Fiordland & Milford Sound

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Milford Sound Scenic Flight and Nature Cruise

Name: Milford Sound Scenic Flight and Nature Cruise
Brand: Southern Discoveries
SKU: 3960MSNAT
Price: 377.06 USD
Rating: 5.0 (56 reviews)

Fiordland & Milford Sound, New Zealand

4 hours 30 minutes
Pickup offered
Offered in: English

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Overview

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. 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.

Half-day Milford Sound tour from Queenstown by air and water
Enjoy great views of Milford Sound during a scenic flight
Appreciate the grandeur of UNESCO World Heritage–listed Fiordland National Park, part of Te Wahipounamu
Wind through the waterways of the sound on a smaller boat that provides an up-close look at cliff walls
Taste pure glacier water at one of the waterfalls
Learn about the region from the pilot and boat crew
Includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Queenstown

What's Included

Round-trip Scenic flight
1hr 45min Nature Cruise with 360° viewing decks
Free tea and coffee
Live commentary on board from a specialized Nature Guide
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Picnic Lunch included on 11:30am Departure Only
All Fees and Taxes

Snacks
Alcoholic Beverages

Meeting and Pickup

You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup

Meeting point

Milford Sound, Milford Sound, Southland Region, South Island
Air Milford Hangar, near Remarkables Park Shopping Centre. 3 Tex Smith Lane, Frankton, Queenstown 9300

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Pickup details

Please call the flight partner 1 hour 15minutes prior to the flight on the day of travel for the final weather check. The contact information is provided on the booking details.

What To Expect

Take a once-in-a-lifetime journey to Milford Sound, one of the South Island’s top destinations. Your half-day tour begins with hotel pickup in Queenstown and a transfer to the airport for check-in and a safety briefing.

Taking off to Milford Sound, your pilot narrates the natural wonders located within Fiordland National Park, part of the UNESCO-listed region of Te Wahipounamu. Peer through the aircraft’s large windows for optimal viewing of the unfolding scene below, including blue waterways that cut through the dramatic, snow-dusted Southern Alps.

After a gentle landing at the airstrip in Milford Sound, swap your plane for a boat, which carries a maximum of 75 passengers compared to a typical 300. The smaller-sized craft allows your captain to bring the boat up close to majestic cliff faces and cascades.

Expert naturalists inform you about Milford Sound’s geology and any wildlife sightings including fur seals, bottlenose dolphins, and Fiordland crested penguins. Snap photos of Mitre Peak and taste pure water from the glacial melt at Stirling Falls.

You have the option to pre-order a boxed lunch to be served during your cruise (sample menu below); otherwise, purchase a meal or snack from the onboard cafe. Complimentary tea and coffee are provided to warm you throughout the cruise.

If you’re interested in learning about boat operations firsthand, be sure to visit the captain’s bridge during the return voyage. Then disembark on shore for the scenic flight back to Queenstown, where you’ll make a ground transfer back to your hotel.

Sample boxed lunch menu (subject to change):
• Ham and cheese roll
• Chicken drumstick
• Seasonal salad with dressing
• Soup and bread (winter only)
• Cheese and crackers
• Packaged biscuit
• Chocolate bar
• Juice, tea, and coffee

Air Milford

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Queenstown

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Fiordland National Park

2 hours 10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Milford Sound

2 hours • Admission Ticket Free

Southern Alps (Pass By)

Southern Discoveries - Milford Sound Visitor Centre

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Stirling Falls (Pass By)

Mitre Peak (Pass By)

Sinbad Gully (Pass By)

Bowen Falls (Pass By)

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not wheelchair accessible
Infants must sit on laps

Please advise of your country of origin at the time of booking
Please bring a warm, waterproof jacket, and wear non-slip shoes, insect repellent and sun protection
Most travelers can participate
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers

Cancellation Policy

This experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded.

This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Reviews

5.0

56 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

We perform checks on reviews

Showing 1-10 of 56 reviews

Definitely Worth It

Timothy_S, Mar 2024

The scenic flight was incredible. A nice small group of people sharing some amazing views. The pilot was friendly and informative.

Anyone can fly with Mildford Air's pilots! They are terrific!!!!!

Ka_P, Jan 2024

Milldford Air is one of the best flight companies we have experienced, ever. The pilots are engaging, super friendly, and are amazing with time, their knowledge of Mildford Sound, the surrounding areas, and of course, are terrific navigators. Just super pilots!!!!!

