Scenic cruises, coach + cruise days, fly-cruise-fly and overnight trips into Milford Sound, with live GetYourGuide prices.
Pick a day, or the first and last day you are in Queenstown, Te Anau or at Milford. We check the booking calendar of every tour in this section and show which ones still have places.
In the next 7 days, 38 of 40 tours on this page still have places.
On the water: 2 h
On the water: 1 h 45 min
On the water: 1.5–2 h
On the water: 1 h 45 min
On the water: 1 h 40 or 2 h
Duration: 12 h
On the water: 1 h 40 or 2 h
On the water: 1 h 45 min
Duration: 8 h
On the water: 1 h 40 or 2 h
On the water: 2 h
On the water: 2 h
On the water: 1 h 45 min
On the water: 2 h
On the water: Up to 2 h
On the water: 1 h 45 min
On the water: 17 h on board
On the water: 17.5 h on board
On the water: 1 h 45 min
On the water: 1 h 45 min
On the water: 1.5 h
On the water: 1 h 45 min
On the water: 1 h 45 min
On the water: 1 h 45 min
On the water: 2 h
On the water: Up to 2 h
On the water: Up to 2 h 15 min
On the water: 2 h 15 min
On the water: 2 h
On the water: 2 h
Duration: 4 h
On the water: 1 h 45 min
On the water: 1.5 h
On the water: 2 h
On the water: 2 h
On the water: 2 h
On the water: 2 h
On the water: 1 h 45 min
On the water: 1 h 45 min
Duration: 7 h
Pick the shape of your day first, then compare the tours inside.
The classic Milford experience: a two-hour cruise past waterfalls and cliffs.
At most 75 passengers on board. Closer to the waterfalls, better for photos.
A full 12-hour day with pickup, bus and cruise, and no driving yourself.
An 8-hour day with pickup in Te Anau, with half the driving of the Queenstown version.
Scenic flights both ways from Queenstown with a cruise in between. The fastest way in and out.
Board in the afternoon, sleep on Milford, disembark next morning. Kayaking and dinner on board.
One tour per wish, chosen on the facts in its listing. The full table follows further down.
A 2-hour cruise on a small boat that stops at the points of interest along the way. Tea, coffee and hot chocolate are on board; bring your own food.
Hotel pickup in Queenstown, a small group with a local guide, a cruise on a smaller boat and a picnic lunch with water and snacks.
Limited to 15 people, with a 2-hour small-boat cruise to the Tasman Sea, short walks of 5 to 30 minutes and a packed picnic lunch.
Fly from Queenstown and back over Fiordland on different routes, with a 2-hour cruise in between. About 5 hours in total, transfers included.
Two questions, then our suggestion.
Question 1 of 2
Question 2 of 2
No tour fits every answer, so here is the closest one.
Pickup in central Queenstown or Te Anau. Glass-roof coach with photo stops along the Milford Road.
Glass-roof coach with USB charging. Commentary by app in eight languages, headphones provided on the coach.
Premium glass-roof coach with extra legroom and reclining seats. 1.75-hour cruise on a purpose-built boat with viewing areas and a bar.
Pickup and drop-off at hotels in Queenstown. Small group with a local guide.
At most 13 guests. Stops at Mirror Lakes, the Hollyford Track, Monkey Creek and the Homer Tunnel.
At most 15 guests in a Mercedes touring van. Glass-roof van available as an upgrade.
Custom Mercedes van with glass roof, Wi-Fi and care packs. Barista coffee and morning tea in Te Anau.
Mercedes Sprinter with glass roof, leather seats, Wi-Fi and USB charging. At most 15 guests.
30–40-minute scenic flights each way over the Southern Alps and Fiordland. Guaranteed window seats on both flights.
Guaranteed window seat on both flights. Two scenic flights of about 40 minutes.
Scenic flight from Queenstown in a 12-seat Cessna with panoramic windows. 1 h 45 small-boat Nature Cruise on Milford Sound.
Sleeps 64 guests in private cabins with ensuite. Guided kayak or tender-boat outing after anchoring in a sheltered cove.
Up to 22 guests in nine cabins. Every cabin ensuite with a sea view.
Smaller purpose-built boats with 60 or 75 places. Last departure at 15:55 from October to April, with soft afternoon light.
