New Zealand · MILFORD SOUND CRUISES

The 15 Best Milford Sound Cruises & Day Trips

106 tours  ·  from $44

Milford is a long way from everywhere and worth the drive twice over. These 15 compare the coach-and-cruise days from Queenstown and Te Anau, the fly-cruise-fly shortcuts and the small boats, on price, total hours and how close you get to the waterfalls.

Premium Milford Sound Small Group Tour & Cruise from Queenstown - From Queenstown to Lake Te Anau
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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 up to 15, with hotel pickup, live commentary, scenic stops, snacks, lunch, and a two-hour Cruise Milford sailing. Guides such as Andy, Jess, Joe, and Danny bring Fiordland’s geology and Māori stories to life.

“The day started early and it's quite a long drive there and back but we did get to stop along the way to grab a quick bite. Our guide/driver was Jess and she was awesome! She provided lots of information and history about New Zealand and tried to keep us interested during our long journey. Once we arrived, we did the Milford Sound cruise (which includes lunch on the boat). It was an amazing experience and the views are incredible. This tour provides an easy way to see Milford Sound although if you're prone to car sickness, I would recommend taking something for that as as times it is quite…”

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Queenstown: Milford Sound Coach & Cruise Full-Day Trip - Queenstown Pickup and the Early Coach Ride
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Queenstown: Milford Sound Coach & Cruise Full-Day Trip

2.Milford Sound Coach & Cruise Full-Day Trip

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

Ride from Queenstown or Te Anau to Milford Sound with local guide commentary, scenic stops, a packed lunch, and a cruise with three viewing decks. Guides such as Brendan, Brian, and Robben are known for lively stories, careful driving, and helpful photo stops. Expect a long but rewarding day.

“love love loved the tour. Pick up effortless driver full of knowledge cruise amazing. If you have never been to milford sounds do your best to get there it is so beautiful and serene.”

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

3.2-Hour Small Boat Scenic Cruise

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

Cruise Milford Sound aboard Mitre Peak Cruises’ smaller vessel for two hours of close-up views of Mitre Peak, Stirling Falls, seals, dolphins, and seasonal penguins. Your skipper provides live commentary, with indoor seating, outdoor decks, and complimentary tea, coffee, and hot chocolate.

“Our boat trip was absolutely sensational! The skipper was amazing - so entertaining and not to mention the driving skills - we got sooo close to the falls and cliffs it was edge of the seat breathtaking!! We even spotted seals and took off to see them slumming it out in the rocks. An overall gorgeous trip we will never forget.”

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Small Group, Award Winning Milford Sound Day Experience & Cruise - A premium Mercedes van and a smaller group
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Small Group, Award Winning Milford Sound Day Experience & Cruise

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

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

Travel from Queenstown to Milford Sound in a premium Mercedes van with up to 15 people, stopping at Lake Te Anau, Eglinton Valley, Mirror Lakes, and the Homer Tunnel. Your local guide handles the long drive, while lunch, WiFi, hot drinks, and a nature cruise are included.

“It is a very long day but so worth it! Milford Sound is majestic and beautiful! I’m so happy I made the trip.”

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Milford Sound Fly-Cruise-Fly Tour from Queenstown - Landing at Milford Sound
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Milford Sound Fly-Cruise-Fly Tour from Queenstown

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

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

Fly with True South Flights over Lake Wakatipu, the Southern Alps, glaciers, valleys, and waterfalls to Milford Sound. Enjoy a roughly two-hour cruise, then return to Queenstown by another scenic route. Pilots such as Luke, Andrew, Michael, and Tanmay provide commentary along the way.

“This experience is a must do if you visit Queenstown. The pilot was amazing. One of the highlights of our trip.”

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From Queenstown: Milford Sound Full-Day Trip by Plane & Boat - Taking off from Queenstown
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From Queenstown: Milford Sound Full-Day Trip by Plane & Boat

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

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

Trade a long road trip for return scenic flights over the Southern Alps, Mt Aspiring, and Fiordland National Park, then take a two-hour Milford Sound cruise. Every plane seat has a window, and pilots such as Jared, Andy, Mike, and Kirk add useful commentary when conditions allow.

“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 - From the Visitor Centre to the heart of the fjord
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2-Hour Milford Sound Scenic Cruise

7.2-Hour Milford Sound Scenic Cruise

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

Cruise Milford Sound from the Visitor Centre toward the Tasman Sea, passing Mitre Peak, Bowen Falls, Sinbad Gully, and Mt. Pembroke. A smaller boat brings you closer to waterfalls and wildlife, while live commentary explains Fiordland’s geology, history, and Māori heritage. Tea, coffee, and hot chocolate are included.

“My family enjoyed this tour. I booked with this company as it's advertised as less people on the boat than some of the bigger boats. The tour was fully booked as it was over the holidays, but it was still pleasant. We found a seat on the top Read more”

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From Queenstown: Milford Sound Cruise and Coach Day Trip - Meeting in Queenstown before the long road
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From Queenstown: Milford Sound Cruise and Coach Day Trip

8.Milford Sound Cruise and Coach Day Trip

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

Take RealNZ’s glass-roof coach from Queenstown to Milford Sound, stopping around Te Anau and along Milford Road before a two-hour nature cruise. Guides such as Danny, Dean, and Paulie add local stories, while the boat brings you close to waterfalls, cliffs, seals, dolphins, and penguins.

