Milford Sound Cruise
4.5
Milford Sound Cruise
By Pure Milford
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About
Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation
Ages 0-120, max of 199 per group
Duration: 1h 45m
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: English
More
- Milford Sound Cruise
- Coffee and/or Tea
- GST (Goods and Services Tax)
What's not included- Parking Fees
- Start:
- Pure Milford, Milford Sound, Milford Sound Visitor Centre (Terminal and Boat Harbour, 1 Milford Sound Highway, Milford Sound 9679, New ZealandPure Milford desk is on the right hand side as you enter the Milford Sound Visitor Terminal
End:This activity ends back at the meeting point. - Wheelchair accessible
- Pushchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 331433P1- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Most travellers can participate
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This experience requires a minimum number of travellers. If it’s cancelled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 199 travellers
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
- If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 331433P1
From
AU$128.93
per adult
Select date and travellers
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Itinerary
- Milford Sound Visitor Centre (Terminal and Boat Harbour, 1 Milford Sound Highway, Milford Sound 9679, New ZealandPure Milford desk is on the right hand side as you enter the Milford Sound Visitor Terminal
- 1Step aboard our magnificent three deck catamarans, and enjoy a scenic cruise along spectacular Milford Sound. Get up close and personal with the fiord's towering mountains, sheer cliffs and hanging valleys as the boat hugs the edges of the fiord throughout the two hour cruise. Feel the spray from the waterfalls that cascade from an ancient rainforest high in the mountains and look out for New Zealand fur seal colonies and occasionally dolphins swimming nearby. The cruise goes the full length of the fiord to the Tasman Sea and return down the opposite side. During the exploration you will pass iconic landmarks such as Bowen Falls, Mitre Peak, Copper Point, Fairy Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, Dale Point, Seal Rock and of course Stirling Falls.
About the operator
Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
- Nikolaj J0 contributionsBeautiful but long trip.Milford sound is stunning, but the bus ride is very long and the legroom is super cramped, even less than on economy airlines. Would also be great if the pickup route and estimated times would be posted to avoid long waits.Written 8 February 2025
- K2463FYians0 contributionsWonders of MilfordA wonderful day with photo ops and great commentary. Mirror lake was a great visit. Everything ran well between coach and boat. Other passengers were good at not delaying on the stops. Highlight on the boat was the hot pies and the welcome chocomilk after being rained on.Written 8 February 2025
- Robert L0 contributionsSpectacular day made possible by our great guides Paulie and Mikaela.It was a long day, but amazing, we had never see landscapes like this before. They hadn’t had rain for awhile so our only disappointment was a few less waterfalls. A must do and if you have the cash fly back.Written 6 February 2025
- Arthur F0 contributionsAmazing!Amazing tour and guide! There are a lot of fantastic scenic views. It's definitely worth it! Great meeting point for the bus if you're in Queenstown downtown as wellWritten 6 February 2025
- michaelrS2134ZJ0 contributionsMilford SoundAmazing time coach driver very experienced and knowledgeable good views where amazing would highly recommend this trip to anyone weather was brilliantWritten 4 February 2025
- Sebt050 contributionsMilford SoundThe coach & cruise was fantastic, beautiful scenery for the duration of the tour. The coach and cruise operators were both super nice and incredibly knowledgeable about Milford and surrounding areas. Would recommend 👍Written 31 January 2025
- Passenger867390 contributionsMilford Sound adventureThe views are spectacular and the boat tour of the fjord was amazing! The tour is well run as it is a long day but the breaks were timed just right. Our guide was very knowledgeable about the area!Written 25 January 2025
- Guide523173097260 contributionsGreat trip with a wonderful guide.Joined the tour from Queenstown to Milford Sound on 7 Jan. It was a wonderful experience despite the rain. Fun cruise experience with stunning view of Milford Sound and the scenic sites during the journey. Special thanks to our guide & driver Ian. He is one of the best guides I have ever met. He is a fun and caring guy. He managed to drive us to Milford Sound from Queenstown while introducing the places, history, and ecosystem of the surroundings, with exact figures! He is so experienced that he made the long journey safe and comfortable for all of us. Normally my wife would have motion sickness on coaches but Ian drove so well that she arrived Queenstown without discomfort. The coach was clean and comfortable too. Highly recommended this tour.Written 25 January 2025
- 27lq0 contributionsDon’t be intimidated by the long bus ride.I was intimidated by this very long bus ride but ended up loving every moment of it. We paid for the premium seats and sat in the second row (more leg room than first row) - great views forward, to the side and even above! These modern & clean buses have glass ceilings for viewing the steep mountain walls of Fiordland NP. We had beautiful weather and the January days are long so the sun was still up when we finally rolled back into Queenstown. Our driver, Junior, provided excellent commentary that I enjoyed as much as Milford Sound itself. The bus has a bathroom but he did not recommend it and there were sufficient stops w/ restrooms. Bus has intermittent wifi, depending on where it is. Do it!Written 23 January 2025
