Tandem Skydive 18,000ft from Franz Josef

At 18,000 feet, this is New Zealand’s highest skydive, with about 85 seconds of freefall before your parachute opens. You may see Aoraki Mount Cook, the Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers, the Tasman Sea, rainforest, lakes, and braided riverbeds in one sweeping view. I like the calm, carefully explained instruction and the shared transfer from Franz Josef, which keeps the day simple. I also like that tea and coffee are ready before and after the jump.

The main catch is weather. Cloud, wind, or other poor conditions can cancel the jump, so you should keep your schedule flexible. At $515.16 per person, it is a serious expense, especially once photos or video are added, but the altitude and scenery make it more than a basic thrill ride.

Key points before you book

• 18,000-foot altitude: You get around 85 seconds of freefall, the longest option offered on this experience.
• Glaciers and mountains below: The view can include Aoraki Mount Cook, Fox Glacier, Franz Josef Glacier, the Tasman Sea, lakes, rainforest, and braided rivers.
• Tandem format for first-timers: Your instructor handles the technical work while you follow the safety and body-position instructions.
• Friendly, calming instruction: Peter and JT are praised for helping people feel secure and relaxed before the aircraft leaves the ground.
• Three-hour schedule: Several departure times make it easier to fit the jump into a West Coast itinerary.
• Weather matters: A poor forecast can cancel the activity, so leave room for a new date or a refund.

Why the 18,000-foot jump is worth considering

The key choice here is altitude. A jump from 18,000 feet gives you about 85 seconds of freefall, which is a long time to take in the experience before the parachute opens. You will be moving at roughly 200 kph, or 120 mph, so the first sensation is speed, cold air, and noise. Then the view begins to make sense.

This is not just a jump above a town or an airport. The route is designed around the South Westland setting. From the air, you may look across high mountains toward Aoraki Mount Cook, trace the white lines of the Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers, and see the Tasman Sea beyond. Rainforest, reflective lakes, and braided riverbeds add different textures below you.

I like that the scenery changes as you look around. The glaciers provide the bright, icy center of the view, while the rivers and forests show how broad and remote this part of New Zealand feels. You will not be staring at one landmark for the whole flight. The changing view is a big part of what separates this from a standard adrenaline activity.

The extra height also gives you more time in the air. That does not mean the experience feels slow. The freefall is intense, and you need to pay attention to your instructor’s directions. But once the parachute is open, you have a quieter period to look around and appreciate the mountains.

Meeting at 63 Cron Street in Franz Josef

Your day begins at 63 Cron Street, Franz Josef, also known as Waiau. This is both the meeting point and the place where the activity ends. A shared transfer takes you from the booking office to the airport and back, except when transfer arrangements are affected by Covid restrictions.

That transfer is a useful detail. You do not need to arrange separate transport to the takeoff point, and you can focus on the jump rather than finding an unfamiliar airport. The overall experience lasts about three hours, although you should not treat that as a guarantee that you will be back at an exact minute. Weather and operational timing can affect the day.

Several departure times are offered. I would choose a time that leaves a cushion in your schedule, especially if you have another paid activity afterward. The weather is the biggest variable, and keeping the rest of the day open gives you a better chance of moving the jump if needed.

Before leaving, you receive the equipment and instructions. Tea and coffee are available before and after the jump, a small but welcome touch when you are waiting and thinking about what you are about to do.

Getting ready with the tandem instructor

Tandem jumping is designed for someone with no previous skydiving background. Your instructor is attached to you through the harness and manages the major technical steps, including the parachute and landing process. Your job is to listen carefully, keep the correct body position, and enjoy the view as much as possible.

The instruction is included in the price. This matters because the experience is not simply a paid seat on an aircraft followed by a sudden leap. You receive guidance on what will happen and what you need to do. The information provided describes the activity as suitable for novices, but you should still take every instruction seriously.

People who are nervous may appreciate the instructors’ manner. Peter and JT are praised for being friendly and calm, with JT helping put an anxious partner at ease. That detail is useful because a good instructor is not only someone who knows the equipment. You also want someone who can explain the process clearly when your pulse is rising.

The harness is secured at four points, according to the available feedback. You should expect close physical contact with your instructor throughout the tandem portion. That is normal and necessary for this type of jump, but it is worth knowing in advance.

What the 85-second freefall feels like

Once the aircraft reaches 18,000 feet, the door opens and the main event begins. You freefall at up to 200 kph for about 85 seconds. That is long enough to feel like a real aerial experience rather than a brief drop, but it can also feel like a lot to process at once.

At first, you may concentrate on your body position and the rush of air. Your instructor will guide you through the required movements. Once you settle into the position, look outward rather than straight down. The best views are spread across the horizon, with mountains, glaciers, sea, and riverbeds all competing for attention.

The altitude changes your sense of scale. Roads, buildings, and river channels become small marks, while the glacier valleys and mountain ranges take over the view. You can expect the scene to feel broad rather than intimate. If you want a close look at ice formations, a glacier walk is the better choice. This jump is about seeing the entire region from above.

When the parachute opens, the feeling shifts from speed to suspension. You have more time to look around and take in the area. The experience is still active, but the pace becomes more manageable. You are no longer simply trying to remember the instructions. You can enjoy the views and the feeling of floating back toward the ground.

Franz Josef, Fox Glacier, and Aoraki Mount Cook from above

The scenery is the strongest reason to choose this particular jump. Franz Josef and Fox Glacier sit in a part of New Zealand known for sharp mountains, large ice fields, rainforest, and powerful rivers. From ground level, you see separate pieces. From the aircraft and parachute, those pieces connect.