“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 and the first views of Fiordland
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Award Winning Milford Sound Full Day Tour & Cruise from Te Anau

9.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 group of up to 16, with guides such as Tania, Andy, Gary, and Allan sharing local stories along the Milford Road. Stop at Mirror Lakes, The Chasm, and mountain viewpoints before a two-hour cruise past waterfalls, seals, dolphins, and penguins.

“We got picked up from our airbnb on the outskirts of town and taken to several stops along the route to Milford Sound. Allan was very informative which made the trip fly by. The packed lunch was more than just a sandwich with a packet of crisps, apple, crackers and chocolate also provided. All in all, this was a very good tour and would highly recommend.”

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Milford Sound: Nature Cruise on a Modern Catamaran - Boarding a roomy, modern catamaran
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Milford Sound: Nature Cruise on a Modern Catamaran

10.Nature Cruise on a Modern Catamaran

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

Spend 105 minutes aboard Pure Milford’s modern catamaran, cruising from the visitor centre through Milford Sound and out toward the Tasman Sea. Enjoy three levels of seating, large windows, viewing decks, live commentary, and a chance to see seals, dolphins, waterfalls, and Fiordland crested penguins.

“Great boat with excellent commentary from a knowledgeable skipper who had a great sense of humour.”

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From Queenstown: Milford Sound Day Trip on Premium Coach - Queenstown departure and the first long road section
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From Queenstown: Milford Sound Day Trip on Premium Coach

11.Milford Sound Day Trip on Premium Coach

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

Ride from Queenstown to Milford Sound in a comfortable glass-roof coach with live commentary, stops at Te Anau, Eglinton Valley, Mirror Lakes, and Monkey Creek, then cruise beneath waterfalls on a two-hour nature voyage. Guides such as Stan, Keith, and Shale are known for making the long drive enjoyable.

“I enjoyed the narration about the places. The stops were too short. Overall, interesting locations, though a bit commercialized.”

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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

12.Boutique Small-Boat Cruise

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

Cruise Milford Sound aboard a comfortable small boat with lounge sofas, open viewing decks, and a friendly English-speaking crew. See Mitre Peak, seals, waterfalls, and possibly dolphins or Fiordland crested penguins. The boat can approach Fairy Falls and Sterling Falls closely enough to feel the spray.

“Dan was a great captain, and the rest of the crew were very friendly and informative. Stunning scenery, and well worth the long drive to Milford to experience the spectacle. Also blessed with a very cute seal pup!”

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From Te Anau: Milford Sound Coach Tour and Cruise - The Milford Road is more than a transfer
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From Te Anau: Milford Sound Coach Tour and Cruise

13.Milford Sound Coach Tour and Cruise

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

Travel from Te Anau through Fiordland with guides such as Sebastian, Scarlet, and Brendan, stopping for photos and short walks before a full Milford Sound cruise. Expect a comfortable coach, picnic lunch, free hot drinks, live commentary, and about eight hours of spectacular scenery.

“A little stressful to start as bus was running late due to road works and being picked up in Te Anua meant we weren’t sure if we had somehow missed our tour as most people get on in Queenstown. The rest of the tour ran very smoothly. Brendan our guide was super, very knowledgeable and entertaining. We had plenty of stops to break up the journey so it didn’t even feel that long. Bus itself very comfortable with chargers built in and an on board toilet. Surprisingly good packed lunch provided. Free tea and coffee on the boat also. The cruise itself was fantastic, very smooth despite the wild weather…”

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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

14.Milford Sound Coach, Cruise, and Walks

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

Travel from Te Anau in a small van with a local nature guide, stopping at Lake Gunn, Hollyford Valley, Marian Gantry, and other scenic spots before a two-hour Milford Sound cruise. Expect a packed lunch, short forest walks, wildlife opportunities, and flexible plans shaped by weather.

“It was fantastic. Andrew was a brilliant guide his knowledge on the area was amazing. He was very helpful and polite. The walks he took us on where amazing - showing us the best places to stop in the area and giving us a brief history of the areas. Andrew could call each of the travellers by name, and made sure everyone was enjoying their day out. Definitely book the Milford Sound Tour with them - it was an amazing day out. One of the best day tours I have ever done. Thanks.”

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Milford Sound Coach and Cruise tour from Queenstown - Fiordland National Park is half the experience
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Milford Sound Coach and Cruise tour from Queenstown

15.Milford Sound Coach and Cruise tour from Queenstown

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 789 reviews · from $152

Spend a full day travelling from Queenstown to Piopiotahi Milford Sound by air-conditioned coach, with stops in Te Anau and Fiordland National Park. Guides such as Carl, Hamish, Sebastian, Brian, and Graeme are praised for lively commentary. A catamaran cruise, lunch, refreshments, and hotel pickup are included.

“It was a really long day (with a fair amount of time spent on the bus) but Brian / the Pure Milford team made it an amazing journey for us. Milford Sound was absolutely incredible and we were really happy that we got to stop at multiple spots for photos as well – highly recommend!”

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New in Milford Sound Cruises

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★ 5.0Milford Sound Small Group Tour, Cruise & Picnic LunchFrom $23295 reviews
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