Book Now

0:00

Milford Sound Cruises

Nature Cruise

Book Now

from $159.00

Your ultimate Milford Sound sightseeing vessel

Get closer to incredible waterfalls

Buffet Lunch on 1:15pm Cruise

Your ultimate Milford Sound sightseeing vessel

Get closer to incredible waterfalls

Buffet Lunch on 1:15pm Cruise

About

Get incredibly close to nature, including the famous Stirling Falls. From the large open-top deck or comfy interior cabins, enjoy our most popular Milford Sound cruise.

Up to 2-hour cruise
Spacious cabins and unobstructed views through full-height windows
Commentary from our passionate skippers
Keep an eye out for seals on the rocks, or if you are lucky, dolphins and penguins in the water
Includes FREE tea and coffee
Licenced bar on board
"To Kai" Buffet available on the 1:15pm Nature Cruise.
Picnic lunch available for purchase.
Add-on coach transfers from Queenstown or Te Anau or flight transfer from Queenstown
Gift vouchers are available for our Milford Sound Nature Cruise. Buy now if you don't know your travel date and you don't want to miss out!
Download the Southern Discoveries app for multilingual commentary for our cruise experiences.
Southern Discoveries Ltd wishes to notify our customers about the natural risks and hazards prevalent in Milford Sound, the remote location where our operations are situated. Detailed information of these risks and hazards can be found here.

from $159.00

1h 45 mins - 2hrs

Book now

Enjoy entertaining commentary from our passionate team

Catch a glimpse of Milford's amazing wildlife

155 metre high Stirling Falls dwarfed by surrounding mountains

Get up close and personal with Stirling Falls

Experience majestic towering mountains

Map

Lunch

Lunch Options

Welcome aboard, and get ready to dine in style! Your Milford Sound Nature Cruise lunch options are listed to your right.

Freshly prepared picnic lunch is available to purchase on all Milford Sound cruises
Please note we do not include a drink with your picnic lunch as we are trying to reduce our use of single use plastic so please take your water bottle with you
A selection of snacks are available to purchase onboard all vessels
A fully licensed bar is available on all vessels, except the Lady Stirling
Free tea and coffee is available on all cruises
All meat is certified halal
The menu may vary at times due to seasonal supply
Please note that the ingredients and contents of each meal are only a guide and these may be subject to change
Vegetarian and vegan alternatives are available – please indicate your preferences when you are booking online
If you have specific dietary requirements or special group requests, please call to discuss with the reservations team
Passengers are not permitted to bring their own alcohol onboard our vessels
We only accept credit card or cash payments, we can not accept eftpos or debit cards

"To Kai" Buffet or Picnic Lunch

The food is as good as the views! We offer a choice of lunch from our onboard galley; either a full "To Kai" Buffet, or a Picnic Lunch.

To Kai means "Your Food".
Our to Kai Buffet offers fresh seasonal dishes with hot and cold options.
Available on our 1:15pm Nature Cruise only.

The picnic lunch includes:
Sandwich with selected meat and salad for standard option, cheese and crackers, seasonal fresh fruit, crisps, a cookie and a small chocolate bar.

Please note we do not include a drink with your meals as we are trying to reduce the use of single use plastic so please remember to take your water bottle with you.

Transport

from Queenstown
from Te Anau
from Milford Sound

Coach

Premium glass-roof coach departs early allowing you to arrive relaxed and ready for your Milford Sound cruise. Expert coach drivers provide time for photo stops and short walks along the Milford road journey.

Book Now

Coach + return scenic flight

Jump on an early morning coach trip from Queenstown to Milford Sound. Return by scenic flight enjoying amazing views of the mountains and valleys of the Southern Alps and Fiordland National Park.

Book Now

Coach + return scenic heli

Depart Queenstown by coach; enjoy the sights and photo stops on the road to Milford Sound. Return by helicopter flight experiencing spectacular views across the Southern Alps.

Book Now

Scenic Heli + Cruise

Enjoy a spectacular return scenic helicopter trip that includes our Milford Sound Nature Cruise. Experience the spectacular Fiordland mountains and Southern Alps from above. Departs from Queenstown.

Book Now

Scenic flight + cruise

Spectacular scenic flight with Air Milford. Depart Queenstown for a 4-hour return journey including our Milford Sound Nature Cruise. Enjoy expansive views of the Southern Alps and Fiordland mountains.

Coach

Book Now

Self Drive

Make your own way to Milford Sound and enjoy the spectacular Milford road at your own pace. You will find car parking at two locations in Milford Sound within walking distance of the cruise terminal.

Book Now

Self Drive

Make your own way to Milford Sound and enjoy the spectacular Milford road at your own pace. You will find car parking at two locations in Milford Sound within walking distance of the cruise terminal.

Book Now

"Insane."

Trip Advisor reviews

Excellent cruise and staff! Great Experience! Breathtaking Amazing trip along Milford Sound Best tourist experience ever! Awesome day on the water! Epic Adventure! Highlight of our holiday

FAQ

Do you provide disabled/wheelchair access?

