Franz Josef: 13,000ft, 16,500ft or 18,000ft Skydive

Franz Josef gives you a rare view of New Zealand from above: glowing glaciers, dark rainforest, sharp mountains, and the coast spread below in one wide sweep. You jump from 13,000, 16,500, or 18,000 feet, then float back toward a landing about 300 feet above sea level.

I like the clear choice of jump heights and the strong safety focus. I also like the setting, which gives the free fall real visual drama rather than an anonymous view of rooftops. The main drawback is weather. Your time may move, and you need a spare day if you want the best chance of going ahead.

Key points

• New Zealand’s highest skydive option: Choose the 18,000-foot jump for up to 85 seconds of free fall.
• Three very different jump heights: The 13,000-foot option includes 45 seconds of free fall, while 16,500 feet gives 65 seconds.
• A remarkable West Coast view: Look for glaciers, temperate rainforest, mountains, and the coast during the parachute flight.
• A good first jump: Your tandem instructor handles the equipment, exit, parachute, and landing while you follow the safety instructions.
• Weather shapes the day: Book your first available day in Franz Josef and keep another day open if possible.
• Media costs extra: The jump is the main event, but photo and video packages are not included and can feel expensive.

A free fall above glaciers and rainforest

This is not just a jump from a plane. The setting does much of the work.

Franz Josef sits on New Zealand’s West Coast, where rainforest, ice, mountains, and ocean come together in a compact area. From the air, you get a view that is hard to match from a road or walking track. The glaciers glow below, while the forest looks almost black and solid against the open ground.

The plane climbs to your chosen height, and then the instructor takes over the technical side. You are attached to an experienced tandem partner, so you do not need previous training. After the exit, you free fall before the parachute opens and the pace changes completely.

The first seconds can be startling. That is normal. You may find the opening moment more intense than expected, but the instructors explain what to do and keep checking that you are secure and comfortable. Once the parachute opens, you have time to take in the view as you drift toward the landing area.

Choosing 13,000, 16,500, or 18,000 feet

The three height choices are not just different prices on a menu. They change how long you are in free fall.

At 13,000 feet, you get about 45 seconds. This is the only option available to children aged 13 to 16, and it is the sensible choice if you want the experience without committing to the longest free-fall time.

The 16,500-foot jump gives you about 65 seconds. It offers a noticeable increase without going all the way to the top option.

At 18,000 feet, you get about 85 seconds of free fall. This is the longest option and the one to choose if the extra time matters to you. Some people finish wishing they had gone higher, so upgrading can make sense if you are already comfortable with the idea and the budget allows.

The 18,000-foot option is promoted as New Zealand’s highest skydive. That gives this activity a clear edge over a standard tandem jump, though it also means a longer wait in the plane and a stronger commitment to the experience.

Children aged 13 to 16 may only choose 13,000 feet. Anyone over 16 can choose any height, but people under 18 need written permission from a parent or guardian. Participants over 100 kilograms may face a surcharge on the day, and every person must pass the Tandem Master’s assessment at the dropzone.

What the three-hour visit feels like

Allow about three hours for the full activity. That time includes preparation and waiting, not only the minutes in the air.

You begin by meeting the team and your tandem instructor. The safety briefing covers the basic body position, what happens at the aircraft, and how to behave under the parachute. You do not need to manage the equipment yourself, but you do need to listen closely and follow the instructor’s directions.

After you are fitted with the required equipment, there may be a wait before the plane is ready. Weather and aircraft checks can affect the schedule. This is not an activity to squeeze into a narrow gap between two fixed appointments.

The flight up gives you time to take in the changing view and settle your nerves. Then comes the exit, free fall, parachute flight, and landing. The landing area is about 300 feet above sea level, which means the final part of the trip brings you back toward the low country near the coast.

The most useful thing you can do is keep your day flexible. Book for your first available day in Franz Josef, then protect an alternative day if your schedule permits. If weather prevents the jump and you cannot move to another date, a full refund is available.

Why the view is the real prize

The jump itself is the headline, but the view gives it a sense of place.

Franz Josef’s glaciers are a major part of the spectacle. You see them from a position that makes their scale easier to grasp, with the surrounding mountains and forest providing contrast. The rainforest is another reason this jump feels different from a city-based aircraft jump. Below you, the vegetation is not a thin park belt. It forms a broad, heavy cover across the West Coast.

The coast adds another layer. Depending on visibility, you can look from the high mountains toward lower ground and the sea. That combination of ice, forest, and ocean is what makes this setting so memorable.

Cloud can change the view. A weather delay is frustrating, but it is also a useful sign that the operator is taking conditions seriously. Clear skies give you the best chance of seeing the glaciers and mountains clearly, so patience can pay off.