Stunning landscape photography chance

Jin_L, Jan 2024

Best scenic experience ever! If you love amazing landscapes, you can’t miss it! The flight was about 30+ minutes each way. And the cruise was around 2 hours. Again, the view from the plane was stunning!

A great day out!

Lisa_C, Dec 2023

This was an exceptional tour. The flight out and back from milford sound was absolutely amazing. The weather happened to be fabulous the same day. Milford sound was gorgeous too. All the staff were lovely and our pilot Tom was a Gem. I would highly reccommend this tour.

Fantastic experience!

Rianna_S, Dec 2023

We thought the experience was well worth the money. The plane was very cute and the journey out to Milford Sound and back was absolutely stunning! The cruise was fine (although a little cold) and it was great to see some wildlife as well as Milford Sound from the water. Would really recommend it to anyone wanting to see Milford Sound.

Spectacular!

SamMeganWilkes, Nov 2023

My husband and I absolutely loved this experience, the cruise was great but the flight hands down was the highlight. The scenery was spectacular!! Our pilot Ants was friendly, informative and helpful and really showcased the area. Will be recommending this trip to everyone

Fabulous

Lisa_R, Nov 2023

Our flight down and back with Emma from Air Milford was incredible and she was an awesome pilot and guide ! Cheers

Highly recommended!!

Philip_A, Nov 2023

Amazing views, professional staff and a wonderful time!!! The Milford Sound flight and cruise is a wonderful experience.

The trip of trips

Kevin_E, Oct 2023

This experience is a "must do" at least once in your life. Experiencing this trip from the air was incredible.

Aerial few of south island and Milford Sounf

Michael_L, Oct 2023

Great pilot View of mountains waterfalls the diversity of the view was great. Felt very secure and safe.

No better way to see Milford

Lawrence_W, Sep 2023

Excellent family run company that was very knowledgeable and professional. Flight was extremely smooth this easy takeoff landing

Most unforgettable trip moment in NZ

Susan_H, Aug 2023

This was the most beautiful and meaning time we had in New Zealand. The tour company was very friendly and knowledgeable about the area. I loved that it was a family run company. The views from the airplane were incredible and the ferry ride was excellent even though we did it in the winter months we dressed for the occasion. If you come to NZ don’t miss this opportunity to see one of the 8th wonders of the world. Also, take this flight and forget the long bus ride.

Views on top of views

Fiona_R, Jul 2023

What a beautiful place and what an amazing way to get there! The flight over the mountains was amazing and so worth the extra money (plus much quicker than the 5 hour coach trip). Our pilots were super friendly and did a great job. Milford sound was as amazing as you would expect it. The cruise was lovely although cold but I managed to stay outside the whole time to enjoy the views. Very smooth sailing. I highly recommend this!

Trip of a lifetime

Paula_C, Apr 2023

An unforgettable trip of a lifetime. Every element of this trip was perfect. Communication with this family run company was excellent with regular updates about the weather etc. The pilot made us all feel very safe and gave a wonderful commentary throughout the flight, explaining the stunning geography and history of the region as we flew into Milford Sound. The cruise was perfect and seeing the seals and bottlenose dolphins was the icing on the cake. If we are ever fortunate enough to visit NZ again, we will definitely book this trip through this company again.

Amazing experience!!

Don_B, Mar 2023

From start to finish this trip was well organized and top quality. Thank you Ant for the smooth flight and accompanied narrative!

Stunning flight to Queenstown

Paul_P, Feb 2023

Fantastic views of lakes, mountains and glaciers. The flight saved 7 hours of driving. Unfortunately, cruise was cancelled as pilot needed to return to Queenstown before bad weather came in from the west.

You gotta do this!

Brett_H, Jan 2023

We've done a lot on our trip to NZ, but Air Milford has been the highlight! You have to see Milford sound with Air Milford - there is nothing else in the world like it!! We were pretty nervous fly, but even in a bit of rough weather, we felt safe and knew everything that was going on. It was an experience we will never forget!

Spectacular Experience

Dan_C, Dec 2022

Taking the flight to Milford Sound was a great decision and experience. The views during the flight were amazing. Taking 8 hours off our travel time for the day doesn’t hurt either. The cruise was lovely and the fjord was stunning. Definitely one of the highlights of my family holiday.

This is a great...

Josee_S, Dec 2022

This is a great experience. Definitely worth the money to pay for the flight. The team was so nice and informative.

Best day out

John_A, Nov 2022

A pure pleasure from the start in Queenstown via the guided cruise to the final return to Queenstown. Pilots, guides, company, facilities are all top notch! Thanks for your efforts to make this a memorable day!