Sightseeing Cruises

Milford Sound Cruise with Optional Lunch

Name: Milford Sound Cruise with Optional Lunch
Start: 2026-09-01T12:45:00
End: 2026-09-01T12:45:00
Location: Milford Sound

4.8/5(2,021)

Robelin N

Couple

Verified booking

Aug 2026

The cruise was exceptional, and the crew on board was very welcoming and cheerful. They really made sure we enjoyed every moment of the 2-hour cruise. If I can offer one piece of advice, do this in the winter! After the tour, we stopped by the really nice souvenir shop😌... And as we were leaving Milford, we were surprised by the snow🥰... It’s the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen in my life! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT

Mandy R

Couple

Verified booking

Jul 2026

The captain was informative without being too much commentary, as well as funny. The crew were so friendly and helpful. Great scenery, just breath taking moments.

Valeria W

Couple

Verified booking

Jun 2026

We went on the cruise during a heavy rain storm. Counterintuitively, these were the perfect weather conditions. Due to the rain, the waterfalls were nothing short of spectacular. Our lunch included enough for two meals, so several items ended up in our snack bag for the remainder of our three-week trip. My only regret is having to take photographs through the window since the wind was whipping rain onto the deck. Of course, the closer we cruised to the Tasman Sea, the higher the wind gusts. (Yes, Virginia, sometimes water falls horizontally!) On our drive in from Queenstown, the mountainsides were relatively dry as we descended to the sound. On the way out, most of the mountainsides were decorated with cataracts of cascading water. Beautiful! Sorry for the relative greyness of the photos. It was that misty.

Vicki M

Group

Verified booking

Apr 2026

We thoroughly enjoyed our cruise through the Milford sounds aboard your ferry, it was so easy getting our boarding pass and boarding the boat, we stood at the front so got great views, we also enjoyed the commentre, it was very informative and great humour to go along with it. The captain tried her best to get the weather to provide us with some rain for the waterfalls but alas it stayed beautiful and fine which was ok. We didn't have the optional lunch but saw people enjoying there and it looked quite good. Thanks for looking after us for the afternoon.

Nicholas L

Couple

Verified booking

Apr 2026

Our Vessel , Gem of the Sound was very spacious and only carried 107 passengers on the day . We had room to move around and checked out the scenery from a number of different positions on the boat. Our Captain , Nick was very approachable and provided great commentary on the surroundings. We didnt use the catering facilities , although most people did. Everything ran on time . We chose to drive from Te Anau and enjoyed the sights along the way. All in all, an unforgetable day in one of the most picturesque landscapes on the planet.

Erica O

Couple

Verified booking

Apr 2026

The flight was great! The sun was shining and the view was phenomenal. Unfortunately, there was a wind that did not allow us to land to take the cruise portion that we booked but we were refunded the same day for the difference.

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
The central hub for all cruises, the Milford Sound Visitor Terminal is where your cruise begins. Inside you’ll find operator check-in desks, restrooms, and displays introducing the fiord’s history. Just outside, the wharf stretches into the basin, offering your very first panoramas of Mitre Peak.
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.

2,021 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.
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Guests from Australia, United States, United Kingdom and over 36 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Robelin N
Couple
Verified booking
Aug 2026
The cruise was exceptional, and the crew on board was very welcoming and cheerful. They really made sure we enjoyed every moment of the 2-hour cruise. If I can offer one piece of advice, do this in the winter! After the tour, we stopped by the really nice souvenir shop😌... And as we were leaving Milford, we were surprised by the snow🥰... It’s the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen in my life! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT
Monika M
Couple
Verified booking
Last week
It was amazing, a real thrill ride
Mandy R
Couple
Verified booking
Jul 2026
The captain was informative without being too much commentary, as well as funny. The crew were so friendly and helpful. Great scenery, just breath taking moments.
Sonam K
Family
Verified booking
Jul 2026
Very friendly staff and amazing ride
Zhang Y
Family
Verified booking
Jul 2026
The natural view was amazing, and the captain drove a great path which made is much easier for us to enjoy the view

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 shortly.

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

Please check your final voucher for the starting point details & specific instructions.