real journeys cruise milford sound

Real Journeys Milford Sound Scenic Boat Cruise

This post – Real Journeys Milford Sound Scenic Boat Cruise – is part of our series of posts on experiencing Fiordland National Park. 

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Fiordland National Park: by Land, Sea, and Air

Read an introduction to Fiordland National Park and options for experiencing Fiordland National Park by Land, Sea, and Air here .

Or, skip to one of our other Fiordland National Park travelogue posts:

• Milford Sound Road: Self-Drive
• Real Journeys Doubtful Sound Scenic Boat Cruise 
• Fiordland Helicopters: Dusky & Doubtful Sound Heli Experience  
• Routeburn Track Tramp

Our Fiordland National Park Story

We were headed to Fiordland National Park in early February 2020, concurrent with an extreme rainfall event. Between February 1st and February 4th Milford Sound received 1124 mm of rain – 16% of its normal annual rainfall! The first-ever Red Severe Weather Warning was issued, a State of Emergency declared, almost 400 people were stranded, and 440km of walking track were destroyed. 

Needless to say, our Routeburn Track walk booked to start February 15, 2020 was cancelled as the track was damaged beyond repair for the season. The Milford Sound Road was also closed for the foreseeable future. We attempted to visit Doubtful Sound instead but that kayak/camp adventure was also thwarted due to extreme weather. 

However, as luck would have it, and due to the 2020 coronavirus outbreak we were still in New Zealand well past our original planned departure date of May 2020. THANK YOU NEW ZEALAND. So, in July 2020 and again in September 2020, we headed back to Fiordland National Park. And we can’t wait to visit again. 

Milford Sound: Getting There

Milford Sound is the most popular and most accessible destination within Fiordland National Park. It is the only fjord accessible by road and is famous for its cascading waterfalls on the steep, glacially-carved cliffs that surround the 16km of the sound out to the Tasman Sea.

Milford Sound is located at the end of Milford Road (State Highway 94): an alpine drive of two hours without stopping from Te Anau. Because you’ll want to stop at the viewing points and perhaps do some of the walks along the route we’d recommend planning to spend a full day (or more!) driving the Milford Road as a self-drive if weather permits. Once you’re at Milford Sound the best way to experience the sound itself is by taking a scenic cruise. 

However, another great option is a coach + cruise combination package. This takes the stress out of driving the Milford Sound Road so that you can properly enjoy the gorgeous surroundings without driving distractions whilst still stopping at a few of the more popular viewpoints. There are a number of operators of day and overnight packages catering to all types of tourists.

Milford Sound Road: Coach + Scenic Cruise

Scenic coach + cruise packages are available with departures from both Te Anau and Queenstown. Keep in mind that Queenstown is an additional 2 hrs drive each way.

After driving part of the Milford Sound Road, we opted for a Real Journeys coach + cruise package departing from Te Anau during our July 2020 visit.  

Our driver provided insightful commentary and our glass-roofed coach stopped at the following spots, in northbound order from Te Anau Downs to Milford Sound:

TIP: The glass-roof and large side windows of the coach were stellar! Be sure you check that your tour operator has a similar set-up as this made a big difference.

Eglinton Valley Lookout

A brief stop for a Lord of the Rings photo op in an alpine valley carved by glaciers.

Mirror Lakes Viewpoint

A favorite stop of mine for super reflective images of the mountains in Mirror Lake on a calm day. There are a number of viewpoints along a boardwalk on this 10 min return walk.

Pop’s View Lookout & Monkey Creek

Quick stops for photo ops. You’ll often find kea (alpine parrots) hanging out in these locations.

TIP: See photos and read more about other recommended stops on a Milford Sound Road self-drive experience here .

Milford Sound

After arriving at the end of the Milford Road, we immediately boarded our boat to head out on the water of Milford Sound for our 2 hr scenic cruise.

Upon boarding, a lunch of fish and chips or soup and a roll was served. We then headed outside on the deck for better views of Milford Sound, Mitre Peak, and the surrounding mountains. 

FUN FACT: Although we didn’t see any sea-life, the waters of Fiordland are home to mammals and birds such as bottlenose dolphins, New Zealand fur seals, and Fiordland crested penguins. Milford Sound is classified as a Marine Reserve to protect the sea-life within Fiordland.

Our mid-July weather was cold but the sun was shining. This allowed for us to spend most of the time on the top deck without freezing but next time we’d love to visit in the rain to be surrounded by thousands of cascades.  

Once we returned to shore, we would have liked to have had time to explore the harbour and gaze at the views of Mitre Peak and Milford Sound from land. Next time! 

New Zealand Planning and Resources

If you’re planning for your vacation or holiday in New Zealand, more resources – including our trip map with points of interest and camping spots – can be found in our New Zealand planning and resources post .

Our travelogue and the details of our day-to-day activities can be found in our New Zealand itinerary and travelogue post .

travel dates: July 15, 2020 

last updated: 27-Jul-2021

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What It’s Like On An Overnight Milford Sound Cruise with Real Journeys

• Last Updated: April 5, 2019

Going on an overnight Milford Sound cruise with Real Journeys was one of the best experiences during our whole time in New Zealand.

New Zealand is fortunate enough to have some of the most beautiful and awe-inspiring landscapes on the planet, with glacier-carved valleys, precipitous peaks and glistening lakes drawing over 3 million visitors every year.

