Tandem Skydiving Queenstown: Freefall Over Mountains & Lakes

Jump at altitude and freefall above the Remarkables, then glide down under parachute with a view of the entire basin.

Tandem skydiving in Queenstown pairs you with a certified Tandem Master for a single jump from altitude above the Wakatipu basin. You'll experience up to 60 seconds of freefall at speeds reaching 200 kilometres per hour, then descend under parachute for about 5 minutes. The full experience takes 3.5 hours and includes gear, safety briefing, courtesy coach from central Queenstown, and a flight path that passes The Remarkables Skifield. You choose your jump altitude (9,000ft, 12,000ft or 15,000ft), and can add a photo and video package or hotel pickup at checkout.

The experience

You'll start in central Queenstown, where a courtesy coach picks you up and drives you to the drop zone, passing The Remarkables Skifield on the way. Once there, the Tandem Master helps you into the full safety gear and walks you through a briefing so you know what to expect. The aircraft climbs to your chosen altitude (higher altitude means longer freefall), and you'll see the Wakatipu basin spread below: dramatic mountains, lakes, and the landscape that makes Queenstown a skydiving destination.

At jump altitude, the door opens and you exit the aircraft with your Tandem Master. The freefall lasts up to 60 seconds, with speeds reaching 200 kilometres per hour. The sensation is pure adrenaline and weightlessness at once. Your Tandem Master then deploys the parachute, and the two of you glide back to earth under canopy for roughly 5 minutes. The entire experience, from pickup to landing, takes 3.5 hours.

You can choose between three jump altitudes: 9,000ft, 12,000ft, or 15,000ft. Higher jumps mean longer freefall time. Photo and video packages are available at checkout if you want footage of the jump itself. Hotel pickup and drop-off can also be added instead of meeting at central Queenstown. A Tandem Master briefs you in English or Chinese, and all safety equipment is provided. Passengers under 18 need written parental consent, and anyone over 95kg will be assessed by the Tandem Master at the drop zone to ensure the harness fits safely.

What’s included

• Courtesy coach transport from central Queenstown to the drop zone.
• all safety equipment including harness and parachute.
• safety briefing with your Tandem Master.
• the tandem skydive itself with freefall and parachute descent.

Options for this experience

3 options

9,000FT Tandem SkydiveGuide in English or Chinese · 15 departure times: the first at 06:00, the last at 13:30Jump from 9,000 feet with a 25-second free-fall

12,000FT Tandem SkydiveGuide in English or Chinese · 15 departure times: the first at 06:00, the last at 13:30

15,000FT Tandem SkydiveGuide in English or Chinese · 15 departure times: the first at 06:00, the last at 13:30

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day15 departure times: the first at 06:00, the last at 13:30

Book up to2d before

GroupUp to 14

Live guideEnglish and Chinese

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleStroller-friendlyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by NZONE Skydive

Is this one for you?Choose your altitude based on how much freefall time you want: 9,000ft for a shorter jump, 12,000ft or 15,000ft for longer freefall and more time in the air. If you're arriving without a rental car or prefer not to drive to the drop zone, add hotel pickup at checkout so the entire day is arranged from your accommodation.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Chinese.

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 freefall like at 200 kilometres per hour?

Freefall at terminal velocity is the core of the jump. You and your Tandem Master exit the aircraft and fall freely for up to 60 seconds before the parachute deploys. The speed and weightlessness are the reason people book this experience. It's the moment between leaving the plane and the parachute opening that defines tandem skydiving.

How much time do I spend actually falling versus under the parachute?

Freefall lasts up to 60 seconds depending on your jump altitude, then the parachute ride takes approximately 5 minutes. The entire experience from pickup to landing is 3.5 hours, which includes the drive to the drop zone, gear-up, briefing, the flight to altitude, and the jump itself.

Can I choose how high we jump from?

Yes, you pick between 9,000ft, 12,000ft, or 15,000ft at checkout. Higher altitudes give you longer freefall time before the parachute opens, so the choice depends on how much freefall you want.

What do I see on the way down?

You jump directly above the drop zone in the Wakatipu basin, so you have views of the dramatic mountains and lakes around Queenstown during the flight to altitude and the parachute descent. The drive to the drop zone also passes The Remarkables Skifield.

Do I need to be fit or have skydiving experience?

No experience is needed. The Tandem Master handles the jump. The activity is suitable for all physical fitness levels. You do need to complete a medical questionnaire before the jump, and it's not recommended for people with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, or pregnancy. Passengers must weigh between 40kg and 95kg, or be assessed by the Tandem Master at the drop zone if over 95kg.

Can I add photos or video of the jump?

Yes, a photo and video package of your skydive is available at checkout. Hotel pickup and drop-off can also be added instead of meeting at central Queenstown.