8 BEST Milford Sound Tours + Reviews

Looking for the best tours of Milford Sound? You’ve come to the expert!

I love Milford Sound, it’s actually my favorite place in all of New Zealand. I’ve been here enough times to know that there’s a lot to consider when booking a tour – it can be overwhelming!

To help alleviate that planning stress, I’ve put together the 8 best tours to Milford Sound with reviews of each. Whether you want to fly, drive, or cruise, these tours will help you see why this is a must-visit place in New Zealand.

Best Milford Sound Tours

1. Small Boutique Cruise on Milford Sound (cruise only)

Do you know the saying, “bigger is better”? When it comes to my glasses of wine, burgers, and mountains, I completely agree. But in the case of my favorite cruise, bigger is not better. In fact, smaller is better! And that’s what makes this Boutique Cruise one of the most sought-after experiences in Milford Sound.

I know what you might be thinking, “Alright Bailey, you have my attention, but why does the size of the boat matter?” – two reasons actually! 

Firstly, a smaller boat means you get up close and personal with waterfalls, wildlife, and the world-renowned nature Milford Sound is known for. Secondly, it means fewer people and fewer people means a more intimate and personalized experience. 

I was completely blown away for the entire 2-hour journey the first time I took this cruise (yes, I have taken it multiple times!). Since the boat isn’t crowded, you get unspoiled views of Mitre Peak, Bowen Falls, and various wildlife along the way. If you want to up your chances of seeing wildlife, my recommendation is to take the 10:45 am cruise, but there are also 12:45 pm and 2:45 pm options. 

With an onboard guide, an attentive and friendly crew, and luxury lounge seating – this cruise just about has it all. While it does offer complimentary coffee, tea, and biscuits there are no other food options on board. So I recommend eating a good breakfast or bringing some snacks so you don’t have a rumbly tummy taking away from the epic views.

With over 2,000 people around the world rating this a 5-star experience (see the reviews here!) it makes sense that it books out fast. Do yourself a favor and get your tickets ahead of time for $169 NZD so you don’t miss out on this experience.

2. Milford Sound Overnight Cruise

If we’re talking about the best Milford Sound tours, I can’t forget this one! To call this Milford Sound Overnight Cruise a once-in-a-lifetime experience would be accurate, but it’s so much more than that. Without a doubt, this was one of the most incredible experiences I have ever had.

From the moment we set off at 4 pm to when we returned at 9 am the next day the crew treated everyone with 5-star service. They were funny, helpful, and it was easy to see they loved their jobs. There are very few passengers allowed at one time on this cruise which makes everything more intimate and the service fantastic.

The boat is the definition of luxury with a hot tub on the top deck, clean and comfortable rooms, and plenty of places to relax and take in the Milford Sound. No expense was spared and I had to wonder if this is what it would have been like to be on the Titanic (without the sinking that is). 

Dinner and breakfast are included, and oh man, are they good! This isn’t a buffet-style dinner either, I’m talking proper table-side service! If you’re like me, you’ll love drinking a glass of local wine as you cruise past waterfalls. Just plan to spend a little extra for beverages, as they aren’t included in the price.

Besides the cruise that takes you up and down Milford Sound, there are a variety of fun activities to keep you entertained during your time. I love getting in a kayak or on a paddle board so I was thrilled to learn that they had both! There’s even a tender (an even smaller boat) you can take out with their onboard naturalist guide to look for wildlife. 

However, by far the most amazing moments I had were watching the sunset and sunrise over the Milford Sound. It’s something very few people see and it’s absolutely magical!

I won’t lie, this isn’t a cheap experience. However, having your accommodation paid for with meals and activities included is money that would have been used for the same things regardless.

That’s why I find its $1,199 NZD price tag reasonable for everything you get on this amazing tour. I’m not the only one who feels that way either, with tons of positive reviews. You can hop aboard this cruise from November to April and it departs from Milford Sound only (no transport from Queenstown or Te Anau).

This cruise books out MONTHS in advance (you’ve been warned…I get emails all the time from disappointed travelers who missed out!) so if you are itching to experience it yourself don’t hesitate to book!

3. Milford Sound fly, cruise, fly from Queenstown

This tour from Queenstown to Milford Sound involves a flight there, a cruise once you arrive in Milford Sound, and then a flight back to Queenstown. A 40-minute return scenic flight in a small fixed-wing plane is a fantastic quick option to get to Milford Sound that also boasts stunning views along the way.

On this flight, you get the best of both worlds with a flight over Milford Sound as well as a 2-hour boat cruise through it. This cruise is on a smaller vessel (I’ve learned these are the best cruises in Milford Sound) allowing you to get up really close to famed Stirling Falls as well as some of the cutest wildlife.

On your 40-minute flight back to Queenstown, your pilot will take you a different route so you can see another side of the national park, giving you even more amazing views of Fiordland National Park – you can’t complain about that!

This whole tour is around 5 hours in total, so it’s a great option if you’re short on time. And you can choose either a morning or afternoon departure from Queenstown.

