Milford Sound Overnight Cruises
Hours, prices and access verified by the Milford Sound Tours team — last checked 2026-09-21.
Milford Sound overnight cruises board in the afternoon and spend the night at anchor on the fiord. Dinner, breakfast and a paddle are in the fare.
Nights on the water
★★★★★ 4.7 (166 reviews · 2 days)
Overnight on the fiordStarts at the terminalSails the full fiordDinner and breakfast
Priced per cabin of up to two: an en suite cabin, dinner and breakfast, and kayaks or tender boats. Boarding is at 4pm on the fiord. Drinks are sold at the bar. Non-refundable.
From $782 per cabin (up to 2)
Non-refundable: no refund and no changes once booked.
★★★★★ 4.8 (135 reviews · 17 hours 30 minutes)
Overnight on the fiordStarts at the terminalAbout 17 hours on boardDinner and breakfast
A small boat for 22 at most: dinner, breakfast, a kayak paddle, a tender-boat trip and a hot tub on the top deck. Per person, with a minimum of two. Non-refundable.
From $847 per person (minimum 2)
Non-refundable: no refund and no changes once booked.
A cabin for two on the larger boat
An en suite cabin, a three-course dinner and breakfast, and the use of kayaks or tender boats. Boarding at 4pm. Priced per cabin.
Check availability
What a Milford Sound overnight cruise is
An overnight cruise boards in the afternoon, when most day boats have gone, and sails the
fiord into the evening. The boat anchors for the night, and you wake on the water the next
morning. The larger boat anchors in Harrison Cove.
Both fares include time off the main deck, in a kayak or a tender boat. Then a meal, a cabin,
and the quiet of a fiord with no road traffic. Breakfast is on board before you return.
Both boats here are non-refundable. The larger one prices per cabin of up to two, at
$782. The smaller one prices per person with a minimum of two, at $847 a
person.
Why choose an overnight cruise
You get the fiord after the crowds
The day cruises are day trips. On the water overnight, you see the evening and the early
morning, when the coaches are not there.
You get out on the water yourself
Kayaks or a tender boat are in both fares. Katie Y. kayaked and swam, and now tells everyone
to book.
Dinner and breakfast are included
Both include dinner and breakfast, with coffee and tea. Teresa H. found the cabin clean and
the food plentiful.
The small boat has a hot tub
The smaller boat takes 22 at most and has a hot tub on the top deck after dinner.
Overnight cruises vs day cruises
The overnight costs several times more. Here is what that buys.
| An overnight cruise | A day cruise |
|---|
| Time on the water | Overnight, about 17 hours on one | 1 hour 40 minutes to 2 hours 15 minutes |
| Meals | Dinner and breakfast | Tea and coffee on most |
| On the water yourself | Kayaks or a tender boat | No |
| Passengers | 22 or 64 at most | Up to 180 on the largest |
| Refunds | None | Full refund up to 24 hours ahead |
| Fare | $782 a cabin, or $847 a person | $94 to $116 a person |
Check a cabin from $782
If you want one night you will remember, take the overnight. If you need to keep your plans
open, take a day cruise; see Milford Sound boat tours.
What you get, and what you don't
- In both fares: the cruise, a cabin or berth, dinner, breakfast, coffee
and tea, and kayaks or a tender boat.
- On the larger boat: private cabins with en suite bathrooms, single or
twin-share.
- On the smaller boat: a kayak paddle, a tender-boat trip, a hot tub and
every tax and fee.
- Not in either fare: alcohol, transport to the terminal and parking. The
overnight car park costs NZ$30 from 2pm.
A small boat for 22, with a hot tub
Dinner, breakfast, a kayak paddle, a tender-boat trip and the hot tub on the top deck. Per person, with a minimum of two.
Check availability
Planning an overnight cruise
- Budget: $782 a cabin for two, or $847 a person for at least
two.
- Get there: neither boat includes transport. Drive, or book a coach that
drops you at the terminal.
- Park: NZ$30 in the main car park from 2pm, paid at the terminal.
- Insure it: both are non-refundable and cannot be changed, so buy cover for
weather and road closures.
- Book early: each boat takes 22 or 64, and summer dates go first.
Our guide to beating the crowds explains why a night on the water is the best way to miss them.
Who should choose something else
- If your plans might change. Neither fare is refundable. A day cruise
refunds in full up to 24 hours ahead; see Milford Sound boat tours.
- If you travel alone. The smaller boat needs two to book; the larger one
charges for the cabin.
- If you have no way to reach the terminal. Book a road day instead; see
Milford Sound tours from Te Anau.
- If you would rather walk the next morning. Compare Milford Sound hike tours.
Our ranking of the best tours weighs both boats against the best day trips.
Frequently asked questions
Can I stay overnight on the fiord?
Yes, on an overnight cruise, with dinner, breakfast and a cabin. There is also a lodge near the terminal.
How is an overnight cruise priced?
Two ways. The larger boat sells a cabin for up to two, at $782 a cabin. The smaller boat sells per person with a minimum of two, at $847 a person.
Can I cancel an overnight cruise?
No. Both are non-refundable and cannot be changed once booked. Buy travel cover that includes weather and road closures before you pay.
When do overnight cruises board?
In the late afternoon: the larger boat boards at 4pm. You are back at the terminal the next morning, after breakfast on board.
Will I see penguins?
The
Fiordland crested penguin, or tawaki, breeds from July to November, when a sighting is likeliest. Bottlenose dolphins are occasional visitors and fur seals are common.
What should I bring?
A waterproof jacket, warm layers, insect repellent for the sandflies, snacks and a card for parking. The deck is cold and wet even on a sunny day.