Fiordland & Milford Sound

Milford Sound Cruise Including Underwater Observatory

Badge of ExcellenceMilford Sound, New Zealand
Milford Sound Cruise with Underwater Observatory and Lunch

From US$88.31

Select Date and Travelers

Free cancellation
Up to 24 hours in advance.
  • 3 hours
  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English

Overview

Discover the natural beauty and wildlife of the Milford Sound on a cruise that includes admission to the Milford Sound Underwater Observatory. Choose from several options for your cruise, depending on the amount of time you have available and the level of detail you desire. Get close to towering rock walls and waterfalls, and see the aquatic world through the windows of the observatory.
  • The most in depth cruise experience in Milford Sound
  • Milford Sound Underwater Observatory admission ticket provided
  • Complimentary tea and coffee.
  • Suitable for visitors of all ages

What's Included

  • Milford Sound Nature Cruise
  • Visit to the Milford Sound Underwater Observatory
  • Complimentary tea and coffee on board the boat
  • Alcoholic drinks, snacks and bottled water (available to purchase)
  • Transportation to/from attractions
  • On arrival at Milford Sound you can park at the Milford Sound carpark at a fee of $10 per hour.

Meeting And Pickup

Meeting point

  • Southern Discoveries - Milford Sound Visitor Centre
    Freshwater Basin, Milford Sound Highway 94, Milford Sound 9679, New Zealand

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Southern Discoveries - Milford Sound Visitor Centre

10 minutesAdmission Ticket Free

Milford Sound

2 hours Admission Ticket Free

Mitre Peak (Pass By)

Stirling Falls (Pass By)

Bowen Falls (Pass By)

Sinbad Gully (Pass By)

Southern Discoveries - Milford Sound Underwater Observatory

45 minutesAdmission Ticket Included

Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Please advise of your country of origin at the time of booking
  • Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
  • Service animals allowed
  • Commentary in English only, translation sheets on cruise highlights are provided on board cruise
  • Car Parking: On arrival at Milford Sound you can park at the Milford Sound carpark at a fee of $10 per hour. 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.
  • Most travelers can participate
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 75 travelers

Cancellation Policy

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

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

Traveler Photos

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Featured review
Majalia_M
We booked to celebrate my parents 50th anniversary ... they visited me from Canada. It was a very special celebration and they enjoyed every moment of the cruise as part of their South Island experience. I've been to Milford during Summer and recently during Winter to tour my family. Milford Sound will always be a breathtaking view!

