Milford Sound Nature Cruise with Southern Discoveries
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
- Picnic lunch (if option selected)
- Nature Cruise of up to 2 hours
- Alcoholic beverages Alcoholic 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.
Meeting Location
Freshwater Basin
Milford Sound Highway 94, Milford Sound 9679, New Zealand
Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.
This activity ends back at the meeting point.
What To Expect
Make your way to the Milford Sound Visitor Centre, where you’re welcomed aboard the vessel.
Sip a hot cup of coffee or tea, and take advantage of spacious outdoor decks or the warm indoor seating with large viewing windows. Throughout the cruise you’ll pass glacier-carved rock walls, such as the 5,550-foot (1,692-meter) Mitre Peak, jutting up from the fjord. Due to the boat’s smaller size, your captain comes close enough to the tumbling waterfalls to offer a taste of the pure waters from the frothy cascades.
Search for fur seals, bottlenose dolphins, and Fiordland crested penguins as you listen to commentary about this postcard-perfect landscape in the UNESCO World Heritage–listed Fiordland National Park.
At the end of the cruise, your captain returns you to the Visitor Centre.
Additional Info
- 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
Frequently Asked Questions (9)
Q: Will I get seasick on Milford Sound Nature Cruise with Southern Discoveries?
Cancellation Policy
Still have questions?
We're here to help.
Activity code: C-3960NATURE
Traveler Photos
Reviews
Average 4.73 out of 5 stars based on 382 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor
Additional Info
Similar Tours & Activities
Premium small group tour including boutique Milford Sound cruise onboard a Milford Sound Cruise, and picnic lunch from Te Anau. There is no better way...
$176
Combine the magic of Fiordland's most popular Fiords into one flight. Departing from Milford Sound head in the direction of the world famous Milford Track...
$1,148
Premium small group tour including a boutique Milford Sound cruise designed for an immersive viewing experience, and picnic lunch from Queenstown. There is no better...
$211
Depart Milford Airport and track west along Milford Sound, climb alongside Bowen Falls and Mitre Peak for some great views of the sound and its...
$256
Premium small group tour including boutique Milford Sound cruise onboard a Milford Sound Cruise, and picnic lunch from Te Anau. There is no better way...
$176
Combine the magic of Fiordland's most popular Fiords into one flight. Departing from Milford Sound head in the direction of the world famous Milford Track...
$1,148
Premium small group tour including a boutique Milford Sound cruise designed for an immersive viewing experience, and picnic lunch from Queenstown. There is no better...
$211
Depart Milford Airport and track west along Milford Sound, climb alongside Bowen Falls and Mitre Peak for some great views of the sound and its...
$256
Travelers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought
Rated one of the Top 10 Experiences in New Zealand. Join our boutique small boat cruise and experience Milford Sound the "local" way. We limit...
$108
Premium small group tour including boutique Milford Sound cruise onboard a Milford Sound Cruise, and picnic lunch from Te Anau. There is no better way...
$176
Premium small group tour including a boutique Milford Sound cruise designed for an immersive viewing experience, and picnic lunch from Queenstown. There is no better...
$211
2-Hour Milford Sound Scenic Cruise
Enjoy a two hour cruise traversing the deep waters of Milford Sound, located in Fiordland. Your cruise will take you past St Anne’s lighthouse and...
$102
Rated one of the Top 10 Experiences in New Zealand. Join our boutique small boat cruise and experience Milford Sound the "local" way. We limit...
$108
Premium small group tour including boutique Milford Sound cruise onboard a Milford Sound Cruise, and picnic lunch from Te Anau. There is no better way...
$176
Premium small group tour including a boutique Milford Sound cruise designed for an immersive viewing experience, and picnic lunch from Queenstown. There is no better...
$211
Enjoy a two hour cruise traversing the deep waters of Milford Sound, located in Fiordland. Your cruise will take you past St Anne’s lighthouse and...
$102
Frequently Asked Questions (9)
The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from Cool Shore Excursions customers.
Filter by:
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.
Feb 2023- 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 (NZDT).
- 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 beverages. Alcoholic 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.
This tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Apr 2025There is no minimum age for this tour, so bring your wee one along for an adventure..
Apr 2025If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.
If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.
Apr 2025Accessibility information for the Milford Sound Nature Cruise with Southern Discoveries is as follows:
- Service animals allowed
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Milford Sound Nature Cruise with Southern Discoveries will be included in your confirmation email from Cool Shore Excursions. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!
Mar 2024Once your refund is processed, it usually shows on your card statement within 5–10 business days. The exact timing depends on your bank or card issuer.
Want it sooner? When you cancel, choose Receive a refund to my wallet instead. The credit is in your Wallet straight away and is applied automatically at checkout on your next booking when you’re signed in with the same email. You can see your balance any time in My Wallet.
If you paid part of your booking with Wallet credit, that part always goes back to your Wallet. Trip protection isn’t refundable.
Oct 2026What'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
- 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
- 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
