Milford Sound Cruise: Stunning Views & Optional Picnic or Buffet

4.5 (259 reviews) 1 h 45 min Free cancellation

out of 5

259 reviews

4.5

Milford Sound Sightseeing Cruise including Optional Lunch — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Milford Sound Cruise: Stunning Views & Optional Picnic or Buffet, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

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.

Day Cruises Nature and Wildlife Tours Private and Luxury Audio Guides Water Tours Sightseeing Cruises Low Supplier Cancellation Rate Low Last Minute Supplier Cancellation Rate

At a glance

Duration: 1 h 45 min
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 200 people
People per booking: 1–30
Audio guide: German, Portuguese, Korean, Chinese, French, Spanish
Guide: English
Operated by: Southern Discoveries

Ages: Infants (0–4 years) · Children (5–14 years) · Adults (15–99 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Multi-lingual app for commentary available: App Store and Google Play search Southern Discoveries
Included: Lunch (if option selected)
Included: Sightseeing cruise on Milford Sound for up to 2 hours
Included: Live commentary provided by the skipper
Included: FREE tea and coffee are provided to all passengers

Not included

Not included: Hotel pickup and drop-off
Not included: On arrival at Milford Sound you can park at the Milford Sound carpark at a fee of $10 per hour.

Itinerary

Stop 1

15 min

Your journey starts here, check in with friendly staff at least 15 minutes prior to departure.
Fiordland National Park

2 hours

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.
Milford Sound

1 h 45 min

Milford Sound is a fiord in the southwest of New Zealand’s South Island. It’s known for towering Mitre Peak, plus rainforests and waterfalls like Stirling and Bowen falls, which plummet down its sheer sides. The fiord is home to fur seal colonies, penguins and dolphins.
Mitre Peak

Passing by

Mitre Peak is a beautifully dramatic mountain in the South Island of New Zealand, located on the shore of Milford Sound. It is one of the most photographed mountain peaks in the entire country.
Bowen Falls

Passing by

The stunning Lady Bowen Falls is Milford’s highest waterfall. It plunges 162m from a hanging valley into the head of Milford Sound and provides electricity for the Milford Sound township by feeding a small hydroelectric scheme, as well as being the water source for the settlement
Stop 6

Passing by

Nestled behind the world famous Mitre Peak, the Sinbad Gully is characterised by extremely steep glacially carved walls punctuated by near vertical granite cliffs. These walls slowed pest invasion into the gully and as a result a number of unique native species remain in the Sinbad.

Southern Discoveries is passionate about preserving Milford Sound’s beauty for future generations which is why it’s a key partner in a major conservation project – the Sinbad Sanctuary Project.

The aim is to see the valley of New Zealand’s most photographed mountain (Sinbad Gully is at the base of Mitre Peak) become a sanctuary for native species.
Stirling Falls

Passing by

Milford’s second-highest waterfall is the Stirling Falls, a staggering 151m in height – three times the height of Niagara Falls, but the 1,300m mountain behind displaces this incredible height. This is the famous waterfall that Hugh Jackman ‘jumped off’ in the movie Wolverine. The sheer drop of the Stirling Falls allows boats and brave kayakers to get right underneath – it’s an incredible feeling to have the power of 151m worth of glacial water falling on top of you.

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

End point

Using your ticket

From December 3 2021, we will be requiring vaccination certificates to be shown prior to joining any Southern Discoveries experience.

If you will not be arriving at your destination within the specified reconfirmation period, please reconfirm with the local service provider prior to travel, or upon arrival at your destination. Please note that departure times and locations may vary slightly.

Cancellation

Free cancellation

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

If you cancel	You get back
At least one day before	100%
Less than a day before	0%

The operator may cancel if the weather does not allow it; you then get another date or your money back.

Good to know

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.

Options

1.15pm Nature Cruise & Buffet

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

1:15pm Nature Cruise: 2 Hour Milford Sound Nature Cruise with Complimentary Tea & Coffee.
11.15am Nature Cruise only

1hr 45min Nature Cruise
1.30pm Nature Cruise & Buffet

1.30pm Nature Cruise & Buffet
1.30pm Nature Cruise & Picnic

1.30pm Nature Cruise & Picnic
10.30am Nature Cruise only

Milford Sound Nature Cruise for 2 hours. Includes complimentary tea and coffee
12.45pm Nature Cruise only

12.45pm Nature Cruise only
1.15pm Nature Cruise & Picnic

1:15pm Nature with Picnic: 2-hour Milford Sound Nature Cruise with a freshly packed Picnic Lunch.
3.45pm Nature Cruise only

3.45pm 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