- J5003GGmaryj0 contributionsA long day but well worth itA long day but well worth it. Scenery is unbelievable, boat ride stunning and also a very relaxing day. Our driver Andreas was professional and knowledgeable plus handled the many hairpin turns with skill and confidence.Written 22 January 2025
- udaykE69VE0 contributionsBeautiful and informative!Our tour to Milford Sound was incredible! The bus driver was friendly and super knowledgeable about the area, keeping us entertained through the long ride. The scenery on the drive is breathtaking, featuring some of the tallest mountains I’ve ever seen. The Milford Sound cruise itself is stunning even in cloudy weather. Watch out - it’s VERY windy on the top deck and unfortunately I lost my hat to the waves less than five minutes into our journey.Written 21 January 2025
- Ronnel19740 contributionsTrust pure Milford and book here at TripAdvisor and you will never go wrongPure milford was 5stars from beginning to end, they were looking after all the passengers, the pick up and drop Off was spot on and even timings. Food was awesome if you are into meatpies Milford sound is always better for me when there are thousand waterfalls, however being dry season we found two and it was ok. But the journey and stopovers were amazing. Good to know about the rich history behind it Will be eager to tour family on a different season next timeWritten 21 January 2025
- 739deeptis0 contributionsGreat tripSebastian the tour guide was fabulous, knowledgeable and funny and allowed lots of time to enjoy scenery without commentaryWritten 20 January 2025
- HkK9080 contributionsUnforgettable ExperienceThe tour was very well planned with plenty of stops to stretch the legs and admire the natural beauty of NZ. Coach was very comfortable and spacious. The driver/guide was excellent with his entertaining and informative commentary throughout the journey.Written 20 January 2025
- R8588TPdavidm0 contributionsBeautiful scienaryWe took this tour from Queenstown and there is a 4 hour bus drive to Milford Sound. Howere the bus stops at multipe locations to stretch your legs, take photos, or use restrooms. Toilet and USB chargers are also available inside the bus. We really enjoyed the beautiful scienary along the way. Obviously tje highlight of this tour is the boat ride to the Milford Sound waterfall, and it was fantastic. The boat paases by multiple waterfalls before it gets to the main waterfall. There are many photo opportunities along the way on the upper deck of the boat. Overall we had fun and it was a great experience.Written 19 January 2025
These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
104 reviews
Excellent
90
Very good
7
Average
2
Poor
2
Terrible
3
Nomad06100622418
4 contributions
Oct 2024 • Couples
The boat is booked at maximum 70% capacity and on the day we attended it felt like we had even more space than that. The boat is big enough to move around and switch up your seating and view. It was a perfect amount of time spent on the boat to relax and take in your surroundings, and the onboard cafe was well-stocked with food, drinks and snacks. Pure Milford was a more affordable option than other cruise lines and great value, would definitely recommend to others.
Written 2 November 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kia Ora,
Thank you for your fantastic review!
We're thrilled you had a great time and made some lasting memories.
We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed the spaciousness of the boat and found the perfect balance of relaxation and sightseeing.
It’s great to know that you appreciated the onboard café and our tasty offerings.
Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we hope to welcome you back to Piopiotahi Milford Sound.
Nga Mihi,
The Team at Pure Milford
Written 3 November 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
D and J
Perth, Australia55 contributions
Dec 2024 • Couples
It was raining steadily – a good thing they say for a day at Milford Sound – and they we right. We boarded the Milford Mariner – a luxurious triple masted ship with a great café, ample interior space (heated) and broad outdoor decks – all perfect for viewing the myriad waterfalls along this journey. We ducked in and out, in and out, in and out – there was always so much to see on either the left side or the right side of the ship. The rain turned on so many extra waterfalls that they were literal innumerable! The ship turned around where the Tasman Sea and Milford Sound meet and then we saw a pod of dolphins swimming beside the ship –awesome! There is a commentary on the outward leg – highlighting some of the more outstanding features of the Sound including the waterfalls which flow upward or sideways! The most spectacular and permanent waterfall was visible just prior to returning to port. A wonderful journey – seek the rain for the most waterfalls. A must do New Zealand experience.
Written 22 December 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Justin O
15 contributions
Nov 2023 • Family
We booked this as part of a True South Flight-Cruise-Flight package. The flight to Milford Sound delivered us in time for boarding and GEM OF THE SOUND was a comfortable and stable ship to do a 1.5 hour cruise from the dock to the Tasman Sea and return. Along the way, the crew kept passengers informed about sights to see, the history of the Sound, and pointed out wildlife along the route. Our cruise was on a sunny day, but it would be a good cruise in rain, too.
