Cruise Milford NZ Small Boutique Cruise Experience
5
BEST SELLER
Cruise Milford NZ Small Boutique Cruise Experience
By Cruise Milford
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About
Cruise New Zealand’s Milford Sound in a boutique-style boat that limits passengers to half its capacity and enjoy the extra space as you scan for the fjord’s New Zealand fur seals, dolphins, and Fiordland crested penguins. Sip hot drinks in the lounge or head to the outside deck to see waterfalls and dramatic cliffs as you pass.
Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation
Ages 0-99
Duration: 1h 45m
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: English
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Written guide: German, English, French
Print or digital reading material such as a guide, map, brochure, etc.
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Highlights
- Escape the crowds on this smaller boat that prioritizes guest space
- See native New Zealand wildlife from viewing windows and open decks
- Listen to live narration from the skipper
- Complimentary coffee, tea and biscuits on-board all sailings
What's not included- No food sold on-board the cruise
- Parking fee- $10 per hour (Payment can be made at the parking stations on site with card only).
- Make your way to the visitor terminal in Milford Sound before your scheduled departure time to check in for your cruise. Board a spacious boat that only books to half capacity to allow for the best experience. Climb to an upper cabin with water-facing sofas, and help yourself to coffee, tea, and biscuits, while listening to live commentary from the skipper. The maneuverable vessel can get you even closer to the wildlife you may spot along the way, from New Zealand fur seals to the rare Fiordland crested penguin. The cruise ends where it began.
- Start:
- Cruise Milford, 1 Milford Sound Highway, Milford Sound 9679, New ZealandCruise Departure Point: Cruise Milford NZ counter(second counter on the left) Address: Milford Sound Visitor Terminal, Milford Sound, Fiordland Paid Car park-10 minute walk/free car park-40 minute walk to the Milford Sound Terminal Dates: Every day of the year (excluding Christmas Day: 25 December)
End:This activity ends back at the meeting point. - Wheelchair accessible
- Pushchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 21377P1- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Most travellers can participate
- Please feel free to bring your own food and drinks on-board the cruise.
- Please note proof of age for children is required upon check-in at Milford Sound.
- For any extra information regarding the drive, transport or the cruise please contact us via phone or email.
- The main car park at Milford Sound costs $10 per hour. Payment can be made at payment stations on site. This Car park area is approximately a 10 minute walk to the Milford Sound Visitor Terminal building.
- A free car park is available on the corner of Milford Road and Deepwater basin, the walk from here to the Milford Sound Visitor Terminal building will take approximately 40min.
- Disability Parking can be found outside the main Milford Sound Visitor Terminal and is wheelchair accessible.
- Office hours for bookings assistance: 8am to 8pm
- 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 is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
- 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: 21377P1
From
£79.75
per adult
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Itinerary
- 1 Milford Sound Highway, Milford Sound 9679, New ZealandCruise Departure Point: Cruise Milford NZ counter(second counter on the left) Address: Milford Sound Visitor Terminal, Milford Sound, Fiordland Paid Car park-10 minute walk/free car park-40 minute walk to the Milford Sound Terminal Dates: Every day of the year (excluding Christmas Day: 25 December)
- Pass byMilford SoundMitre PeakCruise MilfordFiordland National Park (Te Wahipounamu)
About the operator
Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
- Navigate181046277970 contributionsMagnificent MilfordFabulous experience !!! A once in a life time experience the staff were informative and offering to take photos of people … they offer tea and coffee which is a nice way to warm up .Written 24 November 2024
- chesmc0 contributionsStunning and MagicalGreat drive down with Hannah. Lots of photo opportunities and stories told. Scenery of the mountains, farmland and rainforest was stunning. The boat trip was magical. Waterfalls, dolphins, seals and penguins. The service exceptional. Staff friendly and happy to answer all your questions. It’s a must do if you are in the area, well worth it!Written 27 August 2024
- Roving390040524520 contributionsAmazing experience for everyoneThe views were spectacular. Saw seals, dolphins and a few waterfalls. Good for all ages. Beautiful scenery and great commentary. Highly recommended for family fun.Written 12 July 2024
- Discover673486240780 contributionsGreat companyAbsolutely surreal trip! Boat was state of the art and very tidy, views were stunning. The staff were super knowledgeable and had a great sense of humour (even despite the dad jokes). Having only half capacity made the cruise much more personable, would recommend to all!Written 27 March 2024
