Tours and Tickets
Milford Sound Scenic Cruise
5
LIKELY TO SELL OUT*

Milford Sound Scenic Cruise

By Mitre Peak Cruises
Recommended by 96% of travelers
This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher
About
Milford Sound is one of New Zealand's most beautiful and well-known sights, and you can enjoy seeing it for yourself on this cruise. The mountains that rise out of the sound, the waterfalls, and other natural features are impressive whatever the weather conditions. On this cruise, go all the way out to the sea, and get the chance to look for wildlife like seals, dolphins, and penguins.
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from
$80.80
per adult

Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation

Ages 0-99, max of 65 per group
Duration: 2h
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
German, Chinese, Japanese, English, French, Spanish

Highlights
  • Get a more intimate, up-close perspective on this smaller cruise boat
  • Receive free tea/coffee on board
  • Children under three ride for free
  • Take great photos from the boat's viewing deck

  • Free tea and coffee on board
  • Free for children under 3
  • Smaller boats makes for a more ‘up close’ tour
What's not included
  • Food and drinks, unless specified


Departure details
  • Mitre Peak Cruises, Visitor Centre 1 Milford Sound Highway, 94, Milford Sound 9679, New Zealand Departure Point: Milford Sound Visitor Centre
Return details
  • Returns to original departure point

  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Stroller accessible
  • 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: 29858P2

  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Check in is 30 minutes before departure time
  • Children must be accompanied by an adult
  • Subject to favourable weather conditions. If cancelled due to poor weather, you will be given the option of an alternative date or full refund
  • Most travelers can participate
  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 65 travelers

  • For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

What you can expect during your visit
  • Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
  • Guides required to regularly wash hands
  • Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
  • Safety precautions are provided by the property and are not checked by Tripadvisor for accuracy.

How much is Milford Sound Scenic Cruise?
Milford Sound Scenic Cruise price starts from $83.27. Discover and book Milford Sound Scenic Cruise on Tripadvisor
What is the Milford Sound Scenic Cruise cancellation policy?
Milford Sound Scenic Cruise cancellation policy: For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience. Discover and book Milford Sound Scenic Cruise on Tripadvisor
Which company provides Milford Sound Scenic Cruise?
Milford Sound Scenic Cruise is hosted by Mitre Peak Cruises. Read reviews, discover additonal experiences or contact Mitre Peak Cruises on Tripadvisor. Discover and book Milford Sound Scenic Cruise on Tripadvisor
How much time do I need for Milford Sound Scenic Cruise?
On average, this experience will take approximately 2h. Discover and book Milford Sound Scenic Cruise on Tripadvisor