From Queenstown to Rotorua, Abel Tasman National Park to Stewart Island, there are no shortage of gorgeous spots to check out in the country. But one place rises above the rest.

Milford Sound, on the west coast of the country, is the northernmost fjord in the majestic Fiordland region.

It was known to the Maoris by the name  Piopiotahi , after the piopio bird. They believed the demi God ‘Tuterakiwhanoa’ carved the landscape out of shapeless rock, and was a spiritual place for the indigenous people for centuries.

In 1812 Captain John Grono visited the region and renamed Piopiotahi to Milford Sound, after Milford Haven in Wales.

Milford Sound then became a popular settlement for whalers and fisherman in the years that followed. Today it is a protected area, and the development of tourism has seen millions of people fall in love with its mystical landscape.

Table of Contents

All Aboard The Milford Mariner

Kayaking in milford sound, dinner and drinks, a new day, 1000 new waterfalls, save this pin for later, sailing the fjords – our overnight milford sound cruise.

Milford Sound was one of those New Zealand destinations that we had always heard about, applauded by previous travellers who fell in love with its striking scenery.

As our plans formulated for the South Island we knew we couldn’t skip this magical place.

After spending a few days doing the best things to do in Queenstown , we started our research on Milford Sound, and found a couple of different options to visit.

You could either do a day trip and add a bit of hiking around the area, do a day cruise, or spend the night on a boat. Having done a few epic boat trips in other beautiful parts of the world, such as our Patagonian fjord cruise , we knew the overnight option would be epic.

Us being us though, we left things to the last minute, and quickly found out that the best overnight Milford Sound cruises are usually booked out weeks in advance during the high season.

We found out that the company Real Journeys were the leaders in trips through the fjord , so we called them up hoping we could squeeze into one in the next few days.

As luck would have it they just had a cancellation in one of their berths for a trip leaving in 2 days. We jumped at the opportunity without hesitation, and made plans to head to Te Anau, the last town before Milford Sound, the next night.

The drive to Te Anau was pleasant enough, and we booked ourselves into a simple cabin at the Te Anau Kiwi Holiday Park , so we could leave early in the morning to make the most of the views into Milford Sound.

We were told to meet the boat in Milford Sound at 4pm, which gave us lots of time to enjoy the beautiful drive from Te Anau.

The ride is only 122km long, but with the twists and turns, and numerous places to stop and explore, people recommend you take at least 3 hours to do the drive.

Not wanting to be in any rush though, we left at 10am, and with all the stops and small hikes we did, it was 3:30pm when we finally made it to the Milford Sound Visitors Centre. It really is one of the best drives in New Zealand, and it’d be foolish to hurry through it (check out our tips for driving it at the bottom of this article) .

We collected a free parking permit from the office inside and parked our rental car in the bus bay near the visitors centre.

Doing the check-in with Real Journeys was quick and easy, and we were asked to go wait out on the dock next to our boat, the Milford Mariner.

Just before 4:30 they opened the gangway and the group signed up for the overnight Milford Sound cruise loaded into the vessel.

The friendly staff directed us upstairs to the dining room, where we met our fellow passengers and listened to the safety briefing.

Afterwards we received our room key and headed back down to our cabin.

The room was cosy without being cramped, with a private bathroom and large, comfortable queen-size bed. The size didn’t really matter though, as we knew we’d be out admiring the views most of the time.

We dropped our small backpacks in the corner and headed back upstairs.

Soon enough the Mariner was leaving the pier, and we were navigating our way through the misty scenes of Milford Sound.

The weather stayed grey but the clouds lifted above the mountains, giving us tremendous views down the fjord.

All of the passengers gathered on the outside deck as we cruise through Milford Sound, jaws agape as forested cliffs soared above us in every direction.

We chatted excitedly as we made our way towards a sheltered and stunning cove, and the Mariner dropped anchor.

Rather than being a completely passive experience, the crew at Real Journeys want to make the trip in Milford Sound immersive and memorable, so with the Mariner anchored we got ready for the afternoon’s activities.

The passengers were given the choice of either exploring the cove in zodiacs, or jumping in single-person kayaks and paddling around.

Naturally we had to go for the kayaking option!

The passengers split up into two groups, and us kayakers were given a paddle and life jacket. The crew helped us load into the kayaks off the back of the Mariner, and off we went into the cove.

It was a magical experience paddling around, surrounded by the mystic peaks of Milford Sound. The water was crystal clear, and offered amazing reflections of the forests on the shore.

One of the Real Journeys guides kept us company, telling us stories about the fjords and filling us in on the marine life that calls Milford home.

We were given about an hour to enjoy the kayaking experience then made our way back to the Mariner.

While we waited for everybody to return from the trip, the guides suggested that if anybody was feeling particularly adventurous, and wanted to try something very few do, we could go for a swim.

A handful of us couldn’t say no, so we took turns jumping and backflipping off of the back of the boat into the chilly waters. Such an incredible end to the adventure.

After the cold swim we rushed off to our cabin and jumped into a hot shower to warm up. The sun (if you ever see it) sets quickly in Milford Sound, and by the time we got dressed again it was well on the way to getting dark outside.

It was almost time for dinner, so we moved back upstairs and hit the bar for a glass of delicious Kiwi wine.