The people who calm first-time nerves

For a first jump, the instructor matters as much as the scenery.

You are paired with a tandem professional who manages the harness, aircraft exit, parachute deployment, and landing. Your job is to listen, keep your body in the position you are taught, and stay aware of the instructions during the flight.

The staff are repeatedly praised for being friendly, patient, and reassuring. Danny is named as a particularly good tandem partner, while Dani receives praise for making the experience feel special and for handling media. Lauren is mentioned for airfield support and for adding useful local conversation while keeping the mood relaxed.

You should still expect a professional process, not a casual amusement ride. The Tandem Master assesses every participant at the dropzone, and that assessment is part of the safety system. If the team decides conditions or your circumstances are not suitable, the jump may not proceed.

That balance is important. The best instructors can make you feel at ease without treating the risk as a joke. This operation appears to put that calm, friendly tone alongside clear procedures.

The cost, media, and overall value

The listed price is $25 per person, but you should confirm the final amount when booking. Prices for high-altitude tandem jumps can vary by date, option, and add-ons, and the supplied information does not break down the price by height.

At that listed price, the experience would be exceptional value, but do not assume it includes everything you may want afterward. Food and drinks are not included. Photo and video packages are also extra, and the additional media cost is the main complaint in the available feedback.

I would decide about media before you arrive. If this is a once-in-a-lifetime jump, you may value having a record of the exit, free fall, and parachute flight. If you are watching your spending, the experience itself is still complete without food, drinks, or a media package.

The value also depends on the height you choose. The 13,000-foot option gives you the full tandem experience and may be enough for a nervous first-timer. The 18,000-foot option costs more if applicable, but it gives you the longest free fall and the strongest claim to a special Franz Josef experience.

Who should book this jump

This is a strong choice for a first-time jumper who wants clear instruction and a memorable setting. You do not need previous experience, and the tandem format keeps the technical work with the instructor.

It also suits families with older teenagers, subject to the age rules and parental consent. A family can choose the 13,000-foot option for younger teenagers, while older participants can select the height that fits their comfort level.

You should think twice if you dislike flexible schedules. Weather can cause delays or force a change of day, and your requested time may not be the final time. The local operator confirms the exact flight time by email after booking, so check your messages carefully.

The experience is also a poor fit if you expect a cheap, fixed-time activity with no extra costs. The jump requires a three-hour window, food is not provided, and media can add a substantial amount.

Practical advice before you arrive

Book early in your Franz Josef stay. That gives you a better chance of moving the activity if weather interrupts the first attempt.

Keep an alternative day open. The operator specifically advises this, and it is the single most useful planning tip. If your itinerary allows only one narrow window, the risk of missing the jump is higher.

Wear what you would normally choose for an outdoor activity, but remember that the instructor and equipment control much of your position and movement. The provided information does not specify a clothing list, so follow the operator’s final instructions.

Leave drones and selfie sticks at your accommodation. Neither is allowed. You will already be carrying safety equipment, and the jump is not a place for loose personal gear.

Do not plan to eat or buy drinks as part of the booking. Food and drinks are not included, so arrange those separately around the three-hour visit.

Finally, read the confirmation email. Your requested date or time may change, and the local operator sends the confirmed flight details after booking.

Is this Franz Josef jump worth booking?

I would book it if you want a major adrenaline activity in New Zealand and can keep your schedule flexible. The combination of up to 85 seconds of free fall, glacier views, rainforest, and a careful tandem setup gives the experience a clear identity.

Choose 13,000 feet if nerves, age, or budget are the deciding factors. Choose 16,500 feet for a longer free fall without going to the maximum. Choose 18,000 feet if you want the longest version and can accept the extra cost.

The main cautions are simple: weather can interfere, the media package costs extra, and the listed price should be confirmed before you rely on it. For most first-time jumpers who can spare three hours and a backup day, this is one of the most dramatic ways to see Franz Josef.

FAQ

How long does the Franz Josef tandem jump experience take?

Allow about three hours in total. This includes the briefing, equipment preparation, flight, jump, parachute flight, and landing.

How long is the free fall?

The 13,000-foot option includes about 45 seconds of free fall. The 16,500-foot option includes about 65 seconds, and the 18,000-foot option includes about 85 seconds.

What is included in the booking?

The booking includes the skydive, safety briefing, tandem instructor, and all required equipment.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included.

Can children take part?

Children aged 13 to 16 can jump only from 13,000 feet. Anyone over 16 may choose any listed height, but participants under 18 need written parental consent.

What happens if bad weather prevents the jump?

All jumps depend on suitable weather. You are advised to book for your first available day in Franz Josef and keep another day free. If the jump cannot be rescheduled, you can receive a full refund by cancelling up to 24 hours in advance.