Franz Josef: 13,000ft, 16,500ft or 18,000ft Skydive

The best part of this Franz Josef experience is the view before, during, and after your jump. From the plane, you can see glowing glaciers, temperate rainforest, mountains, and the coast in one wide sweep. Then comes the startling rush of free fall, followed by a quiet parachute ride back toward the ground.

I like the choice of three jump heights. The 13,000-foot option keeps the commitment shorter, while 16,500 and 18,000 feet give you more time in free fall. I also like the calm, reassuring approach of the instructors, who explain the process carefully and help nervous first-timers feel secure.

The main drawback is weather. Your jump may be delayed or moved to another time, and the exact schedule is confirmed after booking. Keep an alternative day open if you can, and check the final price carefully because participants over 100 kilograms may pay a surcharge.

Key points at a glance

• Three jump heights: Choose 13,000, 16,500, or 18,000 feet, with 45, 65, or 85 seconds of free fall.
• Glacier-to-coast views: Look down on mountains, rainforest, glaciers, and the coast during the flight and parachute descent.
• Tandem format: An experienced instructor handles the technical work, making this suitable for a first jump.
• Three-hour commitment: Allow time for the briefing, equipment, flight, jump, and return to the landing area.
• Weather matters: Book your first available day in Franz Josef and keep another day free if possible.
• Teenage age limits: Ages 13 to 16 may jump only from 13,000 feet. Anyone under 18 needs written parental consent.

Why Franz Josef is such a striking place to jump

Franz Josef gives this activity more than a burst of adrenaline. The setting is the real reason to choose it over a jump in a less dramatic part of New Zealand.

From the aircraft, you may see the pale ice of the glaciers, dark forest, steep mountain country, and the lower coastline. The landing area sits roughly 300 feet above sea level, so the descent gives you a clear change in scenery from high alpine country to the lower West Coast.

That variety makes the jump feel like a short aerial tour as well as a thrill ride. You get a quick look at a part of the South Island that is hard to understand from the road. Glaciers can appear close to dense rainforest, and the views become especially memorable when the parachute opens and the pace slows.

The scenery is not guaranteed on every departure. Cloud and wind can affect visibility, and the operator will only proceed in suitable conditions. Still, the choice of Franz Josef is a strong one if your main goal is a spectacular view, not simply the act of leaving an aircraft.

Choosing between 13,000, 16,500, and 18,000 feet

The three options are easy to compare because the main difference is free-fall time.

At 13,000 feet, you receive about 45 seconds of free fall. This is the only permitted height for children aged 13 to 16, and it can also suit an adult who wants the experience without choosing the longest possible commitment.

At 16,500 feet, free fall lasts about 65 seconds. This gives you an extra stretch of time in the fast portion of the jump, while keeping the choice below the maximum height.

At 18,000 feet, you receive about 85 seconds of free fall. This is the highest advertised option and the one to choose if extra airtime matters most to you. Some first-timers find the added height exciting; others may prefer to keep the wait and free-fall shorter.

The higher options are not simply better for everyone. If you are nervous about heights, 13,000 feet may feel like the sensible choice. If you are already certain you want the longest possible free fall, selecting 18,000 feet from the start may prevent a later feeling of wishing you had gone higher.

The first few seconds can feel intense. Once the parachute opens, the sensation changes quickly. You are no longer rushing toward the ground, and you can pay more attention to the mountains, glaciers, and forest below.

The three-hour plan, from briefing to landing

Allow around three hours for the full activity. That does not mean three hours in the air. It includes meeting the team, completing the safety briefing, preparing the equipment, waiting for the aircraft schedule, flying, jumping, and returning to the landing area.

You begin by meeting your instructor, who explains the tandem process and checks that you understand the basic instructions. This matters because your role is simple but important. You must listen, follow body-position directions, and remain aware of what your instructor tells you.

Tandem jumping is designed for people without previous experience. You are secured to the instructor, who manages the equipment and the main technical steps. That does not remove the nerves, but it means you do not need to learn how to control a parachute before taking part.

The exact flight time may change from the time you request. The local operator confirms the final date and time by email after booking, so keep an eye on your messages and avoid planning another fixed activity too close to this one.

Once the aircraft reaches the selected height, you prepare for the exit. The free-fall period lasts 45, 65, or 85 seconds, depending on your choice. Your instructor then opens the parachute, and you float down to the landing area.

The parachute portion is where you can take in the view properly. If you spent the free fall trying to remember to breathe, this is your chance to look around and appreciate where you are.

What the instructor does, and what you need to do

A good tandem experience depends on clear communication. The staff prepare your equipment, explain the safety steps, and keep checking that you are ready. The strongest feedback about this activity focuses on the team’s friendly manner, steady reassurance, and ability to make first-timers feel safe.

You will still need to take part actively. Listen closely during the briefing, follow the instructions at the aircraft, and tell your instructor if you are frightened or uncomfortable. Nervousness is normal, and the team is used to helping people through the first moments.

Several participants praised instructors and ground staff for being patient and friendly. Names including Danny, Dani, and Lauren were singled out in personal feedback, but your own instructor will depend on the schedule. The useful point is that the operation combines technical supervision with a relaxed attitude.

