Sound Cruise

Rated 4.5 Stars, based on 195 Reviews.

Enjoy uninterrupted views of glacier-carved cliffs on your Milford Sound cruise aboard mdoern, spacious and comfortable catamarans. With spacious seating indoors, an open sun deck up top and a covered deck at the rear, your cruise comfort is guaranteed. Visit the onboard Café Bar for an array of substantial hot and cold snacks, or simply savour a local wine or beer as you bask in the beauty of the surrounds. The famously friendly skipper and crew are on hand to share their wealth of local knowledge, take those all important photos and join you on foredeck for the big finale as the bow noses close to Stirling Falls!

Rated 5 Stars, based on 1326 Reviews.

Enjoy a two hour cruise traversing the deep waters of Milford Sound, located in Fiordland. Your cruise will take you past St Anne’s lighthouse and out into the Tasman Sea. Informative guides point out scenic highlights along the way, such as the Bowen Falls (dropping 160 metres seaward), Sinbad Gully (a classic example of a hanging valley), snow-capped Mount Pembroke, and the awe-inspiring Mitre Peak itself, towering 1692 metres from the ocean floor.

Rated 5 Stars, based on 288 Reviews.

Get closer to nature on a Milford Sound Day Cruise with RealNZ. Discover glacier-carved cliffs rising from the ink waters below – when you’re travelling by boat, there’s plenty of time to take it all in before framing up the perfect shot to preserve the moment. Please note: this service may operate on several different vessels. If you wish to find out more, please contact the supplier directly. Please arrive 20 minutes before departure to check in. Paid Parking – as set by Milford Sound Tourism LTD.

Join talented and knowledgeable guides on a journey along one of New Zealand's most scenic drives. All guides have unique and insightful stories to share, and spill the secrets of their beautiful backyard as you travel through lush rainforest, glacier carved valleys, alpine lookouts and much more. Enjoy spectacular short walks and incredible photo stops before arriving at the main event, magical Milford Sound. On arrival at Milford Sound, board a modern and spacious catamaran exploration of the region’s most famous fiord. As the boat travels the length of the fiord to the Tasman Sea, the welcoming crew will share what they know about their place, its wildlife, waterfalls, and fascinating history. Enjoy complimentary lunch before joining the crew for a dance in the spray of pure glacial melt as the boat noses close Stirling Falls for a refreshing finale!

The best way to experience Milford Sound from Queenstown. We take care of the driving while you sit back and enjoy the stunning views from our premium coaches with panoramic windows, glass roofs, and USB charging ports. Your friendly driver shares stories about the area's history and unique ecology, with well-timed stops to snap photos of the amazing views. Arrive in Milford Sound feeling refreshed and ready to cruise the fiord. Get ready for unobstructed views of thundering waterfalls and the towering cliff faces. Our premium Nature Cruise comes with options to pre-order a picnic lunch or choose the To Kai buffet on selected departures. This trip takes care of all the transportation, including round-trip travel from Queenstown to Milford Sound and a seamless connection to your cruise. All you have to do is enjoy the experience.

We will fly you from Queenstown over the Southern Alps with breathtakingly spectacular and endless panoramic views of lakes, forested river valleys, waterfalls, jagged razor-backed ridge lines and snow covered peaks.

Experience an 8-hour day trip into the remote wilderness of Doubtful Sound, the heart of Fiordland National Park, while nature guides answer questions and point out landmarks. This fiord is home to bottlenose dolphins and fur seals – both are often seen. In season, you may even catch a glimpse of the rare Fiordland crested penguins. Explore Doubtful Sound's vast waterways on board a luxurious vessel.. A highlight is experiencing the unique 'Sound of Silence', where you hear only birdsong while floating on the fiord with the engines turned off. If you wish to pre-order a picnic lunch, please contact the supplier directly after you have made your booking. Please be sure you arrive 20 minute before departure to check in.

