Tourist Guide to Tandem Skydiving in New Zealand

Updated on May 27, 2023 | Online New Zealand Visa

Take a bird’s eye view of the world's most stunning landscapes in New Zealand and experience the best scenery in the most exciting way possible. Skydiving is one of the must have experiences in New Zealand and make sure that you get the full benefit from this experience on your next trip to the country.

There is no spot in the world like New Zealand to experience skydiving among the gorgeous landscape scenery.

From taking a look from above at Queenstown, the adventure capital of the world to the snowcapped mountains of central Otago, your amazement reaches a whole new level as you witness such gorgeous scenery from thousands of feet above land!

While Lake Taupo has the biggest drop zone on the planet and spectacular views of the lake, the Bay of Plenty skydive takes you over glittering waters and geothermal wonders.

If you are a skydiver yourself, remember to bring your permit but for first timers there are many opportunities like pair hops and guided instructions on what to do on your turn and what to expect.

Before learning about the best places to skydive, don’t forget to look at some of the facts you could use before beginning your skydiving adventure, since falling from the sky at the rate two hundred kilometers per hour is not a usual adventure experience for most!

New Zealand Visa (NZeTA)

New Zealand eTA Application Form now allows visitors from all nationalities to obtain New Zealand eTA (NZETA) by email without visiting New Zealand Embassy. New Zealand Visa application process is automated, simple, and completely online. New Zealand Immigration now officially recommends Online New Zealand Visa or New Zealand ETA online rather than sending paper documents. You can obtain New Zealand eTA by filling out a form on this website and making the payment using a Debit or Credit Card. You will also require a valid email id as New Zealand eTA information will be sent to your email id. You do not need visit an embassy or consulate or to send your passport for Visa stamping. If you are arriving to New Zealand by the Cruise Ship route, you should check the New Zealand ETA eligibility conditions for Cruise Ship arrival to New Zealand.

Know this Before Starting Your Skydiving Adventure?
Best Country for Skydiving

Known for its dramatic landscapes, glaciers and beautiful beaches, there are many ways to experience this beauty and free falling from the sky tops the list of the most crazy and fun ways to do so.

If you are looking for a unique way to add rush to your adrenaline, then skydiving should top your list of experiences.

With so many gorgeous locations to start skydiving and plenty of facts to know as for those going in for the first time, take a look at these pieces of information as you finally decide to add this experience to your New Zealand trip.

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Get Online New Zealand visa for US citizens, with new-zealand-visa.org. To find out the requirements of the New Zealand eTA for Americans (USA Citizens) and the eTA NZ visa application learn more at Online New Zealand Visa for US Citizens.

Skydiving is Safe Here

As exciting as this adventure activity gets, it is equally reassuring that you will be jumping out of the plane with full safety and precautionary measures, something that is mistaken very seriously in New Zealand.

All instructors are highly trained with long hours of experience in teaching people to set aside their fear while skydiving. Accidents are a very rare phenomenon even though a large number of people visit New Zealand for this one-of-a-kind experience.

For an unforgettable experience of the skies, New Zealand should be your go to destination. Try the breathtaking views of the skies from this high and you will remember it for years to come.

Tandem skydiving is the most opted way of being a part of this adventure sport. An instructor would be tied to you and would take care of all technicalities before you begin to fall from the sky!

This is the time to enjoy the free-falling views and the breathtaking scenery from hundreds of feet above.

Apart from instructor based skydiving experience if you want to begin your free fall journey individually then one would need to become a qualified diver from a multi-day course. The course would test you for ground skills, technical skills, practice jumps and technical skills application.

Since most people either don’t want to be a part of something too thrilling as this or they only want to be a part of tandem skydiving. Continue reading to explore all major questions you might have about tandem skydiving and myths associated with this adventure.

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If your travel goals of 2023 include visiting New Zealand on your next trip then read along to explore the best ways to travel across the naturally gifted landscapes of this country. Learn more at Visitor Visa Tips for New Zealand.

You Don’t Need Prior Experience for Skydiving

Due to many age and health related restrictions not everyone may be able to skydive. Hence it becomes even more important to know what to know before beginning your free-falling adventure.

Although to skydive alone one would need to be above 18 years of age and weigh at least 30 kilograms or more depending on the height of the fall.

For higher skydives, similarly different companies have different age limit requirements. Depending on the risk factors such as the height of the skydive, the age limit factors could vary from company to company.

A Year-Round Experience

Skydiving companies usually run their operations seven days a week in New Zealand given that the weather permits the same. Hence skydiving can be seen as a year-round operation without seasonal restrictions.

Don’t worry about missing out on your skydiving adventure if you are visiting New Zealand. Being a year-round adventure activity to explore, even a winter trip to New Zealand could be arranged to add skydiving in your list of experiences.

But talking about the best season to make this unique memory, there is no month like summer when the weather is more stable and days are long with clear skies.

Be sure to check the weather details carefully before your schedule although the company will reschedule your dive in case of difficult weather situations.

So if you plan to skydive during summers then make sure to book in advance for your visit as the peak season rush may last from November to March.

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Best Places to Try Tandem Skydiving in New Zealand

If you came to New Zealand searching for a soul uplifting experience, then Tandem skydiving is that one adventure here to fulfil your imagination to the fullest.

