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The 11 Best Tours in Milford Sound
Milford Sound is one of New Zealand’s most breathtaking spots, famous for towering cliffs, thundering waterfalls, and abundant wildlife. What makes it truly special are the diverse ways you can experience it — from boat cruises that get you close to the mountains and waterfalls, to scenic flights that soar above the peaks, to helicopter adventures that land on glaciers. We’ve carefully curated the best Milford Sound tours, focusing on those that offer something unique, memorable, and worth your time.
Some of our favorites include the Milford Sound: 2-Hour Small Boat Scenic Cruise for its intimate, crowd-free experience, and the Milford Sound: Waterfalls, Wildlife, and Rainforest Cruise for its engaging wildlife encounters. Whether you prefer a quick nature cruise or an all-day exploration combining hiking, boat rides, and helicopter landings, Milford Sound offers plenty of options to suit different interests and budgets.
Quick Overview
Our list covers a variety of Milford Sound tours, including small boat cruises, luxury catamarans, full-day land-and-water adventures, scenic flights, and helicopter trips. You’ll find options perfect for those who want a quick afternoon experience or a full day of exploring, with some tours featuring wildlife spotting, waterfalls up close, or even helicopter landings on glaciers. For a comprehensive look, visit this guide for the small boat cruise or check out the helicopter and heli-cruise options. Now, let’s dive into the details!
1. Milford Sound: 2-Hour Small Boat Scenic Cruise
This intimate cruise is perfect if you want a closer look at Milford Sound without fighting the crowds. With a duration of just two hours, it’s an ideal afternoon activity. The tour features frequent stops at spectacular points of interest, giving you plenty of chances for photos and wildlife viewing.
The boat is the smallest operator in Milford Sound, which means fewer people and a more personal experience. Your skipper provides interactive, informative commentary about the fjord’s geology, history, and wildlife, making the cruise both fun and educational. Expect to get close to waterfalls, glacial mountains, and possibly see seals and dolphins. The small size of the vessel allows it to navigate tighter spots, offering views larger ships cannot access.
Bottom Line: If you value a quiet, personalized experience with great photo opportunities, this cruise hits the mark. At $91, it offers excellent value for a memorable two hours exploring Milford Sound’s majestic scenery.
2. Milford Sound: Nature Cruise on a Modern Catamaran
For those wanting a comfortable, hassle-free experience, the Milford Sound: Nature Cruise on a Modern Catamaran is a top choice. This 105-minute cruise is aboard a spacious and modern vessel designed with panoramic windows and open decks, so you can take in the views with ease.
This tour stands out because of its spacious outdoor viewing decks, perfect for wildlife spotting and soaking in the scenery. The skipper offers engaging commentary on Milford Sound’s natural features and history, including how Captain Cook missed the fjord. You can relax in comfortable seating and purchase drinks or snacks onboard.
The highlight: being able to stand outside comfortably while spotting seals, dolphins, and waterfalls from multiple vantage points. It’s ideal for travelers who want comfort without sacrificing the immersive experience.
Bottom Line: This cruise offers relaxed, unobstructed views for a good price, making it suited for families or travelers who prefer comfort and convenience.
3. Milford Sound: Nature Cruise – Grand Views & Optional Lunch
If you’re seeking more space, better views, and flexibility, this cruise is a strong contender. The premium catamaran allows you to get closer to waterfalls and marine wildlife, with live commentary on Milford Sound’s geology, history, and ecosystem.
The tour lasts about 1.5 to 2 hours, and you can choose to add a buffet or picnic lunch at the time of booking. The top deck provides 360° views, perfect for photos of Mitre Peak, Stirling Falls, and playful dolphins. You’ll likely feel the spray from Stirling Falls at close range, a highlight for many.
The reviews note the excellent scenery and engaging guides, making it a great option for those who want a full, immersive experience with the possibility of food onboard.
Bottom Line: If you’re after a combination of comfort, wildlife viewing, and the option to dine during your cruise, this tour offers fantastic value.
4. Milford Sound: 2-Hour Wildlife & Nature Cruise
This two-hour cruise provides a focus on wildlife and the full length of Milford Sound. The boat navigates close to sheer rock faces, waterfalls, and seals, with live commentary from onboard nature guides enhancing the experience.
It’s known for its dolphin, seal, and penguin sightings—perfect for wildlife enthusiasts. The vessel offers both outdoor decks and indoor lounges, so you’re comfortable regardless of weather. The spray of waterfalls and the chance to witness marine life up close make it lively and engaging.
Guests appreciate the informative guides and the chance to see dolphins and seals in their natural habitat. It’s priced at $85, offering a good balance of value and quality.
Bottom Line: This cruise is best suited for nature lovers eager to see Milford Sound’s wildlife and scenery in a relaxed setting.
5. Milford Track: Full Day Guided Hike and Nature Cruise
For those wanting both land and water experiences, this full-day tour offers a guided hike along the renowned Milford Track plus a small boat cruise. The morning walk takes you through lush forests to the Giant Gate Waterfall, with stunning views of Mitre Peak.
In the afternoon, you board a small-boat cruise to explore Milford Sound’s waterways and spot seals, dolphins, and penguins. The combination of hiking and cruising allows you to experience the natural wonders from different perspectives.
Rated highly with a 4.7/5, guests comment on the expert local guides and the scenic variety of the day. It’s a good choice for active travelers who want a deeper connection with the landscape.
Bottom Line: If you’re fit and eager to combine hiking with boat cruising, this tour offers excellent value at $211 for a full day of exploration.
