Bay of Islands: 18,000ft Skydive

The North Island looks tiny from here. The Bay of Islands 18,000ft skydive gives you a rare aerial view of 144 islands, blue water, beaches, and Northland’s long coast, all in a single high-adrenaline outing. I especially like the highest jump in the North Island and the calm, friendly tandem team, with instructors such as Prashant, Filip, Rhys, and Maurice praised for helping nervous first-timers relax.

I also like the complimentary collection from central Paihia and Kerikeri, which makes the Kerikeri meeting point easier to reach without a car. The main drawback is time: although the jump itself can take about 1.5 hours from start to finish, you should allow two to four hours because weather and aviation needs can change the schedule.

Key points at a glance

• 18,000ft exit height: This is promoted as the highest skydive in the North, giving you a longer freefall and wide views across Northland.
• 144 islands below: On a clear day, the Bay of Islands becomes the show, with islands, beaches, open water, and coastal headlands spread beneath you.
• Complimentary central pickup: Collection is offered from central Paihia and Kerikeri, but hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.
• A reassuring tandem team: Prashant, Filip, Rhys, and Maurice receive particular praise for calm explanations, humor, and professional handling.
• Weather matters: You must call one hour before your scheduled time to confirm conditions, and delays are possible.
• $297 before extras: The price covers the jump and safety equipment, but souvenir photos cost extra.

Why 18,000 feet changes the experience

A jump from 18,000 feet is the headline reason to book this experience. You get the highest exit point offered in the North Island, with more time in freefall than a lower-altitude jump. That does not make the experience casual, of course. You are still stepping out of an aircraft, but the extra height gives the event a bigger sense of occasion.

I like that the setting does much of the work. This is not simply a jump over an anonymous field. Below you is the Bay of Islands, a spread of 144 islands, clear water, small beaches, and coastal country. On especially clear days, views may reach toward Cape Reinga, the northern tip of New Zealand.

The view is weather-dependent, so you should not book this expecting every named landmark to be visible. Clouds, wind, and flight conditions can change the picture. Still, even a partial view of the bay gives the jump a strong sense of place.

The experience is tandem, so you are attached to a trained instructor throughout the jump. Your instructor handles the technical side while you follow instructions and take in the view. The strongest praise goes to the team’s manner: Prashant is repeatedly singled out for clear explanations and a reassuring attitude, while Filip is praised for combining calm authority with friendly conversation.

That matters if you are nervous. A tandem skydive is meant to let you focus on the sensation and the view, but the quality of the instructor affects how much you enjoy it. The available feedback points to a crew that knows how to keep the mood light without treating safety casually.

From Kerikeri to the Bay of Islands below

The meeting point is at 182 Wiroa Road in Kerikeri. From there, the experience returns to the same location. Complimentary collection is available from central Paihia and Kerikeri, which is useful because the actual meeting point is not described as a hotel-front pickup service.

If you are staying elsewhere, plan your own way to the meeting point. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. Spectators may sometimes ride in the shuttle, but people booked to jump take priority, and a full vehicle may mean spectators need separate transportation.

Once you arrive, expect the practical side of the activity to come first. Training and safety equipment are provided. Wear comfortable clothes and closed-toe shoes, and remember that the company has a strict 100-kilogram weight limit. If you are close to that limit, contact the operator before booking rather than leaving the question until arrival.

The group limit is 24 people. That does not mean everyone will be in the aircraft at once, but it gives you a useful idea of the operation’s scale. You should expect some waiting if several people are scheduled around the same time.

What you may see from 18,000 feet

The flight path and visibility can vary, so no particular landmark should be treated as guaranteed. The following places and features form the visual story of the jump.

The 144 islands

The Bay of Islands is the main attraction. From ground level, you see one beach, one headland, or one harbor at a time. From above, the scattered islands make sense as a single coastal region.

The islands are known for clear water, secluded beaches, and marine life. From the aircraft, you are mainly there for shape, color, and scale rather than close wildlife viewing. You will not get the same detail as on a boat trip, but you gain a much broader view in a short period.

