend as much time outside as possible to soak in the full experience. Summer is one of the best times to visit New Zealand (December-March), and that is the same for visiting Milford Sound. It’s best on a clear, sunny day.

For those driving in from Queenstown or Te Anau, I’d suggest considering the lunch-inclusive package. After spending time out on the water, the return trip can feel a big ol’ drag, especially if you’re hangry. The cruise costs $159 NZD without lunch or $200+ NZD with a buffet lunch.

2. Small Boat Milford Sound Cruise

• Duration: 1.5-2 hours.
• Cost: Starting from $155 NZD
• Best for: Travellers who want a more intimate experience on a smaller boat.
• Transport options: The meeting point for this cruise is at Milford Sound.
• Rating: 4.7/5 based on over 1500 reviews – check it out here.

When it comes to adventures, I’ve always believed that smaller, more intimate experiences leave the biggest impressions – and this boutique Milford Sound cruise proves this theory right. The smaller boat on this cruise is a game-changer.

The compact size of the boat allows you to get right up close to towering waterfalls like Stirling Falls and Bowen Falls, so close in fact that you’ll feel the spray of the icy water on your face (if you brave it!) 

During the trip, you’ll cruise along near Seal Rock, where fur seals bask in the sun. I couldn’t help but hope for a glimpse of the rare Fiordland crested penguins… sadly, I didn’t manage to see them </3

With fewer passengers, the cruise has a cosy and relaxed vibe – no Mexican stand-offs for space or trying to peek over someone’s shoulder to catch the view. The luxury lounge seating is a welcome touch, and I loved sipping on the complimentary tea as the incredible landscape unfolded around me. It is seriously one of the most beautiful places to visit in New Zealand.

That said, most of my time was spent outside, braving the chilly breeze to take in the uninterrupted views of Mitre Peak and the surrounding cliffs. A jacket is a MUST, but trust me, as I said earlier, you won’t want to miss the opportunity to be out on deck.

The two-hour journey is perfectly paced, and the onboard guides are absolutely amazing. They add commentary about the fiord’s history, geology, and wildlife as you cruise along – not quite to the detail of the natural cruise, but you’ll still learn plenty! 

One thing to note: while the cruise provides complimentary coffee, tea, and biscuits, there’s no full meal service onboard. Be sure to prepare yourself with a hearty breakfast and bring along a few snacks 🙂

3. Milford Sound Scenic Cruise

• Duration: 5-6 hours.
• Cost: Starting from $265 NZD
• Best for: Travellers who are staying in Queenstown and don’t have their own transport.
• Transport options: The meeting point for this cruise is in Queenstown; there is a bus that will take you on a scenic ride over to the Milford Sound.
• Rating: 4.7/5 based on over 2000 reviews – check it out here.

So, I know I’ve been tooting the horn of the smaller boats being the way to go, but this larger vessel surprised me in all the best ways. Sometimes, bigger can be better (or another great option, anyway!)

This Milford Sound Cruise is handy for those staying in Queenstown, as this is where the trip starts. The day starts out with a super scenic bus ride to Te Anau. Along the way, your driver will share lots of tidbits about the area’s geology, culture, and history. There are multiple stops along the way to take in the scenes and, of course, take a few snaps. It’s perfect for those who don’t have their own transport in New Zealand.

Once you’ve arrived at Milford Sound and boarded, you’ll notice how big and spacious the boat is. It has indoor and outdoor viewing decks – you’ll be able to settle into your own little nook of the boat. 

One of the things I really appreciated was the stability of the larger boat. Even though the waters in Milford Sound are relatively calm, I can get a little seasick on smaller vessels. But I was all tickety-boo on this big ol’ vessel. The ride was smooth and steady, so I could fully enjoy the epic views without a worry (or a sick bag).

Speaking of views, this cruise doesn’t skimp on the close-up experiences. You’ll get right up close to Stirling Falls – close enough to feel the spray of the falling water! Seal Rock is another highlight, with fur seals lounging around in the sunshine. 

The onboard commentary adds so much to the experience – from the insights on the surroundings to a few cracker jokes. Plus, there was free tea on board, which is a nice way to warm up inside after getting blown around on the viewing deck!

4. Cruise with Scenic Flight

• Duration: 4.5 hours.
• Cost: Starting from $695 NZD
• Best for: Travellers who are staying in Queenstown and those looking to spend a little more on a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
• Transport options: The meeting point for this cruise is in Queenstown.
• Rating: 4.9/5 based on over 200 reviews – check it out here.