Boat transfer from Deepwater Basin to Sandfly Point. Self-guided walk on the Milford Track to Giant Gate Falls, 11 km return.
Guided walk on the Milford Track, at most 12 walkers per guide. Arthur River, Lake Ada and Giant Gate Falls.
About 8 hours instead of 12 from Queenstown. Picnic lunch included (not for infants).
Glass-roof coach with commentary from the driver. Short walks and photo stops on the way.
Glass-roof coach with free Wi-Fi. Stops at Mirror Lakes, the Eglinton Valley and Monkey Creek.
Small group with a local nature guide. 2-hour small-boat cruise out to the Tasman Sea.
Hotel pickup and drop-off in Te Anau. Stops at Te Anau Downs, Mirror Lakes and Lake Gunn.
At most 14 guests. Stops at Te Anau Downs, Mirror Lakes, Lake Gunn and Monkey Creek.
Private tour, only your group. Pickup in the Te Anau area.
Glass-roof coach from Te Anau with photo stops and short walks on the Milford Road. Full-length cruise on Milford Sound.
Close to the cliffs and under the spray of a waterfall. Character-filled boats with indoor and outdoor seating.
Full-length cruise from the Visitor Terminal to the Tasman Sea and back. Purpose-built boat with an indoor seating area.
Modern catamaran with large windows and outdoor viewing decks. HD cameras show live outdoor views on screens inside.
Family-owned day-cruise company. At most 75 passengers per departure on a boat surveyed for 150.
MV Sinbad, refurbished with a Māori-inspired interior. Capacity capped at 50 per cent, reserved seats.
Up to 2 hours 15 minutes on Milford Sound. Nature guide on board for the whole cruise.
Also a good fit
Guided Milford Track hike and 2-hour small-boat cruise
Book on GetYourGuide
Te Anau small-group day, coach, cruise and short walks
Book on GetYourGuide
Day cruises from the Milford Visitor Terminal, 1.5 to 2 hours on the water, plus the Fiordland Jewel overnight on Viator. Tap a column header to sort.
| Operator | Duration | Price ↕ | Book |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Southern Discoveries
Visitor Terminal |
1.5–2 h | NZ$ 159 per person | Book now |
|
Mitre Peak
Visitor Terminal |
2 h | NZ$ 179 per person | Book now |
|
Pure Milford
Visitor Terminal |
1 h 45 min | NZ$ 166 per person | Book now |
|
Cruise Milford
Visitor Terminal |
1 h 45 min | NZ$ 169 per person | Book now |
|
RealNZ
Visitor Terminal |
1 h 40–2 h | NZ$ 143 per person | Book now |
|
Fiordland Discovery
Visitor Terminal |
17 h 30 (overnight) | NZ$ 1449 per person | Book now |
All prices are live from GetYourGuide or Viator and include taxes and booking fees. You book the Fiordland Jewel on Viator, and that booking is non-refundable.
Read from each GetYourGuide or Viator listing. Where a listing does not say, the field says so.
| Tour | Type | Starts in | On the water | Food | Whole trip |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2-hour scenic cruise on a smaller boat | Cruise | Milford Sound terminal | 2 h | Hot drinks only | 2 h |
| Boutique small-boat cruise, 105 minutes, 75-pax cap | Cruise | Milford Sound terminal | 1 h 45 min | Tea, coffee, biscuits | 2–12 h |
| Nature Cruise, 2 hours on the fiord, optional lunch | Cruise | Milford Sound terminal | 1.5–2 h | Lunch as an option | 1.5–2 h |
| Nature cruise on a modern catamaran | Cruise | Milford Sound terminal | 1 h 45 min | Not included | 2 h |
| Classic or Signature cruise, character vessels, licensed bar | Cruise | Milford Sound terminal | 1 h 40 or 2 h | Not included | 1.5–2 h |
| Queenstown coach + cruise full-day trip | Coach + cruise | Queenstown or Te Anau | Not stated | Lunch included | 12 h |
| Queenstown coach + cruise, award-winner, Classic or Signature cruise | Coach + cruise | Queenstown | 1 h 40 or 2 h | Not included | 12 h |
| Queenstown coach + cruise, premium glass-roof coach | Coach + cruise | Queenstown | 1 h 45 min | Hot drinks only | 12 h |
| Te Anau coach + cruise, 8-hour day, picnic lunch included | Coach + cruise | Te Anau | Not stated | Picnic lunch | 8 h |
| Te Anau coach + cruise, glass-roof coach, Classic or Signature cruise | Coach + cruise | Te Anau | 1 h 40 or 2 h | Not included | 7.5 h |
