New Zealand · MILFORD SOUND TOURS

The 15 Best Milford Sound Tours & Cruises

93 tours  ·  from $44

Getting there is most of the day, so the coach and the boat are one decision. The 15 below compare departures from Queenstown and Te Anau, the small-boat cruises against the big ones, and the fly-in option that turns twelve hours into four.

Premium Milford Sound Small Group Tour & Cruise from Queenstown - Leaving Queenstown beside Lake Wakatipu
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Premium Milford Sound Small Group Tour & Cruise from Queenstown

1.Premium Milford Sound Small Group Tour & Cruise from Queenstown

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3,001 reviews · from $216Our pick

Travel from Queenstown to Milford Sound in a small group of no more than 15 people, with hotel pickup, a picnic lunch, scenic stops, live commentary, and a two-hour cruise. Guides such as Andy, Jess, Danny, Joe, and Dean share local stories, Māori traditions, and practical help along the long, winding drive.

“We absolutely Loved our day trip to Fjordland National Park/Milford Sound, which we booked through viator, with Cheeky Kiwi. Our coach was very clean, nice comfortable seats, and our driver Jess was Fantastic! She’s vivacious and friendly, an excellent driver, and knows So Much about the area, as well as stories from the Māori culture, and she’s a Great story-teller! She made the long trip very enjoyable. We appreciated the numerous stops along the way, where we could observe nature, such as various birds, as well as the Incredible geologic features. We were provided with a delicious box lunch to enjoy on the cruise. The cruise itself was nice, with…”

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Cruise Milford NZ Small Boutique Cruise Experience - The 1-hour-45-minute route through the fiord
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Cruise Milford NZ Small Boutique Cruise Experience

2.Cruise Milford NZ Small Boutique Cruise Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,930 reviews · from $111

Cruise Milford Sound for about 1 hour 45 minutes aboard a smaller boat with lounge-style seating, live skipper commentary, and tea, coffee, and biscuits. You may spot fur seals, dolphins, and Fiordland-crested penguins, while the skipper brings you close to waterfalls, Mitre Peak, and the sheer cliffs of this UNESCO World Heritage area.

“Great cruise! Much smaller than the others which was very enjoyable. The staff was so kind and the captain very funny and entertaining. Also, great views of waterfalls! Highly recommend.”

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Queenstown: Milford Sound Coach & Cruise Full-Day Trip - Entering Fiordland National Park
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Queenstown: Milford Sound Coach & Cruise Full-Day Trip

3.Milford Sound Coach & Cruise Full-Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 2,592 reviews · from $144

Ride from Queenstown to Milford Sound with local guides such as Brian, Brendan, and Carl sharing stories along the way. Stop for photos and short walks before a scenic cruise past waterfalls, rainforest, seals, dolphins, and possibly penguins. Lunch, tea, hot water, three viewing decks, and central pickup are included.

“So so so so good, the tourguide is eloquent and funny”

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Milford Sound: 2-Hour Small Boat Scenic Cruise - From Milford Wharf to Mitre Peak
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Milford Sound: 2-Hour Small Boat Scenic Cruise

4.2-Hour Small Boat Scenic Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 2,561 reviews · 2 hours · from $101

Cruise Milford Sound for two hours aboard Mitre Peak Cruises’ smaller boat, with open viewing decks, indoor seating, hot drinks, and live commentary. The skipper takes you past Mitre Peak, Stirling Falls, Seal Rock, and the fiord’s cliffs, often close enough to feel waterfall spray. Keep watch for seals, dolphins, and Fiordland penguins.

“Really good! Very easy to book and super fun and informative experience. Loved the views and the wtaerflass spray! Highly recommend, 8th wonder of the world.”

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Small Group, Award Winning Milford Sound Day Experience & Cruise - Lake Te Anau gives you a proper first break
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Small Group, Award Winning Milford Sound Day Experience & Cruise

5.Small Group, Award Winning Milford Sound Day Experience & Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,416 reviews · from $235

Travel from Queenstown to Milford Sound in a Mercedes van with up to 15 people, stopping at Lake Te Anau, Eglinton Valley, Mirror Lakes, and the Homer Tunnel. Your guide shares local stories, then you cruise beneath peaks and waterfalls for about two hours. Lunch, WiFi, hot drinks, pickup, and drop-off are included.

“Best on a rainy day! All the locals said the best day for Milford Sound was when it was raining and we couldn't agree more. Waterfalls were so BEAUTIFUL! Our tour guide Malav was AMAZING! He was knowledgeable and knew the best spRead more”

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Milford Sound Fly-Cruise-Fly Tour from Queenstown - From Queenstown to the Southern Alps
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Milford Sound Fly-Cruise-Fly Tour from Queenstown

6.Milford Sound Fly-Cruise-Fly Tour from Queenstown

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,792 reviews · from $462

Fly with True South Flights from Queenstown over the Southern Alps to Milford Sound, then take a 1-hour-45-minute cruise beneath cliffs and waterfalls. Your pilot provides commentary, and every plane passenger gets a window seat. Selected central Queenstown pickup and drop-off are included, with a maximum of 13 people.

