Sightseeing Cruises

Milford Sound Cruise with Optional Lunch

Name: Milford Sound Cruise with Optional Lunch
Start: 2026-01-10T15:15:00
End: 2026-01-10T17:00:00
Location: Milford Sound

Cruise passengers enjoying views of Milford Sound's mountains and water in New Zealand.

People enjoying a Milford Sound cruise with a nature guide, surrounded by waterfalls and lush cliffs.

Tourists on a boat tour at Milford Sound with scenic fjord views.

Seals resting on rocks at Milford Sound with a cruise ship in the background.

Duration

1 hr 45 min - 4 hr 30 min

Free cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience

Book now, pay later

Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.

Audio guide

Enhance your experience with multilingual audio guide

4.8/5

(1,821)

Marquet

Dec 2025

Verified booking

5/5

Very pleasant cruise (Even if the rain was part of the game) ! The organisation is at the top: arrival at the counter where we receive our passes then wait in front of the platform until boarding. The staff is nice and there are hot drinks offered in self-service on board (tea and coffee, milk). There are clean toilets too. Throughout the route there are photo stops and the staff gladly offers to photograph us! Inside there is the possibility to buy some souvenirs and snacks. There are many seats and several screens that film the outside in case of bad weather you can watch them. The windows are clean and allow you to observe the fjord without getting wet! The captain also gives some explanations during the cruise on the history of the fjord (in English).

Vishal

Dec 2025

Verified booking

5/5

Absolutely unforgettable experience! From the moment we parked the car to the time we disembarked, everything was seamless and stress-free. The team was consistently helpful, kind, and genuinely happy, which made a huge difference. Boarding was easy, the cruise itself was breathtaking, and the whole experience felt very well organised. Milford Sound is spectacular, and this cruise is the perfect way to enjoy it — relaxed, smooth, and memorable. We loved every single minute and would highly recommend it to anyone visiting New Zealand. I wish ponchos were included , so a tip carry or be prepared to buy one for $9 each

Liam

Dec 2025

Verified booking

5/5

Experience was brilliant can't fault it, hence the 5 stars, it's an incredible part of the world. Booking with Headout was concerning briefly as the company southern cruises, were unable to see our booking and it took the lady on the desk a good 15mins to resolve by calling others to try find it and of course holding up the line. Thankfully I had my confirmation number etc. We would recommend not using a third party personally like Headout and go directly to the boat companies. It was resolved but apparently a frequent issue. So allow time for that!

Cruise beneath glacier-carved cliffs and tumbling waterfalls, with both open decks for photographers and indoor lounges for all-weather comfort.

Spot fur seals, penguins, and dolphins along the fjord while guides share engaging live commentary about Fiordland’s wildlife and geology.

Book with confidence knowing multiple operators and departure slots give you better seat availability, even in peak season.

Choose the core cruise-only option for a flexible, great-value Milford experience without unnecessary extras.

Upgrade to a Fly–Cruise–Fly package from Queenstown to swap the 13-hour coach journey for a 5-hour trip with sweeping alpine and glacier views.

1-hour 45-minute to 2-hour Milford Sound cruise

Expert skipper commentary

Complimentary tea & coffee

Wildlife spotting opportunities

Access to outdoor viewing decks

Indoor heated lounge area

Multi-language audio guide app

Scenic flight transfers from Queenstown (if option selected)

35 minutes each way flying time

Guaranteed window seats

Expert pilot commentary

Other food and beverages (available for purchase onboard)

TOTAL DURATION1 hour 45 minutes - 2 hours
MODE OF TRANSFERBoat
Timeline
Map
Start point
Milford Sound Terminal
Get direction
Passes By
Mitre Peak
Lady Bowen Falls
Seal Rock
Fairy Falls
The Four Sisters
Stirling Falls
St. Anne's Point Lighthouse
Harrison Cove
Bottlenose dolphins
Fiordland Crested Penguins
End point
Milford Sound Terminal
Get direction
Your ending point would be same as your start point
TOTAL DURATION4 hours - 5 hours
Timeline
Map
Start point
Queenstown
Get direction
1. Milford Sound Terminal
Passes By
Mitre Peak
Lady Bowen Falls
Seal Rock
Fairy Falls
The Four Sisters
Stirling Falls
St. Anne's Point Lighthouse
Harrison Cove
Bottlenose dolphins
Fiordland Crested Penguins
End point
Return to Queenstown
Get direction