We appreciated that although the vessel was large, the company caps the number below 200 for comfort. The galley offered free coffee and tea, and meals were available to order ahead of time, but for a 1.5 hour cruise, we recommend spending time on deck rather than eating lunch.
Highly recommended way to see the Sound.
We appreciated that although the vessel was large, the company caps the number below 200 for comfort. The galley offered free coffee and tea, and meals were available to order ahead of time, but for a 1.5 hour cruise, we recommend spending time on deck rather than eating lunch.
Highly recommended way to see the Sound.
Written 28 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kia Ora,
Thank you for joining our cruise at Piopiotahi / Milford Sound through your fly cruise fly trip with True South. We were delighted to host you on board the Gem of the Sound.
We are very fortunate to have a team of seasoned Fiordland enthusiasts who have so much to share about our beautiful place.
We absolutely agree that Milford Sound is stunning no matter the weather, so we hope that some day you will come back and join us on a wetter day to experience Milford at her mighty best :-)
Ngā mihi,
Kate
Written 29 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Retie R
1 contribution
Jan 2024 • Family
We were scheduled for a 9:30 am however, it was cancelled due to weather conditions, the lady at the booth suggested to rebook for the 12 noon cruise time which I agreed. When approached again to get for a card pass they rescheduled for 1pm saying that they cannot control the weather. Other cruise companies are already operating but not this one. I guess we have to wait for the bus tour group from queenstown. This meant all passengers were cramped at one vessel. They even reduced/cut the time at the sound so that the vessel will come back for the next session.
Written 15 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kia Ora Retier,
Thank for for taking the time to share your feedback with us.
We are so sorry to hear you were affected by adverse weather at Piopiotahi / Milford Sound.
We do our very best to plan and prepare according to the weather forecast, but the weather on the West Coast can be wildly unpredictable so we do our best.
As was the case on the day of your cruise, we were unable to safely retrieve one of our vessels from it's mooring outside the harbour, and so we were doing our best to accommodate two sets of passengers to avoid disappointment.
In our attempt to avoid turning guests away, we realise we have compromised on overall guest experience so we do apologise for this.
Thank you again for taking the time to share your feedback with us,
Ngā mihi,
Kate
Written 21 January 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Zach Zander
16 contributions
Mar 2024 • Family
The trip was well organized and easy to participate in. The boat has limited top deck space and everyone vying for a rail. There's only one coffee maker, so the queue can take up to 15 min of your precious time. The drive to and from Te Anau was truly a highlight.
Written 14 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kia Ora Zachyzz,
Thank you for joining our cruise at Piopiotahi / Milford Sound and for sharing your feedback with us.
We are blown away by the stunning scenery every day, and think that it is out of this world!
Our complimentary coffee is certainly popular, so we do have other options for purchase at the Cafe / Bar if you are feeling too thirsty to wait :-)
The drive in absolutely stunning, and in this case the journey is just as spectacular as the destination!
Ngā mihi,
Kate
Written 16 April 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Abby Woollaston
Wellington, New Zealand32 contributions
Wonderful, once in a lifetime experience.
Even though we went during peak holiday time, the boat didn’t feel over crowded with plenty of space to stretch out across multiple levels + top scenic deck.
Complimentary tea and coffee on board and nice selection of food + beverages to purchase.
The crew really made the cruise special.
They were educational and hilarious !
My 6 year old sons first tooth fell out during our cruise which they must of got wind of and called him over the loud speaker to come down wheel house to collect his surprise from the tooth fairy !! They also let him steer the ship and his sister helper out too !!
Even though we went during peak holiday time, the boat didn’t feel over crowded with plenty of space to stretch out across multiple levels + top scenic deck.
Complimentary tea and coffee on board and nice selection of food + beverages to purchase.
The crew really made the cruise special.
They were educational and hilarious !
My 6 year old sons first tooth fell out during our cruise which they must of got wind of and called him over the loud speaker to come down wheel house to collect his surprise from the tooth fairy !! They also let him steer the ship and his sister helper out too !!
Written 11 January 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kia Ora,
Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear that your experience was truly a "once in a lifetime" moment.
It's fantastic that the boat never felt overcrowded, even during peak holiday time, and that you had plenty of space to enjoy the scenic views on multiple viewing areas.
We’re so glad you enjoyed the complimentary tea and coffee, as well as the selection of food and beverages available on board.
How exciting that your son lost his first tooth during the cruise! We’re so happy the crew was able to make it even more memorable with their thoughtful gesture from the tooth fairy. Letting him steer the ship is such a fun and special experience, too!
