Milford Sound Boutique Small-Boat Cruise

About this experience

Book Milford Sound small-boat cruise tickets Book Milford Sound small-boat cruise tickets for a two-hour voyage through New Zealand's most famous fiord, with no more than 75 guests on board. A smaller boat can slip in close to the waterfalls and sheer cliff faces, so you feel the spray of the falls and get a clear view of the seal colonies on the rocks. Spacious open viewing decks and indoor lounges give everyone room to move between the views and shelter when the Fiordland weather turns. Known in Māori as Piopiotahi, Milford Sound is a glacier-carved fiord inside Fiordland National Park, part of the Te Wāhipounamu UNESCO World Heritage Area. Your crew shares live commentary on the geology, rainforest and wildlife as the boat sails past Mitre Peak towards the Tasman Sea. Keep watch for New Zealand fur seals, dolphins and, with luck, Fiordland crested penguins. Which Milford Sound cruise ticket should I choose? Cruise Only: a 2-hour small-boat cruise with a maximum of 75 guests, open viewing decks, indoor lounges and onboard nature commentary. Cruise + Guided Walk of the Milford Track: the same small-boat cruise plus a water taxi from Deep Water Basin to Sandfly Point and a 3.5-hour guided walk on the Milford Track, one of New Zealand's Great Walks, in a group of up to 12. Allow around 7 hours in total. Premium Cruise with Canapés and Wine: a 2-hour cruise with reserved seating, a curated canapé menu and a glass of New Zealand sparkling wine, plus live commentary from a nature guide. The Cruise Only and Premium options suit most travellers, including families. Choose the guided walk if you want to stand among the beech forest and rivers of the Milford Track without committing to the full multi-day hike. Milford Track guided walk: what to expect After the cruise, a short water taxi crosses to Sandfly Point, the end of the Milford Track. Your guide leads a walk of around 11 km return (about 7 miles) through ancient rainforest and alongside the Arthur River, with stories about the plants, birds and Māori history of the area. The terrain is uneven with some uphill sections, so the walk suits people of moderate fitness in sturdy shoes. For safety, the guided walk is not available to guests under 8 or over 75. Plan your Milford Sound cruise day Arrive at the meeting point shown on your voucher at least 20 minutes before departure and show your mobile voucher with a valid photo ID at check-in. Cruises run in rain or shine. Rain is common in Fiordland and actually turns the cliffs into hundreds of temporary waterfalls, so bring a waterproof jacket, warm layers, sunscreen and a hat. Mobile coverage is limited in Milford Sound, so download your voucher before you arrive. Lunch and snacks are not included but can be bought on site. Restrooms are on board and life jackets and a safety briefing are provided. The cruise is not wheelchair accessible and may not suit guests with limited mobility. Smoking, drones and pets (except registered service animals) are not allowed. Coming from further afield? Compare a Milford Sound day trip from Queenstown with return transfers, add the Te Anau Glowworm Caves guided tour on the way, or browse more Milford Sound tours and cruises. Cancellation terms for Milford Sound cruise tickets You can cancel Milford Sound small-boat cruise tickets free of charge up to 24 hours before the start of your cruise. Within 24 hours of departure, the booking cannot be cancelled.

Highlights

• Small-boat Milford Sound cruise with a maximum of 75 guests
• Get close to waterfalls, sheer cliffs and fur seal colonies
• Sail past Mitre Peak inside Fiordland National Park
• Add a guided half-day walk on the Milford Track
• Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure

What is included

• 2-hour small-boat cruise on Milford Sound with a maximum of 75 guests
• Live onboard commentary
• Water taxi and 3.5-hour guided Milford Track walk (if that option is selected)
• Canapés, a glass of sparkling wine and reserved seating (Premium Cruise option)

Not included

• Lunch and personal snacks (available to buy on site)
• Transport to Milford Sound

Before you go

Arrive at the meeting point on your voucher at least 20 minutes before departure. Show your mobile voucher with a valid photo ID at check-in. Cruises and walks run in rain or shine; bring a waterproof jacket and warm layers. The guided Milford Track walk is not available to guests under 8 or over 75. The cruise is not wheelchair accessible. Mobile coverage is limited in Milford Sound, so download your voucher in advance. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your cruise.

Cancellation terms

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your cruise. Within 24 hours of departure, the booking cannot be cancelled.