Sure, you could cruise through the sounds and take it in from below, but why not add on a bird-eye view? This scenic flight and cruise combo is insane; it’s like someone took the most magical elements of New Zealand and bundled them into one perfect adventure. I’m not going to lie, this experience doesn’t come cheap, but if you’ve got the cash to splash it is WELL worth it. 

The day starts by jumping aboard a small fixed-wing plane (oh, and don’t worry, all seats are window seats). Taking off above Queenstown exposes some of the most magnificent views I’ve ever seen. Feast your eyes on a banquet of snow-capped peaks, rapidly flowing rivers, and glacial blue lakes. Honestly, these views are forever ingrained in my mind. It’s core-memory kinda stuff. 

The pilots double as awesome guides, pointing out key landmarks like Lake Wakatipu and the Tutoko Glacier. I swear, I could’ve snapped pictures for hours, but I had to remind myself to just sit back and take it aaaaaallll in… Don’t worry, I took plenty of snaps too 😉

Once you touch down in Milford Sound, the adventure shifts gears a little. Rather than gliding through the sky, you’ll be taking in the views from the bottom on a relaxing two-hour cruise through the fjord. The view from below is almost more dramatic than the top. Gazing up at the towering cliffs of Mitre Peak and the cascade of Stirling Falls is pretty monumental. 

And of course, the journey didn’t end there… they had to take you home! The return flight back to Queenstown takes a completely different route, offering fresh landscapes to gawk at. Flying over Te Anau and Sutherland Falls (New Zealand’s highest waterfall) is the ideal way to top off the day.

Not only is taking a scenic flight elite in terms of the views you get to see, but it also requires much less travel time compared to driving or busing over. I mean, honestly, if you needed a reason to visit New Zealand, then surely this is it!

5. Milford Sound Overnight Cruise

• Duration: 17.5 hours.
• Cost: Starting from $1233 NZD
• Best for: Travellers who are looking to spend more on a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
• Transport options: The meeting point for this cruise is in Milford Sound.
• Rating: 4.8/5 based on over 100 reviews – check it out here.

There’s something truly magical about staying overnight in Milford Sound, and the experience aboard the Fiordland Jewel is an unimaginably dreamy experience. 

The cruise begins after most of the day-trippers have left, leaving the fjord blissfully quiet and serene. As you glide across the still waters, it’s impossible not to marvel at the sheer beauty of the surroundings – the towering cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and the stillness of the fjord as the day turns into night. 

The Fiordland Jewel itself is the epitome of luxury. The ensuite cabin that I stayed in was cosy yet sophisticated, with a sea view that I didn’t think could get any better until the sunrise sprinkled even more magic on the landscape. The boat also features a top-deck hot tub (yep, told you – this trip is PURE luxury!). 

Meals on board are an absolute highlight. Dinner is a gourmet three-course meal served with impeccable care and attention. The breakfast served the next morning is equally delicious, fueling you up well for the day ahead.

If you want to get out and explore more, you can opt to take out a kayak or jump on the smaller tender boat with the onboard nature specialist. The naturalist will get you up close and personal with some of the wildlife and unique flora. As you know, the fiord is brimming with seals, dolphins, penguins and more!

But the most magical moments are, without a doubt, the sunset and sunrise. Watching the sky transform into a canvas of colours while the sun drops behind the cliffs. Then, waking up to the first light illuminating the fjord, it is absolutely spectacular. It’s something very few people get to witness, and it’s worth every penny.

Speaking of pennies… this one does set you back a lot. While it’s a splurge, its perfect mix of luxury, gourmet dining, insane scenery and activities makes it well worth it. 

6. Milford Sound Kayaking with Rosco’s Milford

• Duration: 3+ hours.
• Cost: Starting from $180 NZD
• Best for: People who think the cruises have too many other people on them.
• Transport options: The meeting point for this cruise is in Milford Sound.
• Rating: 4.9/5 based on over 600 reviews – check it out here.

As great as the views are from land, they’re even better from the water… and you can’t get much closer to being at water level than on a kayak! These kayak tours allow you to get up close and personal with the waterfalls and wildlife, staring straight up the mighty 1,200 metre cliffs. It gives you a sense of the fjord’s scale that no cruise (even the small boats) can match.

Our Managing Editor, Jeff and his partner, McGinnes, did the morning kayak tour and loved it. They were blessed with beautiful blue skies and magnificent views of the sounds. However, it sounds like the wind did a solid job of whipping them around the choppy waters!