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: 29858P2

Reserve your spot

Similar experiences

About the operator
Mitre Peak Cruises
1,310
New Zealand

#2 of 14 Tours & Activities in Milford Sound
  • dar_og591
    dar_og591
    0
    0
    Choose another option
    10 minutes waiting under the rain. They indicated us that the boarding time is 10 minutes before departing time in dock number 4. We arrived there and nobody was waiting. After 5 minutes somebody approach to indicate us to wait. No reasons given. 2 minutes later one coach with 30 people overtake us in the queue because they have “green card” with lunch included. What’s that means? When we embark, all the window seats were already occupied…very very poor management
  • dianahY5919BX
    dianahY5919BX
    0
    0
    Small Boat. Great Day
    The small boat made it easy to move around and get up close and personal with the waterfalls and dolphins. The commentary was informative and witty
  • yannickk565
    yannickk565
    0
    0
    Amazing Tour
    Amazing Tour with a smaller Boat! Close to the Waterfalls and beautiful Landscape. Additional saw Dolphins and Seals on the Tour!
  • jorgeq43
    jorgeq43
    0
    0
    Best views of Milford Sound
    Visiting Milford Sound was amazing. Nature in its best! The ferry was great in terms of cleaning, safety and of course the crew! Thanks for a wonderful journey.
  • mcollettnz
    mcollettnz
    0
    0
    Fun and exciting
    We had an excellent wee 2 hour cruise, the scenery is amazing and we saw dolphins and seals. Skipper was great and positioned the boat so we could get a better view of the wild life. Also the boat left and returned on time. Highly recommended.
  • A1695UBsylviel
    A1695UBsylviel
    0
    0
    Small is a lot better!
    I took Mitre Peak Cruise because it was a small boat and I did not regret it. Also, we arrived early. The boat left at 11 am and the tour buses from Queenstown had not arrived yet. They provided free tea and coffee and we had a lunch provided by the excellent Trips & Tramps company which, with there small mini van, gave us the opportunity to stop for pictures on the scenic road to Milford and to small wlaks in the forest on the way back. Both Mitre Peak cruise and Trips & Tramps are the best option for the MIlford Sound.
  • AntipodesPete
    AntipodesPete
    0
    0
    Don’t hesitate!
    Just fabulous. Great service, friendly staff, on time and true to description. Well assisted by co-operative dolphins and seals.
  • 16nicka
    16nicka
    0
    0
    Views of amazing scenery that could have been hampered without a little flexibility in the organisation
    Mitre Peak Cruises and Milford Sound Scenic Flights I had a wonderful experience, mostly as a result of the amazing scenery and fortune with the weather, but the transport was well organised and commentary informative - although hard to hear when at the bow of the boat. To a certain extent, the experience on the flight depends on the seat allocated and your height - the aircraft windows are below eyeline if you are much over 6'. Being tall and having been allocated the seat next to the wing strut, my view on the outward flight was significantly restricted. However, pilot was able to swap my seat for the return, which improved the situation massively. I got the impression that is not normally done. With the vast difference that seat position can make, I hope they will consider altering the seating plan for the return to reduce the effect of luck-of-the-draw.
  • popeadventure
    popeadventure
    0
    0
    Fantastic boat trip
    Loved this trip, small boat with excellent commentary and not to busy so you could easily see everything. 2 hours is just right. Milford Sound is amazing and is a must do trip if you are down this way.
  • shytz
    shytz
    0
    0
    Great day trip
    Small vehicle with 16 passengers. James the driver was excellent. He communicated very well. Drove safely. Would recommend - book in advance the spots fill up quickly.
  • ferroshake
    ferroshake
    0
    0
    Nice Cruise
    It was a very nice cruise, very reasonable. The cruise takes you close to the falls for a splash occasionally which was the highlight of the trip...the kids loved it.
  • Donelots
    Donelots
    0
    0
    Awesome experience
    The whole experience was awesome. The staff very friendly, the boat very tidy and the views amazing. Highly recommended.
  • Jennie D
    Jennie D
    0
    0
    Such a magical wildlife experience!
    Fantastic experience, and a great sized boat - not too big - so we were all able to get up close to the wildlife including dolphins and a baby seal! The captain was a legend and so good at spotting animals and even managed to find a cap that flew into the sounds. I am.so happy I chose to go with mitre peak!!!
  • emilyaI5058JZ
    emilyaI5058JZ
    0
    0
    MUST DO!!
    What an absolute amazing flight that was!! The views were breathtaking and a must see with your own eyes!
  • yasminrana1990
    yasminrana1990
    0
    0
    Tens all round!
    Nathan and Madi were amazing! What an incredible experience. The cruise had a lovely home feel about it and we even got to see dolphins! 10/10
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions

5.0
873 reviews
Excellent
765
Very good
78
Average
13
Poor
9
Terrible
8

Alan S
Tauranga, New Zealand3 contributions
The cruise itself deserves a five star rating. Boat captain and crew are top notch, very friendly, very knowledgeable and happy to please. They knew what to do, where to go and kept us well informed at all times

But, the after sales service is sadly lacking. We were promised by Mitre Peak Cruises that a shuttle service would be available between the car park and the cruise terminal in both directions. We got the promised service to take us to the terminal. But when our cruise returned to the terminal, not only was the terminal closed with no amenities available, there was no return shuttle service to be found! We were among a dozen or so happy cruise passengers who soon became very unhappy when it became apparent there was no return shuttle. Nobody told us it wasn't available, we had to work it out ourselves after a long wait and then trudge (in the pouring rain I might add) all the way back to the car park, cold and VERY wet (that's a 15-20 minute walk at the best of times). Not much fun for a couple in their sixties let me tell you. And it was quite embarrassing for us Kiwis to have to explain to the foreign tourists that this is not typical for New Zealand

We have since discovered that this is not an isolated incident and that passengers from previous late cruises have also met a similar fate. Yet knowing this, Mitre Peak Cruises choose to sell us something they could not deliver. Yes we were lied to

We took this up with the cruise company. They have accepted zero responsibility for this sad situation, placing all of the blame on the shuttle company. However the shuttle company doesn't provide any service after 5:30pm yet Mitre Peak Cruises sells cruises which do not return to the closed terminal until 6:30pm. They knew full well that no shuttle service was ever going to be available at that time yet still sold their package which supposedly included a return shuttle service

