Tandem Skydive 18,000ft from Franz Josef

At 18,000 feet, this is New Zealand’s highest skydive, with about 85 seconds of free fall at roughly 200kph. The real prize is the view: Aoraki Mount Cook, the Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers, braided river beds, mirror lakes, rainforest, and the Tasman Sea spread below you. You get a big adventure and a broad look at the West Coast in one short morning or afternoon.

I like the fact that the price includes the equipment, instruction, and shared transfer from the Franz Josef booking office to the airport. I also like the calm, practical setup: tea and coffee before and after, friendly instructors, and four-point harness security noted by guests who found the staff reassuring. The main drawback is simple: this is weather-dependent, and a three-hour booking can be delayed or cancelled if clouds, wind, or other conditions are not suitable.

Key points at a glance

• 85 seconds of free fall: The 18,000ft jump gives you a longer free-fall period than a lower-altitude tandem jump.
• Views across the Southern Alps: Look for Aoraki Mount Cook, the Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers, lakes, rivers, rainforest, and the Tasman Sea.
• A beginner-friendly format: Your instructor handles the technical work while you follow the briefing and enjoy the experience.
• Transfer and equipment included: The shared ride, jumpsuit, helmet, gloves, and goggles are covered in the base price.
• Useful staff support: Peter and JT are named in the feedback as instructors who helped keep first-time jumpers calm and secure.
• Plan around the weather: You can choose another date or receive a full refund if poor conditions force cancellation.

Why 18,000 feet changes the experience

The extra altitude is the main reason to choose this Franz Josef skydive. You receive roughly 85 seconds of free fall, enough time for the first rush to settle into something you can actually take in. At around 200kph, you will not be quietly admiring the scenery from the start. The opening seconds are pure noise, wind, and sensation. Then you have time to look around.

That matters in Westland. The mountains, glaciers, river beds, and coast are not one small view from a platform. They form a huge sweep, and the height lets you see how the pieces fit together. Aoraki Mount Cook and the glacier country give the jump its mountain drama, while the Tasman Sea adds a sharp blue edge beyond the land.

Tandem skydiving is designed for people with no previous experience. You are attached to a trained instructor, who manages the parachute and the key technical steps. You still need to listen carefully, move as instructed, and meet the stated fitness requirements, but you do not need to learn the full sport before arriving.

The altitude also comes with a practical trade-off. You pay $515.16 per person, which is a serious part of a New Zealand travel budget. The longer free fall, the equipment, staff time, transfer, and views help explain the cost, but this is still an experience to choose because you want a major adrenaline activity, not because it is a cheap way to see the glaciers.

Starting at 63 Cron Street in Franz Josef

Your day begins at 63 Cron Street, Franz Josef / Waiau 7886. The experience lasts about three hours, although the actual free fall is only part of that time. The rest allows for check-in, preparation, transport, instruction, the flight, parachute descent, and return to the meeting point.

That three-hour window is useful when planning your day. The experience runs several times a day, so you have some flexibility around walks, meals, or a drive through the West Coast. I would still avoid placing another fixed activity immediately afterward. Weather can alter the timing, and skydiving requires enough patience to let the operator make the right call.

The shared transfer takes you from the booking office to the airport and returns you afterward. It is included except under stated Covid restrictions. You do not need to arrange separate transport to the takeoff point, which removes one small but useful piece of trip planning.

Tea and coffee are provided before and after the jump. That is not a major part of the price, but it makes the waiting period more comfortable, especially if you are excited, nervous, or dressed for cool mountain weather.

Getting ready with the included equipment

All standard skydive equipment is included. You use a jumpsuit, helmet, gloves, and goggles, along with the tandem harness that connects you to your instructor. You should wear warm, lightweight clothing underneath and secure shoes, preferably with laces.

The clothing advice deserves attention. Franz Josef can feel cool, and you will be exposed to fast-moving air at altitude. Warm layers are sensible, but bulky clothing may be awkward under the equipment. Secure shoes are important because loose footwear is not suitable for an activity involving a plane, free fall, and parachute landing.

The instruction is included, and it is aimed at novices. This is where the staff make a real difference. The available feedback names Peter and JT as instructors who helped make the experience feel controlled and reassuring. JT was specifically described as calming for a nervous partner, while the harness was checked and secured at four points.

That does not mean you should treat the jump casually. You need a moderate level of physical fitness and must be able to follow directions. The staff can handle the technical operation, but you are still an active part of the tandem pair. Listen during the briefing, ask questions, and tell the instructor if you are worried.

The flight over Franz Josef Glacier country

The listed itinerary identifies Franz Josef Glacier as the experience stop, but the attraction is much broader than a single glacier viewpoint. From the air, the jump gives you a chance to see the West Coast region as a connected sweep of ice, peaks, forests, water, and river channels.

Aoraki Mount Cook is the headline sight. New Zealand’s highest mountain gives the view a clear focal point, especially for anyone who has spent time exploring the South Island’s alpine routes. The Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers add wide fields of ice and pale river outwash. Below, braided river beds show the force of meltwater as it spreads and shifts across the valley floor.

You may also see mirror lakes, rainforest, and the Tasman Sea. These details are valuable because they make the experience more than a generic high-altitude jump. The view changes from rugged mountain country to low coastal country, with the rainforest and sea helping you understand the geography of the area.

