Milford Sound Nature Cruise
Overview
Immerse yourself in the breathtaking beauty of Milford Sound during an intimate boat cruise led by a specialized Nature Guide. On board a smaller-sized vessel than typical Milford Sound cruises, enjoy indoor and outdoor observation decks that provide fantastic photo opportunities of this famous South Island natural wonder, inside New Zealand's World Heritage–listed Fiordland National Park. Stay on the water longer than most other tours, and get close to the waterfalls and other natural features that give the sound its nickname, the Eighth Wonder of the World. Our vessels are all purpose built for viewing - providing you with unbeatable viewing capabilities from our full height viewing windows and 360º viewing decks.
Inclusions
- Live commentary on board from our passionate skipper
- FREE Tea and coffee
- Picnic lunch (if option selected)
- Nature Cruise
- Entry/Admission - Fiordland National Park (Te Wahipounamu)
What to expect
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Southern Discoveries - Milford Sound Visitor Centre, Freshwater Basin, Milford Sound Highway 94, Milford Sound 9679, New Zealand
Your journey starts here, check in with friendly staff at least 15 minutes prior to departure.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Fiordland National Park (Te Wahipounamu), Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre, Te Anau, Fiordland National Park New Zealand
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.
Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes
Pass By: Milford Sound, Milford Sound, Southland Region, South Island
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.
Pass By: Bowen Falls, Fiordland National Park, Milford Sound 9679 New Zealand
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.
Pass By: Mitre Peak, Fiordland National Park New Zealand
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.
Pass By: Sinbad Gully, Southland 9679, New Zealand
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.
Pass By: Stirling Falls, Milford Sound New Zealand
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.
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Southern Discoveries - Milford Sound Visitor Centre, Freshwater Basin, Milford Sound Highway 94, Milford Sound 9679, New Zealand
Your journey starts here, check in with friendly staff at least 15 minutes prior to departure.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Fiordland National Park (Te Wahipounamu), Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre, Te Anau, Fiordland National Park New Zealand
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.
Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes
Pass By: Milford Sound, Milford Sound, Southland Region, South Island
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.
Pass By: Bowen Falls, Fiordland National Park, Milford Sound 9679 New Zealand
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.
Pass By: Mitre Peak, Fiordland National Park New Zealand
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.
Pass By: Sinbad Gully, Southland 9679, New Zealand
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.
Pass By: Stirling Falls, Milford Sound New Zealand
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.
Additional information
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Infant seats available
- Most travelers can participate
- 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 experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 200 travelers
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Ticket delivery
You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start time of the experience.
rachel_b
April 2022
Great tour, absolutely stunning part of the country. Made even better by the super friendly crew, who had lots of super interesting facts and stories of the area.
Great tour, absolutely stunning part of the country. Made even better by the super friendly crew, who had lots of super interesting facts and stories of the area.Memoryla
January 2022
Have had a very good trip. Because it was a very small group, we were in a mini bus which was fine. Had more stops than on schedule as the big bus is more limited in parking and less people. The ability to have so many more photo stops was wonderful. The Nature Cruise was well presented and perfe...
Have had a very good trip. Because it was a very small group, we were in a mini bus which was fine. Had more stops than on schedule as the big bus is more limited in parking and less people. The ability to have so many more photo stops was wonderful. The Nature Cruise was well presented and perfect weather. Again smaller number of people on board. The scenery truly stunning. The guides were all knowledgeable.gabriellap147
March 2022
Milford Sound is stunning! The staff were lovely and knowledgeable and the views during the cruise are incredible and I definitely think it is great value for money. The captain took us into one of the waterfalls which was good fun!
Milford Sound is stunning! The staff were lovely and knowledgeable and the views during the cruise are incredible and I definitely think it is great value for money. The captain took us into one of the waterfalls which was good fun!MoMoW104
March 2022
Had an amazing time. Stopped at some epic places to take photos. Bus driver was really knowledgeable. Milford Sound is breathtaking.
Had an amazing time. Stopped at some epic places to take photos. Bus driver was really knowledgeable. Milford Sound is breathtaking.shyniesed
March 2022
My partner and I did the southern discoveries boat trip yesterday on the 11th of March. I’m a kiwi myself and was absolutely blown away by how BEAUTIFUL the scenery was and that it was part of my own country. We even got to watch dolphins racing beside our boat! The staff were AWESOME and very fr...
My partner and I did the southern discoveries boat trip yesterday on the 11th of March. I’m a kiwi myself and was absolutely blown away by how BEAUTIFUL the scenery was and that it was part of my own country. We even got to watch dolphins racing beside our boat! The staff were AWESOME and very friendly. The skipper had so much knowledge about the surroundings and it was overall the best experience I have EVER had. A memory to never forget. Thanks team!VijayfromNZ
March 2022
Was a great trip, friendly crew, great knowledge of the area. We saw at least 8 seals on the trip which kept the kids happy. The spray from the waterfall was a highlight for the kids also. Great scenery through the Sounds, would definitely recommend this cruise to anybody visiting the lower South...
Was a great trip, friendly crew, great knowledge of the area. We saw at least 8 seals on the trip which kept the kids happy. The spray from the waterfall was a highlight for the kids also. Great scenery through the Sounds, would definitely recommend this cruise to anybody visiting the lower South Island.