I strongly recommend that anyone considering a Milford Sound cruise consider a provider that can deliver on their promise. Our experience was that Mitre Peak Cruises can't do that and will push the blame elsewhere when called to task
Written January 10, 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.
Hello Alan, Many thanks for the feedback. You have been dealing with this matter privately with our Base Manager and hopefully, your experience can be resolved. If you wish to discuss this further then please contact us via email on info@mitrepeak.com and we will do our very best to clear this situation that you had on the day. Many thanks from the Mitre Peak Cruises Team
Written January 20, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Babs
Auckland Central, New Zealand12 contributions
Apr 2021
Tania our tour guide on the bus was so friendly, enthusiastic, knowledgeable and entertaining. She made the 3-4 hour journey to Milford feel so manageable with lots of stops and interesting facts. The van was comfortable and spacious and the glass ceiling made all the difference. It also had charging ports and for the areas with phone service there was working wifi. The boat was perfect for viewing the sound with plenty of open and covered viewing areas. I could not have chosen a rainier day (100% and thunderstorms) and it was still worth every penny.
Written April 12, 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.
Kia Ora Babs, Thank you so much for taking the time to leave such a kind review. I have just spoken with Tania and passed on the lovely feedback! She was thrilled. Comfort is key when it comes to such a lengthy drive and altitude certainly know how to do that. It looks as though you picked a fantastic day to cruise in Milford Sound, judging by those photos the waterfalls must have been magical with the heavy rainfall you had. We hope to welcome you back into Milford Sound again soon. Kind Regards, The Mitre Peak Cruises team
Written April 22, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Jo P
1 contribution
Dec 2020 • Family
This trip is a must do. Being driven in the comfortable Mercedes bus meant I could take in all the amazing scenery without any stress. Andy our driver is a credit to NZ, safe driver, very informative and a lovely guy.
The bus trip was as much of a highlight as the boat trip.
If traveling with children only advice would be to pack enough food as it's very expensive to buy at the cafe stops for hungry teens.
Fantastic day out, would highly recommend.
Written December 9, 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.
Kia Ora Jo What an awesome recommendation, thank you! We are so happy to hear that you enjoyed every leg of your trip. Many thanks, The Mitre Peak Cruises Team
Written January 25, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

RocketSquid
Los Angeles, California72 contributions
Nov 2019
We booked a Milford Sound coach+cruise tour through Mitre Peak in Nov 2019 (Fjordland Tours provided the coach and driver/guide, while the cruise was operated by Mitre Peak). We loved the small group size and that the stops were flexible. Having a knowledgeable guide providing info and tips about all the different areas was invaluable! He took us to places that we would have never known about if we had just driven ourselves. The cruise was enjoyable, with an informative skipper and crew. They have smaller boats that can get closer to the falls. We were lucky enough to see some rare crested penguins nesting on a small beach during our cruise. So special! Highly recommend this tour with this outfitter.
Written January 21, 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.
Kia ora, Thank you for taking the time to leave your wonderful recommendation. Our team really appreciates it and is happy to hear you enjoyed our coach-cruise-coach package! We will be sure to pass on your kind words to our guides and drivers. We hope you thoroughly enjoyed the rest of you time in New Zealand. Kind regards, Mitre Peak Cruises Team
Written March 18, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Jax
Opotiki, New Zealand575 contributions
Our Mitre Peak cruise was fantastic & I was very happy that I booked with them rather than some of the larger boats/cruises. We had an epic trip down to Milford with Altitude Tours & was equally satisfied with our Sound cruise. The small boat enabled us to get much closer to the waterfalls and animal life than would have been possible on a larger vessel. The boat itself was extremely comfortable for the amount of passengers and had good viewing deck options. The very front of the boat was my favourite & even enjoyed a bit of a “Kate & Leo” I’m on top of the world moment. The captain was very knowledgeable and informative of the different features & wildlife of the Sound. The tea & coffee was great (even had Dilmah) and felt the cruise length of 2 hours was perfect. We were lucky to have a lovely sunny day so will have to return another time on a waterfall day. Very Happy!
Written November 1, 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.
Kia Ora Jax, Our smaller boats really do ensure that we are able to provide a super memorable and personalised experience, with nature being the main focus. Altitude Tours in which we work in partnership with are a great company who focus on a personal coach experience just as much as we like to create a personal aspect to our cruises. It is awesome to hear how happy you are with your experience with Mitre Peak Cruises. Many thanks, The Mitre Peak Cruises Team
Written January 25, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Shivraj P
2 contributions
Dec 2020 • Couples
I had booked online through their website, it was easy and offered good deal. Their boat is smaller compared to other company cruise to minimize the people on board for better viewing and experience. I couldn't make it on the day of booking, called them arranged for next day (usually they charge fees for change but did something extraordinary being the 31st eve, thank you so much for that).
The drive from Queenstown is 4hrs without halt, so plan it properly as you cannot resist stopping on the way with all those scenic spots. After arriving at the reception, it was very quick process and the reception girl was very friendly. Then we were greeted by Captain (Phillip) and cabin crew (Jazmin), the captain was entertaining and informative n Jazmin was friendly and took couple shots for us.
Now onto the main part, the milford cruising experience. It was 2hrs spot on journey as mentioned with information and stops for pics of beautiful waterfalls and sea lions. We had the best experience to spot dolphin pod, 3-4 of them even followed our boat. Thank you Mitre peak for amazing experience.
Written January 1, 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.
Kia Ora Shivraj We are so glad that you had such an awesome experience with us and that you think the trip was good value for money. We do pride ourselves on our smaller, more intimate experience we offer around Milford Sound so it is super cool to hear how much you enjoyed it. There are indeed plenty of beautiful spots to stop at along the famous Milford Road so that is a great tip for our future guests – thank you! I will pass your words onto our awesome crew too; I know they’ll appreciate it as they try to create such a memorable and special day for every one of our guests. Stoked that you got to spot some of our local dolphins and seals too, that is always a treat! Many thanks The Mitre Peak Cruises Team
Written February 10, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

