SOUTHERN LAKES / THE EXPERIENCE
Cruise Milford NZ Small Boutique Cruise Experience
BEFORE YOU GO
Your day, at a glance.
- Duration
- 1 h 48 min
- Group
- Private, your group only
- Guide
- German, English, French
- Ticket
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Our take
Cruise Milford's boat sails at about half capacity, which is the point of it: room at the rail when the skipper noses into Stirling Falls. The cruise lasts about 1 hour 45 minutes from the Milford Sound Visitor Terminal, with free tea, coffee and biscuits. No food is sold on board, so bring your own. It carries more than 3,200 reviews averaging close to 5, and it's one of the few Milford boats listed as wheelchair accessible.
On our Milford Sound cruise comparison it's the pick for a first visit. Coleman Murray chose it for the half-full boat and found the deck close to empty, and Our World Journey liked the open upper deck and the free hot drinks. Check in at the second counter on the left in the terminal. Parking is charged by the hour and isn't included, and the free car park is about a 40 minute walk away by the listing's own count. Children need proof of age at the desk.
Good for
- Anyone driving in who wants a small, uncrowded boat
- Wheelchair users, since the boat and the disabled parking are accessible
Think twice if
- You want a cooked lunch on board
- You'd rather not pay for parking or walk 40 minutes from the free car park
Written by Southern Lakes Tours from the listing, traveller reviews and the videos behind our comparison pages. Checked November 2026. How we review tours.
From the operator
Rated one of the Top 10 Experiences in New Zealand.
Join our boutique small boat cruise and experience Milford Sound the "local" way.
We limit passenger numbers on all cruises to half of the boats capacity (capacity 150 passengers) to guarantee an uncrowded and much more personal experience.
Let us show you our backyard on this once in a lifetime experience.
Relax with complimentary coffee, tea and biscuits and enjoy the skipper’s live commentary while marvelling at the breath-taking scenery.
The smaller size of the vessel enables us to get you up close and personal with the local wildlife like New Zealand Fur Seals, dolphins and the very rare Fiordland Crested Penguin (spring/early summer). A “Glacial Facial” under the Sterling Falls is an experience not to be missed.
From the listing by Cruise Milford New Zealand Ltd. on Viator.
The tour, stop by stop
- The best thing about Milford Sound Cruises is that the weather doesn’t matter! On a sunny day, it is beautiful and on a wet day it is spectacular! Fiordland has some of the worlds highest waterfalls and they are a popular feature of Milford Sound. In all weather, you will see water cascading down massive cliffs into the sea. Milford Sound is in the Fiordland National Park, which is part of the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage site which covers 26,000km² and encompassing four national parks. It is widely considered to be one of the World’s top travel destinations. At Cruise Milford we know that you will have a wonderful and truly memorable day out on your Milford Sound cruise. We love sharing the natural beauty of this special place to visitors and your captain will inform you about the Sound, it’s history and wildlife.
- Mitre Peak is the most photographed mountain located in New Zealand
- Uncrowded cruise with uninterrupted views of this UNESCO World Heritage area.
- Explore beautiful Milford Sound up close and personal
What's included
- Complimentary coffee, tea and biscuits on-board all sailings
Not included
- No food sold on-board the cruise
- Parking fee- $10 per hour (Payment can be made at the parking stations on site with card only).
Meeting point
Cruise Departure Point: Cruise Milford NZ counter(second counter on the left)
Address: Milford Sound Visitor Terminal, Milford Sound, Fiordland
Paid Car park-10 minute walk/free car park-40 minute walk to the Milford Sound Terminal
Dates: Every day of the year (excluding Christmas Day: 25 December)
Checking in
- Thank you for booking your Milford Sound experience with us. Please be ready for check in 25-minutes prior to your departure time at the Cruise Milford counter (second counter on the left inside the Milford Sound Visitor Terminal). Please note proof of age is required upon check-in at Milford Sound.Tour departs within walking distance of the cruise port.
Where it ends
Cruise Departure Point: Cruise Milford NZ counter(second counter on the left)
Address: Milford Sound Visitor Terminal, Milford Sound, Fiordland
Paid Car park-10 minute walk/free car park-40 minute walk to the Milford Sound Terminal
Dates: Every day of the year (excluding Christmas Day: 25 December)
Your Viator voucher confirms the exact spot and time.
Good to know
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Please feel free to bring your own food and drinks on-board the cruise.
- Please note proof of age for children is required upon check-in at Milford Sound.
- For any extra information regarding the drive, transport or the cruise please contact us via phone or email.
- The main car park at Milford Sound costs $10 per hour. Payment can be made at payment stations on site. This Car park area is approximately a 10 minute walk to the Milford Sound Visitor Terminal building.
- A free car park is available on the corner of Milford Road and Deepwater basin, the walk from here to the Milford Sound Visitor Terminal building will take approximately 40min.
- Disability Parking can be found outside the main Milford Sound Visitor Terminal and is wheelchair accessible.
- Office hours for bookings assistance: 8am to 8pm
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
How refunds and weather cancellations work is on our booking help page.
How it compares
We compare this tour with the other options on our cruises page, our milford sound tours page, our milford sound guide page and our home page, with what each one includes and where it leaves from. How we choose tours.
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