Pure Milford, Milford Sound — Local services in Fiordland Community

The cruise was sensational, but unfortunately the coach tour was an unpleasant experience. Firstly, the coach was way too crowded with so many tourists. There wasn't a single empty seat. This is a classic case of maximising profit... pack as many people as possible into one bus. We booked the coach tour from Te Anau to Milford Sound. Almost all of the other tourists had already been picked up in Queenstown, so they were given the opportunity to have a break in Te Anau. When my wife & I lined up hoping to get decent seats on the coach, the driver was rude & unfriendly. She abruptly told us to get out of the way so that she could let all Queenstown passengers get on the coach before us. As a result, we had to sit at the back of the coach and be squashed in with other passengers for the whole journey. This is absolute nonsense. The tickets didn't have allocated seats, so the bus driver didn't need to make us wait for all of the Queenstown passengers to get on first. It should be first come first serve. We got to the coach well on time, whereas a lot of the Queenstown passengers fluffed around at the cafe & souvenir shop for a long time and rocked up so late to the coach.

It's completely ridiculous that the driver insisted that all Queenstown passengers had to sit in the same seats that they were in from Queenstown to Te Anau. I've been on many coach tours and this has never happened before. Usually when a coach driver stops at a town for a pitstop, you end up having to find a different seat after coming back from your coffee break, as it's common for the new passengers to sit down in any seat (including your original seat if you've left it vacant for too long)... the coach driver doesn't try to stop them either.

We were also never informed that the Te Anau to Milford Sound coach tour would be combined with the Queenstown to Milford Sound tour, i.e. we weren't told that the Queenstown & Te Anau passengers would be squashed in together in the same coach, so this was highly misleading.

I'm aware that some passengers get really angry when they return to the bus after a pitstop and find out that their original seats have been taken. So here's a simple solution. Don't sell those back seats to anyone. The 5 passengers (including my wife & myself) didn't enjoy being squashed up in the back together. It's a long journey. No passenger on this tour wants to be forced to sit in the back, as it's squashy and uncomfortable for a long journey. You also can't take proper photos from there if you're sitting in the middle. As paying customers, we all have a right to feel comfortable, as it's a long journey and also a once in a lifetime trip. It's not a nice way to treat your customers, considering we pay a lot for this tour. Sell less tickets per coach tour, so that no-one has to sit in the back. Everyone should be allowed to sit in comfortable seats. Also, a lot of passengers were not happy about the fact that every seat was filled up, as they didn't enjoy being in such a crowded coach. It's far from ideal for a long journey.

Lastly, stop treating the Te Anau passengers like 2nd class citizens. The fact that the coach driver told us and the other Te Anau passengers to get out of the way and wait for all the Queenstown passengers to get on first is totally disrespectful. If you have to insist that the Queenstown passengers must all sit in their original seats after the pitstop break, then at least put pieces of paper on some of the seats (saying Te Anau), so that the Te Anau passengers can get on a little earlier. Instead we were made to wait in the rain for a long time while every Queenstown passenger got on before us (including the ones that...

My experience with Pure Milford, the cruise operator in Milford Sound, Queenstown, was nothing short of exceptional. From the moment I decided to book, the process was seamless. Their online booking system was user-friendly, making it incredibly easy to secure our spot for the cruise. What truly stood out was their commitment to communication; I received prompt and informative follow-up emails and preparation guides, ensuring that every detail was clear well before the journey began.

Upon arrival at the terminal, finding Pure Milford was a breeze. Their clear signage and helpful staff made the check-in process efficient and stress-free. But the real magic began when we stepped on board their modern, spacious boat. It was a pleasant surprise to find a vessel that was not only sizeable but also remarkably smooth-sailing, eliminating any concerns about a bumpy ride.

The ample space provided on the boat was a game-changer. Even with a decent crowd, there was no sense of overcrowding; in fact, there was plenty of room to move around comfortably. The viewing deck was a highlight, offering unobstructed views of the awe-inspiring Milford Sound scenery. It felt like every angle was a picture-perfect postcard waiting to be captured.

The cruise itself was a testament to Pure Milford's dedication to showcasing the beauty of Milford Sound. As we sailed through those majestic waters, the narration provided by the knowledgeable staff added depth and context to the sights around us. From the towering cliffs to the cascading waterfalls, every moment was a celebration of nature's grandeur.

My appreciation for the untouched beauty of Milford Sound deepened thanks to this incredible experience with Pure Milford. Their attention to detail, modern amenities, ample space, and unwavering commitment to providing a memorable excursion made this journey one for the books.

For anyone seeking not just a cruise but an immersive and enlightening encounter with one of nature's wonders, Pure Milford is undoubtedly the go-to choice in Queenstown. Thank you, Pure Milford, for an unforgettable experience that exceeded all...

It was an absolutely magical experience which I had been looking forward to so much! In future make sure to pack warm clothes and layers as it can get quite cold and windy if you're wanting to enjoy the views from the outside! we went when it was sunny and saw beautiful views and so many waterfalls however it doesn't matter if you go whilst its raining as the waterfalls will be even grander! The boat was so clean and tidy and the crew were very helpful, offering to take glasses and snap photos for us and above all making sure we were safe and enjoying our time! I would recommend packing your own snacks if you're wanting to eat as the prices of the food are quite high. It is great that they had complimentary hot drinks and as many as you would like. however it was a shame that the only option for hot drinks was just from a machine. the captain was amazing and very funny whilst very informative! it was an amazing time and wasn't too long or too short! the views are absolutely incredible. The price is quite costly for it only covering the cruise and complimentary hot drinks from a machine as the views driving to the cruise port is incredible as well and free. but overall very glad I went! definitely a tick off my bucket list!

also tip is to park in the free carpark which is only a 15-20 minute walk to the...