Milford Sound cruises and tours

Visitors to Milford Sound should be aware of various natural hazards when going to Milford Sound. 

Aotearoa New Zealand

• Powerful natural forces have shaped Aotearoa New Zealand over millions of years. Earthquakes and volcanoes lifted these beautiful islands out of the Pacific Ocean. They have created the dramatic landscapes we enjoy today.
• Natural hazards are part of life here. Around 20,000 earthquakes are recorded each year. Most are small and go unnoticed, but larger events can cause damage. Understanding the hazards and how to stay safe is an important part of planning your visit. 

Piopiotahi Milford Sound

• Dramatic and ever-changing, Piopiotahi Milford Sound is one of the world’s most spectacular and special environments. Its steep, glacier-carved mountains and deep fiord have been shaped by powerful geological forces over millions of years.
• The area is exposed to risk from a range of natural hazards. These can occur at any time, and some can happen without warning. Of all the hazards, large earthquakes, landslides and tsunamis pose the greatest risk to people at Piopiotahi Milford Sound.
• It is extremely unlikely that one will happen during your visit, especially for a short stay. However, there is a risk and the longer you spend there, the higher it becomes. Once you are there, your safety options are limited and it is important you understand the risks, before you go.

Earthquakes at Piopiotahi Milford Sound

• Like the rest of Aotearoa New Zealand, small earthquakes occur regularly in Fiordland. We don’t feel them and they don’t bother us. These small movements are a normal part of how the land works and do not pose a risk to people.
• Sometimes, earthquakes in or near Fiordland are felt at Piopiotahi Milford Sound. They might shake objects on a shelf or rattle a window, but they do not cause major impacts or disrupt your visit.
• Occasionally, a stronger earthquake can trigger avalanches, rockfall or landslides. These can cause debris to fall onto roads, jetties and tracks, and may disrupt your travel plans if you happen to be nearby.
• Large earthquakes are rare, and extremely unlikely to happen during a short visit. But they will happen again.
• The Alpine Fault runs almost the entire length of the South Island and crosses the entrance to Piopiotahi Milford Sound. It can generate earthquakes of magnitude 8 or greater, occurring on average every 300 years. There is a 75% chance of this happening in the next 50 years (find out more at af8.org.nz). An earthquake of this size would almost certainly affect the narrow waterway and surrounding area.

What to do in an earthquake:

• DROP, COVER and HOLD until shaking stops. Most injuries from earthquakes happen when you try and move during the shaking. The lower to the ground/floor you are, the less likely you are to be injured.
• Follow staff instructions and/or move up and away from waterways (the fiord and rivers) as quickly as possible.

Landslides at Piopiotahi Milford Sound

• The steep mountains around Piopiotahi Milford Sound are prone to rockfall and landslides. Earthquakes and severe weather can make the cliffs unstable, sending rock and debris down at speed.
• Smaller rockfalls are common but often go unnoticed, unless you are nearby.
• Bigger landslides do not happen often. The chance of one occurring during a short visit is extremely unlikely. However, they could cause a tsunami in the fiord and do pose a risk to life at Piopiotahi Milford Sound.
• Large earthquakes are the most common trigger of big landslides in Fiordland. A large earthquake during your visit is extremely unlikely, especially for a short stay.

Be prepared for landslides

• Take extra supplies, food, water, first aid, clothes in your vehicle when travelling in remote areas, in case you get stuck – The road from Te Anau to Piopiotahi Milford Sound, is prone to avalanches, rockfall and landslides. It is monitored 24/7 by the Milford Road Alliance. However, if you get stuck, it will take time for help to reach you. Having extra supplies in your vehicle will make the wait time more comfortable.
• If you see or hear a landslide entering the water, dust clouds, loud rumbling, or splashing. Follow staff instructions and/or move up and away from waterways (the fiord and rivers) as quickly as possible.

Tsunami at Piopiotahi Milford Sound

• Like all of Aotearoa New Zealand’s coastline, Piopiotahi Milford Sound is at risk of tsunami from multiple sources.
• The most common threat comes from distant earthquakes in the Pacific Ocean. These ocean-source tsunamis take hours to reach our shores. Official warnings are issued in time for people to move to safety.
• Less common, but of more concern, is the potential for a large landslide to fall into the fiord and trigger a tsunami.
• Landslide-triggered tsunamis are rare. The chance of one occurring during your visit is extremely unlikely. However, they can create large waves and do pose a risk to life at Piopiotahi Milford Sound.

Be prepared for tsunamis

• Triggered by an earthquake – If you feel a LONG (1 minute or more) or STRONG (cannot stand up) earthquake, while at Piopiotahi Milford Sound, Get GONE. Move up and away from waterways (the fiord and rivers) as quickly as possible.
• Triggered by a landslide – If you see or hear a landslide entering the water, dust clouds, loud rumbling, splashing or unusual water behavior, GET GONE. Move up and away from waterways (the fiord and rivers) as quickly as possible.

Plans and preparedness

• Piopiotahi Milford Sound has emergency response plans. These coordinate multiple agencies in a State or Emergency. The plans cover earthquakes, tsunami, landslides, avalanches, flooding, severe weather and other emergencies.
• All tourism operators maintain their own emergency procedures. These integrate with the wider response in a State of Emergency.
• If a large landslide triggers a tsunami, there will be no warning. Emergency support will take time to arrive. Visitors and workers should be aware of the risk to life and prepared to move up and away from waterways (the fiord and rivers) as quickly as possible.

For more detailed information, please visit Emergency Management Southland or AF8.

If you have a particular date in mind for your Milford Sound adventure, it's crucial to plan. We strongly advise booking your tours, accommodations, and cruises in advance to secure your preferred dates and avoid any potential disappointment. For those with flexible travel dates, there may be some flexibility in booking closer to your desired time. Keep in mind that Milford Sound’s peak season is summer, so the sooner you book, the better.

