The 5 Best Te Anau Boat Tours

1.Award Winning Milford Sound Full Day Tour & Cruise from Te Anau

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,198 reviews · from $185Our pick

Travel from Te Anau to Milford Sound in a small Mercedes Sprinter with guides such as Tania, Andy, Gary, and Allan. Expect frequent photo stops, short walks, morning tea, wildlife watching, and a two-hour cruise. Hotel pickup, park fees, lunch, and return transport are included.

“Absolutely delightful and a wonderful trip up to Milford Sound. I think the drive up there and all the information we learned from Tania was as enjoyable as the boat ride itself.”

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2.Milford Sound Coach Tour and Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 868 reviews · 8 hours · from $110Best value

Leave central Te Anau by comfortable coach with guides such as Sebastian or Scarlet, stopping for photos and short walks through Fiordland. Then cruise Milford Sound aboard a three-level catamaran, watching waterfalls, rainforest, seals, and possible dolphins. A packed lunch and hot drinks are included.

“The name of cafe meeting point in Te Anau has changed. Meeting time could be a little later at Te Anau as had to wait for traveller's coming thro from Queenstown to have their breakfast.”

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3.Milford Sound Coach, Cruise, and Walks

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 845 reviews · 1 day · from $164

Travel from Te Anau to Milford Sound in a small group of up to 15, with guides such as Geoff, Olivia, Ross, and Jeff sharing local stories along the Milford Road. Cruise for two hours toward the Tasman Sea, then enjoy short walks and stops at places including Lake Gunn, Hollyford Valley, and the Marian Gantry.

“Had a great time on at Milford Sound. Geoff was our tour guide - he made it so fun! Very knowledgeable and made us all laugh. The tour felt personal - he tailored the trip to suit us all and it was much better than those big commercial buses and boats!”

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4.Milford Sound Cruise and Coach Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 717 reviews · 7h 30m · from $136

Travel from Te Anau to Milford Sound by air-conditioned glass-roof coach, with photo stops at Eglinton Valley, Mirror Lakes, and Monkey Creek. A local guide such as Ian, Dean, or Simon provides live commentary before a two-hour cruise past waterfalls, cliffs, seals, dolphins, and possible penguins. Food is available to buy onboard.

“The trip was amazing and our guide Brad/Brandon did an excellent job! we had our 7 months old daughter with us and he made sure that we had a good seat with a bit extra leg-room, he checked up on us during the trip and the information and story telling during the trip was both funny and informative. best guide we have had in a long time!”

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5.Doubtful Sound Coach & Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 335 reviews · 8h 30m · from $223

From Te Anau, you’ll cross Lake Manapouri, ride over Wilmot Pass, and cruise Doubtful Sound for three hours. Guides such as Tony, Chris, Warren, and Sav add lively local commentary, while onboard coffee, snacks, and a licensed bar make the long day easier. Expect cool weather, wet conditions, wildlife, and a quiet, remote setting.

“I highly recommend this Doubtful Sound trip. It was a really great experience even though it was a cloudy and cold day. It's remote, rugged, and stunning. The guides were all great and it was very organized with coaches and cruises. Added bonus having coffee and sandwiches for sale on the cruise. I'd love to do it again on a sunny day!”

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