Cruise boat on Milford Sound surrounded by misty mountains and calm waters.
Couple on a boat enjoying Milford Sound's scenic mountain views.
Cruise boat near waterfall in Milford Sound, New Zealand.
Dolphins swimming near rocky cliffs in Milford Sound, New Zealand.
Cruise ship approaching dock with Mitre Peak in Milford Sound, New Zealand.
Group enjoying a 2-hour cruise on Milford Sound with scenic cliffs in the background.
Person enjoying a drink on a Milford Sound cruise with mountain views.

Milford Sound Cruise

Milford Sound
Sightseeing Cruises
Google Verified Seller

Duration: 2 hours (approx.)

Free cancellation

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

Get your booking confirmed instantly

Experience Milford Sound's natural wonders on this fascinating cruise in New Zealand. Set sail for an hour and forty-five minutes aboard either the Maiden of Milford or Gem of the Sound, two modern catamarans that navigate through lush rainforests, majestic cliffs, and cascading waterfalls. Marvel at the unique landscape where 6 meters of fresh water overlay ocean depths, creating a stunningly inky black sea.

Embark on a Milford Sound cruise, offering stellar views of steep cliffs rising from the dark waters of the fjord.

Enjoy the skipper's live narration detailing its unique geology, the source of its inky black water, and more as you sail past Mitre Peak and Lady Bowen Falls.

Witness the majestic Stirling Falls, plunging from 508 feet, and feel the spray of fresh glacial melt on your skin.

Savor a hot cup of tea or coffee in the cozy lounge or on the viewing deck while spotting seals, dolphins, and Fiordland crested penguins.

Fun fact: Milford Sound is not a sound. It is actually a fjord, which is a glacier-carved valley.

1-hour 45-minute Milford Sound cruise

Stops at points of interest

Live commentary from the skipper

Complimentary tea & coffee on-board

Transfers

Cruise boat on Milford Sound surrounded by misty mountains and calm waters.

Cruise boat on Milford Sound surrounded by misty mountains and calm waters.

Witness Mother Nature's masterpieces

Set sail on a serene 1-hour 45-minute Milford Sound cruise aboard one of the 2 modern and spacious catamarans, Maiden of Milford or Gem of the Sound. This journey takes you through one of the most picturesque and wettest landscapes in the world. Here, you'll be mesmerized by cascading waterfalls, majestic cliffs, and lush rainforests. The water here is an exotic shade of inky black, which is a combination of river and seawater. Amazingly, it is formed such that there are 6 meters of fresh water over the ocean water. The convenient habitat built as a result allows deep-sea life to thrive.

See iconic landmarks from another angle

Your journey spans the vast fjord, passing by landmarks such as Mitre Peak, Lady Bowen, and Stirling Falls. Witness the beauty of Fairy Falls and spot wildlife like seals, dolphins, and Fiordland Crested Penguins, all while enjoying a cozy beverage. Whether you're out on the deck or peering through our expansive windows, every view is a spectacle. Our guides will enrich your experience with engaging tales and insights, deepening your connection with these natural marvels.

Couple on a boat enjoying Milford Sound's scenic mountain views.

Couple on a boat enjoying Milford Sound's scenic mountain views.

Cruise boat near waterfall in Milford Sound, New Zealand.

Cruise boat near waterfall in Milford Sound, New Zealand.

Dolphins swimming near rocky cliffs in Milford Sound, New Zealand.

Dolphins swimming near rocky cliffs in Milford Sound, New Zealand.

What to bring

  • Pack sunglasses, sunscreen, rain jacket, hat, insect repellant, and power bank for the trip.
  • Wear warm layered clothing and comfortable footwear to stay warm during the trip.
  • Bring cash or an EFTPOS/credit card onboard for Cafe Bar purchases.

Accessibility

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

Additional information

  • The experience may be subject to change due to extreme weather conditions.
Cruise ship approaching dock with Mitre Peak in Milford Sound, New Zealand.

Cruise ship approaching dock with Mitre Peak in Milford Sound, New Zealand.

Group enjoying a 2-hour cruise on Milford Sound with scenic cliffs in the background.

Group enjoying a 2-hour cruise on Milford Sound with scenic cliffs in the background.

Customer Reviews

Discover what our customers are saying about their experiences

4.3

Loading reviews...

5
-
4
-
3
-
2
-
1
-

By proceeding with any booking via Staybook, you acknowledge and agree to adhere to all the .

FAQs

This cruise is conducted on modern and spacious catamarans named Maiden of Milford or Gem of the Sound.
Live commentary from the skipper will detail the unique geology and features like Mitre Peak and Lady Bowen Falls as you sail through Milford Sound.
Yes, complimentary tea and coffee are available onboard for passengers.
Yes, the cruise includes stops at points of interest along the way.
The Milford Sound cruise lasts for 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Yes, wheelchairs and prams can be brought on board as long as they fold to fit through the entrance of the boat.
The water is an exotic shade of inky black due to a combination of river and seawater, with about six meters of fresh water overlying ocean water.
You may spot seals, dolphins, and Fiordland crested penguins while cruising through Milford Sound.
Wear warm layered clothing and comfortable footwear to stay warm during the trip. It's also advisable to pack a rain jacket, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, insect repellant, and a power bank.
Yes, bring cash or an EFTPOS/credit card if you wish to make any purchases at the Cafe Bar on board.

You might also like ...

Explore more experiences in Milford Sound.

From
9,132per person
1

Were Online

How may

Why travellers trust Staybook

We've served 50 million+ guests and are here to serve you better

Premium support, curated experiences, and trusted reviews so every trip feels effortless.

Guests hosted
50 million+

Happy travellers across 12,000+ carefully curated experiences worldwide.

In the media
Featured brands

Recognised and recommended by leading travel and lifestyle publishers.

Support
24×7 help center

Live chat with local experts before, during, and after your experience.