Tandem Skydive 13,000ft from Franz Josef

The hardest part is saying yes. This tandem jump from Franz Josef gives you a fast, simple way to see the glacier, mountains, ice fields, rainforest, lakes, braided rivers, and Tasman Sea from above, without needing previous experience. I like the spectacular range of views, from high mountain country down to the coast, and I like the calm, professional approach that helps first-time jumpers manage their nerves.

I also like the practical setup. You meet at 63 Cron Street in Franz Josef Village, use the supplied equipment, and return to the same point after roughly three hours. The main concern is weather: poor conditions can cancel the jump, and the West Coast is not a place where you should build your entire day around one fixed flight.

Key details before you book

• A 13,000-foot departure gives you a long, dramatic freefall at about 200 kilometers per hour.
• Franz Josef Glacier views are paired with mountains, ice fields, rainforest, lakes, river beds, and the sea.
• No previous experience is required, since an instructor handles the tandem jump.
• The full outing takes about three hours, including the shared transfer from the booking office to the airport.
• Photography and video cost extra, with one jump package providing three videos and more than 300 photos within hours.
• Weather decides the schedule, with a new date or full refund offered if conditions force a cancellation.

Why Franz Josef makes this jump special

Franz Josef is an unusually varied place to leave the ground. In one direction, you have high peaks and ice. In another, rainforest, mirror lakes, braided river beds, and the Tasman Sea. A normal glacier walk shows you one part of this setting at a time. From the plane, you get the whole sweep in one view.

That variety is the real reason to choose this jump. You are not simply looking down at fields or farmland. The scenery changes from mountain tops to sea level, with the glacier and ice fields acting as the visual center of the trip.

The 13,000-foot height matters, too. You get the thrill of a fast freefall before the parachute opens and the pace settles. The freefall reaches about 200 kilometers per hour, or 120 miles per hour. After that, the parachute gives you time to take in the scenery more calmly.

I would not pretend that the views make the nerves disappear. You still have to sit in an aircraft and step out of it. But a tandem arrangement removes the technical burden. You do not need prior training, and your instructor manages the jump itself while you focus on staying calm and looking around.

Arriving at 63 Cron Street in Franz Josef

Your day begins at the booking office at 63 Cron Street, Franz Josef, also known as Waiau. This is useful if you are staying in the village because the meeting point is central to the experience rather than somewhere remote.

The package includes a shared transfer from the booking office to the airport, except when Covid-related restrictions affect that service. That transfer keeps the day simple. You do not need to arrange a separate ride to the airport, and you finish back at the same meeting point.

Allow about three hours for the full activity. The exact rhythm can depend on operating conditions, but you should keep the rest of your day flexible. Skydiving depends on safe weather, and waiting can be part of the experience.

Bring warm, lightweight clothing and secure shoes, preferably with laces. This is not the place for loose footwear or an outfit that gets in the way of harnesses and safety equipment. You also need a moderate level of physical fitness.

Getting ready with the supplied equipment

The price includes the main gear needed for the tandem jump: a jumpsuit, helmet, gloves, and goggles. That makes the $276.60 price easier to assess because the essential equipment is already covered.

The supplied clothing also helps with the practical side of the outing. Franz Josef can feel cold, and the extra layer is useful before and after the jump. Warm lightweight clothes are still advised, so do not assume the jumpsuit replaces your own layers.

The instructor handles the technical work. Your job is to listen, follow directions, and stay aware of your body position. For a first jump, this is a major benefit. You are paying not only for the flight and parachute, but also for the safety system and guidance that make the activity possible for a beginner.

The experience has a maximum of 70 participants. That is a fairly large possible group, so do not expect a private outing by default. At the same time, the tandem portion is handled one person at a time with an instructor, and the shared transfer gives the day a social feel.

The flight up to 13,000 feet

The aircraft ride is part of the attraction, not just a way to reach the jump height. As you climb, the view opens across Franz Josef Glacier, the surrounding mountains, ice fields, rainforest, lakes, river beds, and the coast.

You get a useful sense of scale from the air. Glaciers can look immense from a trail and surprisingly patterned from above. Rivers that seem wide on the ground become thin braided lines. The connection between the mountains and the sea also becomes clear.

The flight is likely to be the calmer section of the day, though your anticipation may have other ideas. This is a good time to look outside and enjoy the setting before the freefall begins. If you are nervous, focusing on the changing view can help you avoid spending the entire ascent thinking about the jump.

The biggest limitation is that the views depend on clear enough conditions. Franz Josef weather can change, and this activity only runs when conditions are favorable. A cancellation is not a failure of the operator. It is an unavoidable part of a weather-dependent flight.

The freefall at about 200 kilometers per hour

At the jump height, you leave the aircraft attached to your tandem instructor. The freefall reaches roughly 200 kilometers per hour, or 120 miles per hour. It is quick, loud, and intense, but the tandem format means you are not responsible for operating the parachute.

This is the point where the experience becomes less about sightseeing and more about sensation. You feel the air, speed, and open space before the parachute changes the mood. The contrast between the fast freefall and the quieter descent is one of the strongest parts of the activity.

The first jump can bring real nerves, so the instructor matters. One participant specifically praised Danny for giving extra courage, while another described the team as helpful, professional, and good at keeping people calm. That balance is important. You want staff who take safety seriously without making the whole event stiff or joyless.