Unfortunately, this tour isn’t cheap and prices start from $665 NZD. However, for such a once-in-a-lifetime experience, it’s really great value. 

Worth Noting: For all flying tour options listed here – infants are classed as under 11kgs and are free of charge. Children over 11kgs will require their own seat and will be charged at a child rate.

4. Half-Day Milford Sound helicopter tour with glacier landing and cruise

Are you in Queenstown and keen to hop on a helicopter to explore Milford Sound? Definitely consider going on this Milford Sound and glacier helicopter tour! It’s an unforgettable journey with a professional pilot and guide, providing you with clear communication and the best view possible of the gorgeous Milford Sound. 

Soaring around the glacial mountain tops, lush native forest, and blue waters, be taken on an adventure into the heart of the Milford Sound skies, even landing beside an icy glacier where you have the opportunity to hop out and explore the area around you. 

That’s right, this helicopter tour includes a glacier landing!

Better yet, this experience also includes a cruise through Milford Sound, so you get the best of both sea and sky—how cool is that?

Flights to Milford Sound are typically pricey, but the fact that this includes your cruise, as well as all transport (don’t forget hotel pick-up and drop-off too!), it really is the complete package if you want a truly unforgettable experience.

5. Luxury Award-Winning Small Group Tour from Queenstown

Avoid the crowds of the larger coach tour and opt for a small personalized mini-van trip to Milford Sound which also includes a cruise. Your mode of transport is a luxury Mercedes minivan built for long journeys so you will be traveling in comfort and style on the 3.5-hour journey each way.

On this popular full-day tour, you’ll be stopping along the way at some incredible places to break up the drive. You will get to visit Te Anau, Mirror Lakes, and Eglinton Valley just to name a few.

We love that this tour has a maximum of 16 people so the experience is much more personal. Because of this, you can also request a quick stop or two depending on how much time you have.

The included nature cruise once you reach Milford Sound is 1 hour 45 minutes in total. Because this tour is a smaller group, you’ll go on a small boat, which allows you to explore the smaller corners of the Fiord and enjoy its incredible sights!

Remember, this is a long day approximately 13 hours in total, but you’re with a smaller group and the mini-van is both spacious and comfortable. This tour starts from $329 NZD per person, which is great value given the group size and all of the amazing sightseeing opportunities you get!

6. Coach to Milford, cruise, and coach return to Queenstown

This is a super popular tour from Queenstown to Milford Sound! It involves a coach ride from Queenstown to Milford Sound, a cruise in Milford, and then a return back to Queenstown via coach, making it the most cost-effective option and you get to enjoy the incredible views all day!

On the journey to Milford via coach (a large comfortable bus) you will get to see the spectacular scenery of Fiordland National Park including photo stops in Te Anau, Eglinton Valley, and Mirror Lakes.

Worth noting is the drive from Queenstown to Milford Sound takes a minimum of 3.5 hours each way so it’s a long travel day. However, the journey there is split up with plenty of stops to stretch your legs.

Once you reach Milford Sound you will board your boat for a 1.5-hour cruise on a luxury catamaran boat. Spot waterfalls and wildlife like seals, Fiordland penguins, and if you’re lucky, dolphins! Mitre Peak is perhaps the most staggering sight sitting 1,692 meters (5,551 feet) above sea level, you can’t miss it. You’ll also be offered a picnic-style lunch on board the boat, as well as complimentary tea and coffee.

What I love about this specific tour is it includes a nature cruise. This is my favorite cruise in Milford because it’s on a smaller boat so you get as close as possible to the action. That includes the famous “glacial facial” from the 15,000-year-old Stirling Falls.

The whole day is 12.5 hours total with an early 7:00 am departure from Queenstown and arriving back in town in the late evening around 7:30 pm. Thus, if you get travel sick or are traveling with young kids this may not be the ideal tour for you. It’s a long day – trust me!

This tour is $302 NZD per person and I recommend booking this tour in advance since it is one of the best and most popular tours in Queenstown!

7. Milford Sound from Te Anau

This premium small-group tour ticks most of the boxes for tourists to Milford Sound, that’s because it includes transport to and from Te Anau, a 2-hour boat cruise, and a picnic lunch – plus, it’s limited to just 30 guests. 

Your day starts in Te Anau, and your driver will stop several times on the 1.5-hour drive into Milford Sound, which a lot of the larger group tours don’t do. Some of the most notable stops include the Lord of the Rings-esque Eglinton Valley, the aptly named Mirror Lakes (thanks to the lake’s reflective surface), and the peaceful Lake Gunn. 

Perhaps, the best stop on the road into Milford is the Homer Tunnel which is a feat of engineering and is literally carved through a mountain. It’s 1.2 kilometers (.75 mi) in length and took almost 20 years to build due to the dangerous nature of its location.

From the Homer Tunnel, it’s a picturesque drive down the valley to Milford Sound Visitor Center, where you will catch your boat. The cruise is 2 hours and is a smaller boat meaning it’s a much more personalized experience. In fact, this is the best-rated cruise operator in Milford Sound, according to TripAdvisor. 