The landing may be the part you think about least, but it deserves attention. You descend to a landing area around 300 feet above sea level, and your instructor manages the parachute and landing procedure. Follow the instructions carefully, especially as you approach the ground.

How the weather can change your plans

Weather is the biggest practical issue here. All jumps depend on suitable conditions, so a booked date is not an absolute promise that you will leave the aircraft that day.

The smartest plan is to book this for your first available day in Franz Josef. That leaves later days available if poor conditions cause a delay. If you have only one possible day and cannot rearrange your schedule, you can receive a full refund if the jump cannot go ahead.

This advice is important on a short South Island visit. A three-hour activity can easily affect a full day if the weather changes, and you do not want to schedule a glacier walk, long drive, or another paid tour immediately afterward.

Bad weather can also create delays rather than a simple cancellation. Bring patience, keep your phone available for updates, and avoid treating the originally requested time as final until the operator confirms it.

This flexibility is a real benefit, but it does not make the activity weather-proof. If your itinerary is tightly packed, the risk of disruption may outweigh the appeal of the jump.

Is the price good value?

The supplied price is listed as $25 per person, but you should verify the current amount, currency, and what is included before paying. A price that low may represent a starting figure or a booking component rather than the full cost of every available option.

The basic package includes the skydive, safety briefing, instructor, and equipment. Food and drinks are not included. You should also check the cost of any photo or video package before the jump, since personal feedback describes the media option as expensive.

For many people, the value comes from combining a major thrill with views that would otherwise be difficult to access. You are not paying only for the free fall. The cost also covers trained staff, specialist equipment, aircraft time, and the organisation needed to make a first jump possible.

The value is strongest if you want a once-in-a-lifetime experience and are comfortable paying extra for photographs or video. It is weaker if you are mainly seeking a cheap scenic flight, since the free-fall element is the central point of the activity.

Participants over 100 kilograms may incur a surcharge on the day after assessment by the Tandem Master. Ask for the current terms before booking if this may apply to you.

Who should choose this Franz Josef jump?

This experience suits an adult who wants a first tandem jump with an exceptional view and does not mind making a weather-dependent plan. You do not need prior parachuting experience, and the instructor handles the equipment and technical operation.

It can also work for families with older teenagers, but the age rules are strict. Children aged 13 to 16 may jump only from 13,000 feet. Anyone under 18 needs written permission from a parent, and those over 16 may choose any listed height subject to the operator’s assessment.

I would choose the 13,000-foot option for a cautious first-timer, especially a younger participant. I would choose 18,000 feet if the extra free-fall time is the main goal and the participant feels ready for a longer commitment.

This is not the best pick if you dislike uncertainty, have no spare time for a delay, or want to keep your day calm. It also may not suit someone who is uncomfortable with the possibility of paying more for weight-related surcharges or optional media.

Small details that make the day easier

Drones and selfie sticks are not allowed. Leave both behind rather than expecting to use them around the aircraft or landing area.

The activity is conducted in English. If you have questions about the safety process, ask before gearing up. It is easier to address concerns during the briefing than at the aircraft door.

Wear practical clothing suitable for an outdoor activity, though the supplied information does not specify a dress code. Do not plan around food or drinks being provided, since they are excluded.

The meeting point deserves careful attention. One personal account noted that the actual starting point was not exactly where the online directions suggested, so check the operator’s confirmation email rather than relying only on a map pin.

The experience has a 4.9 rating from 113 reviews, and 93 percent of ratings for the transport element are perfect. The repeated strengths are clear: friendly staff, careful safety preparation, dramatic views, and strong support for nervous first-timers.

FAQ

How long does the Franz Josef skydive take?

The activity lasts about three hours. This includes the safety briefing, equipment preparation, flight, jump, parachute descent, and landing.

What jump heights are available?

You can choose 13,000, 16,500, or 18,000 feet. The related free-fall times are about 45, 65, or 85 seconds.

Is previous skydiving experience required?

No. Tandem skydiving is designed for inexperienced participants, with an instructor attached to you and responsible for the technical parts of the jump.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The jump may be delayed or moved because all flights depend on suitable weather. Booking your first available day and keeping another day free gives you the most flexibility. If you cannot rearrange and the jump cannot take place, you receive a full refund.

Can teenagers take part?

Children aged 13 to 16 may jump only from 13,000 feet. Participants over 16 may choose any available height, while anyone under 18 needs written parental consent.

Are photos and video included?

The supplied inclusions cover the skydive, safety briefing, instructor, and equipment. Food, drinks, and media packages are not included. Check the current media price before booking.

Should you book it?

Book this experience if you want a major thrill with a genuine sense of place. The combination of Franz Josef’s glaciers, rainforest, mountains, and coast gives the jump more character than a simple parachute ride, and the tandem format makes it accessible to a first-timer.

Choose your height based on confidence, not pride. Keep a spare day open for weather, confirm the meeting point, and check the full price, including any media package or weight surcharge. If you can accept those conditions, this is one of the most memorable ways to see the West Coast from above.