The only boat cruise in Milford Sound with wheelchair access is the 'Pride of Milford' where access to the vessel is by ramp. Disabled toilet facilities are in the Visitor Terminal where all cruises depart from.

Where does the Milford Sound day cruise leave from?

Our nature cruise leaves from and returns to the wharf at the Milford Sound Visitor Terminal.

Do all boat trips take the same route?

Every cruise goes the full length of the fiord. Cruises stop in different places but each trip visits the major sights of interest including Stirling Falls and Harrison Cove.

Do you operate on Christmas Day?

All day trips from Queenstown and Te Anau operate on different schedules. Please refer to the individual trip for dates and times. Most Queenstown to Milford Sound experiences operate on Christmas day, but are subject to schedule updates and weather.

Will I see wildlife?

Milford Sound has an abundance of wildlife and is home to New Zealand fur seals and bottlenose dolphins year-round. Rare Dusky dolphins are known to visit the fiord and the world’s rarest penguin, the Fiordland Crested Penguin/Tawaki visits Milford during breeding season (August - November) and moulting season (March/April). While there is wildlife here, we can’t guarantee sightings as these are wild animals in their natural habitat. A visit to the Underwater Observatory offers more wildlife viewing opportunities with an abundance of sea life below the surface.

What cruise is best for wildlife viewing?

Every cruise provides the opportunity to view wildlife, but we cannot guarantee sightings. Our Nature Cruise includes plenty of stops for viewing the amazing geology and occasional wildlife, our skipper and friendly boat hosts will be sure to point out any wildlife.

Do your lunches have vegetarian options?

Yes, picnic lunches can be ordered as vegetarian or vegan. You can select this when booking online.

Which cruise is best for kids?

All cruises are suitable for children.

Do you provide disabled/wheelchair access?

Will the cruise go ahead if the weather is bad?

Our operations team assesses the weather and conditions for every cruise departure to ensure the safety and comfort of our guests. If weather or other events could impact on the safety and comfort of our guests, then the cruise could be postponed, or in some unusual and infrequent circumstances, the cruise could be cancelled.

What’s the difference between the cruises?

We provide some of the best Milford Sound cruise deals in New Zealand. To compare our day trips, check out our Cruise Comparison table, where you can see our range of cruises and the vessels.

What should I bring on my boat cruise?

Due to the changeable nature of the weather, it’s a good idea to bring a waterproof jacket, warm clothing and to wear comfortable shoes. We also have ponchos available for purchase so you can enjoy a glacial facial under Stirling Falls.

Is there parking in Milford Sound?

Yes, there is paid car parking at the Milford Sound public car park. We advise getting there early as the car park does fill quickly in summer months.

Do you have a webcam in Milford Sound?

Yes, you can view how the weather and day looks. Check out our webcam here.

How long does it take to drive from Queenstown to a Milford Sound cruise?

It typically takes around 5 hours to drive from Queenstown to Milford Sound. Please allow extra time for road works and the Homer Tunnel traffic lights.

How long does it take to drive to a Milford Sound cruise from Te Anau?

We advise to allow 2.5 hours to drive from Te Anau to a Milford Sound cruise. There are various scenic stops along the way so we recommend allowing plenty of time.

Where is your desk?

Inside the Visitor Terminal. Once inside turn right and you will see the Southern Discoveries front desk.

What is included in the buffet lunch?

Our To Kai lunch includes a range of meats, salads and seasonal vegetables with hot and cold options available. We can cater to most dietary requirements - please note this on your booking. All our meat is certified halal.

What is included in the picnic lunch?

The picnic lunch includes a sandwich with selected meat and salad, cheese and crackers, seasonal fresh fruit, crisps, a cookie and a small chocolate bar. We can cater to most dietary requirements – please note this on your booking.

Can I get a refund for my booking?

We have a 24-hour cancellation and amendment policy, so as long as you notify us more than 24 hours before departure we can amend your booking to another day or cancel for a refund.

What weather can I expect in Fiordland?

Milford Sound is one of the wettest places in the world, with an impressive annual rainfall of around 7 metres. During peak rains, up to 250 millimeters can fall within 24 hours, creating countless temporary waterfalls that spill dramatically down the cliffs, some reaching heights of up to a thousand meters, along with many permanent waterfalls. This abundance of rain is what makes the waterfalls and lush rainforest here so spectacular. Temperatures vary by season, with summer (Dec – Feb) averaging highs of 19°C (66°F) and winter (Jun – Aug) averaging around 9°C (48°F). Our vessels offer spacious indoor areas with comfortable seating, allowing you to enjoy the scenery in any weather.

More FAQ's

Get in touch

in New Zealand

0800 264 536

Overseas

+64 3 441 1137

reservations@southerndiscoveries.co.nz reservations@southerndiscoveries.co.nz