The 15 Best Boat Trips in Queenstown

Queenstown: Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ & Lake Whakatipu Cruise - The 45-Minute Crossing to Walter Peak

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 2,713 reviews · 3h 30m · from $95Our pick

Take a 45-minute cruise from Queenstown to Walter Peak on the TSS Earnslaw or Spirit of Queenstown. Enjoy a generous BBQ buffet, lakeside gardens, and a lively sheep-shearing and farm-dog show featuring working dogs such as Echo and Kim.

“We are so happy we booked this tour for our last day in Queenstown. The food was amazing - could not have asked for anything better. I am a vegetarian and had such a full plate to eat and my husband says the meats were cooked to perfection. The service of the workers both on the steamboat and at the farm were fantastic. I can’t recommend this enough!”

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1-Day Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours, Full-Day, Milford Sound Day Trips from Queenstown, Tour Reviews

Queenstown: Milford Sound Coach & Cruise Full-Day Trip

2.Milford Sound Coach & Cruise Full-Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 2,592 reviews · from $144

Spend about 12 hours traveling from Queenstown to Milford Sound with a local driver-guide, scenic stops, lunch, and a cruise through Fiordland. Expect a long but rewarding road journey, three viewing decks, free tea, waterfalls, rainforest, and possible seals, dolphins, or penguins.

“it was great overall. from the tour guide and all the new things you learn about the heritage of the lands and how things have changed over the many years.”

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Cruises & Boat Tours, Queenstown Jet Boat Rides, Tour Reviews

Shotover River Extreme Jet Boat Ride in Queenstown

3.Shotover River Extreme Jet Boat Ride in Queenstown

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,540 reviews · from $113Top rated

Take a 25-minute Shotover River jet boat ride through narrow canyon walls, white-water rapids, and rocky bends. Your driver adds 360-degree spins and local stories, while a downtown Queenstown shuttle handles the return trip. The boat carries a small group, with rides led by drivers such as Peter, Joe, Paul, and Matt.

“This is awesome. Totally easy and a ton of fun. This specific jet boat tour is clearly the one to do. A short scenic drive up to the launch point, is worth it vs. just being in Queenstown harbor area. The captain was great fun, and highly experiencRead more”

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Cruises & Boat Tours, Milford Sound Day Trips from Queenstown, Tour Reviews

Small Group, Award Winning Milford Sound Day Experience & Cruise

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

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,416 reviews · from $235

Travel from Queenstown to Milford Sound in a Mercedes van with up to 15 people, stopping at Lake Te Anau, Eglinton Valley, Mirror Lakes, and the Homer Tunnel. Your local guide, such as Chelsea, James, Katy, or Thomas, leads the day, with lunch, WiFi, hot drinks, and a nature cruise included.

“Great day taking in the NZ scenery! Milford Sound was stunning even on an overcast day…the long drive was worth it!”

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Cruises & Boat Tours, Milford Sound Day Trips from Queenstown, Tour Reviews, Tours

Milford Sound Fly-Cruise-Fly Tour from Queenstown

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

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,792 reviews · from $462

True South Flights takes you from Queenstown over the Southern Alps to Milford Sound, where you board a roughly two-hour cruise before flying back by another route. Expect window seats, pilot commentary, hotel pickup from selected central hotels, and pilots such as Luke, Andrew, Michael, and Tanmay.

“Amazing scenic flight and cruise with True South to Milford Sound - so impressed with the friendly and professional staff and our pilot Jason who ensured we were well informed with key commentary on the flight over to Milford Sound. The aerial view of flying over Lake Wakatipu, The Remarkables and the first glimpses of Milford Sound is a memory we will hold for a lifetime - just breathtaking! The cruise on Southern Discoveries was great with lots of information shared on the local area, history and moved at a pace that allowed us to take photos and enjoy the amazing ambience and beautiful sights. Thank you and highly recommend…”

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Cruises & Boat Tours, Queenstown Jet Boat Rides, Queenstown Whitewater Rafting, Tour Reviews

Queenstown: Shotover River and Kawarau River Jet Boat Ride

6.Shotover River and Kawarau River Jet Boat Ride

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,682 reviews · 1 hour · from $89

Join KJet at Queenstown’s Main Town Pier for a one-hour, 45-kilometre ride across Lake Wakatipu and up the Kawarau and Shotover rivers. Expect speeds up to 95 km/h, 360-degree spins, heated handrails, river scenery, and a lively English-speaking pilot such as Reuben, Charles, Sam, or Jack.

“exciting, adrenaline filled and memorable..we absolutely loved it”

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1-Day Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours, Full-Day, Milford Sound Day Trips from Queenstown, Tour Reviews

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

7.Milford Sound Full-Day Trip by Plane & Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 1,558 reviews · 5 hours · from $447

Fly from Queenstown over Fiordland National Park, land near Milford Sound, and cruise for two hours beneath Mitre Peak and Stirling Falls. Every passenger gets a window seat. Pilots such as Jared, Andy, and Kirk are known for clear commentary, but weather can delay or cancel flights.

“Absolutely incredible adventure! I am so glad I chose the flight over the bus tour. Some of the most amazing views from above and in the water! Our pilot Mike was exceptional even through some turbulent conditions. Well worth it!”

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Cruises & Boat Tours, Lake Wakatipu Cruises, Tour Reviews

Queenstown: Lake Wakatipu Scenic Cruise (90 Minutes)

8.Lake Wakatipu Scenic Cruise (90 Minutes)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,462 reviews · from $49

Take a 90-minute cruise from Queenstown’s Beach Street jetty to the end of Lake Wakatipu and back. Captain-led commentary covers local history and scenery, with views of Queenstown Gardens, Kelvin Heights, Kawarau Falls Dam, the Remarkables, birdlife, and lakeside homes. Choose the heated cabin or outdoor seating.