| Te Anau premium coach + nature cruise | Coach + cruise | Te Anau | 2 h | Lunch as an option | 7.5 h |
| Te Anau small-group day, coach, cruise and short walks | Small group + cruise | Te Anau | 2 h | Picnic lunch | 1 day |
| Te Anau small-group tour with nature cruise and picnic lunch | Small group + cruise | Te Anau | 1 h 45 min | Picnic lunch | 8.5–9.5 h |
| Fly-Cruise-Fly, fly both ways, 5-hour day | Fly + cruise | Queenstown | 2 h | Hot drinks only | 5 h |
| Fly + cruise from Queenstown, land beneath Mitre Peak | Fly + cruise | Queenstown | Up to 2 h | Hot drinks only | 4.5 h |
| Fly + nature cruise from Queenstown, small-boat cruise | Fly + cruise | Queenstown | 1 h 45 min | Morning tea, no lunch | 4.5 h |
| Milford Mariner overnight cruise, 17 hours on the fiord | Overnight cruise | Milford Sound terminal | 17 h on board | Dinner and breakfast | 17 h |
| Fiordland Jewel Overnight Cruise, 22 passengers, hot tub on deck | Overnight cruise | Milford Sound terminal | 17.5 h on board | Dinner and breakfast | 17.5 h |
| Queenstown glass-roof coach + cruise on Pride of Milford | Coach + cruise | Queenstown | 1 h 45 min | Lunch as an option | 12.5 h |
| Te Anau glass-roof coach + 1 h 45 cruise | Coach + cruise | Te Anau | 1 h 45 min | Lunch as an option | 7.5 h |
| Queenstown small-group day, smaller boat and picnic lunch | Small group + cruise | Queenstown | 1.5 h | Picnic lunch | 11–13 h |
| Te Anau small-group minibus day, cruise and picnic lunch | Small group + cruise | Te Anau | 1 h 45 min | Picnic lunch | 7 h |
| Queenstown premium small group, Mercedes van and nature cruise | Small group + cruise | Queenstown | 1 h 45 min | Picnic lunch | 13 h |
| Queenstown small group in a glass-roof Mercedes van | Small group + cruise | Queenstown | 1 h 45 min | Picnic lunch | 9–13 h |
| Queenstown glass-roof coach + 2-hour Nature Cruise | Coach + cruise | Queenstown | 2 h | Lunch as an option | 12.5 h |
| Milford Track walk to Giant Gate Falls + Nature Cruise | Walk + cruise | Milford Sound terminal | Up to 2 h | Lunch as an option | 7.5 h |
| Discover More, the longest cruise with a nature guide | Cruise | Milford Sound terminal | Up to 2 h 15 min | Lunch as an option | 2.5 h |
| Premium cruise on MV Sinbad with champagne and canapés | Cruise | Milford Sound terminal | 2 h 15 min | Champagne and canapés | 2.5–12 h |
| Queenstown business class van + Sinbad cruise with tasting menu | Small group + cruise | Queenstown | 2 h | Tasting menu | 9.5–12 h |
| Queenstown van to Milford, 2-hour cruise, flight back | Van in, fly back | Queenstown | 2 h | Picnic lunch | 9 h |
| Helicopter to Milford Sound, cruise and glacier landing | Helicopter + cruise | Queenstown | Not stated | Lunch as an option | 4 h |
| Queenstown fly-cruise-fly, guaranteed window seat | Fly + cruise | Queenstown | 1 h 45 min | Not included | 4 h |
| Wanaka flight over the glaciers + nature cruise | Fly + cruise | Wanaka | 1.5 h | Hot drinks only | 4.5 h |
| Helicopter to Milford Sound and back, 2-hour cruise | Helicopter + cruise | Queenstown | 2 h | Not included | 4 h |
| Guided Milford Track hike and 2-hour small-boat cruise | Walk + cruise | Milford Sound terminal | 2 h | Lunch as an option | 7–11 h |
| Te Anau small group with Lake Marian and Milford Sound cruise | Small group + cruise | Te Anau | 2 h | Morning tea, no lunch | 9 h |
| Queenstown small group, up to 13 guests, with cruise | Small group + cruise | Queenstown | 2 h | Morning tea, no lunch | 12.5 h |
| Queenstown glass-roof coach, scenic cruise and picnic lunch | Coach + cruise | Queenstown | 1 h 45 min | Picnic lunch | 13 h |
| Queenstown small group, cruise with nature guide, picnic lunch | Small group + cruise | Queenstown | 1 h 45 min | Picnic lunch | 13 h |
| Private day from Te Anau with driver-guide and cruise | Private tour + cruise | Te Anau | Not stated | Morning tea, no lunch | 7–10 h |
Checked in October 2026. The cruise time is the time on the water; for the Pure Milford coach days the listings do not give it. The whole trip is the provider’s figure.