For the meals we had seats already allocated, which ensured there was no awkward walking around trying to choose who to sit next to.

We were put with 2 other couples, and immediately started swapping travel stories.

The meal was a buffet style, with enough delicious food to cover anybody’s dietary needs, and we gorged ourselves on fresh seafood and New Zealand lamb.

When we were eating we were drinking wine with our new friends, having a great time. The captain then came out and introduced his entire crew to us, which turned into a bit of laughter.

Now that we were properly acquainted with the team from Real Journeys, the head chef, a Frenchman, came forward and told us a bit about the local food we were eating.

Naturally he saved the best for last though, and suddenly platters of dessert made their way to the centre of the room, including cheesecakes, brownies, ice cream, fruit and of course pavlova.

Ladies were given first choice, but there was plenty of food to go around, and nobody missed out on their favourites.

With the meal finished we were invited to the front room of the ship to have an entertaining talk from the onboard naturalist.

Sharing photos of Milford Sound, the wildlife and the crew, he kept the 30-minute presentation lighthearted and humorous, and not only did we laugh along with the show, we also learnt a lot about the area.

It was about 9pm when the presentation finished, and while a few people stayed up to enjoy a few more glasses of wine or beer, we decided to head to bed, ready to get up early in the morning.

We woke up before sunrise hoping to get golden rays shining on the tops of the peaks and mirror-like waters.

Instead we woke to torrential downpour, strong winds and the mountains shrouded in low-lying cloud.

Anywhere else in the world this would be a downer on your holiday, but not here in Milford Sound. In fact the weather had transformed the fjord into a new beast, and it was even more beautiful than we could have imagined.

As ambient light filtered into the channel we started to see thousands of small waterfalls cascading down the mountains all around us.

Milford Sound receives a tremendous amount of rainfall, and when the skies open up the mountains have nowhere to hold the water, which results in raging torrents falling from the cliffs.

It was quite a spectacular scene, and even though it was freezing we withstood the cold for the views as the Mariner made its way towards the open ocean.

We ran back inside to have breakfast, but wanting to make the most of the scenery we decided to have a quick bowl of cereal rather than tuck into the large cooked spread that was available, and headed back outside as soon as possible.

We grabbed our Kathmandu rain jackets  to try and keep dry and stood on the deck, watching as the Tasman Sea made its appearance.

The fjord opened up ahead of us, but the bad weather meant the ocean was quite rough. Rather than pushing right out to give the passengers a look along the coast, the captain hugged the headland then aimed back towards the shelter of Milford Sound.

By now most of the passengers had decided the views were worth the drenching, and we stood on the bow of the ship in complete awe.

With these new waterfalls tumbling dramatically in every direction, the captain started to veer towards one of the largest ones, and made an announcement over the PA that anybody outside was going to get much wetter in a second.

This was an experience many of the guests had been waiting for, and with GoPros at the ready we stood defiantly as the Mariner was commanded expertly into the rush of the cascading falls.

Water hammered us from above, the sound completely deafening, but for a few seconds we were in the heart of the waterfall. It was exhilarating.

The captain did this to us two more times, and each shower proved to be as fun as the last. Now we were thanking our lucky stars for the weather.

It was only now, with the trip about to finish, that we started to see some more ships in the fjord, and we suddenly realised that the Mariner had been on its own pretty much the entire time we were in Milford Sound.

We could see the visitor’s centre and parking lot up ahead, so we ran inside to pay our alcohol bill and collect our bags from the cabin.

Sadly all good things must come to an end, and the Mariner crept into the dock and the crew tied us to the pier.

We said goodbye to the crew and our new friends, exchanged some email addresses and farewelled the Milford Mariner.

Our adventure with Real Journeys was over, but the memories would stay with us for a long time.

The hype over Milford Sound had been justified, and we couldn’t believe our luck at fitting in on a cabin at the end of high season.

For something we hadn’t originally planned on doing, our overnight Milford Sound cruise was a real highlight.

No trip to New Zealand’s South Island would be complete without immersing yourself in the majestic wonder of the atmospheric Milford Sound.

Day Cruise vs Overnight – Which Should You Choose?

You have two options for cruises in Milford Sound: A short day cruise or an overnight cruise. While a lot of it depends on your time and budget, we highly recommend going for an overnight cruise if possible.

As Milford Sound is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country, seeing it without any other people is next to impossible.

And with the vast majority of visitors coming just for a day trip, you’ll find yourself in the fjord with plenty of other boats.

While this doesn’t make Milford Sound any less beautiful, it does make it a little less magical. There’ll be a constant stream of people flooding into and out of the visitor centre, and boats seem to be disembarking every few minutes.

After 4pm however, when most of the people have loaded up in the tourists buses and headed back to Te Anau or Queenstown, only a few ships have licenses to head out into the evening.

By joining a Milford Sound overnight cruise you’ll have the opportunity to see this majestic place without the crowds, which is in itself a real highlight of any trip to New Zealand.

Not only that, you get the chance to see Milford Sound for sunset and sunrise, something that’s not really possible any other way unless you stay at one of the expensive lodges there.

If you can extend your trip to be an overnighter, we highly recommend making this your main choice for a truly memorable Milford Sound cruise!