Discover Milford Sound with the experts. For over 70 years, we've shared our passion for the natural wonders of Milford Sound. Our premium catamarans are purpose-built for uncrowded comfort and unbeatable views. More space means better memories. Enjoy ample room to roam, inside and out. Get closer to the spray of waterfalls and snap epic photos of Mitre Peak or Stirling Falls from outdoor viewing decks, or relax in the cosy interior cabins. Immerse yourself in nature, not a crowd. We ensure a premium experience for all. Complimentary tea and coffee plus options to pre-order a picnic lunch or choose the To Kai buffet on selected departures. Cruise with the original Milford Sound experts and discover the wonders of this unique fiord—all without feeling rushed.

You are guaranteed a window seat with unimpaired views as you fly this incredible route to and from Milford Sound through a landscape of unbelievable grandeur and beauty. Encounter real mountain flying and marvel at the most remarkable snow-capped mountains and glaciers onboard our fixed-wing aircraft. Your knowledgeable, highly skilled local pilot providing interesting and informative commentary. Flying across the Southern Alps, out to the West Coast and the Tasman Sea before flying through the Fiord itself to land in Milford Sound. Once in Milford, your pilot will accompany you to the boat terminal. Discover the natural wonders of Milford Sound aboard your cruise vessel with open-air viewing decks, a perfect location for some wildlife spotting. The Fiord is home to fur seal colonies, penguins, and dolphins, who love playing in the wake of the boat. You will cruise the length of the Fiord out to the Tasman Sea with a pass under Sterling Falls on the return.

The best experience in Marlborough. This tour offers an amazing, fully-guided experience wildlife. A small-group tour to view some of New Zealand’s spectacular scenery and wildlife. Visit Motuara Island and cruise the calm waters of the majestic Queen Charlotte Sound. Water, wilderness and wildlife. You will have the opportunity to see multiple species of wildlife, including rare sea birds, marine mammals and endangered land birds. Led by enthusiastic and fun Guides, you will be given the possibility of viewing five different species of dolphins, little blue penguins, seals, seabirds and land birds. Enjoy the only daily service fully-guided walk on Motuara Island, seeing and hearing the amazing bird life where Captain Cook planted the first flag and claimed New Zealand. The view is spectacular from the lookout all the way to the North Island. On the return enjoy complimentarily hot drinks and chocolate biscuits and in the afternoon tour local award-winning wine.

Get closer to Milford Sound's natural wonders aboard our spacious, purpose-built catamarans. Enjoy more room to move around, with incredible views from our outdoor viewing decks or cosy interior cabins. Get closer to the famous waterfalls and towering cliffs of Milford Sound, plus expert commentary sharing fascinating insights into the local wildlife and geological formations. Download our free app for commentary in eight languages. Includes options to pre-order a freshly prepared picnic lunch or choose the To Kai buffet on selected departers. With 70+ years of expertise, we deliver unforgettable journeys in this breathtaking landscape and ensure a premium experience for all.

Your Doubtful Sound adventure begins as you cruise the crystal clear waters of Lake Manapouri. Then it's over Wilmot Pass, stopping along the way to experience some of Fiordland's densest rainforest and to view the colorful alpine moss gardens before joining the 2-hour 45-minute Doubtful Sound Cruise that takes in the most dramatic scenery of Doubtful Sound.

Experience stunning scenery on an unforgettable day trip to Milford Sound. The pristine Milford Sound is part of the World Heritage Fiordland National Park, in the south west of the South Island, and is famed for its remote atmosphere and rugged beauty. It is New Zealand’s best known fiord and the only one that can be reached by road. Maori are believed to have discovered Milford Sound more than 1,000 years ago, returning seasonally to collect the prized pounamu (greenstone). In the early 1800s John Grono was the first European settler to land in the sound, which he named after Milford Haven in Wales. Described by Rudyard Kipling as the 'eighth wonder of the world', Milford Sound was carved by glaciers during the ice ages. Milford Sound is breathtaking in any weather. Cliffs rise high into the air from the dark waters, mountain peaks scrape the sky and waterfalls cascade downwards, some as high as 1000 metres.

Relax and enjoy the stunning Marlborough Sounds, at the top of New Zealand's South Island on this cruise. The cruise features a tasting of local salmon, and Greenshell mussels. Enjoy the natural beauty of the Queen Charlotte Sound while cruising aboard our luxury vessel that departs from Picton.

