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Small boats, late slot

Mitre Peak Cruises

Smaller boats with 60 or 75 places. From October to April the last departure leaves at 15:55, with softer afternoon light. Live rating on the product card.

Top picks
2-Hour Small Boat Scenic Cruise
Mitre Peak Cruises · 2 hours on the water 2-Hour Small Boat Scenic Cruise
★ 4.8 (3,208) from NZ$ 179
See dates
Van in, 2-hour cruise, fly back
Mitre Peak Cruises · 9 hours Van in, 2-hour cruise, fly back
★ 4.9 (35) from NZ$ 945
See dates
Compare all 2 options

See which Milford Sound tours still have places on your dates

Mitre Peak Cruises runs smaller purpose-built boats on Milford Sound. Each cruise has no more than 60 or 75 places, and Mitre Peak says its boats go further and get closer to the cliffs and waterfalls.

The main product is the 2-hour scenic cruise. From October to April it departs at 08:50, 11:10, 13:30 and 15:55; from May to September at 11:00 and 13:30. The 15:55 departure means a quieter cruise and softer afternoon light for photos.

Options in this cluster

The tours below, side by side. Open a card for the route, the meeting point and what is included.

2-Hour Small Boat Scenic Cruise
Mitre Peak Cruises

2-Hour Small Boat Scenic Cruise

Smaller boats with 60 or 75 places. Last departure 15:55 (Oct–Apr).

  • Duration: 2 hours on the water
  • Language: English (skipper commentary)
  • ✓ Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.
from NZ$ 179 ★ 4.8 (3,208 reviews)
Book on GetYourGuide
Full tour details

Highlights

  • Smaller purpose-built boats with 60 or 75 places
  • Last departure at 15:55 from October to April, with soft afternoon light
  • Close approaches to cliffs and waterfalls, according to Mitre Peak
  • Complimentary tea, coffee and hot chocolate on board
  • Marked wheelchair-accessible on GetYourGuide

About this tour

Mitre Peak Cruises runs smaller purpose-built boats with no more than 60 or 75 places per cruise. Mitre Peak says they go further and get closer to the cliffs and waterfalls, and reviews mention getting close to the falls.

The 2-hour route runs the full length of the fiord past Bowen Falls, Mitre Peak, Seal Rock and Stirling Falls to the Tasman Sea, then returns. From October to April the cruise departs at 08:50, 11:10, 13:30 and 15:55; from May to September at 11:00 and 13:30. The 15:55 departure gives softer afternoon light.

Tea, coffee and hot chocolate are included, but no food is served, so bring a snack.

What's included

  • 2-hour small-boat cruise (60 or 75 places)
  • Skipper commentary in English
  • Complimentary tea, coffee and hot chocolate
  • Milford Sound visitor levy

Not included

  • Food (bring your own snacks)
  • Alcoholic drinks

Meeting point

Milford Sound Visitor Terminal, State Highway 94. Parking near the terminal costs NZ$10 per hour.

What to bring

  • Waterproof jacket
  • Camera
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunscreen
  • Insect repellent

Know before you go

  • Bring a waterproof; waterfall spray reaches the outside decks.
  • No food on board; bring your own snacks in a bag.
  • Notify staff at check-in if a passenger has a disability so they can arrange early boarding.
  • Wheelchair users: use the terminal restrooms before boarding.
  • Winter (May–Sep) drops to two departures: 11:00 and 13:30.

Not allowed

  • Smoking
  • Drones
  • Alcohol and drugs

Tour details as the cruise or flight operator lists them on the booking platform.

Van in, 2-hour cruise, fly back
Mitre Peak Cruises

Van in, 2-hour cruise, fly back

Hotel pickup in Queenstown, a Mercedes van to Milford, a 2-hour cruise out to the Tasman Sea, a picnic lunch and a 40-minute flight back.

  • Duration: 9 hours
  • Language: English
  • ✓ Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.
from NZ$ 945 ★ 4.9 (35 reviews)
Book on GetYourGuide
Full tour details

Highlights

  • Mercedes van with panoramic windows and stops on the Milford Road
  • 2-hour cruise with Mitre Peak Cruises, out to the Tasman Sea
  • Picnic lunch, plus free tea, coffee and hot chocolate on board
  • 40-minute scenic flight back to Queenstown

About this tour

A day that saves you the drive back. Mitre Peak Cruises collects you from your hotel in Queenstown and drives the Milford Road in a Mercedes van with panoramic windows, with stops at Mirror Lakes, Knobs Flat and in the Eglinton Valley. The drive takes about five hours.

The 2-hour cruise goes the full 16 km of the fiord, past St Anne's Point lighthouse and out into the Tasman Sea, with stops at Stirling Falls and Fairy Falls. No food is sold on board, so the picnic lunch (chicken or vegetarian sandwich, cheese and crackers, fruit) is part of the price. You fly back to Queenstown in about 40 minutes.

What's included

  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Stops on the Milford Road
  • 2-hour cruise
  • 40-minute flight back to Queenstown
  • Picnic lunch
  • Tea, coffee, hot chocolate and water on board

Know before you go

  • If the flight is cancelled because of the weather, you return by coach and get part of the price back.
  • A minimum number of guests applies; otherwise you are offered a full refund or another date.
  • Infants on the flight are children under 11 kg.

Tour details as the cruise or flight operator lists them on the booking platform.

For whom Mitre Peak is the right choice

Good fit if…

  • You are a photographer wanting soft afternoon light
  • You want a smaller boat with 60 or 75 places
  • You want a quieter cruise than on the large catamarans
  • You can reach Milford by about 15:00 and want the late departure
  • Wheelchair access matters (the GetYourGuide listing is marked wheelchair-accessible)

Not ideal if…

  • You need a wide choice of times in winter, when there are two departures a day
  • You want to stay overnight; Mitre Peak runs day cruises
  • You want a glass roof for rainy days; look at Pure Milford's Gem of the Sound

FAQ

How small are the Mitre Peak boats?

Mitre Peak sells no more than 60 or 75 places per cruise. The boats are purpose-built and smaller than the large catamarans, so they can go closer to the waterfalls and cliffs.

What time is the last departure?

15:55 from October to April. From May to September the cruise runs at 11:00 and 13:30.

Is food served on board?

No. Tea, coffee and hot chocolate are included, and the GetYourGuide listing says no food is provided, so bring a snack.

Is the cruise wheelchair-accessible?

The GetYourGuide listing marks it as wheelchair-accessible. If you use a wheelchair, Mitre Peak suggests using the terminal toilets before the cruise.

Why is Mitre Peak rated so well?

Positive reviews mention the smaller boat, fewer people on board and getting close to the waterfalls. The live rating is on the card above.

Related on this site

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Mitre Peak vs. Cruise Milford.

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Full operator comparison.

Best time to visit

When the late slot matters most.

Book Mitre Peak, ideally the late slot

Live GYG price includes fees.

See the comparison