Reviews

4.5
228 reviews
Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews
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0
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Reviews by Viator travelers.
Showing 1-10 of 228 reviews
do not miss it
Tina_L, Sept 2023
There are many spectacular waterfalls, you can see penguins and underwater fish, and the most unexpected thing is dolphins🐬
Great experience
Mike_G, Sept 2023
Very good trip- knowledgeable guide at underwater observatory . Very friendly staff on ship Even though we got a rainy day & couldn’t see the mountains, it was still a great experience
One of the few wonders of nature …
SanSan_L, Aug 2023
The beautiful scenery coupled with the good commentary from the captain is worth the trip to Milford Sound. We were also amazed by the wild life conservation effort undertaken at the area
Breathtaking Milford sound
Majalia_M, Aug 2023
We booked to celebrate my parents 50th anniversary ... they visited me from Canada. It was a very special celebration and they enjoyed every moment of the cruise as part of their South Island experience. I've been to Milford during Summer and recently during Winter to tour my family. Milford Sound will always be a breathtaking view!
Fantastic
Richard_B, Jul 2023
This is a great tour with a very complete supplied lunch, tea and coffee. The underwater observatory was very interesting.
Milford Sound is one of...
Takshay_S, Jul 2023
Milford Sound is one of the most breathtaking locations on Earth and it's worth spending a few days exploring it. Is it on your New Zealand bucket list?
Fantastic
Mark1212_X, Jul 2023
Incredible place even though the weather was bad, it has magic. Interesting explanation and ideal for traveling with children
Value for money fabulous cruise
EmilyandSimon_C, Jul 2023
Fabulous cruise on board a fabulous boat (covered outdoor top do you can still be outside if raining), great staff, yummy lunch, clean facilities. Observatory well worth the add on.
Awesome experience...
Stephen_K, Jul 2023
Awesome experience traveling with Southern Discoveries. The Captain of the boat was great. Beautiful place to visit.
the most memorials part...
Jorja_G, Jun 2023
the most memorials part of my experience was the waterfalls, seeing dolphins and the amount of information shared at the observatory
A wonderful cruise
Sahika_J, Jun 2023
Extremely happy with this cruise. It was informative, the captain made time to stop and point out things of interest including twice showing us some deals, and the underwater observatory was fantastic! Food provided was fresh and plentiful. We had a fabulous time, thank you!
Awesome👍
Sharon_V, Jun 2023
The stunning scenery and beautiful weather on the day. The underwater observatory was an added bonus & the staff there were very informative.
The worst Experience
Vinay_U, Jun 2023
I booked the cruise for 4th of June at 10 am. Me and my girlfriend planned the Queenstown trip for 3 nights and 2 days. On 3rd June, we left Christchurch in the morning and reached Queenstown around 7 pm. I received a message from the tour operator notifying me about Milford Sound road closure till 10 am the next day due to snowfall and assured a cruise later that day for those whose can make it. As I was driving, I didn't notice it until we reached Queenstown. We planned 2 days perfectly for the trip. On the 4th we booked an early cruise for 10 am and after that at 6:30pm we made reservations for dinner with our common friends as it was my girlfriend's birthday. On the second days we booked the shotover jet, onsen hot pools and ice skating and the rest of the time for shopping. Just when I noticed the email, I contacted the tour operator stating that we cannot make it to a later cruise. A total 8 hours drive back and fourth from Queenstown to Milford Sound and 2 hour cruise, we cannot make it back in time to our reservation if we leave Queenstown for the cruise at 10 am. I contacted the tour operator about this and they said they cannot process a refund. I understood the situation and kindly asked for voucher for us, that we can use later as it's not our fault. They asked me to contact viator about this and I did. At first the customer care told that they would do a refund. Then the next day they send me an email saying they cannot process a refund and to which I replied if they could give me a voucher. Within minutes, I received the email from another customer care executive saying after careful valuation, they cannot do the refund or issue a voucher for the same. I was charged 258 dollars for a service that I didn't receive and it's not our fault. The worst experience that I ever experienced.
A Must Do
Michelle_R, May 2023
A great cruise, good commentary, lovely staff. Picnic style lunch was good too. Underwater Observatory was very interesting too. Good value.
Breathtaking views and...
Sallydixon9, May 2023
Breathtaking views and the underwater discovery was a great bonus! Great staff and the captain did a terrific job narrating and giving us some up close encounters.
A very worthwhile experience
Merelyn_C, May 2023
Milford Sound is amazing and having the opportunity to explore by boat was so worthwhile. Seeing the seals, dolphins and bird life topped off the waterfalls and the mouth of the Sound to the Tasman Sea. The observatory was interesting and helped fill in the picture of the area. The picnic boxes were a great idea. We drove in by car and that also formed part of the wonder of the experience.
It was great! The large...
Anton_P, Apr 2023
It was great! The large boat where you can walk and look around. Free tea and coffee. Nice and really big lunch included. And also underwater observatory was awesome.
Fantastic experience!!
KekLian_P, Apr 2023
We had a beautiful day when we did the cruise so it made it. One grumble is that we could not hear the commentary very well. Lunch that was served was excellent and plentiful.
Milford
Jo_L, Apr 2023
Really nice, lovely picnic lunch. The waterfalls and the fiord itself are spectacular. Dolphins and seals along the way. The underwater observatory was a little lack lustre, very poor visibility and hardly any fish. It’s a long drive from Queenstown and back so be prepared for a full 12-13 hour day.
Great way to see the fyord.
Beth_M, Apr 2023
How close the captain got to everything. Also the underwater experience in the observatory. Stunning scenery.
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