This blog may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy for more info.
If you’re looking for the best things to do in Milford Sound, you’ve come to the right place!
Milford Sound is one of my favorite places in the whole world. I’m not kidding – I’ve been here over 10 times and I leap at any opportunity to go. There are many different tours and ways you can experience this beautiful part of Southern New Zealand, but not all of them are created equally.
This is why I’ve created this blog to tell you about the 5 absolute best experiences in Milford Sound that will make sure you get the most out of your visit here!
Quick Pick: My Favorite Activity
Don’t have time to read the full article?
My personal FAVORITE thing to do in Milford Sound is this boutique nature cruise! Over the course of 2 hours, you’ll explore stunning waterfalls and hidden nooks of the Fiord onboard this small vessel. Check out the 2,000+ 5-star reviews and book this experience here.
Tip: This activity is very popular – reserve your spot now and get FREE cancellation 24 hours before you go.
The Best Things to do in Milford Sound, New Zealand
1. Go on a Nature Cruise
A nature cruise is without a doubt THE best thing to do in Milford Sound, and I personally love going on the smaller boats because you get to explore nooks and crannies that the bigger boats just can’t get to. I got close enough to the waterfalls to feel the spray! This also means that you get to see the fiord’s wildlife up close, and you’re likely to spot penguins, seals, and even dolphins!
My favorite cruise is this 1 hour 45 minute boutique cruise experience. You get to see all of the highlights of Milford Sound and Fiordland National Park, like Mitre Peak and the gorgeous waterfalls, and you won’t have to battle with hoards of other passengers, because there’s a maximum of 75 people on board, which is only half of the vessel’s capacity. This means you’ve got plenty of space to relax and chill, either on deck or in the luxury indoor lounge.
There’s no food sold on board this cruise but since it only lasts for 2 hours, I don’t think that that’s a problem. But there are complimentary biscuits and hot drinks to warm you up along the way, and there’ll be a friendly skipper on board to explain what you’re seeing and teach you about the fiord’s wildlife.
It costs $169 NZD for adults and is available multiple times throughout the day. All in all, I think this is the best choice for a nature cruise in Milford Sound. And I’m not alone, just have a look at the 2,000+ 5-star reviews here!
Don’t miss out, secure your spot on this popular nature cruise here!
Related Read: Need tips on how to get here? Here are the four ways to get to Milford Sound!
2. Take a Scenic Flight
Not only is taking a scenic flight from Queenstown to Milford Sound incredibly beautiful, but it’s also way quicker than driving. In fact, this round-trip plane tour allows you to fly to Milford Sound, enjoy a nature cruise, and then fly back to Queenstown in just half a day.
So if you’re short on time but don’t want to sacrifice the views Milford Sound is known for, I highly recommend this option. In fact, you’ll get even better views from the air!
One thing I love about this tour is how much time you get in the air. It’s about an hour to fly from Queenstown to Milford Sound, and another hour back, so you get two hours in the air. Not only are the aerial views of Milford Sound incredible, but you also get amazing views of Queenstown and the Southern Alps, too. I also really like the fact that you take a different flight path on the way home and get to see even more scenery.
When you get to Milford Sound, you also get to enjoy a nature cruise. I never get tired of these, no matter how many times I travel to Milford Sound, and I’m sure that my future contains many more of them!
This tour is an incredible experience and an unbeatable way to experience Milford Sound. It costs $665 NZD per person, so it’s not cheap, but I do think it’s good value since you get two scenic flights, a nature cruise, and a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I’ve paid a lot more for much shorter scenic flights elsewhere in the world, so I highly recommend booking a spot before it sells out!
Read the 900+ 5-star reviews and book your scenic flight here!
Related Read: To learn more about this epic flight over Milford Sound, read my full review here!
Why I Book Tours on Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! I almost always book all of my tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
- Free cancellation on most tours – Most of the tours on Viator allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy in case plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking grim.
- Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
- Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
- Peace of mind – When booking with tour operators you find in person on the street or in small booking offices, you are often promised one thing and given another. This online platform holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews.
Check out the Viator website here!
3. Go on an Overnight Cruise
Okay, so if you’ve made it this far, then you will have worked out that I have experienced Milford Sound in a lot of different ways. However, I think that this overnight cruise might just be the best of them all.
This cruise only runs from December to April, and it’s the most luxurious Milford Sound cruise around. Most of them last for 2 hours during the day, but on this overnight cruise, you head out during the mid-afternoon and get to see the fiord after all of the other visitors have gone home and experience it at sunset and sunrise too!
It’s insanely cool, and the boat itself isn’t crowded either – it only carries around 20 passengers. Plus, there are fun activities included like kayaking, so you can get super close to the fiord and get an even deeper appreciation for its beauty.
And the boat itself isn’t to be sniffed at, either. In fact, it’s super luxurious. You get to sleep overnight in a king-sized cabin with huge windows, so you can enjoy amazing views from the comfort of your bed!