- amycasa0 contributionsCheeky Kiwi is the way!Our guide Brian was awesome! Appreciated being picked up/dropped off, did not have to worry about anything for the day. Loved being with a small group and appreciated the variety of scenic stops we had along the way. Fiordland National Park and Milford Sound were spectacular and can’t wait to visit again.Written 16 March 2024
- krystalb7590 contributionsUnforgettable Adventure: Cruise Milford Delivers Spectacular Views and Exceptional ServiceCruise Milford exceeded all expectations! The scenic two-hour drive from Te Anau to Milford Sound set the stage for an unforgettable adventure. Boarding was smooth, and the crew's expertise and hospitality made the experience even more enjoyable. The sights along Milford Sound were breathtaking, with towering cliffs and stunning waterfalls around every corner. Wildlife sightings added to the magic of the journey. I highly recommend Cruise Milford to anyone seeking an unforgettable exploration of nature's wonders.Written 9 February 2024
- Hoff840 contributionsHighly recommend this cruise company!We liked being on a smaller boat with less than 20 people on our cruise. We appreciated the complimentary coffee, tea and cookies. The captain did a great job pointing out the sites and sharing information about the Milford Sound. We were glad we took a morning sailing due to the position of the sun. The scenery was awesome and we were fortunate to have the sun come out during our cruise.Written 4 February 2024
- Bushy23kl0 contributionsUnmissableFabulous scenery, perfect size boat, informative and amusing commentary. It was raining heavily when we arrived and we doubted whether it would be any good. But in practice the rain fed spectacular waterfalls and we still got great views of towering peaks in moody settings.Written 27 January 2024
- kimnR6891YS0 contributionsAmazing cruise of the Milford Sound!The cruise was amazing. The captain was great and his commentary he provided was very informative. I loved the smallness of the boat as it allowed us to go close to the waterfalls. They don’t crowd the boat so there is lots of room and plenty of seats. I would highly recommend this cruise.Written 24 January 2024
- chrishX9483AW0 contributionsBrilliant experienceWhat a great trip, the weather came out for us so we had sunshine, if you drive don’t worry too much what it’s like on the way as the two sides of the mountain have totally different weather. The commentary was informative and at just the right level. The boat was busy but not crammed so you could easily move about. Definitely recommendWritten 22 January 2024
- N5796AWmicheller0 contributionsExcellentDid this cruise on a stormy day after lots of rain and it was amazing ! Hundreds of waterfalls ! The boat wasn't able to get out to sea because of the swell but this didn't detract from the experience.Written 19 January 2024
- BuzzieFamily0 contributionsThe perfect way to cruise Milford SoundMilford Sound is a gem and this cruise captured the beauty and majesty very well indeed. The cruise is advertised as 1:45 and it was every minute of that, pretty much an ideal duration—from the dock in Milford Sound out to the Tasman Sea and back. We chose this cruise of the many available because it’s a smaller boat and much less crowded, and it was a good choice. One of us was on crutches and everyone involved went out of their way to make this as smooth as possible for her. Even the free biscuits and tea were good!Written 15 January 2024
- 61ellebee0 contributionsBrilliant Steve, our host.This was the perfect way to join an organised tour of the area around and on Milford Sound. Steve, our driver and guide, was knowledgeable and extremely personable, making the day very special for everyone on board. He was the star of the day. We saw stunning waterfalls (having had torrential rain) aboard the boat. The boat trip itself was really only part of the whole day. Just doing that without the trip up and back with Steve, would have been interesting but not that memorable. The day is governed by weather. We didn’t have sun, but nevertheless it was a good day trip.Written 14 January 2024
- Megan M0 contributionsMilford cruiseWonderful cruise. Scenic and informative. Excellent afternoon without the crowds as cruise is not packed to full capacity. Plenty of room to move around.Written 8 January 2024
- JMust0 contributionsPure scenic beautySuch beautiful scenery and plenty of space on the boat. Sand flys are a bit of a pain and wish we had been told to cover up before the trip.Written 5 January 2024
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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5.0
1,862 reviews
Excellent
1,718
Very good
117
Average
21
Poor
4
Terrible
2
Steven
Melbourne, Australia9 contributions
Dec 2019
The boat (Milford Adventurer) was small enough to feel like a more intimate experience, but also very stable on the water (although we only experienced mild chop on the day we were there). The number of people on board meant that everyone was free to move around to any side of the boat at any time during the cruise.