The Mail has been delivered by boat for over 150 years in the Queen Charlotte Sounds, we are the only official licensed New Zealand Post Rural Delivery Service by water in the Queen Charlotte Sound making this a truly unique tour! Come along on the Mail Boat Cruise and share the excitement of Mail Day as the skipper delivers the Rural post bags, groceries and freight to the residents that call the Queen Charlotte Sound waterways home. If time allows the Mail Boat Cruise will take a short stop at one of the brilliant locations within the Queen Charlotte waterways, you route will shown upon check in. Available to purchase for $6 in the office before you depart are Beachcomber Cruises keep cups, we no longer use single use cups on board our vessels due the huge environmental impact. Upon purchase of a Beachcomber Cruises keep cup guests can enjoy tea and coffee onboard for the duration of the tour.

Visit Ship Cove on a morning boat cruise that explores the Marlborough Sounds, a broad network of waterways that makes up 20 percent of New Zealand’s coastline. Enjoy time to disembark at Ship Cove where you can see a memorial to Captain Cook, Maori wood carvings and the sheltered beach. Throughout your journey, marvel at breathtaking scenery and hear informative commentary from your knowledgeable captain about the marine life, cultural history, and natural features of this beautiful region Please note that this tour departs sharply on schedule at 9:00am Available to purchase for $6 in the office before you depart are Beachcomber Cruises keep cups, we no longer use single use cups on board our vessels due the huge environmental impact. Upon purchase of a Beachcomber Cruises keep cup guests can enjoy tea and coffee onboard for the duration of the tour.

An extended and leisurely cruise of Milford Sound to the Tasman Sea on a cruise designed for the free, independent traveler. Nature cruises have a relaxed and flexible itinerary designed to allow guests to see and experience what makes Milford Sound world renowned. Spend around two hours nudging into waterfalls, spotting wildlife and listening to the informative commentary from our specialist Nature Guide who mingles with guests. Keep a look out for wildlife including seals, dolphins and penguins. If you wish to pre-purchase a picnic lunch, please contact the supplier directly after making your booking. In total, the coach travel from Queenstown to Milford is around 5 hours. This includes with some viewing spot breaks along the way and a 20-30 minutes stop in Te Anau. For those travelling from Te Anau the journey is around 2.5 hours to Milford (one way). The cruise is 2 hours long. Please note, the cruise will take place on board a wide selection of purpose built RealNZ boats.

Be struck by the beautiful silence of Doubtful Sound as you cruise the crystal waters and take in the breathtaking scenery. Journey across Lake Manapouri, cross over the 670-meter high Wilmot Pass and enjoy a 2 hour and 45-minute cruise through pure serenity that is Doubtful Sound. This trip is a round trip of approximately 13 hours. If you wish to pre-order a picnic lunch, please contact the supplier directly after booking. Hotel pick up/drop off from select locations is available – please call RealNZ directly to find out if there is a pick up close to your accommodation. Please be sure to arrive at your pick up location 15 minutes before your scheduled departure.

Take a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at daily life in the unique and isolated Marlborough Sounds as we deliver goods and passengers to far-flung jetties and corners of Queen Charlotte Sound/Tōtaranui. This 3-hour cruise is a great opportunity to see the Marlborough Sounds through the eyes of those who live and work here. Discover places far from the nearest road, and maybe meet some of the locals who call this isolated and beautiful place home. Relax onboard our comfortable vessel as we deliver passengers and supplies to homes, secluded resorts and the Queen Charlotte Track, keeping an eye out for seals, penguins, dolphins, stingrays and rare sea birds. Learn about the Marlborough Sounds’ history and natural world from your friendly skipper and crew, and enjoy free tea and coffee.
 This cruise will take you to corners of the Sounds rarely seen by visitors – no cruise is ever the same.


Fly from Queenstown to Milford Sound and enjoy a spectacular view of the mountains, lakes and waterfalls of Fiordland National Park. Surrounded by some of the most magnificent scenery in the world, you’ll board your cruise and travel the length of the fiord out to Tasman Sea. Complete your journey with an unforgettable flight over the dramatic Southern Alps back to Queenstown.