Do not expect to study every feature in a relaxed way. Free fall is fast and intense. You will need to keep your head up, follow your instructor’s guidance, and take in whatever appears in front of you. The parachute portion gives you a quieter chance to look around, but exact views depend on the flight path and weather.

What the 85 seconds of free fall feels like

The free-fall period is the reason many people pay for the 18,000ft option. Compared with a lower jump, 85 seconds gives you more time to experience the sensation rather than reaching the parachute stage almost at once.

The first moments can be overwhelming. You are moving at about 200kph, so sound, wind, and body position take over. A good instructor helps you stay focused on the basics. Once you settle into the tandem position, you can look outward and appreciate the scale below.

The experience is often described as both thrilling and strangely peaceful once the parachute opens. I would not promise that every person reacts the same way. Some people may find the free fall exhilarating, while others may spend much of it concentrating on breathing and staying relaxed.

You can purchase photo and video options separately. They are not included in the listed price. If recording the experience matters to you, ask about those options when arranging the jump and include the extra cost in your budget. A T-shirt and hoodies are also available to purchase, but they are optional extras rather than part of the activity.

Safety, nerves, and the role of the instructor

For a first-time jumper, the strongest part of this format is that the instructor remains responsible for the major technical tasks. You are not expected to pack a parachute, plan the flight, or manage the descent. Your job is to take the instruction seriously and work with the instructor during the jump.

The available feedback gives useful clues about the staff approach. Peter and JT are named as instructors, and JT helped calm a nervous participant before the jump. Another account noted that staff answered questions, secured the harness at four points, and made the experience feel safe.

That kind of reassurance is important, but no skydiving activity is risk-free. You should be honest about your fitness and any concerns before you begin. The operator states that participants should have a moderate physical fitness level. The most useful preparation is simple: wear the right clothes, arrive ready to listen, and tell the team if you need something explained again.

The group limit is listed as 70 people. That is the maximum for the activity, not a promise that every departure will reach that number. Still, you should not assume this is a private experience. The transfer is shared, and the airport operation may include other jumpers.

Is $515.16 a fair price?

At $515.16 per person, this is one of the more expensive single activities you might add to a South Island itinerary. The value comes from the combination of altitude and setting. You are not paying only for a short aircraft ride or a basic parachute experience. You are paying for the 18,000ft option, the longer free fall, instruction, equipment, transport, and a chance to see major West Coast sights from above.

The price makes the most sense if you specifically want a high-altitude tandem jump. If your main goal is simply to see Franz Josef Glacier, walking or sightseeing options may use less of your budget and give you more time on the ground. If the jump itself is a priority, the extra altitude gives this experience a clear reason to cost more.

Photo and video packages increase the final spend. Merchandise also costs extra. I would decide in advance how important those extras are, rather than agreeing on the day while you are excited and already committed to the jump.

The tour is booked an average of 38 days ahead. That is a useful planning signal. You should not leave it until the last day of a tightly scheduled West Coast trip, especially since weather can force changes. Booking ahead gives you a better chance of fitting the experience into your itinerary, while leaving some flexibility around the date remains wise.

Weather is part of the booking decision

Skydiving in an alpine and coastal region depends on suitable weather. The experience may be cancelled if conditions are poor, and the operator will offer another date or a full refund in that case.

This is good news for safety, but it means you need a backup plan. Avoid booking the skydive on the final morning before a flight or long drive. Give yourself another possible day if your schedule allows. A weather cancellation is much easier to handle when you are staying in Franz Josef for more than one night.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before the experience are not accepted for a refund under the stated policy. The cut-off follows local time.

Who will get the most from this jump?

This suits an adult or older teen who wants a major adrenaline experience and is comfortable paying for a premium activity. It is especially appealing if you want more than a quick thrill and care about seeing the Southern Alps, glaciers, rivers, rainforest, and coast from the air.

It also suits first-time jumpers. The tandem setup and included instruction remove much of the technical barrier, while the staff experience described by Peter, JT, and others gives nervous participants a clear point of support.

I would think twice if you dislike uncertain schedules, have only one available day, or are mainly interested in a slow, detailed glacier experience. The flight can be weather-affected, the free fall is intense, and the three-hour booking may not fit neatly into a packed sightseeing day.

Should you book the Franz Josef 18,000ft skydive?

Book it if you want the highest skydive in New Zealand, value a long free-fall period, and can keep your schedule flexible for weather. The views over Aoraki Mount Cook, Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers, the Tasman Sea, lakes, rainforest, and braided rivers give the jump a strong sense of place.

Skip it if $515.16 would strain your trip budget or if you want to spend your time exploring the glaciers at ground level. For the right person, the included gear, instruction, transfer, and calm staff support make the price easier to justify. Just leave room for weather, wear warm lightweight clothing and secure shoes, and do not book another must-do activity too close afterward.

FAQ

Where does the Franz Josef 18,000ft skydive begin?

The experience starts at 63 Cron Street, Franz Josef / Waiau 7886, New Zealand.

How long does the experience last?

The total experience takes approximately three hours.

How long is the free-fall period?

The 18,000ft tandem skydive includes about 85 seconds of free fall.

What sights can I see during the jump?

The stated views include Aoraki Mount Cook, Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers, the Tasman Sea, rainforest, mirror lakes, and braided river beds.

Is equipment provided?

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

Is transport included?

A shared return transfer from the booking office to the airport is included, except under Covid restrictions. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

What happens if bad weather cancels the activity?

You will be offered an alternative date or a full refund if the experience is cancelled because of poor weather.