Driving To Milford Sound

There are lots of tour buses making the drive from Queenstown or Te Anau to Milford Sound every single day, but in our personal opinion it is much better to rent a car and self-drive. If you do, you’ll understand why.

The road to Milford Sound is almost as epic as the fjord itself, with steep valleys shrouded in fog coming alive with thousands of waterfalls after heavy rain.

On the drive from Te Anau you’ll come across rivers and cascades in raging torrents, plains of wildflowers leading into mysterious peaks and old growth forests twisting into the sky.

The road is narrow and winding, meaning progress is slow, but that just means more time to enjoy the unreal scenery. Trust us when we say it might be one of the most beautiful drives you do in all of New Zealand!

There are plenty of excellent stopping points along the way too where you can park your car, get out and do some exploring. Rather than us listing our favourites, do yourself a favour and just stop at every single one you pass (marked by big signs).

A word of warning though – This road is extremely busy, filled with rental cars and tour buses, and there are a lot of drivers using it that may not necessarily have much experience with driving on the ‘wrong side of the road’, or with driving in general.

There are a lot of accidents on this road. Drive slowly, drive carefully, and give yourself plenty of time to get to Milford Sound for your overnight cruise.

[box] We joined our overnight Milford Sound cruise as guests of Real Journeys. All thoughts, opinions, and thousands of waterfall pictures are, as always, our own.[/box]

Alesha and Jarryd

Hi, We’re Alesha and Jarryd!

We’ve been traveling the world together since 2008, searching for the planet’s best destinations and adventures.

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Do you have stand up paddle boards?

Not sure if they do. You can contact Real Journeys and they will be able to help you out. All the best.

We are planning on going when our kids are 5 and 8! Do you think it’s suitable for them?

Loved this article!

We do definitely. There was a lot of activities to do. Just get in contact with the tour company if you have any questions.

I would definitely choose the overnight cruise for this one. New Zealand has very majestic rock formations and that view is just stunning. I was left in awe by the pictures you took, Alesha and Jarryd!

Thanks so much Agness. It definitely is. We were blown away by the beauty in this area. We can not wait to return one day

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Milford Sound Cruise - RealNZ

Milford Sound Cruise from Queenstown or Te Anau

Premium Milford Sound Cruise Including Lunch

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Milford Sound Cruises - RealNZ

RealNZ Visitor Centre , Milford Sound , New Zealand .

Explore the breathtaking beauty of Milford Sound with RealNZ. Let our friendly and knowledgeable team guide you through this natural wonder.

Pricing and Conditions

Cabinet/Café-style food and barista coffee available for purchase on board.

Prices valid until 30 September 2024, are per person and based on a Milford Sound Cruise departing Milford Sound. Infants (0-4 yrs) carried free of charge. Coach connections are available from Te Anau and Queenstown (extra cost).

If cancelling or amending a retail booking, a refund will only be granted when RealNZ receives notification 24 hours prior to departure.

You'll travel beneath the majestic Mitre Peak towards the Tasman Sea and nudge up close to some of New Zealand's most incredible waterfalls. During your 2 hour cruise, our passionate nature guide will guide you through Milford Sound, share stories of its rich history and help you to spot the unique wildlife that call Fiordland home. Coach connections are available from Queenstown and Te Anau (extra cost). See our website for more information.

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REAL JOURNEYS - Milford Sound

Locally owned company offering outstanding range of tours in Milford Sound. Both day and overnight cruises that explore this magnificent fiord. Luxury coach transfers from Queenstown and Te Anau and flight connections to/from Milford Sound/Queenstown.

Please recommend us.

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Review: Milford Sound Flight and Cruise with Real Journeys

This Review of a Milford Sound Flight and Cruise with Real Journeys, New Zealand  is from our recent visit to Queenstown, known as the adventure capital of New Zealand. For prior posts in our trip report on New Zealand, please see:

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Review: Matakauri Lodge, Queenstown, New Zealand

Milford Sound Flight and Cruise with Real Journeys Price

Real Journeys offers Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound cruises, as well as visits to Stewart Island, Dusky Sound and Te Anau (where the glowworm caves are). We only had one full day in Queenstown, so with such limited time, we knew a flight to Milford Sound, nature cruise, then flight back to Queenstown was our best option. 

At our time of booking the cost was NZD 460 per adult and NZD 299 per child, but the cost per adult has since increased to NZD 475. I still think that for the time saved, this is a great deal, especially since the current exchange rate makes this about USD $315.

Milford Sound Flight with Air Milford

Our flight departed from the Air Milford Hangar just past the Queenstown Airport at about 12noon. There are pickups in Queenstown, but since Matakauri Lodge in Glenorchy is a bit outside the pickup area, we drove ourselves to the hangar. Easy enough, since it was only a 25 minute drive.

Here's our 14 seat Cessna that we flew:

We had a quick takeoff from Queenstown Airport and were soon enjoying great aerial views of Laka Wakatipu:

I have to say, I'm so glad we took the flight to Milford Sound, not just to save time, but also because it offered unique views of the landscape and the snow covered mountains:

Milford Sound Cruise

The Milford Sound landing strip is large enough for several planes:

There's a complimentary shuttle bus that we took for the short ride to where we boarded our cruise:

Our ship was the Milford Mariner:

The ship itself was fine inside, but nothing special. We sat in one of the booths on the right.