bobbyswiss02
Jersey, UK17 contributions
We were on the 11AM trip and the weather was not great - low hanging cloud. Despite this the boat was able to get up very close to the different stops and the captain was very knowledgeable. On our way back the weather changed and the clouds lifted and the sights on the sound were amazing.
Written January 23, 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 there, Thank you very much for your review! Our team is happy to hear that you enjoyed your cruise around the spectacular Milford Sound! A huge perk of having a smaller vessel is that it allows us to get nice and close to the mountains and towering waterfalls. We are glad you enjoyed this and can't wait to take you on more adventures in the future. Kind regards, Mitre Peak Cruises Team
Written March 18, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

jazz & wicker
Christchurch, New Zealand24 contributions
Jun 2020
We booked the coach-cruise-coach option leaving from Queenstown. The coach portion of the tour was run by Alpine Tours and was fantastic; our driver was very knowledgeable about the different areas we passed through. Our first stop was in Te Anau, and we made several more stops in Fiordland National Park at points of interests (Mirror Lake and Lake Eglinton for example).

Sandflies are definitely a thing in Fiordland + Milford Sound, so would recommend wearing long socks that cover ankles, and long sleeve jumpers/shirts to cover wrists.

The cruise was brilliant. It was a smaller boat and got us close to the waterfalls. Tea and coffee were provided and were pretty good also. There was seating inside and outside, but the views from the outside viewing decks were definitely the best. The skipper provided highly informative commentary and pointed out points of interest which was very much appreciated.

We would highly recommend this company for anyone considering a trip to Milford Sound.
Written June 26, 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.
Kia ora. Thank you so much for finding the time to write such a great review. Altitude Tours that runs our coach tour from Queenstown will be happy to hear you had a wonderful trip into Milford Sound. Indeed we try to get you closer to the surrounding nature so how lovely that the cruise met your expectations. Many thanks from the Mitre Peak Cruises Team.
Written July 16, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Chris H
Paraparaumu, New Zealand24 contributions
Mar 2021
Fantastic cruise on a smaller boat than most of the fleet so felt as though there was plenty of space with fewer people. Captain was great - just enough commentary without being over the top. We combined it with flights from/to Queenstown with Milford Sound Flights and would highly recommend.
Written March 31, 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.
Kia Ora Chris H, We take pride in being one of the smaller boats in Milford Sound. It allows us to get up closer with nature and deliver a more personal experience. We are stoked to hear that you flew in as it gives you a completely different perspective of the Fjord. Thanks for stopping by and leaving an awesome review. Kind Regards, The Mitre Peak Cruises Team.
Written April 22, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Andreea B
Auckland, New Zealand8 contributions
Nov 2020 • Couples
I'm glad we didn't decide to just drive from Queenstown! It was much nicer being able to loose yourself in the scenery and not spend 8h driving between mountains and heavy rain. Roland was an amazing guide and he shared a ton of interesting facts about the places we visited - all while driving flawlessly on one of the most difficult roads I've experienced in New Zealand. We stopped plenty of time for pictures, coffee breaks, bathroom breaks - which is very important considering the road trip takes about 4h. The cruise was beyond spectacular! The views, the crew and the smooth sailing surpassed all our expectations!
Written December 1, 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.
Kia Ora Andreea We are so glad that you enjoyed both our cruise and the trip with Altitude. We will be sure to pass your kind words on to Roland. It is always a pleasure to share the beauty of Milford Sound with our customers and we are delighted to hear you loved it. Many thanks, The Mitre Peak Cruises Team
Written January 25, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

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Milford Sound Scenic Cruise provided by Mitre Peak Cruises

Product Overview: Milford Sound Scenic Cruise

Prices From

$82

Number of Reviews

869

Number of Photos

773

Duration

120 minutes