New Zealand · MILFORD SOUND TOURS

Milford Sound: The 15 Best Cruises, Coach Days and Flights

101 tours  ·  from $47 a head

Milford is a long day from Queenstown and a short one from Te Anau, and the cruise is only part of it. These 15 compare coach-and-cruise runs, fly-cruise-fly days and the small boats that nose in under Stirling Falls, with what each costs.

Premium Milford Sound Small Group Tour & Cruise from Queenstown - Two hours on Milford Sound
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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

Ride from Queenstown to Milford Sound in a guided group of up to 15, stopping at places such as Mirror Lakes, Eglinton Valley and the Homer Tunnel. The price includes a two-hour cruise, picnic-style lunch, snacks, water and pickup from listed locations. Guides vary by departure, with names including Andy, Jess, Joe and Danny.

“It was a long but really fun and interesting day. Our driver/guide Jessica was very knowledgeable about geology and Māori mythology. She is a great storyteller. Lots of short stops on the long drive to Milford Sound. It was pouring with rain at Milford but this made the waterfalls spectacular. We got soaked but it was worth it!”

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Cruise Milford NZ Small Boutique Cruise Experience - Mitre Peak, waterfalls, and wildlife
Milford Sound Tours, Tour Reviews

Cruise Milford NZ Small Boutique Cruise Experience

2.Cruise Milford NZ Small Boutique Cruise Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,930 reviews · from $111

Cruise Milford takes you around Milford Sound for about 1 hour 45 minutes on a boat capped at half capacity. Expect lounge-style cabin seating, live skipper commentary, complimentary tea, coffee, and biscuits, plus close views of cliffs, waterfalls, Mitre Peak, and possible seals, dolphins, or penguins. The skipper may vary; Craig has been praised for his commentary.

“Excellent views of the fjord. Easy check in. Accommodate at least 30 mins prior to boat time to walk from the parking lot to the boat terminals. Otherwise, check in process was smooth.”

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Queenstown: Milford Sound Coach & Cruise Full-Day Trip - Te Anau and the scenic stops along the way
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Queenstown: Milford Sound Coach & Cruise Full-Day Trip

3.Milford Sound Coach & Cruise Full-Day Trip

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

Pure Milford’s 12-hour trip pairs a coach ride through Fiordland with a Milford Sound cruise, close views of Stirling Falls, and stops for photos and short walks. Your guide handles the route and commentary; past trips have featured guides named Brian, Brendan, Sebastian, Ian, and Robben. Lunch and tea are included.

“The coach driver was a great guide, very experienced and funny personality!”

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Milford Sound: 2-Hour Small Boat Scenic Cruise - Following the fiord toward the Tasman Sea
2-Hour Experiences, Milford Sound Tours, Tour Reviews

Milford Sound: 2-Hour Small Boat Scenic Cruise

4.Milford Sound: 2-Hour Small Boat Scenic Cruise

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

Cruise Milford Sound’s 16-kilometre fiord with Mitre Peak Cruises on a small boat with indoor and outdoor viewing areas. Your skipper points out Mitre Peak, waterfalls, cliffs and wildlife, with close approaches that can send spray across the deck. The two-hour trip includes live English commentary and complimentary tea, coffee and hot chocolate.

“Really good! Very easy to book and super fun and informative experience. Loved the views and the wtaerflass spray! Highly recommend, 8th wonder of the world.”

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Small Group, Award Winning Milford Sound Day Experience & Cruise - Through the Homer Tunnel and into the fiord
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Small Group, Award Winning Milford Sound Day Experience & Cruise

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

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

Travel from Queenstown to Milford Sound in a Mercedes van with no more than 15 people, stopping at places such as Eglinton Valley and Mirror Lakes. A local driver-guide handles the long Fiordland road, then you board a nature cruise beneath steep peaks and waterfalls. Picnic lunch and cruise tea or coffee are included; bring a reusable water bottle and rain gear.

