Friday, April 19, 2024

5 Best Milford Sound Cruises: Comparing My Favorite Cruises in Detail

milford sound boat cruise

This does not account for Milford Sound Overnight Cruises, which asks for 14 days' notice prior to departure. Getting to Milford Sound from Queenstown takes approximately 3.5 hrs and a professional coach tour is highly recommended for visitors not familiar with driving in icy alpine conditions. With Cruise Milford, you travel on smaller boats, which are less crowded and where our local crew offer a much more informative and personal tour of Milford Sound.

Full-day Tour from Te Anau

Sit back, relax and soak in the views on the incredible road to Milford Sound. Join this incredible Milford Sound cruise with a friendly team and 60 years of local experience. From the open-top deck or inside through full-height windows, you’re about to get closer and see more with Milford Sound’s original cruise operator. For those looking for a more intimate experience, smaller boat tours are available that cater to small groups. This offers a more personalised experience, and the boats can navigate into smaller coves that larger boats cannot reach.

Book this cruise with transport from Queenstown

Experience the breathtaking beauty of Milford Sound with a daylight cruise. The daylight cruise on Milford Sound is a great way to explore the fiord and its wildlife, including seals and penguins. The cruise offers stunning views of the towering peaks and waterfalls, and the inky blackness of the water creates a serene atmosphere. Cruises depart throughout the day with the average cruise time of 1hr 45min.

From Te Anau: Milford Track, Cruise & Return Transfers

The rock formations, waterfalls, cliff faces, and beautiful turquoise water are why Milford Sound is so spectacular and therefore so popular. Some refer to Milford Sound as the unofficial “eighth wonder of the world”. Tours from Te Anau also don’t leave until around 9 am so you get a little bit of a sleep-in on your holiday! You can reserve this tour for $264 NZD per person, and I recommend booking it in advance. Our nature guide will be on board to share stories about Piopiotahi and help you spot our famous locals wildlife. The Milford Haven boasts a large rooftop deck with 360-degree views of the fiord.

Experience Milford Sound / Piopiotahi up close and personal

Check out the glowing reviews and book your cruise on Viator or Expedia. Plus, see more experiences like this in the 5 Best Luxury Experiences in Milford Sound. They say to save the best for las,t so that’s exactly what I did. To call this Milford Sound Overnight Cruise a once-in-a-lifetime experience would be accurate, but it’s so much more than that. Without a doubt, this was one of the most incredible experiences I have ever had.

You can easily incorporate day cruises into your travel plans, and they are included in most Milford Sound day tours. One of the best ways to enjoy the scenic beauty of this gulf and witnessing it in all its glory, is by hopping onto a Milford Sound Cruise. The spectacular glacier carved cliffs surrounding you as you glide along the clear waters with alpine peaks stretching high above you, is an experience you do not want to miss. Watch the stunning scenery pan out before your eyes as you set sail aboard a vessel and experience the fiord in its various facades. Most cruises run throughout the day and thus give you ample time to travel from Queenstown to Te Anau.

The drive from Te Anau is much shorter but holds my favorite stops on this scenic route, so combined with the cruise makes for an awesome day of exploring! This 9-hour tour from Te Anau also stops at some of the most impressive places on the road to Milford Sound! Once you arrive at Milford, your 2-hour small boat cruise and lunch on board are all included in the tour price. This is another low-stress tour option, so you can simply enjoy Milford Sound. Enjoy the rich geographical formations, enchanting waterfalls, and exotic wildlife up and close with one of the best Milford Sound Cruise.

11 of the best wildlife cruises for 2024 and beyond - National Geographic

11 of the best wildlife cruises for 2024 and beyond.

Posted: Mon, 25 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Our tours ____________

Then it’s time to relax in the company of your fellow traveller, indulge in some star-gazing and story-sharing or simply retire to your private cabin. Aside from road closure due to snow, the Milford Sound cruise is likely to go ahead in most weather. Very strong wind is usually the only weather to cause cancellations, but Milford Sound is typically sheltered from wind and rough tides. In Milford Sound, we welcome heavy rain, as it brings out the hundreds of waterfalls. Please let us know what requirements you have when you make your booking, and we can make sure there are options for you. To make the most of the journey, pack essentials for a comfortable day trip, including waterproof layers, a sun hat, and ample food and water.

