Milford Sound
Milford Sound Cruise Packages
This Milford Sound Cruise offers a great way to enjoy the pristine natural beauty of Milford Sound from the surface of the water. It takes you closer to the wildlife and waterfalls for the best views and experiences that you are going to cherish for a lifetime.
Enjoy the rich geographical formations, enchanting waterfalls, and exotic wildlife up and close with one of the best Milford Sound Cruise. Southern Discoveries offer an array of cruises for you to select including the nature cruise open-top deck. Discover more cruises that take you to the furthest points of the clear water bodies of New Zealand.
This 6 hour tour packs a punch with cruise, kayak, as well as the Underwater Observatory, which is New Zealand’s only floating underwater observatory. Get the best Milford Sound Cruise deals with an opportunity to kayak in Harrison Cove, Piopiotahi Marine Reserve while soaking in breathtaking views and distinct wildlife.
Experience the local way of traversing the fiord on a boutique small boat cruise, also considered one of the best Milford Sound Cruise. Enjoy an enhanced view on this cruise that maintains a limited number of passengers and comes with nature guides who share some of the most interesting facts about the history of the place.
Get the best Milford Sound Cruise deals and enhance your already breathtaking experience by adding wildlife, waterfalls, and paddling in a Marine reserve. Cruise along the Milford Sound and get up to 90 minutes of kayaking experience once you arrive in beautiful Harrison Cove. The cruise includes all the required gear and equipment as well as expert guides.
Milford Sound Cruises Types
There are a range of day cruises that are on offer at Milford Sound, each of which promise a unique experience. You can choose your tour based on the amount of time that you are going to spend exploring the place. The type of cruise experience that you are looking for, and the amount you are willing to spend also plays a factor in choosing the time of the cruise. From scenic and nature cruises and small boats to large catamarans, you can expect to have a fun-filled day along with a delectable lunch on board.
You can opt for a cruise with a day tour of Milford Sound where you can hop aboard a bus to enjoy the stunning scenery of Fiordland while your cruise vessel waits for your arrival. Get entertained by your driver/guide along the tour as they tell you interesting facts about the place and its history. Several tour operators make your experience further enhanced by giving you comfortable leather seats and free Wi-Fi as well as the option to upgrade your tour to a coach cruise and fly tour.
There are a few tour companies in Milford that also offer overnight cruises in Milford Sound which is an ideal way to enjoy the beauty of the place in its entirety. Spend a peaceful evening amidst the serenity of nature soaking in the sights and sounds of the region when there is the least amount of crowd here. The tour also includes dinner and breakfast the next morning along with transportation to and from Milford Sound.
Places to Explore In Milford Sound
The tallest waterfall in Milford Sound at a height of 152 meters, this is a majestic sight as you enjoy watching the waters cascading down in a deafening gush. Apart from its scenic beauty the falls have a great utilitarian value in the region as it is the sole provider of electricity and water in the region.
Located right opposite the wharf in Milford Sound, this is a beautiful U-shaped valley that has been naturally formed by the surrounding mountains. The perfect symmetry and nature's wonderful creation is bound to take your breath away. This is the very place where the rare kakapo bird was spotted in the 1970s after declaring it extinct.
Standing at a daunting height of 1,692 meters, the mystical mountain rises directly from the sea floor. Get an up and close view of this iconic spot in the country that has derived its name from the unique shape of its summit which is like a Bishop’s hat or Mitre.
Your Milford Sound tour cannot be complete without an experience of witnessing the majestic waterfalls here. The place is known for housing hundreds of small and big falls cascading in magnificent glory along the mountainside. Watch the Fairy Falls, which is one of the permanent ones on display here.
Yet another famous and stunning waterfall to see when you are at Milford Sound is the Stirling Falls that drops down a mind boggling height of almost 479 feet. Catch a glimpse of this wonderful sight as the water gushes down from a valley between two imposing mountains.
While most parts of the coastline at Milford Sound is formed by sharp vertical cliffs, you will find the Seal Rock is different. It comprises a massive rock where the New Zealand fur seals, that inhabit this area in large numbers, visit to rest and enjoy their time out in the sun.
Embark upon your spectacular Milford Sound cruise and watch the spectacle of nature’s bounty surrounding you all the way towards the coast. Once here, you can see the fiord gives way to the beautiful inky blue waters of the vast Tasman Sea.
Although officially called Mt Kimberley, this spectacular peak is nicknamed The Lion by the local population for its unique shape that reminds you of a crouching lion. Standing at a height of 1,300 meters, The Lion makes for an imposing sight that you can enjoy once your cruise enters Milford Sound.
FAQs
What are the best tours available for Milford Sound?
- Milford Sound Day Tour from Te Anau: This tour lasts 7 hours 40 minutes, includes a Milford Sound Cruise, and lunch.
- Milford Sound Day Tour from Queenstown: This is a 12 hour and 35 minutes tour with a luxury glass roof coach and the Milford Sound Cruise.
- Milford Sound and Mt Cook Day Tour Combo: This is an overnight tour that includes 2 full day tours with luxury coach travel.
- Milford Sound Tour with Mt Cook tour combo: This tour comprises a Milford Sound cruise with lunch along with a visit to Mount Aoraki National Park.
How much does a Milford Sound Cruise cost?
If you opt for a basic scenic or nature tour on the Milford Sound cruise without transportation to and from here, you can expect to pay approximately between $58 NZD and $90 NZD. Prices vary on the basis of tours and inclusions and go up if transportation, lunch and accommodation is included.
What would be the best time for Milford Sound cruise?
The best time of the day to visit Milford Sound Cruise is in the morning hours before it is lunchtime. This is the time when the weather is more pleasant and cooler, there are fewer visitors around, and more wildlife are out in the surrounding areas.The best time of the year to do the Milford Sound Cruise is during the spring season in New Zealand which is around the months of October and November. The scenic beauty of the place is further enhanced during this time and you will come across lesser crowds as well.
Can I book Milford Sound cruise tickets in advance?
Yes, you can book your Milford Sound cruise online in advance if you so wish. This gives you a lot of advantages, especially ensuring that you get a reservation on the date of your preference as well as opens up lucrative deals and discount opportunities which are otherwise not available. Moreover you get to book from the comfort of your home rather than standing in long queues once you arrive at Milford Sound.
How long is a Milford Sound Cruise?
If you opt for the shorter cruises which are the scenic tours it will last you about 1 hour and 30 minutes while the larger cruises are the nature tours that last well over 2 hours.
What wildlife will you see on a Milford Sound Cruise?
On the best days of your Milford Sound Cruise there are a variety of animals that you can see including the famous New Zealand Fur Seals, which are the most common here, as well as dolphins, Fiordland Crested Penguins, and some of the most exotic and rare species of New Zealand birds.