Sightseeing Cruises

Milford Sound Cruise with Optional Lunch

Name: Milford Sound Cruise with Optional Lunch
Start: 2026-04-14T12:30:00
End: 2026-04-14T16:30:00
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 - 6 hr

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

Pickup available

Meals included

Indulge in a sumptuous meal as a part of your experience

4.8/5

(1,993)

Vicki M

Group

Verified booking

5 days ago

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.

Terese J

Couple

Verified booking

Last week

The cruise was so well organised and the scenery is magic. There was great informative commentary for us too. The boat was very comfortable to cruise on.

Mudassar A

Family

Verified booking

5 days ago

I cannot fault the cruise itself but i must say something about the staff of Southern Discoveries who i found slightly unprofessional. The cruise timings were changed from 12:45 pm to 1:30 pm WITHOUT any confirmation or email or text. And we drove 4 hrs to reach there. And they had no explanation for why the timings were changed. They just kept looking at my face like brainless stupid monkeys! Lol. They just kept saying 'Ahh' or 'umm' or 'yeah'. But the cruise otherwise was great. No doubt on this one!!

Karolina M

Couple

Verified booking

2 weeks ago

Milford Sound was absolutely unforgettable experience. The ship itself was very comfortable with plenty of space for everyone. The top deck had a lots of room outside to stand and take in the views without it feeling crowded. At the same time. 85 was great that there was a lower deck where you could go inside and warm up if it's too cold or windy without missing any views. Through the cruise, a guide was speaking over the speakers, explaining what we were seeing. A special bonus was that we even stopped to watch dolphins along the way. Overall, it was fantastic experience.

Krzysztof S

Couple

Verified booking

Mar 2026

We enjoyed everything, from the drive to Milford Sound to the cruise. The captain had a great sense of humour and gave detailed descriptions of the area. We saw seals sunning on rocks, dolphins swimming by the boat, and beautiful waterfalls up close! We also had complimentary hot chocolate, coffe, and tea. And we also had great weather, blue skies, no rain! All in all it was the perfect cruise!

Mr Ian F

Couple

Verified booking

Mar 2026

A splendid cruise down the Milford Sound. The commentary was good with great local insights but no excessive chatter. The boat was clean and smooth with excellent staff who made you feel valued. We actually arrived too early as there was space on an earlier cruise we were moved onto that one at our request. Nothing seemed too much trouble. A great excursion.

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.

1,993 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.
1.7K
179
39
16
17
Guests from Australia, United States, United Kingdom and over 37 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Terese J
Couple
Verified booking
Last week
The cruise was so well organised and the scenery is magic. There was great informative commentary for us too. The boat was very comfortable to cruise on.
Vicki M
Group
Verified booking
5 days ago
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.
Mudassar A
Family
Verified booking
5 days ago
I cannot fault the cruise itself but i must say something about the staff of Southern Discoveries who i found slightly unprofessional. The cruise timings were changed from 12:45 pm to 1:30 pm WITHOUT any confirmation or email or text. And we drove 4 hrs to reach there. And they had no explanation for why the timings were changed. They just kept looking at my face like brainless stupid monkeys! Lol. They just kept saying 'Ahh' or 'umm' or 'yeah'. But the cruise otherwise was great. No doubt on this one!!
Duriez D
Group
Verified booking
Last week
An exceptional location, though the downside was that the cruise was shortened from its usual route (Route No. 1, red solid line); we mentioned this to the captain, who confirmed it (too many waves!!!! even though other cruise boats were out there). So we returned to the dock 20 minutes later, and to sum it up: the service was disappointing, but not the location.
Wander S
Couple
Verified booking
Yesterday
The ship was the biggest and most modern among other alternatives in the harbor. The mains spots during the cruise were very well narrated over the ship's loudspeakers, making the outstanding experience even better!!!

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.