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

Franz Josef gives you a rare backdrop for a tandem skydive: glowing glaciers, steep mountains, temperate rainforest, and the coast spread below the aircraft. You can choose 13,000, 16,500, or 18,000 feet, with up to 85 seconds of free-fall at the highest level.

I like the clear choice of jump heights and the calm, careful approach reported by people who jumped with instructors such as Danny and Dani. I also like the weather policy, since poor conditions do not simply turn into a rushed or lesser experience. The main drawback is that bad weather can cause delays, and the exact time may change after you book.

Key points at a glance

• Three jump heights: Choose 13,000 feet, 16,500 feet, or 18,000 feet.
• Up to 85 seconds of free-fall: The highest option gives you the longest time in the air before the parachute opens.
• Glacier and rainforest views: Look down over Franz Josef’s mountains, temperate rainforest, glaciers, and coast.
• Three-hour schedule: Allow a half day, even though the actual free-fall is short.
• Weather matters: Book your first available day and keep another day free if possible.
• Age and weight rules: Children aged 13 to 16 may jump only from 13,000 feet, and people over 100 kilograms may pay a surcharge.

Why Franz Josef is a remarkable place to jump

Many skydives give you clouds, farmland, or a distant city. Franz Josef gives you a much more dramatic view. From the aircraft, you can see the South Island’s mountain country, thick temperate rainforest, bright glaciers, and the coastline around the West Coast.

The landing area sits about 300 feet above sea level. That matters because the jump is not simply a short burst over one patch of ground. You begin high above the region, pass through free-fall, then spend time under the parachute looking back at a broad sweep of scenery.

I like this setting for people who want their first jump to feel tied to New Zealand. The view is part of the reason to choose Franz Josef instead of treating a skydive as a generic thrill ride. The natural setting gives the experience a sense of place.

The view can also be affected by cloud and weather. You should not book this only for a perfect glacier photograph. Weather conditions control the flight, and the operator can delay or move your time if the sky is not suitable.

Meeting your instructor and preparing on the ground

Your experience begins by meeting an English-speaking tandem instructor. You will receive a safety briefing, be fitted with the necessary equipment, and learn what to do during the jump.

Tandem skydiving is designed for first-timers. You do not need previous experience, and your instructor handles the technical work. Your job is to listen closely, follow the body-position instructions, and stay alert during the briefing.

That preparation is more important than it may sound. The first seconds can feel intense, particularly if you are nervous about heights. Several people who had never done this before found the instructors reassuring and patient, and one person specifically described the opening seconds as scary before settling into the experience.

I would use the briefing to ask every question you have. Instructors such as Danny and Dani were praised for explaining what would happen and helping nervous participants stay calm. The team members named in individual accounts included Danny, Dani, and Lauren, though your own instructor will depend on the day and availability.

The ground time also gives you a chance to decide how much of the experience you want to record. Media packages are available in some bookings, but they are not included in the stated activity price. One person found the media package expensive, while another felt the finished video was worth the cost. I would treat it as an optional extra rather than part of the basic value calculation.

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

The three options are easy to compare:

• 13,000 feet: About 45 seconds of free-fall.
• 16,500 feet: About 65 seconds of free-fall.
• 18,000 feet: About 85 seconds of free-fall.

The 13,000-foot option is the only choice available to children aged 13 to 16. It is also a sensible pick if you want the full experience but do not feel strongly about extending the free-fall.

At 16,500 feet, you gain another 20 seconds compared with the lowest jump. That may not sound like much on paper, but when you are moving through open air, those extra seconds change the shape of the experience.

The 18,000-foot jump is the top choice for maximum free-fall. Several people who selected it described the extra height as worth choosing, while one person who picked a lower option wished they had gone higher. If you are already comfortable with the idea and the additional cost fits your budget, 18,000 feet offers the longest version.

The supplied information does not give separate prices for each height, so check the cost of your selected option before paying. The advertised price is $25 per person, but I would confirm exactly what that amount covers, especially if altitude upgrades or media are added.

The aircraft ascent and the view below

After preparation, you board the aircraft and climb to your chosen flight level. The ascent is part of the experience, not just a wait before the jump. It gives you time to look down on Franz Josef and see how quickly the small town gives way to forest, mountain slopes, glaciers, and open coastal country.

The exact view depends on weather and visibility. On a clear day, you can expect the setting to be the star of the flight. Descriptions from the experience include views above the clouds and a mix of glaciers, rainforest, and beach.

You should also expect a group setting at the drop zone. The listed duration is three hours, so you are not being rushed through a quick turn. That time includes preparation, safety instruction, waiting, the flight, the jump, and the return to the ground.

The 93 percent perfect score for transport is useful if you are concerned about getting to the airfield. Still, check your meeting instructions carefully. One person noted that the actual starting point was not the location shown in the booking information. The local operator confirms the exact flight time by email after booking, so read that message rather than relying only on the original request.

Free-fall: 45, 65, or 85 seconds

The aircraft reaches your chosen height, and then the tandem pair exits. The free-fall is the most intense part of the activity. At 13,000 feet, you get about 45 seconds. At 16,500 feet, you get 65 seconds. At 18,000 feet, you get 85 seconds before the instructor opens the parachute.

The first moments are likely to feel fast and startling. That is normal for a first jump, and your instructor remains attached to you and controls the jump. The practical advice is simple: listen during the briefing, follow the instructor’s instructions, and try to notice the view once the first shock passes.

People who had never skydived before described feeling safe and well informed. That repeated focus on calm instruction is important. You are not expected to know how to manage the free-fall yourself.