“Length of drive, clothes to wear. Mcamy was great and very informative. Lots of toilet stops and a really great day out. A must.”

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Milford Sound Fly-Cruise-Fly Tour from Queenstown - Cruising Milford Sound from the water
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Milford Sound Fly-Cruise-Fly Tour from Queenstown

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

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

True South Flights takes you from Queenstown to Milford Sound by small aircraft for a cruise of about 1 hour 45 minutes, then flies you back by a different route. Expect aerial views of lakes, valleys, waterfalls and snow-covered peaks, pilot commentary, and a maximum of 13 passengers. Selected central Queenstown hotel pickup is included.

“Amazing Trip, pilot top form took us very close to the Alps, would highly recommend this trip Watch out for the sand flies”

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From Queenstown: Milford Sound Full-Day Trip by Plane & Boat - Pickup, check-in, and the flight out
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From Queenstown: Milford Sound Full-Day Trip by Plane & Boat

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

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

Fly from Queenstown over the Southern Alps and Fiordland, then cruise Milford Sound for two hours beneath Mitre Peak and close to waterfalls. Every aircraft seat has a window, and the return flight takes a different route. Pilots such as Jared, Andy, and Mike have led trips, though your pilot will depend on the day.

“Amazing the best part of my NZ stay and experience.”

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2-Hour Milford Sound Scenic Cruise - Boarding at the Milford Sound Visitor Centre
2-Hour Experiences, Milford Sound Tours, Tour Reviews

2-Hour Milford Sound Scenic Cruise

8.2-Hour Milford Sound Scenic Cruise

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

Spend about two hours aboard a smaller Mitre Peak Cruises boat, sailing from Milford Sound toward the Tasman Sea and back. Look for Mitre Peak, Bowen Falls, Sinbad Gully, fur seals, dolphins and crested penguins. Live commentary explains the fjord’s scenery and history, while complimentary tea, coffee and hot chocolate warm you on board.

“Amazing trip! Rain or shine beautiful! We went when it was sunny and beautiful and still well worth the trip!”

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From Queenstown: Milford Sound Cruise and Coach Day Trip - Milford Road: where the journey earns its place
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From Queenstown: Milford Sound Cruise and Coach Day Trip

9.Milford Sound Cruise and Coach Day Trip

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

Ride a glass-roof, air-conditioned coach from Queenstown to Milford Sound, stopping for photos and short walks along Milford Road. Then cruise for two hours toward the Tasman Sea, with live English commentary and chances to spot seals, dolphins, and penguins. Past drivers have included Danny, Dean, and Paulie, but guide assignments vary.

“Guide Brandon was fantastic, the bus playlist was fantastic”

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Award Winning Milford Sound Full Day Tour & Cruise from Te Anau - Through the Homer Tunnel to The Chasm
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Award Winning Milford Sound Full Day Tour & Cruise from Te Anau

10.Award Winning Milford Sound Full Day Tour & Cruise from Te Anau

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,198 reviews · from $185

Spend about nine and a half hours on a guided trip from Te Anau to Milford Sound, with pickup, scenic stops, morning tea and a two-hour nature cruise included. Walk at Mirror Lakes and The Chasm, and look for keas, seals, dolphins and Fiordland crested penguins. Groups are capped at 16, and guides have included Tania, Andy and Gary.

“Great tour to do for the day! We liked going in a smaller group. We stopped at lots of beautiful places on the way there. Our guide considered the weather so we would have the best views and experience. We got to Milford Sound before the Queenstown day trippers did so it was nice and quiet. We were one of the first boats on the water. The cruise is wonderful, getting up close with beautiful views and some nice commentary and info. Would highly recommend this tour from Te Anau”

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Milford Sound: Nature Cruise on a Modern Catamaran - Choosing a seat, deck and view
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Milford Sound: Nature Cruise on a Modern Catamaran

11.Milford Sound: Nature Cruise on a Modern Catamaran

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

Spend 105 minutes cruising Milford Sound on a modern catamaran with indoor seating, open decks and live camera views on screens. Your skipper points out the fiord’s features as you pass waterfalls and look for seals, dolphins and Fiordland crested penguins. The route reaches the Tasman Sea, weather permitting.