The most disappointing aspect of the cruise was the included picnic lunch–it was easily the worst food we had in New Zealand. I honestly think it would be better to not advertise an “included picnic lunch” and instead either tell passengers to bring their own food or provide just the apple and some higher quality bread and cheese, since the overly processed packaged snacks and sandwich were of such poor quality. Fortunately I'd brought some Trader Joe's Marcona almonds with me, so I ate that, the apple and the cheddar cheese and threw the rest away.

The cruise itself was nice when you were outside on the boat, as long as you found a less crowded place to enjoy the views and take photos. Early on in the cruise we spotted these seals sunning themselves:

And of course a highlight were the many waterfalls, such as this one:

The mist even created rainbows:

Milford Sound, the mountains, and waterfalls were beautiful:

I must say that I found the scenery on the flights just as beautiful, if not even more spectacular, however, particularly the aerial views of the glacial lakes:

And the snowcapped mountains, including Mitres Peak.

The Verdict

Don't miss Milford Sound if you have a sunny, clear day to enjoy it. We lucked out, since this area does actually see a great deal of rain, and it had been raining when we arrived in Queenstown, although fortunately not on the following day on our flight and cruise in Milford Sound. I highly recommend a flight at least one way, and both ways if you don't care for a long bus or car journey. Oh, and be sure to bring your own food–it's bound to be better than the included lunch.

If you've flown to Milford Sound and taken a cruise, what was your experience?

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Disclosure:  I received a travel professional rate for my flight and cruise, and paid the regular retail rate for my husband and son's flight/cruise. The views expressed in this post are my own.

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• Milford Sound Nature Cruise Real Journeys

Milford Sound Nature Cruise - RealNZ Milford Sound

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Milford Sound Day Cruise

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• Restaurant onboard 
• 2 hour nature cruise
• Wildlife spotting
• Experience Milford Sounds waterfall and beautiful scenery 

Description

Milford Sound – which is also known by its Maori name 'Piopiotahi' – has a rich history for both the New Zealand natives and the European settlers alike. This exceptionally beautiful area is extremely popular, due to its amazing natural scenery. By joining RealNZ on a Milford Sound Day Cruise, you will be able to experience this natural wonder for yourself.

Milford Sound Day Cruises offer a leisurely 2 hour cruise along the length of the Fiord. Experience the magic of this region, which includes emerald rainforest, hanging valleys and impressive peaks and cliffs. You will marvel at the beauty as you cruise alongside the sheer rock faces and cascading waterfalls – so close, that you will feel the light droplets of spray. Towering high above all of this is the magnificent Mitre Peak – a huge, kilometre tall peak that juts up from the cool, ocean waters. Cruising along the length of the Fiord, you may catch a glimpse of some of the wildlife, including Dusky dolphins, fur seals and even the rare Fiordland crested penguins.

The friendly and knowledgeable tour guides will let you in on the secrets of Milford Sound – learn how the U-shaped valleys were carved out by moving glaciers; Find out why Captain Cook missed Milford Sound when he sailed along the Fiordland coast. Imagine the lifestyle of the European sealers and whalers, who built small settlements along the sheer, isolated terrain, and discover the legend behind the Maori name, Piopiotahi, and why this area is such an integral part of Maori myth. The history of Milford Sound is almost as amazing as the awe-inspiring vista!

Trip Includes

• 2 hour Milford Sound boat cruise 
• Specialist nature guides provide commentary
• Tea, barista coffee, and food available to purchase from the restaurant onboard
• Multilingual commentary app, including language options in English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean and Japanese
• 2 hours (8:45am cruise is shorter in length - approx 1hr 30 mins)
• Summer (Oct-Apr) - 8:45am, 10:30am, 11:00am, 1:00pm, 1:15pm & 3:30pm
• Winter (May-Sep) - 11:00am & 1:15pm
• Departs from the main visitor terminal in Milford Sound
• Operates all year (rain or shine)

Other Information

• Please bring: non-slip shoes/boots, waterproof jacket, warm sweater/fleece jacket, sunscreen/sunglasses, insect repellent & camera
• Child rate applies to 5-15yrs & infants 0-4yrs travel free of charge
• Milford Sound is located 4.5hrs drive from Queenstown and 2.5hrs from Te Anau
• Parking at Milford Sound is $25 for up to five hours, if guests stay longer than 5 hours there is an additional cost
• If you require transfers from Queenstown click here or from Te Anau click here
• PLEASE NOTE THAT VESSELS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE

Normal Retail Prices

• Adult: NZD$145.00
• Child (5-15yrs): NZD$49.00

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Service rating:

Great way to experience the beauty of the Milford Sounds.

Product rating:

Excellent service and helpful team

Reviewed 31-Dec-2023

Friendly staff, great cruise.

Great cruise, the whole family enjoyed it.