The smaller boat also gets you up super close to the magnificent waterfalls and like the small cruise above, you’ll get really close to the action and may even get wet!

Lunch will be served on the boat and is picnic-style. So, sit back and enjoy your meal but be sure to keep one eye out the window in case you see some of the wildlife that is abundant in these waters, like dolphins, fur seals, and penguins!

After the cruise, you will board the bus for the 1.5-hour long journey back to Te Anau. Your driver will break up the journey with a few more stops like The Chasm and Pop’s View Lookout. These stops are spectacular and not visited on most tours.

This particular tour costs from $264 NZD per adult, which is surprisingly reasonable when you consider all that it includes!

8. Milford Sound 2-hour cruise (self-drive)

This is a great Milford Sound tour option if you are able to drive yourself to Milford Sound. This also means it’s the cheapest option on the list as you’re just paying for the 2-hour boat cruise (and not transport to and from Milford). 

Driving yourself also means you can stop at the many stunning attractions on the drive from Te Anau to Milford, like the Eglinton Valley, Mirror Lakes, and the famed Homer Tunnel. But keep in mind the road into Milford is narrow and winding, so care should be taken at all times. Thus, if you’re not a confident driver, I recommend booking one of the other tours from Queenstown or Te Anau that include transport to and from Milford Sound.

This particular tour starts from the Milford Sound Visitor Center, where you will check in before boarding your boat. Then, it’s time for the cruise itself – which takes in breathtaking fiord scenery. In fact, did you know that Milford Sound is not technically a ‘sound’ but a fiord? That just means it was carved by glaciers and not rivers!

One of your first stops on this cruise is the powerful 160-meter (525-foot) Bowen Falls. This is one of the largest waterfalls in Milford Sound and also one of the only permanent waterfalls. Then it’s off towards the Tasman Sea and along the way enjoy the breathtaking views of Sinbad Gully and Mount Pembroke.

You may even be lucky enough to spot fur seals, dusky dolphins, and the elusive Fiordland crested penguin, so be sure to have your camera handy. You will also get close to the giant Mitre Peak mountain, which stands tall at 1,692 meters (5,551 feet).

This 2-hour cruise only costs $155 NZD. Drinks and snacks are available to purchase on board (tea and coffee are free) the boat and you get a live commentary from the captain.

Related Read: If you’re driving yourself to Milford Sound, check out these other awesome things to do while you’re there!

Where to Stay When Visiting Milford Sound

When deciding where to stay for your Milford Sound trip, you have a few great options. Staying in Milford Sound itself is the most convenient if your tour departs directly from there. However, Te Anau and Queenstown also make excellent bases for exploring the area. Just keep in mind that if you stay in either of these towns, you’ll need to allow enough time to drive to Milford Sound or book one of the tours above that includes transportation.

To help you pick the best spot, I’ve rounded up the top places to stay in all three locations!

Milford Sound

Milford Sound Lodge: This hotel is the only place to stay if you want to be right in the heart of Milford Sound. Surrounded by rainforests and mountains, it offers stylish chalets and cozy cabins, some with private decks and kitchenettes. With an on-site restaurant and a location just minutes from the cruise terminal, it’s the most convenient and scenic stay in the area!

Check availability and pricing for the Milford Sound Lodge here!

Te Anau

Fiordland Lakeview Motel and Apartments: This hotel offers everything from studios to 3-bedroom townhouses. All of the apartments are spacious, clean, and fully equipped with everything you need for a comfortable stay. Plus many of the rooms also have magnificent views of the lake!

Aden Motel: This eco-friendly motel is just a 2-minute walk from Lake Te Anau and a 15-minute walk to the town center. They have beautiful studios, 1-bedroom, and 2-bedroom apartments to choose from, and the property is equipped with a playground, BBQ, and gardens.

Browse more hotels in Te Anau and check prices here!

Queenstown

Kamana Lakehouse: This peaceful 4.5-star hotel is just a quick 5-minute drive into the center of town. It offers an on-site restaurant that uses local ingredients, and many of the rooms offer lake and mountain views (some even have outdoor baths!).

mi-pad Queenstown: This hotel is a modern and eco-friendly stay right in the heart of Queenstown. It features compact yet stylish rooms with app-controlled lighting and temperature, plus a rooftop terrace with stunning lake and mountain views!

Browse more Queenstown hotels here!

Related Read: I go more in depth on all these options and more in my guide on where to stay near Milford Sound!

Thanks for reading!

There are a lot of different ways to visit Milford Sound, so whether this is your first or tenth time visiting, you can have a brand new experience! I have been here more times than I can count and have tried all of these experiences – each is awesome for it’s own reason. So no matter which one you choose, I know you’ll love your time in Milford Sound.

If you found this blog helpful, check out my other Milford Sound blogs. I’ve traveled all over the South Island and know this area like the back of my hand, so I have plenty of other resources to share. Here are a few to inspire your travels!

19 BEST Stops on the Drive from Te Anau to Milford Sound +Road Trip Tips!

15 Things to KNOW Before Booking an Overnight Cruise in Milford Sound

Is Milford Sound Worth it? – My Honest Review