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Pure Milford Cruise: Gem of the Sound & Maiden of Milford

Pure Milford is a Milford Sound cruise operator known for its modern catamarans. The flagship is the Gem of the Sound, which Pure Milford describes as Fiordland's only glass-roof catamaran, with HD cameras streaming the outside view to screens inside. Its other vessel is the Maiden of Milford. Formerly known as JUCY Cruize, the company runs 1 hour 45 minute and 2 hour cruises of the full fiord. Every cruise has complimentary tea and coffee, a café bar on board, and plenty of outdoor deck space for the spray at Stirling Falls.

Pure Milford cruises at a glance

  • Operator: Pure Milford (Cruising Milford Sound Ltd), formerly JUCY Cruize
  • Departs from: The Milford Sound Visitor Terminal
  • Vessels: Gem of the Sound (glass-roof catamaran) and Maiden of Milford (catamaran)
  • Cruise length: About 1 hr 45 mins, or about 2 hrs on the Gem of the Sound
  • On board: Complimentary tea and coffee, a licensed café bar, indoor lounges and outdoor viewing decks
  • HD screens: Outdoor views are streamed to screens inside, so you see the fiord wherever you sit
  • Transport: Self-drive, coach from Queenstown or Te Anau, or fly-cruise-fly from Queenstown
  • Quality mark: Qualmark Gold endorsed (per booking partner listings)
Big catamaran or small boat?

Pure Milford's catamarans are built for comfort in any weather. You get spacious lounges, a café bar, a glass roof on the Gem of the Sound, and HD screens, so you won't miss a waterfall when it's raining. Small boats, like Mitre Peak Cruises' 75-guest vessels, trade some of that comfort for closer approaches to the cliffs and more room at the rail. Choose Pure Milford to stay warm and dry. Go small for up-close views.

The Pure Milford flee

Gem of the Sound

The Gem of the Sound set sail on Milford Sound in 2017. Pure Milford describes it as Fiordland's only glass-roof catamaran. It has booth seating, a stylish interior, HD cameras showing outdoor footage on screens inside, and large outdoor viewing decks across three levels. Cruise capacity is capped, so there's room to move around. The 2-hour Gem of the Sound cruise includes the café and licensed bar.

Best for: Rainy days, cold days, and anyone who wants big views without standing outside the whole time.

Maiden of Milford

The Maiden of Milford is a 24 m catamaran, bought in 2013, with large windows, indoor lounges and outdoor viewing decks. It runs the 1 hour 45 minute cruise.

Best for: A classic full-fiord cruise at a lower price.

What you'll see on a Pure Milford cruise

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Lady Bowen Falls

The tallest waterfall in the fiord, at 162 m, right beside the terminal.

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Know before you go

  • Self-drive and cruise: Drive the Milford Road at your own pace and join a Pure Milford cruise at the terminal.
  • Coach and cruise from Queenstown or Te Anau: An all-inclusive day tour with driver guides, photo stops and a cruise. Picnic lunch is included on the coach tours.
  • Fly-cruise-fly from Queenstown: A plane or helicopter both ways, about 4–5 hours in total, with a flight of around 35 minutes back to Queenstown after the cruise.

Pure Milford runs several cruises a day, with morning, midday and early-afternoon departures. Booking partners have recently listed 9:30am, 12pm and 1:30pm among the times. Check your ticket for your exact departure, and arrive 20–30 minutes early to check in at the Pure Milford desk in the terminal.

Tip: The morning departure is typically quieter, before most coaches arrive from Queenstown.

  • Complimentary: Tea and coffee throughout the cruise.
  • Café bar: Hot and cold food, snacks and drinks, including beer and wine, are available to buy.
  • Coach tours: Picnic lunch included.

Driving: Allow 2–2.5 hours from Te Anau or 4–5 hours from Queenstown on the Milford Road. Fill up with fuel in Te Anau. Parking near the terminal costs NZ$10 an hour, and there's free parking at Deepwater Basin with a shuttle.

Check-in: At the Pure Milford desk in the Milford Sound Visitor Terminal.

​Milford Sound route map

Frequently asked questions about Pure Milford

Yes. Pure Milford was formerly known as JUCY Cruize, and it operates the Gem of the Sound and Maiden of Milford catamarans.