At RealNZ, we have numerous Milford Sound cruises for you to choose from.

First, select what kind of experience you want, choose from our day cruises, a premium cruise, or an overnight cruise.

If you’ve selected a day cruise, you can choose how you cruise from our fleet of vessels, which all offer slightly different cruising experiences, departure times, and food menus.

You can do Milford Sound in a day with various transport options. The most popular choice is a Coach Day trip from Queenstown or Te Anau, allowing you to return in time for dinner. For a quicker option, consider a scenic flight to Milford Sound from Queenstown, saving up to 9 hours of travel time and offering even more stunning views.

All Milford Sound cruises depart from the centrally located Milford Sound Visitor Terminal and return to the same point. You can find the terminal at Milford Sound Visitor Terminal, Milford Sound 9679, and contact them at +64 3 249 6000.

The Milford Sound cruise sets off from the Visitor Terminal and travels up one side of the fiord out to the Tasman Sea, before returning to the Terminal along the other side. This is to make sure you don’t miss out on any spectacular waterfalls, mountain views, and wildlife.

Going on a Milford Sound cruise gives you the unique opportunity to encounter native wildlife living in this remote paradise. There might be playful Keas, Fiordland crested penguins, chatty dolphins, graceful albatross, and relaxed NZ fur seals. However, it's essential to appreciate that these creatures are wild, often unpredictable, and some are facing decline. While knowledgeable nature guides will search for wildlife, the animals’ spontaneity means sightings are not guaranteed. A journey into Milford Sound offers a chance to connect with the natural world, and each sighting becomes a testament to the untamed beauty of this incredible environment.

Aside from road closure due to snow, the Milford Sound cruise is likely to go ahead in most weather. Very strong wind is usually the only weather to cause cancellations, but Milford Sound is typically sheltered from wind and rough tides. In Milford Sound, we welcome heavy rain, as it brings out the hundreds of waterfalls.

When informed in advance about guests with hindered mobility, we make every effort to accommodate their needs -  including assigning seating in proximity to main areas. However, please note that all our vessels have at least one sea sill that guests will need to navigate, and none have fully accessible bathrooms onboard. Accessible bathrooms are available at the Milford terminal. Below is a summary of each boat's accessibility:

Milford Sound Signature Cruise boats

• Milford Haven: The Haven is wheelchair accessible via ramps, suitable for wheelchairs and mobility scooters under 90 cm wide. There is an accessible bathroom onboard. An outdoor viewing area is available on the main deck, though this requires stepping over a sea sill and space may be limited for turning. Seating is assigned on this vessel.
• Milford Mariner: The Mariner is not recommended for wheelchair users, as there are no ramps and guests must climb approximately 20 stairs to board. Guests with limited mobility may still be accommodated, provided they are able to manage stairs. Sea sills are present when accessing the outdoor decks, and bathrooms are located upstairs on the main deck and outside areas.

Milford Sound Classic Cruise boats

• Sovereign: The Sovereign is our most accessible vessel, featuring wider ramps of 150 cm that can accommodate mobility scooters. There is an accessible bathroom on the main deck, though ramps are required to reach it due to high sea sills, with crew assistance available once onboard. Seating is assigned for guest comfort, and the bar is located on the main floor. Buffet selection and coffee service from the upper deck can be assisted by crew or companions.
• Monarch: The Monarch is not suitable for wheelchair users, as there are no ramps and guests must step over a sea sill when boarding. Guests with limited mobility may potentially be accommodated, but stair use is required to access bathrooms, which are located upstairs or downstairs.

Milford Sound Premium Cruise & Business Class boat

• Sinbad: The Sinbad has no ramps, and guests must step over a large sea sill to board. Guests with limited mobility may be accommodated, though some mobility is required to navigate the vessel.

For more information, or to request a specific boat for your cruise, please contact us at 0800 65 65 01 or [email protected].

Both paid and free parking are available in Milford Sound. The main car park in Milford Sound is the closest to the Visitor Terminal and is clearly signposted as you enter the small village centre. It is only a 5 - 10-minute walk along a beautiful path with views of the fiord and costs an hourly rate of $10. The free parking is slightly further away from the Milford Sound Visitor Terminal, about a 25-minute stroll along a scenic forested pathway and is located at Deepwater Basin Road. You should allow 45 minutes to 1 hour to park your vehicle and transfer to the Milford Sound Visitor Terminal, where you should check-in for your cruise 20 minutes prior to departure.

Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound are both fiords in Fiordland National Park. Milford Sound is immense, with dramatic towering mountains, and plenty of waterfalls tumbling from cliffs. Doubtful Sound on the other hand is three times longer than Milford Sound, with more arms, lush greenery, and native wildlife. Milford Sound is reachable by car the entire way, while Doubtful Sound requires a boat and coach transfer due to its secluded location.

Our Milford Sound Signature Cruise, Milford Sound Classic cruise, Milford Sound Day Trip from Queenstown and Milford Sound Day Trip from Te Anau all have a 24-hour cancellation policy for bookings made directly with RealNZ. Reschedules or refunds will be given in the event of a cancellation, and amendments can be made to your booking when RealNZ receives notification at least 24 hours prior (NZ time) to your departure time.

Milford Sound Premium Cruise and Milford Sound Business Class require 48 hours notice for cancellations or reschedules.

Milford Sound Overnight Cruises require 14 days notice prior to departure for cancellations or reschedules.

RealNZ cruises operate in most conditions, and heavy rain can  often enhance the experience. In rare cases of severe weather, schedules may change and we will contact guests with options - including a full refund.