“Such a great way to enjoy the scenery in New Zealand through flying and get to Milford Sound for the cruise. Micheal, the pilot made sure we had an enjoyable and safe flight over. One of the highlights of our NZ trip!”

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From Queenstown: Milford Sound Full-Day Trip by Plane & Boat - Pickup, weather checks, and Queenstown departure
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From Queenstown: Milford Sound Full-Day Trip by Plane & Boat

7.Milford Sound Full-Day Trip by Plane & Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 1,558 reviews · 5 hours · from $447

Fly from Queenstown across the Southern Alps and Fiordland, land near Milford Sound, and cruise the fiord for two hours. Every seat has a window, and the outbound and return flights use different routes. Pilots such as Jared, Andy, and Kirk are known for friendly commentary, though weather can delay or cancel the trip.

“Highlight of our month spent touring NZ so far. Blessed with stunning weather of clear blue skies which showed off the incredible scenery perfectly. The scenery on the flight was spectacular and the pilot provided great commentary with friendly approach. Wonderful to then see Milford Sound on a boat, again great commentary and real up close experiences of waterfalls. Yes expensive…but worth it 🤩”

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2-Hour Milford Sound Scenic Cruise - Starting at the Milford Sound Visitor Centre
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2-Hour Milford Sound Scenic Cruise

8.2-Hour Milford Sound Scenic Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,520 reviews · from $104

Spend about two hours cruising Milford Sound from the Milford Sound Visitor Centre to the Tasman Sea and back. A smaller vessel brings you close to waterfalls, cliffs, and wildlife, while live commentary explains the fjord’s geology, history, and Māori connections. Tea, coffee, and hot chocolate are included, but food is not.

“It was very enjoyable and staff where very interesting and accommodating thank you for the great cruise”

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From Queenstown: Milford Sound Cruise and Coach Day Trip - Leaving Queenstown beside Lake Whakatipu
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From Queenstown: Milford Sound Cruise and Coach Day Trip

9.Milford Sound Cruise and Coach Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,417 reviews · from $152

Travel from Queenstown to Milford Sound in a glass-roof, air-conditioned coach, with scenic stops, short walks, and live English commentary. After the Milford Road, take a two-hour cruise toward the Tasman Sea for waterfalls, cliffs, seals, dolphins, and possible penguins. It is a long but well-organized day, usually lasting 12 to 13 hours.

“A long, tiring day but well worth it. We had amazing weather and the trip on Milford Sound was unforgettable ❤️”

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Award Winning Milford Sound Full Day Tour & Cruise from Te Anau - Mirror Lakes gives you an easy first walk
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Award Winning Milford Sound Full Day Tour & Cruise from Te Anau

10.Award Winning Milford Sound Full Day Tour & Cruise from Te Anau

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,198 reviews · from $185

Travel from Te Anau to Milford Sound in a small Mercedes Sprinter with guides such as Tania, Andy, Gary, and Allan. Stop at Mirror Lakes, Homer Tunnel, The Chasm, and other Fiordland viewpoints before a two-hour cruise past waterfalls, seals, dolphins, and possible penguins. Pickup, park fees, commentary, and morning tea are included.

“Small group, we saw many full size bus tours and we were glad to be on our small Mercedes Sprinter Van. Our tour guide Gary was great. He is very knowledgeable about geography and the area. We enjoyed his commentary a lot. The tour stoRead more”

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Milford Sound: Nature Cruise on a Modern Catamaran - From the terminal to the first waterfalls
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Milford Sound: Nature Cruise on a Modern Catamaran

11.Nature Cruise on a Modern Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,006 reviews · 1h 45m · from $92Best value

Cruise Milford Sound aboard Pure Milford’s modern catamaran for 105 minutes, with three levels of seating, live outdoor camera views, outdoor decks, and commentary from the skipper. You’ll visit waterfalls, watch for seals, dolphins, and Fiordland crested penguins, and may travel out toward the Tasman Sea.

“If no one else tells you - I will. If you’re coming to Milford because you’ve seen those videos on social media of all the crazy waterfalls YOU HAVE TO DO THIS EXPERIENCE THE DAY AFTER A HEAVY RAINFALL OR WHILE ITS ACTIVELY RAINING TO ACHIEVE THOSE EXACT VIEWS. No, I’m not kidding- the captain or crew will even tell you this too. The experience was absolutely wonderful however, it hadn’t rained the day prior and it wasn’t raining the day I did this tour either - in conditions such as these you only see maybe 5 or 6 waterfalls and only 2 are really anything to gawk at (in…”

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From Queenstown: Milford Sound Day Trip on Premium Coach - Te Anau gives the long drive a useful pause
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From Queenstown: Milford Sound Day Trip on Premium Coach

12.Milford Sound Day Trip on Premium Coach

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 976 reviews · 750 minutes - 14 hours · from $170

Travel from Queenstown to Milford Sound in a glass-roof coach with live commentary, scenic stops at Te Anau, Eglinton Valley, Mirror Lakes, and Monkey Creek, then take a two-hour nature cruise. Guides such as Stan, Keith, Shale, and Junior are known for adding useful local detail to the long drive.