Reviewed 15-Jan-2023

Allowed us to cancel due to bad weather and rebook an alternative experience

Great value . Informative guide

Reviewed 13-Oct-2021

Reply from Everything Travel Group

Thank you so much for your feedback, we really appreciate it. We are so glad to hear that you were able to enjoy another experience. Please get in touch regarding any future holiday plans, we would be more than happy to assist you & offer you a repeat customer discount. All the best! :) Everything Travel Group

Posted 22-Oct-2021

Prompt, efficient and helpful

Very bad weather in the morning, but by the time our cruise started it all cleared away and we had a fantastic time. Cruise tour guide was very well informed and sights spectacular. Even got to see dolphins. Definitely a highlight of our journey through NZ

Reviewed 28-Jan-2014

Everything went smooth

Reviewed 16-Nov-2013

Latest Questions about Milford Sound Nature Cruise - RealNZ (Milford Sound)

Hello, If I am staying at Te Anau and planning to drive to your Milford sound start point, where is the nearest point I can park my car? I would also like to now how long the drive to is to Milford from Te Anau Thank you

Hi!  We say to allow 2.5 hours to drive into Milford Sound for your nature cruise as you will want to stop along the way and take photos. Even if you weren't stopping I would still allow 2 hours as Google Maps does not take into account the windy roads and one-way sections of the road. There is free parking available on Deep Water Basin Road, this is a 20-minute walk from the terminal. Otherwise, if this is full there is a paid parking at the Milford sound terminal

Comment by: Everything New Zealand (Rhiannon) on 25th Jul 23 at 15:52

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Hello, I would like to book the Milford Sound nature cruise. I was wondering if this tour is wheelchair accessible and if so is it easy access , can the person sit by the window to see out?

Thanks for your inquiry. The Milford Sound Nature Cruise is wheelchair accessible, most of the boats have split levels so you will not be able to access the decks above but they do have space on the lower decks where there are windows so you will still be able to soak in the amazing views of the sounds. Getting onto the boat and into the terminal has wheelchair access so that would be no problem, if you do have some mobility we could also look into getting you up on the upper decks as well 

Comment by: Everything New Zealand (Rhiannon) on 25th Jul 23 at 15:54

Can we get a coach from Te Anau and return included in your tour? And what is the price?

Yes, you can get a coach transfer from Te Anau to Milford Sound for your Milford Nature Cruise.  Check out the following link for more information and prices.

http://www.everythingnewzealand.com/milford-sound-coach-and-cruise-real-journeys-milford-sound-226/

Comment by: Everything New Zealand (Rhiannon) on 3rd Dec 15 at 14:24

Hi, I know it seems like a silly question, but is the Milford Sound cruise rocky? Do people get sea sick?

Hi there, That's not a silly question at all. The Milford Sound boat cruise actually does not go out beyond the heads into the open ocean. It stays in the confines of the fiord (Sound) the entire time so there is little to no swell. It does however depends on the weather conditions of the day.

Comment by: Everything New Zealand (Callum) on 13th Jun 14 at 11:09

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Milford Sound Cruises

Now's Good!  It is the perfect time to experience spectacular Milford Sound. From thundering waterfalls to sky-high mountains and lush rainforests, Milford has it all. Experience the spray of a waterfall as you cruise close to sheer rock faces. Informative, participative, and relaxed, this is the perfect way to experience Milford Sound to the fullest.

Cruise in style on board the newly refurbished Milford Haven. More than a boat, the Haven is a cruising bar and restaurant. Enhance your cruise with something from our café-style menu and pair it perfectly with a fresh craft beer or local wine.

The Milford Haven boasts a large rooftop deck with 360-degree views of the fiord. You can also choose to explore the fiord from the comfort of the cosy lounge, or there is a window seat for everyone in the café.

Take in the view from our cosy indoor lounge, or relax outdoors on the rooftop deck.

Enjoy the Havens café-style menu, fresh craft beer and barista-made coffee.

Save 10% when you book a Milford Day Cruise. Use 'MILFORD10' at checkout.

Our nature guide will be on board to share stories about Piopiotahi and help you spot our famous locals wildlife.

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• The Milford Mariner Boat Milford Sound

Home » Milford Sound Cruises » The Milford Mariner Boat Milford Sound

The Milford Mariner boat, operating in Milford Sound, is owned and operated by Real Journeys, a reputable tourism company based in New Zealand. Real Journeys is known for its commitment to providing exceptional experiences in some of the country’s most stunning natural environments.

The Milford Mariner is a substantial vessel designed to accommodate passengers and provide a comfortable and enjoyable experience in Milford Sound. The boat measures approximately 45 meters (148 feet) in length, making it a sizeable craft that can navigate the waters of the sound with ease. Its spacious design allows for ample viewing areas, both indoors and outdoors, ensuring passengers have plenty of room to appreciate the breathtaking scenery.

The boat was launched in 1985, giving it a long-standing history of providing remarkable experiences in Milford Sound. Over the years, it has undergone regular maintenance and updates to ensure it meets modern safety standards and continues to offer a pleasant journey for its passengers. The Milford Mariner’s age signifies its reliability and enduring popularity among visitors.

The Milford Mariner offers accommodation options for both day trips and overnight voyages. For overnight travelers, the boat provides comfortable private cabins with en-suite bathrooms, allowing passengers to relax and unwind in a cozy onboard retreat. Day trippers can enjoy the spacious indoor and outdoor viewing areas without the overnight accommodation option.

Onboard, the Milford Mariner boasts a range of facilities to enhance passengers’ experience. It features a dining area where guests can savor delicious meals prepared by skilled onboard chefs. The boat also offers large windows and spacious decks to ensure uninterrupted views of Milford Sound’s awe-inspiring landscapes. Additionally, the vessel has knowledgeable crew members who provide insights into the region’s history, geology, and wildlife.

