SOUTHERN LAKES / THE EXPERIENCE
Milford Sound Nature Cruise with Southern Discoveries
BEFORE YOU GO
Your day, at a glance.
- Duration
- 1 h 48 min
- Group size
- Up to 200 people
- Guide
- German, Portuguese, Korean, English, zh-CN, French, Spanish
- Ticket
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Our take
Southern Discoveries' nature cruise runs up to 2 hours on a spacious catamaran, with live commentary from the skipper and free tea and coffee. A picnic lunch is an add-on. Check in at the Southern Discoveries desk in the Milford Sound Visitor Centre 15 minutes before sailing. Parking at the terminal is charged by the hour, and the tour can carry up to 200 people. It has about 400 reviews averaging around 4.6.
The NZ Brits took a Southern Discoveries day cruise on a clear day, saw a seal pup on the rocks and got the bow under Stirling Falls. On our Milford Sound cruise comparison it sits with the larger boats, which have more departure times but a busier deck. Its sister sailing with a dedicated nature guide runs 15 minutes longer. Some reviewers found the commentary hard to hear, and it isn't wheelchair accessible. The listing mentions hotel pickup on what is a cruise-only ticket, so plan your own way in.
Good for
- Travellers who want a picnic lunch added to the cruise
- Anyone who prefers a big, stable catamaran
Think twice if
- You want a guide focused on wildlife, which the extended sailing has
- You need wheelchair access
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
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.
From the listing by Southern Discoveries on Viator.
What's included
- Multi-lingual app for commentary available: App Store and Google Play search Southern Discoveries
- FREE Tea and coffee
- Live commentary on board from our passionate skipper
- Picnic lunch (if option selected)
- Nature Cruise of up to 2 hours
Not included
- Food and drinks, unless specified
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Alcoholic Beverages
- On arrival at Milford Sound you can park at the Milford Sound carpark at a fee of $10 per hour.
Meeting point
Check in at our Southern Discoveries Milford Sound Visitor Centre, which is clearly visible as soon as you enter the Milford Sound Terminal - Freshwater Basin, Milford Sound Highway 94, Milford Sound 9679.
Checking in
From December 3 2021, we will be requiring vaccination certificates to be shown prior to joining any Southern Discoveries experience.
Where it ends
Check in at our Southern Discoveries Milford Sound Visitor Centre, which is clearly visible as soon as you enter the Milford Sound Terminal - Freshwater Basin, Milford Sound Highway 94, Milford Sound 9679.
Your Viator voucher confirms the exact spot and time.
Good to know
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Please advise of your country of origin at the time of booking
- Car Parking: On arrival at Milford Sound you can park at the Milford Sound carpark. Please allow 10 minutes to walk from the main carpark to the Milford Wharf Visitor Centre. Alternatively, you can park free of charge at Deepwater Basin Carpark and walk over to Freshwater Basin to the Cruise Terminal. This walk is approximately 30 minutes in duration, so additional time will need to be allocated in order to do this comfortably and arrive at the terminal 15 minutes prior to your cruise for check-in.
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, with what each one includes and where it leaves from. How we choose tours.
KEEP YOUR OPTIONS OPEN
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