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

4.8
1,821 reviews
How do we collect reviews?
These ratings include verified reviews from both Headout guests and our trusted partners who operate this experience locally. All reviews come from real travelers who've taken this experience.
1.6K
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13
10
Guests from Australia, United States, Germany and over 10 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Asha
Jan 2026
Verified booking
5/5
The captain was knowledgeable and explained everything very well. The cruise was neat and clean and had quite a few food options and hot &cold drinks The weather was fortunately great and we could experience everuthing well. We were even fortune to see the tasmanian sea and the tip of Australia Overall a great experience
Angeline
Jan 2026
Verified booking
5/5
The place is stunning,it looks like heaven on earth, even its raining we still enjoyed it.We had a lovely time in the cruise plus we had our lunch included as well.Make sure to always check weather forecast so you can prepare what to wear especially when its raining needed some rain jacket and water proof clothes to wear
Daviti
Jan 2026
Verified booking
5/5
Got there a bit early. Car park was full but manageable. Found the gate easy and boarding was smooth. Cruise itself was amazing but we wanted to see more waterfalls.
Daniela
Jan 2026
Verified booking
5/5
The cruise was amazing, the sites were just beautiful. The crowds were also well behaved and everyone just enjoyed the beautiful views.
Tanvi
Jan 2026
Verified booking
5/5
It was a very mesmerizing experience for us today . Everyone was so excited at the cruise and all the things were really organized.

Cruise through the dramatic fjords of Milford Sound on a sightseeing journey featuring iconic waterfalls and towering cliffs.

Getting started

Arrive at the designated pier and present your ticket for boarding. After a quick safety briefing from the crew, settle in and prepare for departure.

What to expect

Recognized as one of New Zealand’s most spectacular natural wonders, Milford Sound is a glacier-carved fjord known for its sheer rock faces and lush rainforests. The cruise offers a unique perspective on this ancient landscape shaped over millions of years.

Features

Stirling and Bowen Falls: Witness these two prominent waterfalls plunging from towering heights, showcasing the region’s powerful rainfall and geology.

Mitre Peak: Admire the distinctive peak rising sharply from the water, a signature landmark of Milford Sound and a favorite for photographers.

Wildlife viewing: Keep an eye out for native seals basking on rocks and, with luck, dolphins or rare Fiordland crested penguins along the shoreline.

Onboard comfort: Enjoy open-air decks and indoor seating, providing panoramic views and shelter as you glide through the fjord.

What to bring

Bring a valid photo ID to match the name on your booking if requested at the entrance.

Carry warm, weather-appropriate clothing and a waterproof jacket, as conditions can change quickly on the water.

Don’t forget your camera to capture the stunning scenery.

Bring cash or an EFTPOS/credit card onboard for meals, souvenirs, and extra delights not covered by the ticket.

What’s not allowed

Outside food and beverages are not permitted on board.

Smoking, including e-cigarettes, is strictly prohibited on the vessel.

Pets are not allowed, except for registered service animals.

Dangerous or hazardous items are not permitted on the cruise.

Accessibility

Wheelchairs and prams/strollers can be brought on board as long as they fold to fit through the entrance of the boat.

There may be steps and uneven surfaces on board; guests with limited mobility should take caution.

Additional information

Please arrive at least 20 minutes before your scheduled departure time for check-in.

Cruises operate in most weather conditions; cancellations are rare and only occur in extreme circumstances.

Children must be supervised by an adult at all times.

Restrooms are available on board.

The cruise duration and route may vary depending on weather and operational requirements.

Infants and children may require a booked ticket; check your ticket details before arrival.

Your voucher will be emailed to you instantly.

Please arrive at the boarding point 20 mins before the scheduled time of your cruise to avoid any delays.

Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the boarding point.

Boarding point

Please check your final voucher for the boarding point details and specific instructions.