Thank you again for choosing us for your adventure. We hope to welcome you and your family back for more unforgettable moments in the future!
Safe Travels!
Nga Mihi,
The Team at Pure Milford
Written 13 January 2025
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jo G
Auckland, New Zealand30 contributions
Place takes your breath away every time and the cherry on top was the awesome commentary by Michael. He was brilliant, informative, humour and unlike the last time I went to Milford Sound, I could hear everything clearly. Cannot recommend this enough & hopefully you’ll get Michael too!
Written 3 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kia Ora,
Thank you for joining us for another breaktaking exploration of Fiordland, and for this fantastic feedback!
We are delighted the dulcet tones of Michael were crystal clear, and that the scenery was just as stunning as the last time.
Thank you so much for your recommendation to others!
Ngā mihi,
Kate
Written 3 March 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
pbenny
Sydney, Australia20 contributions
This boat was overcrowded. A lot of pushing and shoving from people trying to take pictures. Large groups placed bags on seats to reserve them while the majority of the group were actually sitting outside. The Milford Sound is beautiful but would recommend going on a small vessel with a limit on numbers.
Written 3 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kia Ora,
Thank you for letting us know of your experience. We are always trying to better our experience for passengers.
It is a shame to hear of pushing and shoving from other passengers.
Being that it is our peak period in Milford Sound, we do experience a high volume of passengers on which we have a limit to carry.
Most providers in Milford Sound are experiencing a high volume of reservations during this peak season.
We hope you enjoy the rest of your travels in Aotearoa!
Ngā mihi,
The Team at Pure Milford
Written 6 January 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Kevin P
Sedona, AZ95 contributions
Mar 2024 • Solo
A great cruise with a great crew. There are several cruises you can choose from. From the boats I saw in the harbor, your choice is a much larger and crowded ship, and a smaller, much older vessal. The Pure Milford cruise line, and the Gem of the Sound is right in the middle. It seemed to me to be the most modern and newest of the ships in the harbor and although there were quite a few people on the ship, it wasn't crowded. There was plenty of room on both decks to take pictures and room inside the ship along with free hot coffee, as well as some other refreshements you could purchase.
The crew was friendly and the cruise overall was well managed and organized. The boat was modern and relatively new, and the captain did a great job of narrating the journey of about 2 hours. Overall I would recommend this cruise, although I did not take the others, but in my observations, I think I lucked out on the choice.
The crew was friendly and the cruise overall was well managed and organized. The boat was modern and relatively new, and the captain did a great job of narrating the journey of about 2 hours. Overall I would recommend this cruise, although I did not take the others, but in my observations, I think I lucked out on the choice.
Written 28 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kia Ora,
Thank you for choosing to explore Piopiotahi / Milford Sound with us, and for this lovely feedback.
We are thrilled that we sat perfectly in the Goldliocks zone for you, and were ''just right''!
The oustanding scenery speaks for itself, and mesmerises every time, so it's awesome that the spacious vessel, uncrowded comfort and warm friendly crew added that extra touch of Milford magic!
It was our pleasure to have you on board, and we hope to welcome you back to Piopiotahi / Milford Sound again,
Ngā mihi,
Kate
Written 1 April 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Dwatkinsuk
Egg, Switzerland446 contributions
What a great experience-super easy to drive up and park in the free parking at the Deepwater basin car park (you can park at the cafe near the ferry, but that costs $25….) and then a short 25 mt walk to the ferry terminal.
Simply check in and then you board at the time about 10 mts before departure. There are lots of cruises to choose from and I cannot judge the others—-all do the same circular round trip of around 2 hours with more or less the same content….this one has nice boats, super smooth, offers good commentary (although hard to hear outside) and paused / pointed out the wildlife that popped up such as the Dolphins so we could photograph it..
Whichever cruise you take, the sound is well worth a visit, so gorgeous….
Simply check in and then you board at the time about 10 mts before departure. There are lots of cruises to choose from and I cannot judge the others—-all do the same circular round trip of around 2 hours with more or less the same content….this one has nice boats, super smooth, offers good commentary (although hard to hear outside) and paused / pointed out the wildlife that popped up such as the Dolphins so we could photograph it..
Whichever cruise you take, the sound is well worth a visit, so gorgeous….
Written 23 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kia Ora David,
Thank you for choosing to explore Piopiotahi / Milford Sound with us, and for taking the time to share your lovely feedback.
We couldn't agree more - Milford Sound is absolutely stunning and a must-see when travelling to this part of the world. It really must be seen to be believed! We like to think our fabulous 5* vessel, friendly crew and fabulous commentary give us a little edge on the others too :-)
We really apprecitae your support, and would love to welcome you to Fiordland again in the future,
Ngā mihi,
Kate
Written 27 March 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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