The young skipper did a great job of manoeuvring the boat right up to a couple of waterfalls for close viewing, as well as an informative commentary (which was at times a bit hard to hear over the... boat noises).
Tea, coffee, biscuits and toilet on board made for a comfortable experience.
The only thing I think perhaps could have been better would be if the safety briefing had taken place clearly before we launched. It was hard to hear once we were underway, and felt like a bit of a formality.
All in all, recommended!
The young skipper did a great job of manoeuvring the boat right up to a couple of waterfalls for close viewing, as well as an informative commentary (which was at times a bit hard to hear over the... boat noises).
Tea, coffee, biscuits and toilet on board made for a comfortable experience.
The only thing I think perhaps could have been better would be if the safety briefing had taken place clearly before we launched. It was hard to hear once we were underway, and felt like a bit of a formality.
All in all, recommended!
Written 5 January 2020
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.
Thank you very much for your review. We are happy to hear you've enjoyed your time at Milford Sound with us. We are the only company at Milford Sound to limit passenger numbers to 50% of the boats capacity to offer an uncrowded and much more personal experience.
Written 11 March 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Cheryl P
Perth, Australia3 contributions
Mar 2020 • Couples
Spent a wild and wet 2 hour cruise on Milford Sound yesterday with these guys. A bleak day by all accounts but when you sail in these places you need to accept it for what it brings. Cascades of waterfalls from the rain and moving mists made it truly amazing. These are conditions that continue to forge these places. Brutal, harsh & unforgiving. Felt privileged to be there as nature turned on its show. Great cruise guys. Recommend it to anyone who has a spirit of adventure and doesn’t mind getting a little bit wet.
Written 21 March 2020
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.
We loved reading your review, thank you so much. It sounds like Mother Nature put on a great show for you. The weather in Fiordland is unpredictable and we certainly appreciate your sense of adventure. We always offer a second cruise free of charge so please do let us know if you are planning on coming back one day. You will be amazed how different Milford Sound looks on a sunny day.
All the best!
Written 24 November 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Warren S
Dunedin, New Zealand10 contributions
Jan 2020
We were blessed with pristine weather and had a boat and crew to match! Hamish (the skipper) was informative and entertaining, the boat was not overcrowded and facilities were clean and adequate. If you are doing this I would recommend that you take a packed lunch or snack as the cruise only provides tea, coffee and biscuits. An excursion well worth the spend.
Written 19 January 2020
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.
Thank you for your kind review.
Written 26 January 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Tom
1 contribution
Jan 2020
Right from being picked up at our hotel it was clear that Jono, our coach driver and guide, was both professional and knowledgeable. His commentary was lively, humorous, interesting and informative. The journey to Milford Sound took in stops not undertaken by other companies. The boat trip was out of this world and again the captain gave a lively and informative commentary. The boat was new and had all the necessary facilities and refreshments. The captain welcomed all into the wheelhouse and was happy to answer all questions. Our special thanks to Jono for the professional way in which he handled the situation on the return journey when we were delayed for three hours as the road tunnel was temporarily closed due to a fire. We had the bonus of an extra visit back to the jetty and some further walks in the area before we were able to return. Jono gave us information and kept us fully up to date on what was happening. I have no hesitation in recommending that you book your Milford experience with this company. - Tom
Written 23 January 2020
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.