“Boat was warm and comfortable with friendly skipper and crew. Good selection of drinks from the bar. Unfortunately the weather was very cold and wet with limited visibility. On a clear sunny day this would be a five star review.”

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1-Day Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours, Milford Sound Day Trips from Queenstown, Tour Reviews

From Queenstown: Milford Sound Cruise and Coach Day Trip

9.Milford Sound Cruise and Coach Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,417 reviews · from $152

Travel from Queenstown to Milford Sound in a glass-roof, air-conditioned coach with an English-speaking guide, photo stops, and a two-hour cruise. Expect a full 12-hour day, dramatic waterfalls, possible seals and dolphins, and helpful guides such as Danny, Dean, or Paulie.

“Grand the tour guide was so friendly and kind all the moment. It was a pleasure this trip with him.”

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Cruises & Boat Tours, Lake Wakatipu Cruises, Tour Reviews, Walter Peak Farm Cruises from Queenstown

Queenstown: TSS Earnslaw Cruise of Lake Whakatipu

10.TSS Earnslaw Cruise of Lake Whakatipu

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 1,255 reviews · 1h 30m · from $68

Spend 90 minutes aboard Queenstown’s TSS Earnslaw, a coal-fired Edwardian steamship. Walk the decks, visit the wheelhouse and museum, watch stokers feed the fire, and enjoy Lake Whakatipu’s mountain views. Commentary is in English, with drinks and snacks available to buy onboard.

“The only disappointment in the tour is the number of tourists, some of whom didn't behave properly. :)”

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Cruises & Boat Tours, Queenstown Jet Boat Rides, Tour Reviews

Queenstown: Shotover River Extreme Jet Boat Experience

11.Shotover River Extreme Jet Boat Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 1,203 reviews · 25 - 90 minutes · from $107

Hold tight for a 25-minute Shotover Jet ride through rapids, rocky banks, and narrow canyons. Your English-speaking driver handles high-speed runs and 360-degree spins, with commentary on local history, geology, and Māori culture. Add the Queenstown shuttle if you prefer not to drive.

“It was a fun experience! It includes a good mix of thrill and getting to view the scenery. Be warned that the wind is quite fast and cold, so dress warm and maybe wear a ski mask if you are sensitive to fast winds. We got to do a lot of fun 360s and the seats were very comfortable!”

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BBQ, Cruises & Boat Tours, Lake Wakatipu Cruises, Lunch Experiences, Tour Reviews, Walter Peak Farm Cruises from Queenstown

Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ Lunch & Queenstown Lake Cruise

12.Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ Lunch & Queenstown Lake Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,196 reviews · from $98

Cruise from Queenstown to Walter Peak High Country Farm, ideally aboard the vintage TSS Earnslaw. Enjoy a chef-prepared BBQ buffet, lakeside views, and a live sheep shearing and sheepdog show before returning across Lake Wakatipu. The trip lasts about 3.5 hours and costs $98.67 per person.

“The lake view during the cruise was quite beautiful, and the BBQ lunch was nice! They got all kinds of meat, so don’t miss it if you are a meat lover!”

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Cruises & Boat Tours, Farms, Lake Wakatipu Cruises, Tour Reviews, Tours, Walter Peak Farm Cruises from Queenstown

Queenstown: Queenstown Lake Cruise and Walter Peak Farm Tour

13.Queenstown Lake Cruise and Walter Peak Farm Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 950 reviews · 3h 30m · from $80

Cruise from Queenstown to Walter Peak on the TSS Earnslaw steamship or Spirit of Queenstown catamaran. Your guide leads a farm visit with sheep, alpacas, cattle, working dogs, and live shearing and herding displays, followed by fresh morning or afternoon tea.

“An excellent day out for our family. The steam boat ride was relaxing and enjoyable. The kids loved looking around the boat at how it worked. The farm visit was lovely. Got to feed and interact with lots of animals. A great afternoon tea provided. My father and I are coeliac and we had separate meals provided of an excellent quality, highly recommend!”

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Cruises & Boat Tours, Milford Sound Day Trips from Queenstown, Tour Reviews, Tours

Milford Sound Coach and Cruise tour from Queenstown

14.Milford Sound Coach and Cruise tour from Queenstown

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 789 reviews · from $152

Travel from Queenstown to Milford Sound by air-conditioned coach with driver commentary, photo stops, lunch, and refreshments. Cruise the full length of the fiord toward the Tasman Sea, with chances to see seals and dolphins. Guides may include Carl, Hamish, Sebastian, Brian, Graeme, or Ian.

“Amazing views the best day of our entire Queenstown Trip. Milford sound is breathtaking and the Tour was a good oportunity to See it Even if you are in Queenstown”

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Cruises & Boat Tours, Queenstown Jet Boat Rides, Skippers Canyon 4WD Tours from Queenstown, Tour Reviews

From Queenstown: Skippers Canyon Jet Boat Ride

15.Skippers Canyon Jet Boat Ride

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 699 reviews · 3 hours · from $118

Travel from Queenstown along the narrow Skippers Road with an English-speaking guide, pause at scenic and historic sites, then take a 30-minute jet boat ride through the Shotover River canyons. Expect sharp spins, speeds over 80 km/h, spray, and a scenic 45-minute return drive.

“Great commentary by Willy. Even though cloudy great drive through skippers. Jet boat ride was sweet, epic location. The family were stoked. Cheers guys.”

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