Day Cruises in Queenstown

Travel to the Tasman Sea on a 2-hour Milford Sound cruise aboard the 'Milford Mariner' or 'Milford Wanderer.' Pass by the world-renowned Mitre Peak and drift alongside rushing waterfalls as you search for wildlife including New Zealand fur seals, dolphins and Fiordland-crested penguins. An onboard nature specialist provides expert commentary. Hotel pickup and drop-off are available from Milford Sound, Queenstown and Te Anau by luxury coach.

This 2.5-hour Milford Sound cruise in UNESCO-listed Fiordland National Park stops at the Milford Discovery Centre and Underwater Observatory, accessible only by boat. Your midday cruise on a smaller boat travels outside of peak hours, offering prime viewing and more time on the water than other tours. Hear informative commentary from naturalist guides on board, and enjoy a provided picnic lunch. Upgrade to include a 1-hour kayak excursion and paddle Harrison Cove in a small-group limited to 12 people.

Board a Milford Sound cruise and ride a vintage steamship across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak High Country Farm on this Queenstown Super Saver. You'll take each tour on two separate days, soaking up the breathtaking alpine landscapes of the South Island. First, spot marine life as your experienced skipper navigates the serene waters of the UNESCO-listed Fiordland. The next day, enjoy typical New Zealand hospitality at a rural farm with wool spinning, sheep sheering and either morning or afternoon tea.

See the Eighth Wonder of the World on a Milford Sound cruise, led by a naturalist guide. Gliding past granite walls, glacier-fed waterfalls and stunning Mitre Peak aboard a smaller-sized vessel than most Milford Sound cruises, you’ll have great photo ops of this famous South Island attraction situated within the UNESCO-listed Fiordland National Park. Stay on the water for just over 2 hours, and be on the lookout for Fiordland crested penguins and bottlenose dolphins.

See Milford Sound by air and water, flying round-trip from Queenstown for a small-craft boat cruise through the famous fiord. Save time on this half-day tour as you soar over the World Heritage–listed  landscape of Fiordland National Park. Landing at Milford Sound, trade your wings for watercraft and a sightseeing journey with experienced naturalists. You’ll learn about the wildlife and geology of the scenic waterways at one of New Zealand’s top natural wonders. Includes round-trip hotel transfers and a boxed lunch.

Escape the crowds on a Milford Sound cruise aboard a spacious boat with a limited number of passengers. Get up-close views of New Zealand fur seals, dolphins and Fiordland-crested penguins from the luxury lounge in the upper cabin, where you can enjoy complimentary coffee, tea and biscuits as you listen to the skipper's narration. This boutique vessel provides a superior experience with unforgettable memories of highlights like Mitre Peak.

The UNESCO-listed Milford Sound is the postcard icon of New Zealand's South Island - a dramatic fjord, ringed by jagged cliffs and cascading waterfalls. This 2-hour cruise checks off all the highlights, affording spectacular views of Bowen Falls, Sinbad Gully, and Mount Pembroke; passing the mighty Mitre Peak; and gliding out along the Tasman Sea coast.

Don't miss out on the opportunity to take a Milford Sound cruise while visiting UNESCO-listed Fiordland National Park. Departing from Milford Wharf, this boat cruise glides past snow-capped Mitre Peak and waterfalls cascading down steep-walled mountains that rise straight up from the water. See Bowen Falls, Stirling Falls and Seal Point while searching the deep fiord for marine life including bottlenose dolphins and New Zealand fur seals.

Cruise around two of the South Island's most scenic waterways with this Queenstown Super Saver that takes place over two days. First, cross Lake Manapouri and Wilmot Pass to Doubtful Sound for a 3-hour catamaran cruise; search for wildlife in the pristine wilderness flanked by forested peaks and waterfalls. The next day, board a vintage steamship for a ride across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak High Country Farm. Enjoy New Zealand hospitality with morning or afternoon tea and get an up-close look at rural life.