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Milford Sound Cruises

Encounter Nature Cruise

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Email reservations@southerndiscoveries.co.nz to find out when this experience will be available.

Milford Sound’s longest cruise; top choice for nature lovers

Small vessel, big on friendly personalised service

Don’t miss a thing; outdoor decks and comfy cabins

Milford Sound’s longest cruise; top choice for nature lovers

Small vessel, big on friendly personalised service

Don’t miss a thing; outdoor decks and comfy cabins

About

No other Milford Sound experience takes you further. Explore the natural world of the fiord and get closer to one of the most dramatic places on earth.

Up to 3 hr cruise duration
A longer, in-depth Milford Sound experience
Get closer for the chance to see seals, dolphins or even a rare Fiordland Crested Penguin
Onboard nature guide with plenty of time to answer questions and spot passing wildlife
Outdoor decks and comfortable indoor lounge decks, perfect for Milford Sound in any weather
Getting you so close to waterfalls you’ll need a raincoat
Includes FREE tea and coffee
Licenced bar on board
Fresh picnic lunch included
Includes a visit to the exclusive underwater observatory

Up to 3hrs

Get within touching distance of Milford's towering cliffs

Catch a glimpse of Milford's amazing wildlife

Taste pure glacial water straight from Fairy Falls

Get up close and personal with Stirling Falls

Visit Milford Sound Underwater Observatory

Get within touching distance of Milford's towering cliffs

Catch a glimpse of Milford's amazing wildlife

Taste pure glacial water straight from Fairy Falls

Get up close and personal with Stirling Falls

Visit Milford Sound Underwater Observatory

Map

Lunch

Lunch Options

Welcome aboard, and get ready to dine in style! Encounter Nature Cruise lunch options are listed to the right.

Freshly prepared picnic lunch is available to purchase on all Milford Sound cruises
A selection of snacks are available to purchase onboard all vessels
A fully licensed bar is available on all vessels, except the Lady Stirling
Free tea and coffee is available on all cruises
All meat is certified halal
The menu may vary at times due to seasonal supply
Please note that the ingredients and contents of each meal are only a guide and these may be subject to change
Vegetarian and vegan alternatives are available – please indicate your preferences when you are booking online
If you have specific dietary requirements or special group requests, please call to discuss with the reservations team
Passengers are not permitted to bring their own alcohol onboard our vessels
We only accept credit card or cash payments, we can not accept eftpos or debit cards

Picnic Lunch

Freshly prepared daily, the picnic lunch includes:

Wrap with selected meat and salad for standard option
Cheese and crackers (vegan option: soup)
Seasonal fresh fruit
Crisps
Cookie
Small chocolate bar

Picnic lunch options; regular, vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free. When you book online please select your preference.

Transport

from Queenstown
from Te Anau
from Milford Sound

Self-Drive

By campervan or car, enjoy the spectacular drive to Milford Sound on the Milford road. Take your time and enjoy the photo stops and short walks on your way to join Milford Sound Encounter Nature Cruise.

Self-Drive

"Nature at its best!"

Trip Advisor reviews

Excellent cruise and staff! Great Experience! Breathtaking

FAQ

Where do Milford Sound cruises leave from?

All cruises leave from and return to the wharf at the Milford Sound Visitor Terminal.

Do all the cruises take the same route?

Every cruise goes the full length of the fiord. Cruises stop in different places but each trip visits the major sights of interest including Stirling Falls and Harrison Cove.

Do you operate on Christmas Day?

All trips operate on different schedules. Please refer to the individual trip for dates and times. Most experiences operate on Christmas day, but are subject to schedule updates, weather conditions or Covid 19 requirements.

Will I see wildlife?

Milford Sound has an abundance of wildlife and is home to New Zealand fur seals and bottlenose dolphins year-round. Rare Dusky dolphins are known to visit the fiord and the world’s rarest penguin, the Fiordland Crested Penguin/Tawaki visits Milford during breeding season (August - November) and moulting season (March/April). While there is wildlife in Milford Sound, we can’t guarantee sightings as these are wild animals in their natural habitat. A visit to the Milford Sound Underwater Observatory offers more wildlife viewing opportunities with an abundance of sea life below the surface.

What cruise is best for wildlife viewing?

Every cruise provides the opportunity to view wildlife, but we cannot guarantee sightings. Our Nature Cruise includes plenty of stops for viewing the amazing geology and occasional wildlife, our skipper and friendly boat hosts will be sure to point out any wildlife.

Do your lunches have vegetarian options?

Yes, picnic lunches can be ordered as vegetarian or vegan. You can select this when booking online.

Are the lunch options halal?

All meat is certified Halal.

Which Milford Cruise is best for kids?

All cruises are suitable for children.

Do you provide disabled/wheelchair access?

The only cruise vessel in Milford Sound with wheelchair access is the 'Pride of Milford' where access to the vessel is by ramp. Disabled toilet facilities are in the Milford Sound Visitor Terminal where all cruises depart from.

Will the cruise go ahead if the weather is bad?

Our operations team assess the weather and conditions for every cruise departure to ensure the safety and comfort of our guests. If weather or other events could impact on the safety and comfort of our guests, then the cruise could be postponed, or in some unusual and infrequent circumstances, the cruise could be cancelled.

What’s the difference between the cruises?

Please check out our Cruise Comparison table, where you can see our range of cruises and the vessels. https://www.southerndiscoveries.co.nz/milford-sound/cruises-compare/

What should I bring on my Milford Sound cruise?

Due to the changeable nature of the weather in Milford Sound, it’s a good idea to bring a waterproof jacket, warm clothing and to wear comfortable shoes. We also have ponchos available for purchase so you can enjoy a glacial facial under Stirling Falls.

Is there parking in Milford Sound?

Yes, there is car parking at the Milford Sound public car park. This car park does fill quickly in the summer months, so we advise getting there early.

What weather can I expect in Fiordland?

Milford Sound is one of the wettest places in the world with an average annual rainfall of 7 metres per year. Rainfall can reach 250 millimetres in 24 hours and creates dozens of temporary waterfalls (as well as several more permanent ones) that cascade down the cliff faces, some reaching a thousand metres in height. The high rainfall is why Milford Sound is renowned for its spectacular waterfalls and rainforest. The temperature in Milford can vary depending on the season and can go from an average high of 19C (66F) in summer (Dec – Feb) to 9C (48F) in winter (Jun – Aug). All our vessels have spacious indoor areas with comfortable seating for cruising in all weather conditions.

More FAQ's

Get in touch

in New Zealand

0800 264 536

Overseas

+64 3 441 1137

reservations@southerndiscoveries.co.nz reservations@southerndiscoveries.co.nz