Once the parachute opens, you can take in more of the scenery. The view reaches from mountain country to the coast, with the glacier and ice fields below. You will not get the same kind of quiet observation during freefall, so the parachute section is your chance to appreciate the setting.

Returning safely to Franz Josef Village

The activity ends back at the original meeting point. That makes the finish convenient, especially if you have left other plans, luggage, or transport arrangements in the village.

The total time is about three hours, so this is not a quick add-on between tightly scheduled activities. Plan your day around it. If the weather is uncertain, leave space afterward as well, since a delayed start can affect your plans.

You may also want time to settle after the jump. The activity is physically active and emotionally charged, even though it does not require advanced fitness. The supplied helmet, gloves, goggles, jumpsuit, and other equipment cover the practical basics, while secure footwear and warm clothing remain your responsibility.

Is $276.60 good value?

At $276.60 per person, this is a major holiday expense. It is not a casual purchase for most people, especially once you consider optional photos and video. The value depends on what you want from your time around Franz Josef.

You are paying for more than a short freefall. The price includes the tandem instruction, skydive equipment, protective clothing and gear, the flight to 13,000 feet, and the shared transfer from the booking office to the airport. You also get views that would be difficult to experience in any other way.

If this is a bucket-list activity, the cost is easier to justify. The setting adds real value because you see glaciers, mountains, rivers, rainforest, lakes, and sea in one outing. If you are mainly looking for a low-cost way to see Franz Josef Glacier, a ground-based activity will be cheaper and less weather-sensitive.

Photography and video are extra. I would decide before the day whether you want a record of the jump. One recent purchase included three videos and more than 300 photos delivered within hours, which makes the add-on more substantial than a single souvenir image. Still, budget for it separately rather than treating it as part of the advertised price.

Should you buy the photo and video package?

The answer depends on how much you value proof of the moment. During freefall, you will be busy with the sensation, your instructor, and the view. You may not remember every detail afterward, so photos and video can preserve the parts you could not fully absorb.

The available material can be extensive. One package provided three different videos and more than 300 photos within hours. That is useful if this is a once-in-a-lifetime event or if you want to share the experience with family and friends.

The extra cost is the drawback. The base price does not include photo or video, and T-shirts and hoodies are also sold separately. If you are trying to keep the day affordable, skip the merchandise first and decide carefully about the media package.

Weather, cancellations, and sensible planning

Weather is the main practical risk. If poor conditions cancel the activity, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached and the operator cancels.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted, so make your decision early.

I would book this activity near the beginning of your Franz Josef stay rather than on your final morning. That gives you a better chance of moving to another date if weather interrupts the plan. One person who had come from Australia described the cancellation as a major disappointment, though the desk team provided regular updates and helpful service while the group waited.

That story gives you the right expectation. The staff can communicate well and offer practical options, but nobody can control West Coast weather.

Who will enjoy this most?

This is best for an adult or older young person who wants a serious thrill with strong scenery and does not want to complete a full solo-jump course. No experience is needed, and the instructor controls the technical side.

It also suits people who want one memorable centerpiece for a New Zealand trip. The combination of glacier, mountains, ice, rainforest, lakes, river beds, and coast gives the jump a strong sense of place. You are not doing the activity in a generic setting.

It may not suit you if you dislike uncertainty, have only a few hours in Franz Josef, or cannot handle a weather-related change of plan. The experience also requires moderate fitness, warm clothing, and secure shoes, so it is not something to treat as a completely effortless sightseeing ride.

The 70-person maximum means the overall operation can be fairly large. If you want a quiet, private outing, this may not be the right fit. If you value a well-organized activity with shared transport and clear equipment arrangements, the setup is practical.

Final verdict: book it if the jump matters to you

I would book this tandem jump if you want a true high point of your Franz Josef visit and can keep your schedule flexible. The combination of a 13,000-foot jump, 200-kilometer-per-hour freefall, glacier views, and mountain-to-sea scenery gives the experience a strong sense of place.

I would be more cautious if the price stretches your budget or if you have no spare day for weather trouble. Buy the photo and video package only if you want a lasting record, and arrive in warm clothes with secure shoes.

For a first jump, the tandem format, supplied equipment, shared transfer, and supportive instructors make the decision easier. You still need to take the leap, but you do not need to learn the whole sport before enjoying it.

FAQ

Do I need previous skydiving experience?

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

How high is the jump?

The tandem jump is from 13,000 feet.

How fast is the freefall?

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

How long does the experience take?

The full experience lasts approximately three hours.

Where do I meet the team?

You meet at 63 Cron Street, Franz Josef, also known as Waiau, New Zealand.

Where does the activity finish?

The experience ends back at the meeting point in Franz Josef Village.

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 provided?

The experience includes a jumpsuit, helmet, gloves, goggles, and the required skydive equipment.

Are photos and video included in the price?

No. Photo and video options are available to purchase separately. T-shirts and hoodies are also sold separately.

What happens if the weather is too poor?

If the activity is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose an alternative date or receive a full refund.

Can I cancel my booking?

Yes. You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes within 24 hours are not accepted or refunded.

What should I wear?

Wear warm, lightweight clothes and secure shoes, preferably shoes with laces. A moderate level of physical fitness is also required.