The Milford Mariner, owned by Real Journeys, offers an exceptional experience in Milford Sound. With its substantial size, comfortable accommodation options, and a range of onboard facilities, the boat ensures that passengers can fully appreciate the natural beauty of this iconic New Zealand destination.

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Great Volga Dream Cruise - Volga River

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As a Russian, I think I know every bend of it but this time around it was in Yaroslavl' that I... read more

Flight in to St Petersburg board boat after a fantastic city tour Russian people so so friendly. A... read more

Great Volga Dream Cruise

We booked the Gold Level cruise with Volga Dream. The standard of the hotels in both Moscow (St Regis) and St Petersburg (Kempinski) was outstanding, definitely 5 star. The local guides provided at Moscow and St Petersburg were both excellent. They spoke fluent English and certainly knew what that were talking about and more recentlythan happy to answer questions. The guides at the smaller towns/village were also quite good for the most part. We enjoyed our time on the ship. We had a mid-level room, so had full size windows rather than portholes but not as big as a suite. Whilst not very big we found it quite adequate and there was sufficient storage room. The bathroom was certainly on the small side but once again quite adequate. The shower cubicle is definitely on the smaller size so if this is important to you you really needed to upgrade to a suite where the shower is twice as big. The housekeeping staff proceed a daily service and a turndown service in the evening. The food on board was extremely good. I think nearly everyone has to go on a diet after finishing the cruise. The provision of an area where you could always get free coffee/tea and snacks was a very nice touch. The service provided by the staff was uniformly good. There was a good mix of nationalities (16 I believe) on board but for our particular cruise it was predominately Australian, Americans and Germans. There were activities each day of the cruise and special mention had to go to Dr. Ludmilla Seleznevs as the guest lecturer on Russian history and politics. Her lectures were a highlight of the trip and discussions at meal times. If booking this trip I suggest that you book Moscow to St Petersburg if possible as the scenery and sites get better and better when traveling that way. I would mention in regards to tipping (which is not included in the tour price) that once you start the cruise there is basically no access to an ATM so you really need to put some cash away for that. Quite a number of guests were struggling to find sufficient cash to give the staff as they had spent their cash buying souvenirs along the way. For whatever reason it is not possible to use your credit card for tipping. The only complaint that I would have is that the cost of the WiFi if not cheap and coverage is quite spotty as you are often cruising through areas with poor coverage. It is really only suitable for getting and sending emails and not for downloading anything. Regardless I would heartily recommend this trip for those who are interested in seeing a bit more of Russia than Moscow and St Petersburg.

We recently took a group of 17 New Zealanders on a cruise of the Volga River on the MS Lev Tolstoy, a typical river cruise boat. We found the trip to be far above our expectations - the trip was excellent. Our English speaking guide, a young lady, couldn't do enough for us, was very knowledgeable on all things Russian. All of the staff were friendly and helpful. The food was excellent, the off-shore visits interesting with good local guides and the shipboard entertainment and activities were plentiful. The cabins were quite small but they did take our luggage out of the room and store it and we managed very well. The beds were comfortable and the air-con easy to adjust. Cabin windows were also able to be opened. The tour started in St Petersburg and our group tour was well organised with large coaches picking us up from the wharf (no charge). We had a comprehensive city tour as well as a marvellous tour of the Hermitage. When we were off the boat for any full day we were taken to excellent restaurants for a 4-course lunch so that meant for the 10 days of the tour we never had to buy a meal. We were docked in St Petersburg for 3 nights giving plenty of time for the various tours, some of which were optional extras. The boat then travelled through the night along the river and by day we visited Peterhof, Mandrogi, Kizhi, Goritsy, Uglich, Yaroslavl. The local guides all spoke excellent English and were forthcoming regarding the "soviet times". All of these places were different and interesting but all had beautiful churches. Kizhi, particularly was quite an amazing island. Local markets were set up at the wharves in the above places and it was a bit disappointing to be rushed at this end of the day - our group would have like a bit more time to poke about the market stalls. The food on board was excellent, too excellent if anything, with plenty of variety for breakfast and lovely salads, breads and hot dishes for lunch. Dinner was also very nice, four courses, ordered the previous day, together with a glass of wine, beer or fruit juice. The dining room staff were very quick to assess our preferences and really looked after us - their English was lacking a bit but the interaction only made for a few laughs. The onboard entertainment was good, and there were Russian language lessons, dance lessons, painting of Russian dolls, exercise classes, a bridge tour, a treasure hunt and a pirates' dress-up evening. An enjoyable concert was held after the Captain's dinner with most of the passengers taking part. Being a group we had our own "drinks" sessions and there was no problem with us having our own drinks, in one of the larger cabins or out on the back deck. We had 3 nights in Moscow at the end of the cruise and the tours here were also excellent. I loved Moscow, having had a pre-conceived idea about it being a grey city with its citizens being solemn and mournful - not a bit of it - Moscow was colourful and vibrant and the locals smiling and friendly. I particularly loved the visit to the Metro stations with their amazing, varying art. I would recommend this cruise for sightseeing, good eating, good fun and variety and as a good all-round relaxing holiday.