Go Beyond Milford Sound: A Fiordland Local's Guide - World Nomads

Go Beyond Milford Sound: A Fiordland Local's Guide.

Posted: Tue, 12 Dec 2017 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Milford Sound Overnight Cruise

milford sound boat cruise

Choosing a cruise can be daunting, given the wide range of types of Milford Sound cruises and different operators to choose from. We’ve gathered some information to make it easier to research and book your Milford Sound cruise. Cruise Milford is the only local family owned & operated day cruise company at Milford Sound.

In Milford Sound, you'll see breathtaking cliffs and peaks – including the much-photographed and iconic Mitre Peak that rises more than a kilometre straight out of the sea. Waterfalls cascade into the fiord, and luxuriant rain forest clings to sheer rock faces in this unforgettable place. Milford Sound cruises vary in duration, typically lasting between 1.5 to 2 hours. The exact length depends on factors such as your chosen vessel, weather, wildlife encounters, and overall conditions. During these scenic cruises, you'll navigate the entire length of the stunning fiord.

milford sound boat cruise

We are the only cruise operator to limit passenger numbers on all departures to 50% of the boats capacity to be able to guarantee a much more personal experience. To explore this magnificent area in a more intimate way and at sea level, our sea kayaking adventures are perfect. However, having your accommodation paid for with meals and activities included is money that would have been used for the same things regardless. Star RV is another company we personally recommend but specifically for motorhomes! They offer larger motorhomes (as opposed to budget campervans) at really reasonable rates.

Additionally, bring along games to keep them entertained during travel. Aboard our smallest vessel, the Sinbad, you’ll enjoy an early and intimate cruise that helps you feel even closer to Milford Sound. Explore Milford Sound aboard our diverse fleet, each vessel offering a distinct and unforgettable experience tailored to your desires. Check out the different schedules and departure times for each vessel below. Walk part of the Milford Track and take a 2-hour cruise – a way to see both the ‘finest walk in the world’ and enjoy the fiord from sea level, including the picturesque Mitre Peak. There are Milford Sound cruises departing throughout the day, giving you the chance to experience the fiord in all its different guises.

Pack for most weather outcomes, like a rain jacket, a warm layer, sunscreen, and a sunhat, and you’ll be comfortable for whatever the weather brings. Our most spacious vessel ensures your whole party has a great view. With a huge space, and even larger views, you’ll feel wowed by the immensity of Milford Sound. The Milford Mariner is a purpose-built vessel designed to replicate a traditional trading scow perfectly suited to cruising the fiords. Fiordland is a designated World Heritage Site that takes you back in time to a magical wilderness that you may have thought no longer existed. Driving from Queenstown to Milford Sound, you will see why the Lord of the Rings was filmed in this stunning scenery.

From here guests can choose to relax or take part in activities including kayaking, fishing, and helicopter tours. 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 with visitors, and your captain will tell you all about the Fiord, its history and wildlife.

Onboard a characterful ship complete with masts (just like the early explorers of this fiord), you’ll journey through the sounds while receiving insightful commentary from your nature guide. The tour hits all the waterfalls and mountain views of any Milford Sound cruise, as well as having a focus on spotting wildlife. Contrary to specific months, any time from January to December offers a spectacular experience. On sunny days, witness the stunning contrast of blue skies against majestic mountain peaks. Even rain transforms the landscape, creating a breathtaking display of hundreds of waterfalls cascading around the fiord. Whether it's the warmth of the sun or the drama of rainfall, Milford Sound captivates visitors with its timeless scenery throughout the entire year.

From a dry comfortable vantage point on the bus or boat, this landscape is spectacular for sightseeing. Visiting Milford Sound in the rain is not just worth it, it's a unique and magical experience! Unlike typical preferences for sunny weather, Milford Sound truly comes alive in the rain.

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