Lake Taupo 12,000-Foot Tandem Skydiving: 40 Seconds of Freefall

You freefall at 200 kph the moment the plane door opens.

Tandem skydiving from 12,000 feet over Lake Taupo pairs you with an experienced tandem master for a scenic plane ride, 40 seconds of freefall, and a parachute descent back to the drop zone. Hotel pickup, all equipment, a safety briefing and camera options are included; friends and family can watch from the drop zone. Not recommended for pregnant travelers or those with spinal injuries or cardiovascular concerns.

The Experience

Taupo Tandem Skydiving has been operating since 1992 and has completed over 300,000 jumps. The experience starts on the ground with a safety briefing and a walk through the camera options available to capture your jump—you'll choose what you want when you arrive. You get kitted up with a harness, jumpsuit and goggles, then meet your tandem master, who is trained and multi-lingual. The whole process from arrival to takeoff takes about an hour.

The plane climbs to 12,000 feet, and from the window you see Lake Taupo spread below, with Mount Ruapehu and Mount Ngauruhoe (Mount Doom from Lord of the Rings) visible across the North Island. At altitude, you sit on the edge of the open door with your tandem master behind you. Then you exit and freefall at 200 kph for 40 seconds—the speed and the silence are the things people remember. At 5,500 feet your tandem master deploys the parachute, and the freefall stops. The rest is a slow, quiet float back to earth, with time to take in the landscape and catch your breath.

Landing at the drop zone means a high five with your tandem master and the end of the jump itself. If you booked a camera package, you'll review the footage on site; if not, you can purchase media after the jump. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, so the logistics are settled before you book. The whole outing—briefing, jump, landing and debrief—runs about two hours.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off.
• professional tandem master.
• safety briefing.
• all skydiving equipment (harness, jumpsuit, goggles).
• free buff headwear to keep.
• all taxes and fees.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Tandem Skydiving (2002) Ltd

Is this one for you?The two-hour commitment means you can fit this into a single morning or afternoon without reshaping your whole day, though the adrenaline and the debrief afterward will stay with you longer. Not suitable if you're pregnant, have spinal injuries or cardiovascular concerns, or weigh over 220 pounds.

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Top questions

What altitude do I jump from on the Lake Taupo skydive?

The standard jump is from 12,000 feet, though higher options at 15,000 feet or 16,500 feet are available depending on the package you choose.

How long is the freefall portion of the skydive?

Freefall lasts 40 seconds after you exit the plane, during which you fall at 200 kph before your tandem master deploys the parachute.

Can my friends and family watch me jump?

Yes, friends and family are welcome at the drop zone, and there is plenty of room for spectators to watch the jumps and landings.

Is hotel pickup included in the Lake Taupo tandem skydive?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included in the experience, so you don't need to arrange your own transport to and from the drop zone.

What do I need to bring or wear for the skydive?

Bring comfortable clothes you can move in; the drop zone provides a jumpsuit, harness, goggles and a free buff (headwear) that you keep afterward. All equipment is included.

Can I get photos or video of my skydive?

Camera options are available and explained when you arrive; you can purchase media packages on site to capture your jump from the plane and during freefall.