Hi Tom,
Thank you so much for your kind review and for choosing our small family business for your Milford Sound experience. Jono is an absolute gem and we are so lucky to have him share his passion for this beautiful place with our guests. We are very happy to hear you've enjoyed your day with him (even though it was much longer than planned due to the incident in the tunnel).
Written 26 January 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Dhabi55
Auckland Central, New Zealand6 contributions
Apr 2021
We had heard good things in advance about family-owned Cruise Milford but also heard they were about twenty dollars more than than the big corporate boats. Our group of four adults was rewarded with a superb experience, driven and commented informatively and sensitively by Hamish and served so personably by Hope. This company wins hands down when it comes to cruising Milford Sound. If you are price conscious and are happy being an invisible number on the cattle-class boats, go for them. If you want something that is way more crafted to the individual, go Cruise Milford.
Written 8 April 2021
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.
Wow, thank you so much for this great review. We are so pleased you've enjoyed your time with us at Milford Sound. We can't thank you enough for supporting our small family business.
All the best, Hamish & Lisa
Written 10 April 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
marms4
Perth, Australia16 contributions
Jun 2020
We booked Cruise Milford as cruising on the Milford Sound was a bucket list item. We were not disappointed. Hamish the skipper gave a great commentary on all aspects of Milford Sound (he has a good sense of humour ...) & as it was possible that day, took us to places where the other boats didn't go. The boat was comfortable & we could either be out on deck or either upstairs or downstairs inside (with free tea, coffee & biscuits). Hundreds of waterfalls, dolphins, spectacular scenery & professional crew made for a wonderful experience.
Written 11 June 2020
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.
Thank you so much for this amazing review. So happy to hear you've enjoyed your time at Milford Sound with us and that you've got to meet the local wildlife. It sure is one of he most beautiful places in the world.
Written 24 November 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Sheryl T
20 contributions
Jan 2021
Really enjoyed our recent trip with Cruise Milford. The boat was clean and comfortable and the captain was friendly and informative.
We ended up on this cruise because it is part of the tour with Envy Experiences - a private Tesla trip out to Milford, which I also highly recommend.
We had beautiful weather for our trip and the scenery was just stunning. I hope to eventually make another trip in rainy weather to see the place in a different mood.
I'm really glad we were on a small boat because it could get right up close to the waterfalls and the sunbathing seals. The captains handling of it was very skillfull and sometimes you could almost touch the cliff faces.
The water was choppier than I expected in such a sheltered area, which worried me because I am really not good with boats, but there was too much to see to have time to feel sick and the uncrowded trip meant that there was plenty of room on the upper deck and front deck to get fresh air. The time absolutely flew by and it was over all too soon.
If I'm lucky enough to get back to Milford again, I wouldn't hesitate to use this same cruise company. Its an experience I can't recommend highly enough.
We ended up on this cruise because it is part of the tour with Envy Experiences - a private Tesla trip out to Milford, which I also highly recommend.
We had beautiful weather for our trip and the scenery was just stunning. I hope to eventually make another trip in rainy weather to see the place in a different mood.
I'm really glad we were on a small boat because it could get right up close to the waterfalls and the sunbathing seals. The captains handling of it was very skillfull and sometimes you could almost touch the cliff faces.
The water was choppier than I expected in such a sheltered area, which worried me because I am really not good with boats, but there was too much to see to have time to feel sick and the uncrowded trip meant that there was plenty of room on the upper deck and front deck to get fresh air. The time absolutely flew by and it was over all too soon.
If I'm lucky enough to get back to Milford again, I wouldn't hesitate to use this same cruise company. Its an experience I can't recommend highly enough.
Written 17 January 2021
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.
Thank you so much for your amazing review. We are so happy to hear you've enjoyed your time with us and Envy Experiences. We are the only company at Milford Sound to limit passenger numbers to 50% of the boats capacity and we're glad you could see the added value in this. We hope you get the chance to come back one day and experience Milford Sound in the rain as it is quite a different experience to see hundreds of waterfalls cascading down the cliff faces.
