Tandem Skydive 18,000ft from Franz Josef

The South Island looks different from above. This 18,000ft tandem jump gives you about 85 seconds of free fall at roughly 200kph, with views stretching from Aoraki Mount Cook and the Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers toward the Tasman Sea. I like the simple setup: equipment, instruction, transfers, and a seasoned instructor are all included. I also like the flexible three-hour schedule, with several departure times during the day.

The main drawback is the weather. Mountain cloud can cancel or delay the jump, so you should keep some room in your Franz Josef plans. At $515.16 per person, this is not a casual add-on, but the height, flight time, and views make it a serious option for a once-only New Zealand adventure.

Key points to know before you book

• New Zealand’s highest advertised skydive: The jump begins at 18,000ft and gives you about 85 seconds of free fall.
• Views cover far more than one glacier: You may look across Aoraki Mount Cook, Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers, rainforests, lakes, braided rivers, and the Tasman Sea.
• Good for first-timers: Your instructor handles the technical work while you follow the briefing and enjoy the ride.
• Allow about three hours: The clock includes the meeting process, transfer to the airport, preparation, flight, jump, and return.
• Weather controls the schedule: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund.
• Photos and video cost extra: The jump price includes equipment and instruction, but not the recording packages.

Why the 18,000ft jump is different

A tandem jump from 18,000ft gives you more free-fall time than a lower-altitude jump. Here, the free fall lasts about 85 seconds, with the aircraft climbing above the Southern Alps before you leave it. That extra time matters. You get longer to take in the view, settle into the sensation, and understand the sheer scale of the mountains below.

The speed is listed at about 200kph, or 120mph. You are not expected to manage the parachute or make flight decisions. Your instructor is attached to you and controls the technical parts, while you follow the instructions on body position and enjoy the view.

The scenery is the real reason to choose Franz Josef over a jump in a less dramatic setting. From above, you can see snowy peaks, two major glaciers, rainforest, mirror-like lakes, braided river beds, and the Tasman Sea. The changing colors and textures are part of the appeal. This is not just a thrill ride with scenery added afterward. The scenery is the main show.

One small point needs checking when you book. The experience is advertised as an 18,000ft jump, while one customer comment refers to a 20,000ft jump. The supplied details consistently describe the current product as 18,000ft, so confirm the exact altitude if that distinction matters to you.

Starting at 63 Cron Street in Franz Josef

You begin at the booking office at 63 Cron Street, Franz Josef, also known as Franz Josef/Waiau. This is both the starting point and the place where the activity ends.

The process is designed to be straightforward. You check in, receive the initial instructions, and prepare for the shared transfer to the airport or takeoff point. The transfer is included in the price, except under COVID-related restrictions. That saves you from arranging separate transport, which is useful in a small alpine town where your accommodation may not be close to the airfield.

Allow the full three hours rather than treating this as a quick appointment. The actual free fall lasts less than two minutes, but the rest of the time covers preparation, safety instructions, transfer, aircraft arrangements, and the return trip. The schedule has several departures each day, which gives you a little flexibility, but it is wise not to place an important long-distance bus or flight immediately afterward.

Tea and coffee are available before and after the jump. That is a modest touch, but it helps make the wait more comfortable, especially if you arrive in cool weather or spend time watching the sky for a weather decision.

The briefing and equipment check

You do not need previous skydiving experience. The instruction is included, and the tandem format is intended for people making their first jump. Your instructor explains what you need to do, when to do it, and how the equipment works.

You use the supplied jumpsuit, helmet, gloves, and goggles. Wear warm, lightweight clothing underneath and secure shoes, preferably with laces. That advice is practical for a mountain setting. Loose or bulky clothing would be awkward under the equipment, while firm shoes are the sensible choice for moving around before and after the jump.

The harness is a key part of the preparation. One customer described being secured at four points and feeling safe during the process. That detail is worth noting because the harness can feel snug and serious before you leave the ground. A proper fit is exactly what you want. Your instructor checks the setup, and you should speak up if anything feels unclear or uncomfortable.

The staff receive especially strong praise for being friendly, professional, and clear. Peter and JT are named as instructors in one account, with JT helping calm a nervous partner. That suggests the human side of this activity is handled well. Good communication matters here. A reassuring instructor cannot remove every nerve, but clear guidance can stop uncertainty from taking over.

The flight above the Southern Alps

The aircraft ride takes you upward over the Franz Josef and Fox Glacier area. As the plane gains height, the view changes from a close mountain setting to a broad sweep of the West Coast and Southern Alps.

Aoraki Mount Cook is one of the headline sights. New Zealand’s highest mountain gives the jump a strong sense of place, even if visibility changes from one day to the next. The Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers add long pale bands among darker rock and forest. You may also see braided river beds, lakes, rainforest, and the Tasman Sea.

Weather controls how much of this you see. On a clear day, the high altitude gives you a wide view and plenty of time to look around. On a cloudy day, the jump may be postponed or cancelled instead. That can be frustrating if you have built your schedule around it, but it is a necessary limitation for a mountain jump.

I suggest keeping your plans loose on the day of the activity. If you have several nights in Franz Josef, place the jump early in your stay. That gives you a better chance of moving to another departure if poor weather interrupts the first attempt. The supplied cancellation terms allow a different date or a full refund when weather causes the cancellation.