Aoraki Mount Cook is one of the major visual draws. The information for this activity promises views over New Zealand’s highest mountains, including Aoraki Mount Cook. Visibility will depend on the weather, so do not assume every landmark will be perfectly clear on every departure.

The Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers are another highlight. Their pale ice contrasts with darker forest and rocky mountain slopes. You may also see the Tasman Sea, which adds a broad blue horizon beyond the mountains. The setting gives the jump a strong sense of place. You are not simply jumping over an anonymous field.

The braided riverbeds are worth noticing too. Their pale channels spread and divide across the valley floor, offering a clear view of how water moves through the region. Lakes may appear as reflective shapes among the surrounding country, while rainforest adds dense green areas below.

This is a scenic experience, but it is not a sightseeing flight. Your attention will be split between the view, the speed, and the instructions. If photography is your main reason for going, buy the photo or video package rather than relying on yourself to remember every detail.

Equipment, clothing, and physical demands

The price includes the skydiving equipment, jumpsuit, helmet, gloves, and goggles. You do not need to bring specialist gear. You should wear warm, lightweight clothing and secure shoes, preferably with laces.

That clothing advice makes sense for two reasons. Franz Josef can feel cool, and the wind at altitude will be strong. Lightweight layers are more practical than bulky clothing under the jumpsuit. Shoes should stay firmly attached to your feet and should not be loose or difficult to secure.

You need a moderate level of physical fitness. The provided information does not give a weight limit, age limit, or detailed medical rules, so you should ask the operator directly if you have a health concern or are unsure about your suitability.

This is not a passive ride. You will need to get into the aircraft, wear the harness and equipment, follow instructions, and manage the physical sensation of freefall. Still, the tandem format makes it accessible to people who have never made a jump before.

The real cost: $515.16, plus optional media

At $515.16 per person, this is one of the more expensive activities you can add to a New Zealand trip. The base cost includes equipment, instruction, the shared transfer, and the three-hour experience. Tea and coffee are also provided.

The price makes more sense if you value the altitude and the setting. An 18,000-foot jump is the highest skydive in New Zealand, and the scenery extends across mountains, glaciers, rainforest, lakes, rivers, and the sea. You are paying for a major one-time experience rather than a short local attraction.

Photo and video are not included. T-shirts and hoodies are also extra. I would decide about media before the day if you know you will want a record of the jump. During freefall, you will not be in a position to take photographs yourself, and the view changes too quickly to rely on memory alone.

For a couple or family watching the budget, the add-ons can make a costly activity more expensive. For a once-in-a-lifetime trip, the media package may feel worthwhile. The best value depends on what you want to carry home: the memory alone, or a visual record as well.

Weather, cancellations, and planning around the West Coast

Weather is not a minor footnote here. This activity requires favorable conditions, and poor weather can lead to cancellation. If that happens, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

You can also cancel your booking for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. The cut-off follows local time.

I would book this with some flexibility. The experience is commonly reserved well ahead of time, with an average booking lead of about 38 days, but a reservation alone cannot control West Coast weather. Avoid placing the jump immediately before a flight, long drive, or another activity that cannot be moved.

The activity also requires a minimum number of participants. If that minimum is not met, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. The maximum group size is 70 people, so this is not necessarily a small private outing. The jump itself is tandem, but the wider operation can include a sizeable group.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend this for an adult or older teenager who wants a major thrill and is comfortable spending a large part of the budget on one experience. It suits first-timers because the instructor handles the technical side and all instruction is included.

It is especially appealing if your New Zealand route already includes Franz Josef or Fox Glacier. You get a different view of places you might otherwise see from trails, roads, or a glacier excursion. The jump gives the region a sense of scale that ground-based activities cannot match.

It may not suit you if you dislike heights, need a fixed schedule, or want a quiet way to see the glaciers. The first part is loud and fast, and the weather can disrupt your plans. You should also think carefully about the cost of optional photographs and video before booking.

Should you book the Franz Josef 18,000-foot jump?

Book it if you want the highest-altitude skydive in New Zealand, a long freefall, and views that combine Aoraki Mount Cook, glaciers, rainforest, rivers, lakes, and the Tasman Sea. The calm approach from instructors such as Peter and JT is useful for first-timers, and the shared transfer keeps the practical side easy.

Skip it if the price feels uncomfortable, you cannot spare a flexible half-day, or you would rather spend your money on a glacier walk or scenic flight. For the right person, though, the combination of altitude, scenery, and expert tandem support makes this a strong choice for a major South Westland memory.

FAQ

Where does the experience begin?

It begins at 63 Cron Street, Franz Josef, New Zealand.

Where does the experience end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point on Cron Street.

How high is the jump?

The tandem jump is from 18,000 feet, described as New Zealand’s highest skydive.

How long does the freefall last?

The freefall lasts about 85 seconds.

How long does the whole experience take?

The experience lasts approximately three hours.

Is transport included?

A shared round-trip transfer from the booking office to the airport is included, except under Covid restrictions.

Is instruction included?

Yes. Instruction is included, and the experience is designed for people without previous skydiving experience.

What equipment is provided?

The price includes the skydive equipment, helmet, gloves, goggles, and jumpsuit.

What happens if bad weather cancels the jump?

You can choose an alternative date or receive a full refund if the activity is canceled because of poor weather.