I also had an amazing 3-course dinner which definitely exceeded my expectations, and after dinner, you get to watch underwater film footage. There’s also a hot tub on the roof of the boat, and since there are so few passengers on the boat, you can actually end your day with a peaceful soak and look up at the stars.
It costs $1,199 NZD per person so it is pricey, but honestly, this is a bucket list experience and I thought it was totally worth it. It does book up months in advance (and I actually missed out a couple of times when I went to book!), so make sure you book ahead!
Check availability and reserve a spot online here!
Related Read: If you want to know more about this overnight cruise, check out my full review of my overnight cruise experience here!
4. Stay at the Milford Lodge
If the overnight cruise is a little too pricey for you, don’t worry, there is another way to stay at the Fiord overnight without breaking the bank!
Booking a night or two at the Milford Sound Lodge is a great option If you want to have more time in Milford Sound as well as visit at sunset or at night for stargazing.
The Milford Sound Lodge is only 1.5 kilometers (1 mile) from the Milford Foreshore. The next closest hotel is in Knobs Flat, about 55.1 kilometers (34.2 miles) away. Other than that, you will need to stay in Te Anau. So it’s no surprise that the Milford Sound Lodge is the best option and that it books up quickly!
I’ve stayed at the Milford Lodge on a couple of different occasions, and let me tell you, experiencing Milford Sound during the evening is a completely different experience than during the day. It is so quiet and peaceful, I’ve even walked the foreshore without another person in sight! Plus the stargazing at night and watching the sunrise in the Fiord is out of this world.
I love that the Milford Sound Lodge provides accommodation for all different budgets. For a budget option, you can choose to camp for around $120 NZD a night, or you can stay in one of the luxury cabins for around $500+ NZD. Some of the in-between options include dorm beds, budget privates, and standard rooms. But all guests have access to the communal areas including a fully-stocked kitchen, hot showers, laundry, and living room.
Check prices and availability for your stay at Milford Sound Lodge here!
Renting a Car, Campervan, or Motorhome in New Zealand
Let’s face it, you’re going to need wheels to get around New Zealand. Although a small country, buses between destinations are infrequent and expensive. Plus, some of the best experiences you can have in NZ are on road trips!
You have three options when it comes to getting wheels in New Zealand; a car, a campervan, or a motorhome. Here’s what you need to know about each and where to get them:
- Car – A normal car is the cheapest rental vehicle you can get in New Zealand. It’ll get you around to all of the best destinations with ease. The only downside to a car is that you will need to stay in hotels or Airbnbs during your travels (no camping.) The easiest place to rent a car in New Zealand is on Discover Cars where you can compare cars, companies, prices, features, and more very easily.
- Campervan – A Campervan is a large van that has a bed and a small kitchen in the back. It’s what most budget travelers use for traveling around New Zealand since it allows you to camp comfortably and for free (most) nights. Campervans are best for couples or solo travelers who are happy to live in a small space. You should also love the outdoors and camping…and be prepared for an adventure of a lifetime! My favorite campervan rental company is JUCY because they have a huge selection of campervans to choose from, plus multiple pick-up/drop-off locations. You can browse JUCY’s campervan selection online here. Alternatively, you can easily compare all campervans available in NZ on Motorhome Republic here.
- Motorhome – A motorhome is larger and more comfortable than a campervan. Many motorhomes will comfortably sleep 6 or more people – perfect for a family visiting New Zealand. Motorhomes are the most expensive option, but with one you won’t ever need to stay in a hotel and you’ll save money that way. My top choice for a motorhome company is Star RV because they have beautiful motorhomes at affordable prices. You can check prices and availability for Star RV motorhomes online here. Alternatively, you can use Motorhome Republic to search all motorhomes in NZ. For more detailed info, read my complete guide to renting a motorhome in New Zealand!
EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNT CODE: I’ve managed to snag a discount code for 5% off for my readers if you book your campervan or motorhome through JUCY or Star RV! Simply click here to select your JUCY campervan, or click here to select your Star RV motorhome, and then use the code DTRAVEL25 at checkout to get 5% off – it’s that easy!
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
If you’re looking to save money on travel insurance, I currently use and recommend SafetyWing. I’ve been using their coverage since 2018 and they’ve had my back when I needed emergency flights and got sick overseas.
SafetyWing is one of the cheapest providers out there and covers everything from medical costs to lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency flights. A huge difference I’ve found between them and other companies is that they let you take out a policy AFTER leaving your home country. I’ve also found it handy that it’s a monthly payment rather than a lump sum and you get a refund for unused time.
SafetyWing has helped me out in some scary situations before and their affordable coverage has given me peace of mind. Read my full review on if you should get travel insurance in NZ for more info!
Thanks for reading!
I hope this blog has helped you prepare for one of the best experiences in New Zealand! Seriously Milford Sounds leaves me in awe every time I visit and I can’t wait to go back. These Milford Sound activities will help make sure you maximize your time here and get to see all the highlights while you’re in New Zealand.
If you need more ideas for your upcoming trip, make sure to check out my other blogs on New Zealand. This country has captured my heart and I love exploring and sharing everything I discover!
12 Best Hikes in Milford Sound