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Milford Sound Nature Cruise with Southern Discoveries

261 Reviews 4.72 out of 5 stars Based on 261 reviews collected by City Boat Tours and TripAdvisor | Recommended by 95% of reviewers |
Badge of Excellence |Badge of Excellence This experience is highly rated by travelers and has met our top quality standards.
Fiordland & Milford Sound, New Zealand

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Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 19 (0) days in advance.

1 hour 45 minutes (approx.)
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Overview

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.

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
  • Alcoholic beverages Alcoholic Beverages
  • Food and drinks, unless specified
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
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Meeting Location

Meeting point

Freshwater Basin
Milford Sound Highway 94, Milford Sound 9679, New Zealand

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Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Southern Discoveries - Milford Sound Visitor Centre

Your journey starts here, check in with friendly staff at least 15 minutes prior to departure.
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10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Fiordland National Park (Te Wahipounamu)

Fiordland National Park is in the southwest of New Zealand’s South Island. It’s known for the glacier-carved fiords of Doubtful and Milford sounds. A beech forest trail on the sandy Milford shore offers views of towering Mitre Peak.
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1 hour 45 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Milford Sound (Pass By)

Whatever the weather, our newly refurbished vessels offer unbeatable views through full height viewing windows. Make the most of out 360º decks which are perfect for that perfect photo.Our passionate skippers share their knowledge with lively and entertaining commentary. This is the perfect cruise for single travelers, couples and families with plenty of room to take in the views.
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Bowen Falls (Pass By)

The stunning Lady Bowen Falls is Milford’s highest waterfall. It plunges 162m from a hanging valley into the head of Milford Sound and provides electricity for the Milford Sound township by feeding a small hydroelectric scheme, as well as being the water source for the settlement.
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Mitre Peak (Pass By)

Mitre Peak is a beautifully dramatic mountain in the South Island of New Zealand, located on the shore of Milford Sound. It is one of the most photographed mountain peaks in the entire country.
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Sinbad Gully (Pass By)

Nestled behind the world famous Mitre Peak, the Sinbad Gully is characterised by extremely steep glacially carved walls punctuated by near vertical granite cliffs. These walls slowed pest invasion into the gully and as a result a number of unique native species remain in the Sinbad.Southern Discoveries is passionate about preserving Milford Sound’s beauty for future generations which is why it’s a key partner in a major conservation project – the Sinbad Sanctuary Project.The aim is to see the valley of New Zealand’s most photographed mountain (Sinbad Gully is at the base of Mitre Peak) become a sanctuary for native species.
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Stirling Falls (Pass By)

Milford’s second-highest waterfall is the Stirling Falls, a staggering 151m in height – three times the height of Niagara Falls, but the 1,300m mountain behind displaces this incredible height. This is the famous waterfall that Hugh Jackman ‘jumped off’ in the movie Wolverine. The sheer drop of the Stirling Falls allows boats to get right underneath – it’s an incredible feeling to have the power of 151m worth of glacial water falling so close to you.
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Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Service animals allowed
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Specialized infant seats are available
  • 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

(8)

Q: Will I get seasick on Milford Sound Nature Cruise with Southern Discoveries?

A: If you have any doubts about becoming seasick on the water, we recommend taking a Dramamine® Motion Sickness Relief tablet the night before your trip. Some people recommend taking it the night before your cruise and then again that morning so you will not feel so drowsy. Read more Feb 2023

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

Still have questions?

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Activity code: C-3960NATURE

Traveler Photos

Reviews

4.72
261 reviews

Average 4.72 out of 5 stars based on 261 traveler reviews collected by City Boat Tours and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

5 stars
215
4 stars
32
3 stars
4
2 stars
7
1 star
3

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Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 19 (0) days in advance.

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What's Included

Activity name

  • 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
  • Alcoholic beveragesAlcoholic Beverages
  • Food and drinks, unless specified
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • On arrival at Milford Sound you can park at the Milford Sound carpark at a fee of $10 per hour.

Additional Info

Activity name

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Service animals allowed
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Specialized infant seats are available
  • 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.
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 200 travelers

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Free Cancellation

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100% refund
No refund

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (NZST).
  • This tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

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