Milford Sound

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Milford Sound: Tours & Tickets

See all tours & things to do in Milford Sound

Top 5 ways to experience Milford Sound

New Zealand's breathtaking fjord is one of the world's top destinations. Rudyard Kipling once described it as the 8th Wonder of the World, and he hadn't even seen it in all the ways available to you! Which of these takes your fancy?

  • Boat

    1. Boat

    From Mitre Peak to the waterfalls and rainforest, a scenic cruise of the fjord is the best way to capture its magnificence on camera!

  • Kayak

    2. Kayak

    Kayak tours are great for exploring the nooks and crannies that bigger boats can't reach. Perfect for seeing dolphins, seals, and even penguins!

  • Hike

    3. Hike

    Milford Sound is rife with hiking trails for all ability levels, so anyone can discover its mountainous panoramas and lush vegetation for themselves!

  • Flight

    4. Flight

    Not the cheapest options of course, but light plane and helicopter tours reveal the time-sculpted landscape at its most awe-inspiring!

  • Dive

    5. Dive

    Milford Sound is arguably the most beautiful place on earth, and that's only above the water! Hire a diving instructor to help reveal the dazzling secrets beneath it!

Planning Your Visit

  • Best time to visit?

    Peak Season is around the new year when New Zealand's South Island is at its warmest. It never gets hot per se, but if your priority is avoiding the crowds and high prices then go in fall between March and May. Beware though, Milford Sound is one of the wettest inhabited places in the world, and the rain can be freezing in spring and fall, even on warm days!

  • What to wear?

    Be sure to bring a good rain coat and sturdy, waterproof walking boots, even if you're not going on a hike. Remember that rain is part of the experience! Wrap up warm if you're going on a cruise. If you're not, it's worth packing a few extra layers anyway just in case the temperatures drop suddenly.

  • What to bring?

    We recommend that you pack light, but bring a water bottle, protection against the sun, and most importantly, insect repellant. You should probably take your camera too!

Good to know

  • When should I visit?
    Always open.
  • Is it expensive?
    Ticket prices vary based on the type of activities possible, like kayaking, boating and flying.
  • Will I need a guide?
    A guided tour of the area is a great idea and there are many options and activities available!
  • How to get there
    Milford Sound is 295km from Queenstown and 121km from Te Anau. It is a 5-hour journey from Queenstown and can be challenging to get to at times, so taking a tour is recommended.
  • Additional information

    • Be prepared for rapid changes in weather, insects and sun exposure!

    • Pack light, but make sure you have water and a couple layers of clothing.

What people are saying about Milford Sound

Overall rating

4.7 / 5

based on 2,455 reviews

Pick up was on time and everything went smoothly. We enjoyed every aspect of the trip. The other passengers were friendly and Andy, the driver/ host was top class. His friendly commentary ensured a good day. Small numbers made the trip even better as we felt we had a personal guide. A long day but worth it in every way and would certainly recommend using a commercial operator to do this trip from Queenstown and would certainly recommend this company.

Milford Sound: Premium Small Group Tour from Queenstown Reviewed by Ron, 4/7/2021

Helpful?

We enjoyed our bus tour and Milford Sound cruise immensely. Our bus driver was so helpful and informative, he was extremely friendly and made our bus right journey most enjoyable. We had awesome views of the Sounds, even going under a waterfall, it was thrilling more so because of customer requests he took us under for a second time

From Te Anau: 1-Day Milford Sound Coach & Cruise Reviewed by Jill, 3/31/2021

Helpful?

An excellent relaxing way to see Milford Sounds and surrounding area. The boat cruise is excellent. Bus driver (guide) was very knowledgeable with the history of the area and great at engaging with all passengers. Buses are very comfortable and give you excellent views of the scenery. Highly recommended.

From Te Anau: 1-Day Milford Sound Coach & Cruise Reviewed by Anonymous, 4/5/2021

Helpful?

We had the most wonderful trip from Te Anau to Milford Sounds due to our driver today. This man said it all with information and humour. Our trip by boat was awesome with the most fantastic sights waterfalls like the mountains weeping.

From Te Anau: 1-Day Milford Sound Coach & Cruise Reviewed by Julie, 4/10/2021

Helpful?

Great bus driver. Kept us informed about history and landmarks on way to Milford. Capt did the same on boat. They put on perfect weather and even got rid of the sandflies for us. Would recommend to anyone wanting an experience.

From Te Anau: 1-Day Milford Sound Coach & Cruise Reviewed by Anonymous, 4/2/2021

Helpful?

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