Tandem Skydive 13,000ft from Franz Josef

A tandem jump from 13,000 feet gives you an extraordinary view of Franz Josef Glacier, the Southern Alps, braided rivers, rainforest, and the Tasman Sea before the parachute opens. The freefall reaches about 200kph, so the first part is pure noise and motion, followed by a quieter ride back to earth.

I like the simple meeting point in Franz Josef Village and the shared ride to the airport. I also like that no previous experience is needed, and that instructor Danny is one of the named team members praised for helping first-time jumpers stay calm. The main drawback is weather: clouds, wind, or poor visibility can cancel the jump, so you need some flexibility in your schedule.

Key points before you book

• The jump begins at 13,000 feet: You get a long freefall and broad views from the mountains to the sea.
• Franz Josef Village is the starting point: Meet at 63 Cron Street, then use the included shared transfer to the airport.
• The scenery changes quickly: Expect glaciers, ice fields, high peaks, rivers, lakes, rainforest, and the coast in one flight.
• Your instructor manages the jump: You do not need prior experience, and all standard equipment is supplied.
• Plan for weather delays: A clear view is central to the experience, so a backup date may be needed.
• Photos and video cost extra: You can decide after the jump if you want a record of the experience.

Why 13,000 feet makes a difference above Franz Josef

The appeal here is not simply jumping from an aircraft. It is the unusual setting below you. Franz Josef sits between the Southern Alps and the Tasman Sea, with glaciers, ice fields, rivers, rainforest, and rugged coastline packed into one view.

At 13,000 feet, you have time to take in that setting before the freefall ends. The aircraft ride also gives you a useful preview of the terrain, though your attention may be divided between the scenery and the fact that you are about to leave the plane.

The freefall reaches roughly 200 kilometers per hour, or 120 miles per hour. That speed is the part most people imagine when they think of a tandem jump, but it lasts only part of the experience. Once the parachute opens, the pace changes. You float above the West Coast scenery and have more time to look around.

I like that the jump gives you two distinct experiences: a brief, intense rush and a slower aerial view. If you want a quiet sightseeing flight, this is the wrong choice. If you want scenery with a serious dose of adrenaline, it is a strong match.

Meeting at 63 Cron Street in Franz Josef Village

The practical side is straightforward. You start at 63 Cron Street, Franz Josef, and return there when the activity ends. The listed duration is about three hours, though the actual timing can shift because of weather, aircraft schedules, and the number of people taking part.

A shared transfer from the booking office to the airport is included, except during Covid-related restrictions. That saves you from arranging separate transport and keeps the experience centered in the village. You should still allow room in your day rather than scheduling another fixed activity immediately afterward.

The group can reach a maximum of 70 people. That is a fairly large upper limit, so do not expect a private outing. The jump itself is made in tandem pairs with instructors, but you may share the waiting area and transfer with a much larger group.

You will receive confirmation when you book. Wear warm, lightweight clothing and secure shoes, preferably with laces. Franz Josef weather can be cool and changeable, and you will be outside at altitude before and after the jump, so practical clothing matters more than looking stylish for the camera.

Getting ready without previous experience

Tandem jumping is designed for first-timers. You do not need training in solo parachuting, and the instructor handles the equipment and the technical parts of the jump. Your job is to follow instructions and take in as much of the view as possible.

The supplied equipment includes a jumpsuit, helmet, gloves, and goggles. That means you do not need to bring specialist gear, though your own clothing still needs to fit comfortably under the jumpsuit and keep you warm while you wait.

You should have a moderate level of physical fitness. The experience involves getting suited up, moving around the aircraft and landing area, and taking the landing position under the parachute. The information provided does not give a specific weight, age, or medical restriction, so contact the operator before booking if you have a health concern.

The instructor is the key to the experience. Danny is one instructor named in connection with the operation, and his role is typical of what you need from a tandem professional: clear instructions, a calm manner, and firm control of the technical work. The best guide does not remove the fear entirely. The guide gives you enough structure to act despite it.

The flight, freefall, and parachute ride

The activity begins with the airport transfer and preparation, followed by the aircraft flight to altitude. As the plane climbs, the view opens from the village and glacier area to the wider West Coast. You can expect the scenery to include high mountain peaks, ice fields, braided river beds, lakes, rainforest, and the sea.

At the aircraft door, there is no useful way to pretend this is an ordinary sightseeing trip. The jump is the central event. You leave the plane attached to your instructor and enter freefall at around 200kph.

The freefall is loud, fast, and physical. Your goggles and jumpsuit are supplied, and your instructor controls the tandem system. You can concentrate on body position, breathing, and the view instead of trying to manage a parachute yourself.

After the parachute opens, the mood changes. The speed drops and the scenery becomes easier to read. This is when you can appreciate the relationship between the glacier, the mountains, the rivers, and the coast. The jump is thrilling, but the parachute ride may be the more memorable sightseeing portion.

