Table Of Content
- Why choose Mitre Peak Cruises? ____________
- Southern Discoveries – The Best Milford Sound Cruise and Kayak Tour
- Doubtful Sound Wilderness Cruises
- Cruise Milford
- RealNZ Milford Mariner Overnight Cruise – The Best Overnight Cruise Cruise in Milford Sound
- Mitre Peak
- From Te Anau: Milford Track, Cruise & Return Transfers

I was blown away by all of the cool facts and knowledge the guide continued to wow everyone on board with. Having done all the cruises on this list I can confidently say that this one in particular is the best way to learn about the flora and fauna of Milford Sound! You can read my review of the Nature Cruise here, but safe to say, I loved it.
Why choose Mitre Peak Cruises? ____________
You can choose to explore the pristine shoreline by kayak or small boat, getting up close and personal with the stunning surroundings. You haven’t been to Milford Sound until you have cruised through its majestic fiord. A cruise in Milford Sound is on almost everybody’s bucket list when travelling New Zealand, but the decision fatigue from choosing a cruise is not what you need on your holiday.
Southern Discoveries – The Best Milford Sound Cruise and Kayak Tour
Enjoy complimentary tea, coffee, and hot chocolate onboard as you cruise the length of the fjord, watching for wildlife and making frequent stops at noteworthy landmarks. This small boat scenic cruise has everything you need for a memorable tour of Milford Sound. If you want to experience Milford Sound as a day trip from Queenstown, this tour is an excellent choice.
Doubtful Sound Wilderness Cruises
Its 16 kilometre (14 nautical miles) length is lined by sheer rock faces that soar 1,200 metres (3,900 ft) or more from the water. At 1692 metres, the iconic Mitre Peak is a spectacular sight and New Zealand’s most photographed mountain. However you choose to experience Milford Sound, let us take you on an adventure you'll never forget. Grab your camera and join us in one of the most beautiful places on earth.
The best part is that we’ve actually outlined the best cruise to do in Milford Sound instead of just giving you every option available, which really doesn’t narrow it down. Because, let’s be honest, not every cruise in Milford Sound is worth the hype. Pick a couple of starters below, and I'll suggest some experiences that I think you'll love. Car seats are not mandatory on our coaches and we do not have them available for hire.
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Best last minute deals to New Zealand now starts at $649.
Posted: Wed, 07 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
After going on all five cruises on this list, I know you’ll have a blast regardless of which one you choose. It will be a memorable addition to your South Island itinerary, who knows, maybe you’ll get to try a few of these cruises as well. You will have to get yourself here if you’re staying in Queenstown or Te Anau, as there are no tours that offer transportation. The only combo I love more than a burger and fries is probably a combo tour. But if there was a combo tour that offered a burger and fries you know I’d tell you about it! Regardless, this Combo Cruise Tour really knows what it’s doing and offers a unique and non-stop fun experience.
In a busy place like Milford Sound, having a more intimate experience is everything and well worth searching for. If you’re looking for the best cruise in Milford Sound, then keep reading. You get to Milford Sound by travelling along the scenic Milford Road (Highway 94) through the incredible Fiordland National Park. This video showcases the hard work and dedication of the people involved in creating these remarkable experiences. Tenuously clinging to the steep rock faces of the fiord, the beech tree canopy towers over a rich green world where ferns, mosses and lichen flourish. Shallow rooted, this ecosystem depends on heavy rainfall for survival - the same rain which causes massive slips often sending whole tracts of forest crashing into the water below.
From Queenstown, your Cessna will fly over the Southern Lakes and Tutoko Glacier. If time permits, your pilot will guide you on a bush walk through the rainforest to Milford Sound, where you’ll set out on a sightseeing cruise. Your one-night journey includes comfortable accommodation in private cabins with ensuite bathrooms or cozy bunk-style compartments. Indulge in a sumptuous 3-course buffet dinner and savor a cooked breakfast, expertly prepared by the onboard chef. After the cruise, you’ll visit the Milford Sound Underwater Observatory, where a large viewing area will allow you to see native marine wildlife in their natural habitat.
With an onboard guide, an attentive and friendly crew, and luxury lounge seating – this cruise just about has it all. While it does offer complimentary coffee, tea, and biscuits there are no other food options on board. So I recommend eating a good breakfast or bringing some snacks so you don’t have a rumbly tummy taking away from the epic views. So spend an extra night in this wilderness paradise on an overnight cruise with RealNZ! The Milford Mariner Overnight Cruise takes you down the entire length of Milford Sound before anchoring at Harrison Cove. Enjoy a three-course buffet meal, make use of the onboard kayaks, listen to the onboard nature guide, and stay in a private single or twin-share en suite cabin.
Sounds incredible: Experience the majesty of nature in the four Sounds - MiNDFOOD
Sounds incredible: Experience the majesty of nature in the four Sounds.
Posted: Thu, 29 Jun 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Doubtful Sound is located in the heart of Fiordland National Park where the mountains are still very impressive but not as high as Milford Sound. Doubtful Sound is three times longer and has a sea surface area roughly ten times larger than Milford Sound. To get to Doubtful Sound visitors first take a launch trip across Lake Manapouri and drive over Wilmot Pass. While we cannot guarantee you will see wildlife, sightings of fur seals are reasonably common in both Doubtful and Milford Sounds. A pod of bottlenose dolphins resides in Doubtful Sound so you have a good chance of seeing these fascinating mammals, and in Milford Sound dolphins are occasional visitors.
Learn more about the coach-cruise-coach tour and book your adventure at puremilford.co.nz! Plus, for more coach and cruise tours to compare, head to our 10 Best Milford Sound Tours from Queenstown & Te Anau. The summer months (December to February) are the busiest season which means if you are driving there yourself, you will need to be patient in order to find parking if you arrive after 10 am. If you’re parking, I’d plan to allot 45 min – 1 hour to park, walk to the meeting point, and board the cruise. If you’re self-driving then be sure to read my post on the perfect Milford Sound itinerary from Queenstown.

This does not account for Milford Sound Overnight Cruises, which asks for 14 days' notice prior to departure. To make the most of the journey, pack essentials for a comfortable day trip, including waterproof layers, a sun hat, and ample food and water. Additionally, bring along games to keep them entertained during travel. Aboard our smallest vessel, the Sinbad, you’ll enjoy an early and intimate cruise that helps you feel even closer to Milford Sound.
Set sail through the tranquil waters of Milford Sound, surrounded by towering cliffs and cascading waterfalls. Keep your eyes peeled for New Zealand fur seals basking on the rocks, as well as playful dolphins leaping alongside the boat. The sight of these intelligent creatures in their natural environment is truly captivating. Our Discover More Cruise offers you an experience that is more authentic, more insightful and more personal. Explore the natural world of the fiord and get closer to one of the most dramatic places on earth. It's a visual feast of spectacular waterfalls, mountain ranges, and wildlife.
From a dry comfortable vantage point on the bus or boat, this landscape is spectacular for sightseeing. Fiordland’s weather is what gives the region its unique character. Rainfall is what makes Fiordland a land of lakes, rivers, streams, waterfalls and fiords. Visitors should always be prepared to enjoy some rainfall during their stay.