Two overnight options: the classic Milford Mariner and the boutique Fiordland Jewel.
Explore overnight cruises64 passengers · kayaking · buffet dinner · ensuite cabins.
Book on GetYourGuide22 guests max · hot tub on deck · plated dinner · late Oct to late Apr.
Learn moreFive things that decide how your Milford day goes, each with its own page.
Often, and the rain is what fills the waterfalls.
Read more
Milford is a sheltered fiord and mostly calm. Here's how to pick the right boat.
Read more
NZ$10/hour on-site. See when a coach + cruise trip is cheaper.
Read more
Te Anau is 2 hours closer. Here's the full trade-off.
Read more
Every month works, with different trade-offs. Season-by-season breakdown.
Read moreWho runs the boats on Milford Sound, and what sets each of them apart.
In business since 1954. Air New Zealand Supreme Tourism Award 2024.
More about RealNZStarted out as the Milford Sound Red Boats. Qualmark Gold.
More about Southern DiscoveriesThe fleet includes the glass-roof catamaran Gem of the Sound.
More about Pure MilfordFamily-owned. At most 75 passengers on a boat built for 150.
More about Cruise MilfordSmaller boats with 60 or 75 places. Last departure 15:55 (October to April).
More about Mitre Peak CruisesBoutique overnight on the Jewel. Hot tub under the stars.
More about Fiordland DiscoveryThe cards and the table show the Milford Sound tours that GetYourGuide sells, each with the price you would pay at checkout that day. You need no account here and you will not get a sales call. If you book through one of these links, GetYourGuide pays this site a small commission, and your price stays the same as booking direct.
Cruise length, rain, children, overnight stays and what the price includes.
It depends on what matters most: Mitre Peak runs smaller boats and its last departure leaves at 15:55 from October to April (good afternoon light), Pure Milford's fleet includes the glass-roof catamaran Gem of the Sound, RealNZ runs the Milford Mariner overnight, and Cruise Milford takes at most 75 passengers per departure.
Scenic day cruises last 1.5 to 2 hours on the water. Some operators also offer longer cruises, and the RealNZ Milford Mariner overnight is a 17-hour experience.
In summer (December to February) yes. Popular slots sell out days ahead. In winter you can often walk up, but weather cancellations happen more often, so pre-booking with free cancellation is the safer path.
Yes. Rain is what makes Milford Sound look the way it looks. Hundreds of temporary waterfalls appear only during and after heavy rainfall. If you want to stay dry, pick a boat with large windows and covered decks; Pure Milford's Gem of the Sound also has a glass roof.
Te Anau is about 2 hours closer (around 2.5 h vs 4.5 h of driving each way). If you have one day and Milford is the focus, Te Anau makes the day feel less rushed. Queenstown has more accommodation, restaurants and other day trips.
Yes, day cruises take children. Age bands and child prices differ by operator and are shown when you book. On the overnights, the Fiordland Jewel takes children from age 6, and on the RealNZ Milford Mariner kayaking starts at age 10.
You board in the afternoon (the Fiordland Jewel leaves at 15:10, the Milford Mariner at 16:00), cruise into the fiord, go kayaking or out in the tender boat, have dinner and sleep on board, and return the next morning (the Mariner at 09:15). The overnights on this site are RealNZ (Milford Mariner, sleeps 64) and Fiordland Discovery (Jewel, up to 22 guests).
All prices come live from GetYourGuide or Viator and include taxes and booking fees. What you see on this page is the final price you pay at checkout with the booking platform.
Cruises, coach days, flights and overnight trips with live prices.
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