I just came back from a cruise from St. Petersburg to Moscow with the "Volga Dream" First of all, the trip was very pleasant and instructive. There are some little things, however, which have not been so delightful. First of all, we were quite unlucky with boarding. The ship could not reach St Petersburg due to a heavy storm. So we had to make a trip of 400 km, partly through unpaved roads in the forest, and the whole trip took 9 1/2 hour from 3 PM to half past twelve a.m. On the first glance the ship looks okay, however, furniture partly has been heavily used and armchairs looks shabby. The real problem: The ship was built in the 50s (1957?) according to standards which don't fit into presence. The engines had been exchanged, but only according to the same completely outdated construction in Czechia. In the fifties apparently balance shafts were not state of the art. As a result, there are always strong vibrations coming from the three engines. So nobody could sleep the full night, and at the end of the trip everyone was very tired. The food is good, maybe not first class but okay. The service is super, and everyone was very friendly. Of course it was unpleasant that we had to pay eight dollars a day for the internet and the internet was very slow and sometimes did to not work. But most of the passengers were senior people who did not need WLAN A journey into the past: The ship is controlled in the old-fashioned way by commands of the bridge to the engine room. The excursion were very good and instructive. As a conclusion: A bit overpriced but a good experience.

Just returned from Russian Waterways tour with Value World Tours. MS Andre Rubelov. Cannot say enough about the service & experience of your tour guides , director, the structure of Value world tours, all of it was beyond my expectations traveling solo. I'm already planning my next trip.

We started from St. Petersburg. A wonderful city where we had almost full 4 days - accomodation was on a ship, far from the city center. There were city buses to take you to the end of Nevski prospect or to metro station. Tickets were cheap, but you need two and transfer would take some 40 minues if roads are not jammed. With organized sightseeing of city plus trip to Pushkinovo and Imperial palace there (marvelous) and Peterhof (skipped that as I have been there earlier, but this is also wonderful) just a walk along Nevski prospect (4.5 km) takes a good part of the day. Many of the churches wonderfully decorated. Plenty of restaurants, but everything saying café would prefer you having a lunch instead of coffee only. Try Soviet café (green and red chains), good meals and you can also try kvas, price mild to your pocket. We started our cruise in the evening of the fourth day, cruise took 5 days. Probably many will find this part boring, especially if the weather is bad. We had great weather and enjoyed small green islands or cities we visited, like Mandrogi, Kizhi, Goritsy, Uglich, Yaroslavl, but expect to spend 3-4 hours at most there, all the rest is cruise (1320 km from St. P. to Moscow, but some parts are overlapping). Thanks to nice weather we could be on the decks a lot, nature beautiful and there is some 800 km of woods - so calming and relaxing. Water may be cleaner or not so clean (brownish), but no litter at all in water or on the banks, unbelievable! Many locks on a way, interesting for kids (but other parts f the cruise probably not), musicians were pretty good, lady singer actually excellent and piano player very good (a student). Cabin was our biggest disappointment, but we have seen many other ships while docking and all had the cabins of the same size and style. It is like compartment in train, beds narrow and squeaky, not very comfortable. One person better lay on the bed while the other is walking around. This ship does not offer cabins for 3, have seen those on another ship, would not recommend that at all (cabin of the same size, just one extra bed is above the other bed). Toilet is small and you use it as a shower at the same time, so basically water drains but it stays kind of wet until next morning when room maid arrives. Smaller towels were changed daily, larger every 2-3 days. Cruise offers full board, meals were with a Russian touch, lots of beetroot, cabbage, not plentiful, but we liked it and it was enough (some in our group were not so enthusiastic with food, but they disliked some vegetables). Prices of coffee (100 rubles - 1.5 EUR) and drinks (Russian beer 130 rubles - 2 EUR) on board acceptable. Souvenirs on board too expensive. During the night, especially at lower speeds in canals, resonance may occur in the cabin preventing you of sleep - but strange enough, even my wife who is a light sleeper slept better than at home. In Moscow we had only a day and a half, to little to explore the city. Ship was at Northern river port, far away from center, but nearest metro station was 15 minutes walk and in 35 minutes by metro you can reach the Red Square. Overall I enjoyed this trip, but next time will go to these two cities by plane only. However, would be interested to try another river cruises in Russia, despite the limited comfort on aboard, which reminded me of my younger days and camping holidays. Coming with the group from Serbia the price we pay was great, I have seen some prices for the groups from Canada or USA, those were really expensive. Hope you get larger cabin for such a price - hope, but doubt it.

We had a wonderful holiday cruising down the Volga river on Lev tolstoy travelling from Moscow to St Petersburg.The ship is owned by a Russian company called vodohod.They have several ships.We booked a junior suite which was slightly bigger than standard rooms.Bathroom was a small cubicle with shower,toilet and wash basin. Everything was very clean .The food was exceptional. The staff and guides were very friendly and helpful.We met people from France,Spain Germany, China and few from UK. We were divided into different language groups with a guide for each group. We visited few small towns and villages along the way. Wifi was available at the library area .There was some entertainment on board. This cruise and visit to Moscow and St Petersburg made me think that everything you hear about Russia on newspapes is not true.Communism is gone and people are like anybody else. Only thing is they are not much exposed to foreigners mainly due to language problems but in tourist places they all spoke English ..

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Milford Sound Cruise - RealNZ

Milford Sound Cruise from Queenstown or Te Anau

Premium Milford Sound Cruise Including Lunch

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