The highest option is not automatically best for everyone. If your main goal is to see the scenery and face the challenge without paying for the longest free-fall, 13,000 feet may suit you. If the thought of finishing and wishing you had chosen more worries you, 16,500 or 18,000 feet makes more sense.

Under the parachute and the return to earth

When the instructor opens the parachute, the pace changes. The free-fall ends, and you float toward the landing area at roughly 300 feet above sea level.

This is when you can take in the scenery more easily. Look for the contrast between rainforest, mountains, glaciers, and the lower coastal area. One person who disliked the parachute portion asked the instructor to land quickly, and the request was respected. That detail is useful if you are nervous about the canopy stage: tell your instructor how you feel.

The parachute section can also be the gentler part for people who find free-fall overwhelming. It gives you time to look around and enjoy the setting without the same rush. You will still need to follow the landing instructions, but your tandem instructor manages the landing process.

Once you are back on the ground, allow time for the activity to finish. The three-hour duration is not just a marketing number attached to a few minutes in the air. Waiting for weather, group preparation, aircraft timing, and safety checks can all be part of the day.

Weather delays are a real part of the plan

All jumps depend on favorable weather. This is the single biggest planning issue.

I recommend booking the skydive for your first available day in Franz Josef and keeping another day free. That gives the operator room to move you if wind, cloud, or other conditions make the flight unsuitable. If you have no spare day, the activity can be rearranged or fully refunded when conditions prevent the jump.

Several people had delays because of weather but still considered the jump worth waiting for. That is the right attitude here. Do not place the skydive in the final few hours of a tightly timed West Coast itinerary.

Your date and time may change from the request you make at booking. The operator confirms the exact flight time by email after booking, so check your inbox and keep your schedule flexible.

The reserve-now, pay-later option can help if you are still arranging your route. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, according to the stated terms. Weather-related changes are handled separately through the operator’s flight decision.

Who should choose this skydive

This suits an adult or teenager who wants a major adrenaline activity with a strong natural setting. It is especially good for first-timers, since the tandem format includes an instructor and all equipment.

It also works well for couples and families with older children. Children aged 13 to 16 may jump only from 13,000 feet. Anyone under 18 needs written parental consent, and people over 100 kilograms may face an additional charge after assessment at the drop zone.

You should not choose it if your Franz Josef schedule has no flexibility. A weather delay could affect the rest of your plans. You should also budget separately for food and drinks, which are not included, and for any media package you decide to buy.

The experience is conducted in English. If you need instructions in another language, the supplied information does not list another option.

Is the price good value?

The listed price is $25 per person, which looks very low for an activity involving an aircraft, instructor, equipment, and a three-hour operating window. Because the supplied details do not show whether that figure applies to every jump height, I would confirm the final price for 13,000, 16,500, or 18,000 feet before booking.

The strongest value comes from the setting and the length of the highest free-fall. You are not only paying for a thrill. You are paying for a flight above one of New Zealand’s most striking natural regions, followed by time under the parachute to see the mountains, rainforest, glaciers, and coast.

The media package is the main extra cost to watch. The feedback is mixed in a practical way: some people found it expensive, while another decided the video was worth it afterward. If recording the moment matters to you, ask about the package cost before the jump.

Food and drinks are not included, so plan those separately. The activity itself takes about three hours, and you may want something to eat before or after, depending on your start time.

Should you book the Franz Josef skydive?

I would book this if you want a first skydive with a memorable New Zealand setting and can keep your schedule open for weather. The 18,000-foot option is the best choice for maximum free-fall, while 13,000 feet gives younger participants and more cautious adults a shorter version.

The strongest reasons to choose it are the scenery, the range of heights, and the repeated emphasis on patient, safety-focused instructors. The main cautions are weather delays, possible altitude surcharges, the extra cost of media, and the need to confirm the meeting point and final price.

For a once-in-a-lifetime challenge above glaciers and rainforest, it is a strong Franz Josef choice. Book early in your stay, read the operator’s confirmation email, and leave enough room in your itinerary for the sky to cooperate.

FAQ

How long does the Franz Josef skydive experience take?

The listed duration is three hours. This includes the safety briefing, equipment preparation, aircraft timing, the flight, the jump, and the return to the landing area.

How high can I jump from?

You can choose a jump from 13,000 feet, 16,500 feet, or 18,000 feet, depending on the option you book.

How long is the free-fall?

The 13,000-foot jump includes about 45 seconds of free-fall. The 16,500-foot option includes about 65 seconds, and the 18,000-foot option includes about 85 seconds.

Is this suitable for someone who has never skydived before?

Yes. Tandem skydiving is designed as a first-time option, and an experienced instructor handles the jump with you. A safety briefing and all equipment are included.

What can I see during the jump?

You can see dramatic mountains, temperate rainforest, glaciers, and coastal scenery around Franz Josef, subject to weather and visibility.

What happens if the weather is bad?

Skydives operate only in favorable weather. The operator may move your date or time. Booking for your first available day and keeping an alternative day free gives you more flexibility.

Can children take part?

Children aged 13 to 16 can jump only from 13,000 feet. Anyone under 18 must have written parental consent. All participants are also subject to assessment at the drop zone.

Are there weight restrictions or extra charges?

People weighing more than 100 kilograms may incur a surcharge on the day. All participants are subject to assessment by the tandem master.

Are food, drinks, and media included?

Food and drinks are not included. The supplied activity details also do not list a media package as included, so check its price separately if you want photos or video.