After 4-hours on their kayaks, they then booked a small boat cruise for the afternoon, meaning that they could experience the fjord from both perspectives. Although the morning was a challenge, it doesn’t sound like they would’ve done it any differently!

Best Time to Visit Milford Sound

Milford Sound is famously wet. In fact, it’s one of the wettest places on the planet, receiving a whopping 7 metres of rain a year! The showers can roll through at any time, but the upside is absolutely spectacular as it triggers hundreds of tiny waterfalls to pour down the cliffs. I’ve visited on rainy days and dry days, and trust me, a little rain is worth the view.

Although it can rain at any point, Milford Sound is beautiful all year round (just come prepared with a rain jacket!). The best months to visit are the shoulder seasons, Autumn and Spring. Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect throughout the year:

• Autumn (March-May) is ideal as the weather is at its calmest, and the crowds are slimmest.
• Spring (September-November) offers gushing waterfalls, lush green scenes and also smaller crowds.
• Summer (December-February) is warm and ideal for activities like kayaking, but it gets proper busy.
• Winter (June-August) is quiet and cold; you’ll avoid the crowds and get to enjoy the dramatic snow-topped peaks – just pack a good jacket!

How To Get There

Milford Sound is as remote as it looks! And as popular as the Milford Sound is, there is no direct public transport route. Most travellers reach it by either driving the Milford Road from Te Anau or by joining one of the coach tours that I mentioned above from Queenstown or Te Anau.

If you’ve got your own wheels or plan to rent a car, you can drive from Te Anau in about 2 hours, and it’s considered one of the most scenic routes in New Zealand (if you’ve been to this country, you’ll know that says a lot!) Passing through valleys, glassy lakes and the mighty Homer Tunnel before making your way down to the fiord.

A few of my favourite stops along the way are Eglinton Valley – an insane glacial plain, Mirror Lakes – where the mountain reflects perfectly on calm days, Lake Gunn – an easy loop walk, and Monkey Creek for crystal clear glacier water!

For us mere mortals who haven’t got our own four wheels, the coach tours are a solid option and popular among travellers. Many of them will make pit stops at these beautiful spots along the way, so you can stretch your legs with a view!

If you’ve arrived with a bit (erm… by that I mean a lot) of extra cash to splash at these types of activities, you could also opt for the fastest (and most spectacular) option – a scenic flight from Queenstown or Te Anau. I guarantee you won’t regret seeing this part of the world from above.

Where To Stay Near Milford Sound

You’ve got three realistic options for staying in and near Milford Sound; the best option completely depends on you, your trip and your South Island itinerary!

• Stay in Milford Sound (yep, it’s possible!) Most travellers don’t realise that you can actually stay right in the fiord at the Milford Sound Lodge. You get early morning access to the mighty views, before all the day-trippers arrive. It’s pretty spectacular. However, this comes at quite a premium!
• Stay in Te Anau (the closest town). Te Anau is the best option for those who want to get there for an early cruise or kayak tour, as it’s just two hours from Milford. I’ve stayed at Te Anau Lakefront Backpackers; it’s the classic choice – you can’t go wrong.
• Stay in Queenstown. Queenstown is the most popular base for backpackers, but be prepared, it’s a big day trip at about 4 hours each way. But people do it, so if you book a tour, I guarantee you won’t be the only one on it! I’d highly recommend staying at Adventure Queenstown Hostel – they can even book your Milford Tour for ya.

Don’t forget your travel insurance for Milford Sound

Unfortunately, things can go wrong when you least expect them. This is why good travel insurance is essential before you head on your trip to Milford Sound.

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

Final Thoughts on the Best Milford Sound Cruises

As you can see, there are multiple variations of Milford Sound cruises. The best budget option is the big boat, scenic cruise – it also includes transport from Queenstown, which is extremely convenient considering backpackers are often coming from here anyway!

However, if you’re looking to elevate your experience, I can’t recommend the scenic flight and cruise option highly enough. Viewing the Milford Sound from above is utter magic and adds a whole new perspective.

If you are heading to New Zealand with limitless cash, you HAVE to do the overnight cruise. It’s not within reach of many budget backpackers, but if you have the means to do it, you won’t regret it.

But overall, my favourite tour was the nature cruise. It is within budget for most travellers heading to Milford Sound, and you get to learn so much about the wildlife in the fiord. My favourite fact that I learned was that the seals eat oily fish, then rub their poop on themselves to waterproof themselves! And I can confirm, they stunk lol.

Anyway, whichever cruise you choose, I hope that you end up with clear skies and a smooth sail 🙂