“Great tour guide (Junior/Craig)! He had heaps of interesting stories and was very engaging throughout the entire trip. Bus was comfortable and had charging ports and seat pockets. We stopped at a few places to take pictures of the beautiful scenery which was well appreciated especially as he chose areas that were less crowded. Milford sound itself was beautiful! The cruise was nice and we were given our ticket cards when we checked in at the beginning of the day which made getting on the boat so easy. Cruise specifically - I wouldn’t pay for the buffet again as it was minimal, expensive and limited our time up on deck…”

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Milford Sound: Boutique Small-Boat Cruise - Mitre Peak and Sinbad Gully set the scene
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Milford Sound: Boutique Small-Boat Cruise

13.Boutique Small-Boat Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 942 reviews · 105 minutes - 12 hours · from $101

Cruise Milford Sound for 1 hour 45 minutes aboard a comfortable small boat with lounge seating, open-air viewing, and room to move. Guides such as Brad, Chris, Steve, and Roger share local stories as you pass Mitre Peak, seals, Fairy Falls, Sterling Falls, and the Tasman Sea. Tea, coffee, and biscuits are included.

“Amazing trip very informative guide and getting so close to a waterfall just amazing!!!!”

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From Te Anau: Milford Sound Coach Tour and Cruise - Scenic stops turn the road into an attraction
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From Te Anau: Milford Sound Coach Tour and Cruise

14.Milford Sound Coach Tour and Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 868 reviews · 8 hours · from $110

Spend eight hours traveling from Te Anau to Milford Sound with an English-speaking driver-guide, photo stops, short Fiordland walks, and a picnic lunch. The bus has chargers, a toilet, and a see-through roof. Guides such as Sebastian, Scarlett, and Brendan are praised for lively commentary, while the cruise offers waterfalls, seals, free hot drinks, and views from three decks.

“The trip was absolutely amazing. The tour guide on both the bus and cruise were very informative. I'm not one for tours but would do this again.”

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From Te Anau: Milford Sound Coach, Cruise, and Walks - The Milford Road is part of the attraction
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From Te Anau: Milford Sound Coach, Cruise, and Walks

15.Milford Sound Coach, Cruise, and Walks

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 845 reviews · 1 day · from $164

Travel from Te Anau to Milford Sound in a small group of up to 15, with guides such as Geoff, Olivia, Jeff, Ross, and Michelle sharing local stories about Fiordland’s geology, plants, birds, and history. You’ll cruise to the Tasman Sea, eat a packed lunch, and take short forest walks and photo stops chosen around the weather.

“the guide Andrew was excellent,knowledgable and arranged thr whole trip perfectly. Stops and short walks were great. Boat on Milfor d was superb”

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New in Milford Sound Tours

★ 5.0Milford Sound Grand Tour Helicopter Scenic Flight Departing from Milford SoundFrom $5554 reviews
★ 5.0Scenic Flight Transfer to Queenstown from Milford SoundFrom $35754 reviews
★ 5.0Self-Guided Milford Track Day Walk – Milford SoundFrom $4617 reviews
★ 4.5Premium Milford Sound Cruise Including LunchFrom $18532 reviews
★ 4.5Milford Sound Mariner Overnight Cruise159 reviews
★ 5.0Milford Sound Luxury Lunch Cruise onboard The Fiordland JewelFrom $21612 reviews
★ 5.0Milford Sound Overnight Cruise Fiordland JewelFrom $837128 reviews
★ 5.0Milford Sound Extended Cruise with Southern DiscoveriesFrom $1239 reviews
★ 4.5Milford Sound Coach & Cruise ex Te Anau Stunning Views with LunchFrom $183121 reviews
★ 4.5Glacier Galore Helicopter Scenic Flight from Milford SoundFrom $3695 reviews
★ 4.56 Day Christchurch to Queenstown via Mt Cook & Milford Sound TourFrom $1,2413 reviews
★ 4.06 Day South Island Circut: Milford Sound, Queenstown and GlaciersFrom $3,4256 reviews
★ 5.04 Day Tour to Milford Sound, Mount Cook & More from ChristchurchFrom $2,2183 reviews
★ 5.04 Day Tour to Milford Sound, Mount Cook & More from AucklandFrom $2,6374 reviews
★ 5.0Premium Milford Sound Full Day Tour and CruiseFrom $193104 reviews

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