The experience ends back at the meeting point in Franz Josef. You should not expect a long guided explanation of the region in the style of a standard sightseeing tour. The value comes from seeing the area from above, then returning to the village with the jump completed.

The scenery: glacier ice, peaks, rivers, and sea

Franz Josef Glacier is the visual anchor, but it is only one part of the view. From the air, the glacier sits within a much larger system of rugged mountains, ice, forest, and water.

The aerial perspective helps you understand the shape of the region. Braided rivers spread across broad beds, lakes reflect the surrounding peaks, and the mountain slopes lead toward the Tasman Sea. On a ground tour, you see individual parts. From the aircraft and parachute, you see how they fit together.

Clear weather is essential for this reason. A jump can still be exciting in poor conditions, but cloud or bad visibility could hide the very scenery that makes Franz Josef a special place for this activity. The operator requires favorable weather, so a cancellation is not a minor inconvenience. It protects both the view and the safety of the jump.

I would place this experience early enough in your West Coast visit to leave room for a second attempt. That advice is especially important if the jump is your main reason for stopping in Franz Josef. You do not want to reach the village on your final morning, lose the booking to cloud, and have no time left.

What the $276.60 price includes

At $276.60 per person, this is a major travel expense. The price covers the tandem jump, standard skydive equipment, helmet, gloves, goggles, jumpsuit, and the shared transfer from the booking office to the airport under normal conditions.

That is reasonable value if you want a complete first-time jump in one of New Zealand’s most dramatic settings. You are paying for the aircraft operation, the instructor, specialist equipment, transfer, and the chance to see a large area from the air in a short period.

It is less attractive if your main goal is simply to see Franz Josef Glacier. Ground walks, viewpoints, and other glacier activities will cost less, though they cannot offer the same freefall or aerial perspective. You should book this because you want the jump itself, not because it is the cheapest way to sightsee.

Photos and video are not included. You can purchase them afterward, along with T-shirts and hoodies. The choice is useful: you can decide after the experience instead of committing to extra media before you know how much you want it. One person received three videos and more than 300 photos within hours, so the media package can provide a substantial record, but it will add to the total cost.

Weather, cancellations, and schedule planning

Weather is the biggest practical uncertainty. The activity can be canceled when conditions are unsuitable, and the operator then offers an alternative date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached.

For your own planning, this means you should keep a spare block of time. Do not place the jump on the last possible day if missing it would spoil your trip. The West Coast is famous for changeable weather, and this activity needs enough visibility and safe flying conditions.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the scheduled start time. Cancellations or changes made inside 24 hours are not refunded or accepted. The cut-off uses local time.

The waiting process can be frustrating, especially if you have come a long way for the jump. The desk team provides updates during weather delays, which helps, but no update can guarantee that the clouds will clear. Bring patience and avoid treating the three-hour estimate as an unbreakable appointment.

Who will enjoy this Franz Josef jump most

This suits you if you want a serious thrill, have moderate physical fitness, and can accept some uncertainty in your day. It is especially well suited to a first jump because the instructor takes care of the technical side and the equipment is provided.

It also works for a special occasion or a bucket-list stop. The setting gives the experience more character than a jump over an ordinary city or open field. You are not just looking down at roads and buildings. You are looking across glaciers, mountains, rivers, and the coast.

It may not suit you if you dislike heights, need a guaranteed start time, or want a relaxed glacier tour. A person who feels uneasy about spending part of the day waiting for weather should build a backup plan. The jump is also not a good fit if you cannot meet the moderate fitness requirement.

The 70-person maximum means this is not the best choice if you want a small, personal group from start to finish. The tandem flight remains instructor-led, but the wider operation can feel busy during transfers and preparation.

Should you book the 13,000-foot jump?

I would book this if the thought of freefall above Franz Josef excites you more than it worries you. The combination of a 13,000-foot exit, 200kph freefall, and views from the Southern Alps to the Tasman Sea gives the experience real substance beyond the adrenaline.

Book it with two conditions. First, leave room for weather changes. Second, budget for optional photos and video only if you decide the memories are worth the extra cost after the jump.

Skip it if you want a low-cost way to see the glacier or if your itinerary cannot handle a cancellation. For an adventurous first-time jumper with a flexible schedule, this is one of the more distinctive ways to see the Franz Josef region.

FAQ

Do I need previous skydiving experience?

No. This is a tandem experience designed for people without previous experience, with an instructor managing the technical parts of the jump.

Where does the activity start?

You meet at 63 Cron Street, Franz Josef, New Zealand. The experience ends back at the same meeting point.

How high is the jump?

The jump is from 13,000 feet.

How fast is the freefall?

The freefall reaches about 200 kilometers per hour, or approximately 120 miles per hour.

How long does the experience take?

Allow about three hours. The timing can be affected by weather and operating conditions.

Is transport to the airport included?

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

What equipment is supplied?

The operator supplies 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. The experience also requires a minimum number of participants, and the same alternative-date or refund option applies if that minimum is not met.