The 85-second free fall

The moment you leave the aircraft is the most intense part of the experience. You fall at about 200kph, with your instructor managing the tandem setup. The free fall lasts approximately 85 seconds, which is long enough to feel like a major part of the activity rather than a brief sensation followed immediately by the parachute opening.

You will need to pay attention to the instructions before the jump. Once in the air, the best use of your time is to look outward. The glaciers, peaks, rivers, forest, and sea form a view that is difficult to absorb from ground level.

The first moments may feel overwhelming. That is normal for an activity built around stepping out of an aircraft. The staff’s role is especially important here, and the strongest praise focuses on calm explanations, friendly behavior, and helping nervous people relax.

After the free fall, the parachute opens and the pace changes. You descend more slowly, giving you another chance to look at the region. The supplied information does not specify the exact length of the parachute ride, so I would not promise a particular viewing time. The important point is that the experience includes both the fast free fall and a slower return to the ground.

Returning to Franz Josef

The activity ends back at the Cron Street meeting point. You return your supplied gear and can collect any purchased photo or video products if that option is available through the operator.

Photos and video are not included in the $515.16 price. This is worth considering before you book because many people want a record of a jump, but the extra cost can change the final bill. Ask about the available packages and prices before the day if having footage matters to you.

The included tea and coffee provide a simple finish. You can also expect the post-jump mood to be different from the nervous anticipation at check-in. The strongest customer comments describe wanting to do it again almost immediately, which gives you a fair idea of the activity’s appeal to people who enjoy high-adrenaline experiences.

Is $515.16 good value?

This is expensive, but the price needs to be judged against what you are buying. The fee includes the tandem equipment, helmet, gloves, goggles, jumpsuit, instruction, shared transfer, aircraft flight, and the jump itself. It also buys access to a very high-altitude experience above one of New Zealand’s most scenic mountain regions.

The 18,000ft altitude is the main value point. You get approximately 85 seconds of free fall, not just a short drop, and the scenery is unusually varied. A shorter jump may cost less, but it would not offer the same listed free-fall time or the same broad view over the Southern Alps and West Coast.

Still, the price does not include photos, video, T-shirts, or hoodies. If you want souvenirs or proof of the jump, budget for those separately. I would also avoid comparing the fee only with the duration. Three hours of scheduled time produces less than two minutes of free fall, but the flight, safety work, and equipment are what make that two minutes possible.

The activity is booked around 38 days ahead on average, so early planning is sensible during busy periods. This is particularly important if your time on the West Coast is limited and you need a specific departure.

Who should book this experience?

I would recommend it to you if you want a major adrenaline activity and care as much about scenery as the sensation of falling. It suits first-timers who like the idea of a jump but do not want to manage the parachute themselves.

It is also a good fit for a couple or small group with different levels of nerve. The instructor takes responsibility for the technical side, and the staff’s calm approach can help someone who is excited but uneasy. The shared transfer also makes it easy to join without arranging your own transport.

You should think twice if your budget is tight, if you need a fixed departure time, or if poor weather would seriously disrupt your plans. The experience requires a minimum number of participants, has a maximum group size of 70, and remains subject to suitable conditions. You may receive another date or a full refund if it cannot operate, but a weather cancellation can still affect a tightly planned itinerary.

A moderate level of physical fitness is required. You should also be comfortable wearing a harness and following instructions during the preparation. No previous jump experience is required, but this is still a demanding physical and emotional activity.

Practical advice for making the day easier

Book as early as you can, especially if you have only a few days in Franz Josef. The average advance booking period is about 38 days, which suggests that leaving this until the last morning may not work.

Choose warm, lightweight layers and shoes with secure laces. The supplied jumpsuit, helmet, gloves, and goggles cover the main equipment needs, but your own clothing still matters in a cool alpine environment.

Keep your schedule flexible and place the activity early in your stay if possible. Weather can affect both the flight and the views, and a spare day gives you a better chance to try again.

Remember that the listed price is not the final cost if you want photos, video, a T-shirt, or a hoodie. Decide in advance how important those extras are to you.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. The cut-off uses local time, so check the exact deadline when you book.

My verdict: book it if the view matters as much as the thrill

I would book this if you want a high-altitude adventure tied closely to Franz Josef’s mountain setting. The 18,000ft jump, roughly 85 seconds of free fall, strong scenery, included equipment, and patient instructors make it more than a generic adrenaline stop.

The price is high, and you must accept weather uncertainty and extra charges for recordings. But if you have enough time in the region, a flexible schedule, and room in your budget, this is one of the clearest ways to see Aoraki Mount Cook, the glaciers, rainforest, rivers, and coast in one sweeping flight.

FAQ

Where does the tandem jump start?

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

Where does the activity finish?

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

How high is the jump?

The experience is advertised as an 18,000ft tandem jump.

How long is the free fall?

The free fall lasts approximately 85 seconds.

How fast do you fall?

The free-fall speed is about 200kph, or 120mph.

Is instruction included?

Yes. All instruction is included, and the tandem format is suitable for people without previous experience.

What equipment is provided?

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

Are transport and refreshments included?

A round-trip shared transfer from the booking office to the airport is included, except under COVID-related restrictions. Tea and coffee are also provided before and after the jump.

Can the activity be cancelled because of weather?

Yes. The activity depends on favorable weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.