The challenge is massive where the determination to jump out of a plane and free fall at a speed of more than two hundred kilometers per hour should be such that it must outweigh all other thoughts and let you become a little off centre in life for a few seconds.

Don’t think too much to the point that your self-protecting instinct kicks in and stops you from this fall of freedom but rather let that ‘only once in a life’ feeling come forward which is the only thing that could keep your enthusiasm for such a such crazy, stupid and totally wild kind of experience!

Skydive Fox Glacier

Appreciate the beautiful Southern Alps, rainforests, lakes and mountains situated on the west shore of South island. An ideal spot for parachutists, plan a visit to Skydive Fox Glacier just a short distance from the district of Franz Josef.

Taupo

Considered as one of the most amazing fall areas in New Zealand, Taupo would be perfect for a fall with a life changing experience. You would find good skydiving rates at Taupo, something that is on the list of most people while searching for best skydiving options.

LOTR fans, here is when you can witness Mt.Ngauruhoe/Mt.Doom as well as New Zealand’s greatest lakes. This is where you will find Middle Earth and more to add to your list of breathtaking and magical experiences.

Bay Of Islands

With gem-like stones spread over the pacific, get the most enchanting view with a skydiving experience over the Bay of Islands area.

Plan for a shoreline landing and with what you would have just witnessed you definitely would want to take a moment of breath to appreciate the breathtaking view. You can discover more about many other refreshing experiences you can have in the Bay of Islands.

Franz Josef

New Zealand’s most noteworthy skydiving experience, at 19000 ft. Franz Josef Glacier is considered as an experience of a lifetime. The most prestigious sight from the sky you could have in the southern side of the earth prepares you for a great skydiving experience.

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Since 2019, NZeTA or New Zealand eTA has been made a necessary entry document needed by foreign citizens on arrival to New Zealand. New Zealand eTA or electronic travel authorisation would allow you to visit the country with the help of an electronic permit for a given period. Learn more at How to visit New Zealand in a Visa-Free way.

Abel Tasman National Park

Known for its brilliant waters, shorelines, and rainforests, take a bird’s eye view of this gorgeous national park from Abel Tasman Tandem Skydive from over 16500 ft above land for an extreme adrenaline adventure!

Auckland

Get the ultimate view of New Zealand’s shoreline and islands from the sky. Auckland is the arrival city for most international tourists visiting New Zealand.

Hence you can make the best use of your time by trying tandem skydiving over this vibrant and gorgeous city. Auckland is where you can also experience the highest skydiving in New Zealand at the height of approximately 20000 ft.

Wanaka and Glenorchy

To get the picturesque scenes of Mt. Cook and Mt.Yearning spread over the Mt.Hopeful National Park around the waterways and the lakes you get the best chance of doing so at skydiving in Wanaka.

Get a 360 degrees perspective of the gorgeous area as you fly over the land at your picked height.

As you free fall from a height of more than 9000 feet at the speed of 200 kilometres per hour that becomes the moment when you can truly appreciate the mountain landscapes while taking off under your parachute.

And what’s better than capturing that cheerful moment with your choice of photographs and video alternative to share the memories back home.

This is a bird’s eye view of Lake Wanaka and Mt. Cook, Mt.Aspiring would be worth taking in as you tear down towards earth!

Then there is the almost unreal land of Glenorchy where you would be transported to Middle Earth to your favourite landscapes from the Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit view. The unmatchable scenery here would be best explored through skydiving giving the best perspective of the gigantic beauty of this place.

Queenstown

Known as the adventure capital of the world and the birthplace of tandem skydiving in New Zealand, Queenstown is one of the most sought-after places for adventure activities in New Zealand. As you free fall from thousands of feet above land you will meet unexpectedly gorgeous scenery, snowcapped mountains, beautiful landscapes and many refreshing wonders of nature this resort town of New Zealand has to offer.

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As a traveller, you must want to explore different aspects of a country which are yet to be discovered. To witness New Zealand's tribal culture and scenic beauty, visiting Rotorua must be on your travel list. Learn more at Travel Guide to Rotorua, New Zealand.

Rotorua

Embrace the wilderness pumping with adrenaline rush as you skydive over the gorgeous plains of Rotorua. The picturesque environment with the river valleys, geysers, trails all become a part of one of the most gorgeous views you will have in New Zealand. Be welcomed by blue, green and brown earth as you land from 15000 feet where you can truly appreciate the beauty of this famous tourist destination of New Zealand.

More Places for Tandem Skydiving

To get the view of New Zealand’s tallest peak, Aoraki Mt.Cook, you can choose to skydive over Lake Pukaki at your chosen height of 9000 ft, 13000 ft or 15000 ft.

For a much more personal experience, try skydiving over Mt.Ruapehu, the Coromandel Peninsula upto 15000 ft height at Skydive Tauranga which is often listed among the best places to Skydive in New Zealand.

Or if you choose to skydive near the Pacific Ocean then you would get a chance to see the Canterbury region and many more things to do near Methven. The epic mountain views of the Pacific Ocean is something that can be best appreciated through Tandem skydiving.

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If you want to visit the beautiful locations of New Zealand, then there are many hassle-free ways to plan your trip to the country. You can explore your dream locations like Auckland, Queenstown, Wellington and plenty of other gorgeous cities and places within New Zealand. Learn more at New Zealand Visitor Information.

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