Cape Reinga

Cape Reinga is far to the north and is not directly visible on most jumps. It still has a useful place in the story of the experience because clear conditions may allow distant views toward the far north.

The cape is also a significant spiritual place in New Zealand. Here, it works more as a reminder of Northland’s reach than as a guaranteed stop or sight directly below you.

Paihia

Paihia is the main coastal base for exploring the Bay of Islands. From the air, you may see the town’s position along the water and its relationship to the islands offshore.

The complimentary central Paihia pickup is practical if you are staying there. Just confirm the exact collection details before setting out, since the service applies to central areas rather than every hotel or address.

Russell

Across the bay from Paihia, Russell is known for its waterfront and historic character. From altitude, the appeal is its setting: a town framed by water, islands, and the wider curve of the bay.

You will not be stopping in Russell during this activity. If you want its streets, waterfront, and historic sites at close range, plan a separate visit.

Waitangi

Waitangi is widely regarded as the birthplace of modern New Zealand, with major historical importance. The grounds and surrounding area may form part of the aerial view, although the jump is not a landing visit to the site.

For many visitors, this adds meaning to the view. You are not just looking at attractive coastline. You are looking down on a place tied closely to New Zealand’s national story.

Great Barrier Island

Great Barrier Island is the largest island in the Bay of Islands area described for this experience. Its scale makes it an important part of the wider aerial picture, with trails, beaches, and clear water.

From 18,000 feet, you will appreciate its position and outline more than its walking tracks. If hiking is your goal, you will need a separate trip. The skydive gives you the overview, not the island experience on foot.

Kerikeri

Kerikeri sits inland from the coast and is home to New Zealand’s oldest stone buildings. The town is surrounded by green countryside, making it a natural part of the setting around the drop zone.

Since the experience begins and ends in Kerikeri, this is the easiest place to pair with the jump. Allow extra time before or after if you want to explore the town rather than treating it only as a transport point.

Hole in the Rock

This well-known rock formation has a natural archway and sits offshore near Cape Brett. It is a classic Bay of Islands sight, though visibility from the aircraft depends on the flight route and conditions.

The rock is usually best appreciated from the water, where its opening is easier to see. From the air, you may get a wider sense of the rugged coast around it.

Cape Brett

Cape Brett adds cliffs and open ocean to the view. Its rough, projecting shape helps show how the Bay of Islands meets the Pacific.

Again, do not treat the named places as a fixed sightseeing circuit. This is an aerial activity, not a scenic flight with guaranteed passes over every landmark.

The Rainbow Warrior memorial

Near Matauri Bay, a memorial marks the Rainbow Warrior, the Greenpeace ship bombed in 1985. It is a small but meaningful reference point in Northland’s coastal story.

You may not be able to identify the memorial from the aircraft. Its inclusion gives you useful context for the area, but the jump is not designed as a memorial tour.

The jump itself, and how the nerves are handled

The biggest emotional hurdle is usually the aircraft door, not the view. The tandem format means your instructor takes care of the key procedures, but you still need to listen carefully and follow directions.

The strongest comments about the staff focus on reassurance. Prashant is praised for explaining each step and helping first-time jumpers feel safe. Filip is described as professional and friendly, while Rhys is praised for making the freefall fun. Maurice receives credit for adding playful moves, including a forward roll and a cloud walk, though such options should never be assumed as part of every jump.

That combination of safety and personality is valuable. A silent instructor could make the aircraft ride feel longer. A good instructor can give you something to focus on besides your nerves.

You should expect a rush rather than a slow scenic flight. The reviews describe the freefall as intense, memorable, and highly exhilarating. If you want a gentle sightseeing experience, this is the wrong tool. If you want a dramatic way to see the bay and can handle the physical demands, it gives you a powerful memory in a short time.

Souvenir photos are available to purchase but are not included in the $297 price. Decide before the jump how important that record is to you. The view will be brief, and photos can be a useful way to remember it, but the extra cost should be part of your budget.

Is $297 good value?

At $297, this is a major activity expense, especially if you are traveling with family or a group. I would judge the price against what you want from the day rather than comparing it only with ordinary sightseeing.

