Skydiving Franz Josef: 18,000ft over glaciers & Mount Cook
Jump from 18,000ft and fall toward two glaciers at once
You jump tandem at 18,000 feet over Aoraki/Mount Cook, the Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers, and the Tasman Sea, with 85 seconds of freefall while your instructor handles the parachute. All gear, helmet and gloves are provided, plus a shared transfer from the booking office to the airport. The whole experience takes three hours, and weather determines whether your booked date runs or gets rescheduled.
Step-by-step itinerary
Tandem skydive over glaciers and mountains
- Arrive at Franz Josef skydive center
- Receive safety briefing and gear up
- Board plane for 18,000ft ascent
- Perform tandem skydive over mountains and glaciers
- Enjoy 85 seconds of free fall
- Parachute descent with scenic views
- Land safely and conclude experience
What’s included
- Your experience includes a helmet, gloves, goggles and jumpsuit, all skydive equipment, and round-trip shared transfer from the booking office to the airport.
- You jump at 18,000 feet with a tandem instructor, freefall for 85 seconds, and float under parachute to the ground.
- The whole outing takes about three hours.
Times
- Every day 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 13:00 15:00 16:00
Before you book
Operated by Skydive Franz and Fox
Prices and times updated 7 days ago
Traveler reviews
The experience
You're strapped to a tandem instructor in a small plane climbing to 18,000 feet, and the view keeps getting bigger: Aoraki/Mount Cook sits right there on the right wing, the Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers spread below like frozen rivers, and on the left the Tasman Sea opens up blue and endless. The door opens. Then you step out and the ground disappears. Eighty-five seconds of freefall at 200 kilometers per hour, and your instructor handles the parachute while you just breathe and watch. The rainforest, the braided riverbeds, the glowing glacier ice. They're all there, and you're falling past them.
This is New Zealand's highest skydive, which means the altitude does the work for you. You don't need experience or special training. Tandem skydiving is built so an inexperienced jumper can focus on the thrill while the instructor manages the technical side. The whole thing (from pickup at the booking office to landing and getting back) takes about three hours. You'll wear a helmet, goggles, gloves and a jumpsuit, and all the skydive equipment comes with it. The shared transfer from the booking office to the airport is included, so you're not figuring out logistics on top of the adrenaline.
Weather calls the shots here. If the conditions aren't right on your scheduled day, you get offered another date or your money back. That's the trade-off for jumping in a place where the mountains and ocean are the whole point. You need to be at least moderately fit, wear warm lightweight clothes and lace-up shoes, and if you weigh 100 kilograms or more there's a small surcharge assessed on the day. The minimum weight is 35 kilograms, and everyone has to fit securely in the harness. If you're pregnant or have spinal injuries or serious heart concerns, this isn't the experience for you. Children jump too, but the tandem master assesses them on arrival based on their weight, size and how the harness fits.
Is this one for you?Right for anyone wanting the highest skydive in New Zealand with mountains and glaciers as the backdrop, and who can commit to moderate fitness and flexible dates: weather determines when you jump, which is what keeps the views this good.
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Top questions
What happens if it rains?
It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.
What's the minimum weight to skydive here?
The minimum weight is 35 kilograms. Jumpers weighing 100 kilograms or more pay a small surcharge assessed on the day. Those between 100–115 kilograms may jump subject to tandem master assessment and harness fitting.
How long does the whole experience take?
Allow three hours from start to finish, including transfer from the booking office, the jump itself, and return.
What happens if the weather is bad on my booked day?
If conditions aren't suitable, you're offered an alternative date or a full refund.
Do I need skydiving experience?
No. Tandem skydiving is designed for inexperienced jumpers: your instructor controls the parachute and handles the technical side while you experience the freefall.
What's included in the price?
Helmet, gloves, goggles, jumpsuit, all skydive equipment, and round-trip shared transfer from the booking office to the airport.
Can children skydive?
Yes, but they're assessed on the day by the tandem master based on their weight, size and harness fit. The minimum weight is 35 kilograms.
Is this suitable if I'm pregnant?
No, tandem skydiving is not recommended for pregnant travelers.
What should I wear?
Warm lightweight clothes and secure shoes with laces. The jumpsuit is provided.
Skydiving Franz Josef: 18,000ft over glaciers & Mount Cook
3h · EN
from NZ$ 799 per person
≈ US$ 459 in your currency
Next, you choose your date and number of travelers and see the final price.