6. Milford Sound: Waterfalls, Wildlife, and Rainforest Cruise
This interactive cruise takes you through Milford Sound on a modern, spacious catamaran with three indoor and outdoor decks. The focus is on waterfalls, wildlife, and rainforest, making it a lively experience.
You’ll see seals and dolphins, and enjoy live onboard commentary revealing the secrets of this unique environment. The vessel features a cafe/bar with hot and cold drinks, so you can relax with a snack or beverage while taking in the scenery.
Rated 4.7/5, travelers love the fun, engaging atmosphere and the chance to enjoy close-up views of waterfalls and rainforest surroundings.
Bottom Line: Perfect for travelers who want an active, wildlife-focused cruise with a social vibe and good comfort.
7. From Queenstown: Scenic Flight to Milford Sound
This scenic flight is a favorite for travelers wishing to see Milford Sound from the air. The 80-minute round trip offers incredible views of Fiordland’s lakes, peaks, and glaciers.
Your pilot provides informative commentary, highlighting landmarks like Mitre Peak and Hirere Falls. The flight guarantees window seats and includes complimentary transfers from Queenstown.
The reviews emphasize the stunning aerial vistas and the ease of combining a flight with other activities in Queenstown. It’s an incredible way to see the scale and beauty of Milford Sound from above.
Bottom Line: Ideal for those who want a quick, breathtaking overview of Milford Sound’s landscape with seamless logistics.
8. Glacier Galore | Helicopter Flight | Milford Helicopters
If you’re craving spectacular photography opportunities and a touch of adventure, this helicopter flight to Tutoko Glacier is perfect. It offers stunning views of Fiordland’s peaks and glaciers from the air, with a remote glacier landing included.
Rated 5/5 by two reviewers, it’s a short but unforgettable 30-minute flight, heavily focused on scenery and photo-taking. The inflight commentary enhances the experience, making it educational as well as beautiful.
Bottom Line: For travelers wanting a quick helicopter adventure with immersive glacier views, this tour delivers dramatic scenery and photo ops.
9. Glenorchy Helicopter Tour | Alpine Lakes & Fiordland
This 2-hour helicopter tour from Glenorchy explores Fiordland’s stunning alpine lakes, waterfalls, and valleys. It includes three landings, including at Earnslaw Burn, and offers panoramic views of Lake Quill and Sutherland Falls.
It’s a premium experience designed for landscape photographers and adventure seekers. The exclusive landings give you a chance to explore remote spots inaccessible by other means.
Rated 4.5/5, reviewers mention the breathtaking scenery and the professional pilots. It’s perfect if you want a high-end, multi-faceted aerial adventure.
Bottom Line: Best suited for experienced travelers who want to combine helicopter sightseeing with scenic landings in Fiordland.
10. Milford Sound Heli-Cruise-Heli + Earnslaw Burn Landing
This ultimate adventure combines helicopter flights, cruise, and a landing in the remote Earnslaw Burn. It’s a 5-hour journey that takes you deep into Fiordland’s wilderness, with private landing in the middle of giant waterfalls and glaciers.
Rated for its spectacular scenery and unique access to untouched landscapes, it’s ideal for hardcore explorers and photography enthusiasts. The remote wilderness setting makes it a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Bottom Line: This is the most comprehensive and exclusive Milford Sound tour—perfect for those seeking the ultimate adventure in Fiordland.
$987 per person
11. Milford Sound One-Way Flight
For a quick but inspiring experience, this one-way scenic flight departs Milford Sound and heads to Queenstown. The 40-minute flight offers incredible views of glaciers, snow-capped peaks, and fjords.
Your pilot provides informative commentary, and window seats are guaranteed. The included transfers make this a seamless way to enjoy aerial views without extra planning.
Travelers love seeing the scale of the landscape from the sky, especially if they’re heading to Queenstown afterward.
Bottom Line: Best for travelers with limited time who want a spectacular aerial overview of Milford Sound’s stunning scenery.
$263 per person
How to Choose the Right Milford Sound Tour
Picking the best tour depends on your budget, interests, and travel style. If you value small-group intimacy and close wildlife encounters, the Milford Sound: 2-Hour Small Boat Scenic Cruise is hard to beat. For luxury and panoramic views, the Grand Views & Optional Lunch or the Waterfalls, Wildlife, and Rainforest Cruise fit well.
Scenic flights and helicopter tours are best suited for those craving breathtaking vistas and high adventure. The Queenstown scenic flight offers quick aerial views, while the Milford Helicopter and Glenorchy landings provide unforgettable photo opportunities.
Consider weather, as Milford Sound’s conditions can change rapidly, and book early to secure your preferred time, especially in peak season.
Final Thoughts
Milford Sound offers a range of spectacular ways to experience its rugged beauty. For those short on time, a small boat cruise gives a close-up view, while full-day adventures combine hiking, wildlife, and boat rides for a richer experience. A scenic flight or helicopter tour is perfect for getting a sense of scale and grandeur from above.
If you’re traveling with kids, or prefer a relaxed, comfortable trip, the modern catamaran cruises are excellent. For thrill-seekers and photographers, the helicopter trips and heli-cruises provide unmatched views and access to remote locations.
Whatever your style, Milford Sound is one of New Zealand’s most memorable destinations, and booking early will ensure you don’t miss out on the experience. Whether you want a peaceful cruise, a wildlife expedition, or an aerial adventure, there’s a tour here for you.