Cruises & Boat Tours

NEW ZEALAND

15 Best Cruises & Boat Tours In New Zealand

New Zealand's best.

New Zealand's 15 most popular cruises & boat tours, in one place. What each one is actually like, who runs it, and what you will pay.

15 Best Cruises & Boat Tours In New Zealand

Premium Milford Sound Small Group Tour & Cruise from Queenstown

Premium Milford Sound Small Group Tour & Cruise from Queenstown - Queenstown Departure: Lake Wakatipu and Devil’s Staircase Set the Tone

3.Premium Milford Sound Small Group Tour & Cruise from Queenstown

5.0

Small-group Milford Sound day trip from Queenstown with hotel pickup, UNESCO Fiordland stops, and a Cruise Milford fjord cruise.

“The tour was phenomenal. Our tour guide Andy was absolutely amazing and made sure we were well taken care of every step of the way. The scenery was spectacular. We travel the world and this was one of the best tours we have ever had. THIS TOUR IS A MUST!”

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Cruise Milford NZ Small Boutique Cruise Experience

Cruise Milford NZ Small Boutique Cruise Experience - Wildlife spotting: fur seals, dolphins, and penguins

4.Cruise Milford NZ Small Boutique Cruise Experience

5.0

Half-full Milford Sound cruise with lounge seating, hot drinks, live skipper narration, and close wildlife and Mitre Peak photo stops.

“Our group of six had an unforgettable and absolutely wonderful experience with Cruise Milford NZ. The crew was friendly, attentive, and helpful; the tour commentary was clear and informative; and the boat was clean and well-maintained.”

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Whale Watching in Kaikoura by Boat

Whale Watching in Kaikoura by Boat - The Catamaran Ride: Indoors Comfort and Outside Deck Reality

5.Whale Watching in Kaikoura by Boat

4.5

3.5-hour catamaran whale watch from Kaikoura with live commentary, sperm whale sightings, and an 80% refund if no whale appears.

“We had a fantastic time with Whale Watch Kaikoura! Very professional and friendly team. Special thanks to Captain Malena for spotting a sperm whale. What a treat for us! A check off my bucket list. Highly recommend this company!”

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Shotover River Extreme Jet Boat Ride in Queenstown

Shotover River Extreme Jet Boat Ride in Queenstown - From Downtown Gold Country to the River Base

Small Group, Award Winning Milford Sound Day Experience & Cruise

Small Group, Award Winning Milford Sound Day Experience & Cruise - Lake Te Anau and Fiordland National Park: letting the parks do the talking

9.Small Group, Award Winning Milford Sound Day Experience & Cruise

5.0

Small-group Milford Sound day trip from Queenstown with scenic stops, a 1hr45 cruise, and a packed picnic lunch in a Mercedes van.

“We had an incredible time! Chase was our guide and he ensured we stayed on track with the schedule and were able to experience the entire itinerary. The trip was seamless and the weather was perfect. Chase was knowledgeable, courteous, and a great driver! I would highly recommend this tour compared to the big bus…”

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Akaroa Dolphins ~ Harbour Nature Cruise

Akaroa Dolphins ~ Harbour Nature Cruise - The 2-hour plan: Lighthouse, Akaroa views, and Banks Peninsula angles

10.Akaroa Dolphins ~ Harbour Nature Cruise

5.0

2-hour Akaroa harbour catamaran cruise for Hector’s dolphins, seals, and penguins, with NZ drink and cookies. Stable and comfy.

“Excellent harbor cruise! My family (mom, dad, 4mo baby) enjoyed every minute of this experience. We were able to see dolphins, penguins, and seals. Our captain, George, was personable and provided an excellent tour. We’d recommend this to all ages!”

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Milford Sound Fly-Cruise-Fly Tour from Queenstown

Milford Sound Fly-Cruise-Fly Tour from Queenstown - Meeting and timing in Queenstown: where you start matters

11.Milford Sound Fly-Cruise-Fly Tour from Queenstown

5.0

Fly from Queenstown to Milford Sound, enjoy a 1h45 cruise, then fly back a different way for extra alpine scenery.

“Holy cow was this awesome! The beauty of Milford Sound is unmatched. The plane was an amazing way to experience the beauty of the mountains. Our pilot Andrew was incredible and very friendly and knowledgeable. The boat was a little crowded, but it was comfortable nonetheless. One of my favorite things we did in NZ!”

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Auckland Dolphin and Whale Watching Eco-Safari Cruise

Auckland Dolphin and Whale Watching Eco-Safari Cruise - Your route through Auckland’s island world (and what each stop adds)

12.Auckland Dolphin and Whale Watching Eco-Safari Cruise

4.5

4.5-hour eco safari by catamaran from Auckland’s Viaduct Harbour to spot whales, dolphins, seals, penguins, seabirds, and more.

“Had an absolutely amazing time! Managed to get some amazing video of the Dolphins playing at the front of the boat which was so impressive. Sadly no Whales on the day, maybe next time. Crew were very friendly, helpful and knowlegable makung the experience very rewarding.”

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From Queenstown: Milford Sound Full-Day Trip by Plane & Boat

From Queenstown: Milford Sound Full-Day Trip by Plane & Boat - Queenstown to the air: how the day starts on the ground

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