Written 25 January 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jojo Stewart
5 contributions
Honestly the best. Roger and Rod gave us the perfect trip around Milford Sound, making it a very bespoke experience as we chased dolphins and dipped in waterfalls. They responded to our group and made it an unforgettable experience, and even provided us with some vegan biscuits on request. A small gesture but meant a lot!! Could not recommended it more.
Written 11 December 2020
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.
Thank you so much for your kind review. It's great to hear you've enjoyed your time with us at Milford Sound, and the vegan biscuits (our newest addition).
Written 9 March 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Erin P
3 contributions
Feb 2021
This was our second trip on this boat with our son. There were excellent facilities on board. The toilets were spotless and the cabin was very clean and easy to get around. The captain Roger had excellent commentary and was very approachable to ask more questions, all of which he was very happy to answer. Chris the boat host was very sprightly and happy chatting with all the others on the boat we enjoyed his stories about his family. We went out into the Tasman much further than I would have expected. Probably as close to Australia as I'll be getting for a while. As we came into shore, we would loved to go out again but we had to leave unfortunately. Thanks so much Cruise Milford for such a great time! You are such a highlight of our holiday!
Written 3 February 2021
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.
Thank you so much for this amazing review, it has put a big smile on all of our faces. We are very humbled you chose our small family business for your Milford Sound experience a second time around and hope to welcome you back one day soon for your third trip. The next one will be on us!
Written 9 March 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
davidmilnelondon
9 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
We all really enjoyed this. The boat is quite small but most importantly not overfilled so you can always get a good viewpoint at the railing. The Ford itself is majestic, it was overcast but not raining for us and the waterfalls were in full voice. The captain was very knowledgeable and added a lot of information to what we were seeing
Written 3 January 2020
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.
Thank you for your kind review. We are very happy you've enjoyed your time with us at Milford Sound.
Written 11 March 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Hi, when it says take your own food and drinks, has anyone ever taken some bubbly or wine to have a toast on the cruise?
Thanks
Written 11 April 2021
Hi, what is the maximum number of passengers allowed on each cruise (including children). Does the waterfall actually touch the bow of the boat?
Thanks!
Written 28 October 2019
Cruise M
Milford Sound, New Zealand
Hi DasLeben,
Both of our boats have a capacity of 150. We limit each cruise to 75 to guarantee an uncrowded and much more personal experience.
Written 12 July 2020
hi. is there an option of a coach with this as an add on?
Written 24 September 2019
I don't know. I would contact them directly.
Written 24 September 2019
May I know which month in Autumn (March or April) has the best weather to visit South Island? Or is autumn not recommended due to rainy weather? Which is the best month to travel then? Thanks
Written 18 September 2019
Hi. We went for the snow so travelled end of June into July. It was fabulous. Not sure when the best time is to go. Would depend on what you were going for. If snow I think when we went was perfect as wasn’t too busy.
Written 30 September 2019
Bernardo Pedro M
Trenque Lauquen, Argentina
Hello! My plan is to drive from Queenstown to Milford...
How long does it take to travel from Queenstown to Milford by car?
Thanks for your help.
Written 15 September 2019
It depends on the weather, but normally, it takes about 4 hours.
Written 16 September 2019
I’m not 100% sure BUT there’s quite a few companies operating there who are willing to negotiate prices. We went with the smaller family owned cruise. It was excellent!!
Written 30 September 2019
So my plan was to leave Queenstown and drive straight to Milford Sound, go on one of your tours and then take our time heading back. In reality, what is the drive time if we just keep moving and play tourist on the way back.
Written 20 June 2019
Looks like the question got answered. I actually stayed in Te Anau for two nights which helped. The drive is quite a lot to take in all in one day. Hope that this person enjoyed it, I certainly did
Written 20 August 2019
So my plan was to leave Queenstown and drive straight to Milford Sound, go on one of your tours and then take our time heading back. In reality, what is the drive time if we just keep moving and play tourist on the way back.
Written 20 June 2019
Apologies for the very belated reply - it took us nearly 2 hours each way from Te Anau so it would make for a very long day to do a round trip from Queenstown...................
Written 10 September 2019
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