You are paying for a tandem jump from 18,000 feet, equipment, instruction, aviation operations, and access to a view that would be difficult to get any other way. The activity also fits into a two to three-hour window in normal conditions, making it possible to combine with other Bay of Islands plans.

The value is strongest for you if the jump itself is a bucket-list goal. The Bay of Islands scenery gives the experience more character than a jump over a generic field, but the main product remains the adrenaline rush.

Budget separately for photos, transport if you are not in central Paihia or Kerikeri, and possible schedule changes. The usual time is about 1.5 hours, but you should reserve two to four hours. Aviation businesses can face weather delays and unexpected operational needs, so do not place a tight ferry, flight, or dinner booking immediately afterward.

Health, timing, and booking details to know

Call 0800 GO JUMP one hour before your scheduled time to confirm that conditions are suitable. This is not a formality to skip. Weather determines whether the aircraft can operate and whether the views will be worthwhile.

You need a moderate level of physical fitness. Anyone under 18 requires signed consent from a parent or guardian. If you have a medical condition that could affect your ability to skydive, seek professional medical advice before booking.

Do not schedule this within 24 hours of scuba activity because of pressure changes. Wear closed-toe shoes and comfortable clothing. The 100-kilogram limit is strict, so contact the operator if your weight may be close to it.

Confirmation is provided at booking. Although mobile tickets are advertised, the arrival instructions say tickets or vouchers must be printed and presented at the drop zone. I would print the voucher rather than rely only on your phone.

Open-dated tickets need to be booked seven days before the requested jump date. For changes or cancellations, give at least 48 hours’ notice when possible. Free cancellation applies up to 24 hours before the start time, while changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted or refunded.

Who should book the 18,000ft jump?

I would recommend this to a first-time jumper who wants a well-supported introduction and a memorable view of Northland. The repeated praise for instructors such as Prashant and Filip is especially encouraging if you are excited but uneasy.

It also suits repeat jumpers who want a high-altitude option and a scenic setting. Maurice’s playful approach and the possibility of fun freefall movements may appeal to experienced participants, though you should let the instructor and safety conditions determine what is appropriate.

I would be cautious if your schedule is packed, your weight may be near the limit, or you cannot accept a weather delay. This is not a quick attraction you can squeeze between fixed appointments. You need flexible time, reasonable fitness, and a willingness to follow aviation and safety instructions.

Should you book this Bay of Islands skydive?

Book it if you want the most dramatic possible view of the Bay of Islands and are comfortable paying $297 for a short, intense experience. The 18,000-foot height, 144-island setting, and friendly tandem team give it a clear advantage over a routine scenic flight.

Skip it if you want a relaxed coastal outing, a guaranteed view of every named landmark, or a tightly timed activity. For the right person, this is an efficient way to turn a limited amount of time in Northland into a story you will keep telling. Just leave room in the day, call one hour before, and arrive ready for the aircraft door.

FAQ

Where does the skydive begin and end?

It begins at 182 Wiroa Road, Kerikeri 0293, New Zealand, and ends back at the same meeting point.

How high is the jump?

The jump takes place from 18,000 feet, promoted as the highest skydive in the North Island.

How long should I allow for the experience?

The usual completion time is about 1.5 hours, but you should allow two to four hours for weather changes and unexpected aviation requirements.

Is pickup available?

Complimentary collection is offered from central Paihia and Kerikeri. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

What should I wear?

Wear comfortable clothing and closed-toe shoes.

Is there a weight limit?

Yes. The strict weight limit is 100 kilograms. Contact the operator if you think you may be close to that limit.

Are photos included in the price?

No. Souvenir photos are available to purchase separately.

Do I need to confirm the jump on the day?

Yes. All jumpers must call 0800 GO JUMP one hour before the scheduled time to confirm that conditions are suitable.

Can people under 18 take part?

Yes, but anyone under 18 needs signed consent from a parent or guardian.

Can I skydive after scuba activity?

No. You cannot take part within 24 hours of scuba activity because of pressure changes.