“Ww were lucky to have got perfect weather on the day. The views were breathtaking. the guide was knowledgeable and entertaining.”

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From Queenstown: Milford Sound Day Trip on Premium Coach - Glacier-carved valleys and quick photo stops
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From Queenstown: Milford Sound Day Trip on Premium Coach

12.Milford Sound Day Trip on Premium Coach

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

Travel from Queenstown to Milford Sound aboard a glass-roof coach, stopping at Te Anau, Eglinton Valley, and Mirror Lakes before a two-hour fiord cruise. Your driver provides live commentary, with more languages available through a free app. Guides on recent departures have included Stan, Shale, Keith, Greg, and Junior.

“It was an excellent journey on Milford Road, we got to stop at Te Auna and Mirror Lake to have a review of the beautiful scenery. We also rode the cruise to marvel the 164m waterfall.”

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From Te Anau: Milford Sound Coach Tour and Cruise - Short walks and photo stops make the drive count
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From Te Anau: Milford Sound Coach Tour and Cruise

13.From Te Anau: Milford Sound Coach Tour and Cruise

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

From central Te Anau, ride a coach through Fiordland National Park with photo stops and short walks, then cruise the full length of Piopiotahi/Milford Sound. Your day includes live commentary and a picnic lunch. Guides such as Sebastian, Scarlet and Robyn have led recent trips, though your guide will depend on the departure.

“well organized, nice bus and boat. affordable way to experience this magnificent place. there were at least two buses of 50-60 people that met up with boat. so there are a lot of people but it's a very large boat. bagged lunch provided with chicken pie. free hot drinks. overall good value. I got on at Te Anau. queenstown is an extra 4-5 hours on bus!!! I suggest spending a night or two in Te Anau, nice little town.”

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From Te Anau: Milford Sound Coach, Cruise, and Walks - The Milford Road is part of the attraction
Milford Sound Tours, Te Anau Tours, Tour Reviews

From Te Anau: Milford Sound Coach, Cruise, and Walks

14.From Te Anau: Milford Sound Coach, Cruise, and Walks

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

Travel from Te Anau in a small group of up to 15, stopping for short walks and views on the way to Milford Sound. A local nature guide leads the day, which includes a two-hour small-boat cruise toward the Tasman Sea and a packed lunch. Guides have included Ross, Olivia, Geoff, and Jeff; the exact guide varies.

“The day was amazing!! I loved that it was a small group and the tour guide, Jeff, was sooo knowledgeable about everything. He knew the stories of the land and the people, about the animals and all of the history. Anything you wanted to know, he knew it, he was an amazing tour guide. We stopped over in all different places which was so cool and you could tell he really cared. We saw the prettiest views and the coolest wildlife. Would definitely do this tour again.”

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Milford Sound Coach and Cruise tour from Queenstown - Fiordland’s road is more than a way to reach the boat
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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

Ride from Queenstown through Fiordland National Park, stopping for breaks and photos before a catamaran cruise along Milford Sound toward the Tasman Sea. The roughly 12-hour day includes lunch and refreshments, plus guide commentary on the road. Drivers such as Carl, Hamish, Sebastian, Brian, Graeme, and Ian have been praised, though your guide will depend on the day.

“Mixed review. Not happy with the lunch given. Lunch given at around 2:45pm. Atleast give some good options. The variety of pies could be chicken, veg or steak and cheese. Too poor for the price charged. The travel was good and cruise was lovely. The coach was disappointing as no glass coach. I need a refund. This was not what we were expecting.”

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