Gran Canaria : Skydiving over Maspalomas Dunes

A tandem jump over Gran Canaria gives you two very different views of the island: a fast, noisy free fall from 3,000 meters, followed by a quiet parachute ride toward the Maspalomas Dunes. You do not need previous training. An instructor handles the technical work while you focus on your body position, the sea, and the strip of sand beside Playa del Inglés.

I like the 20 to 25 minute flight over Maspalomas before the jump, and I like the clear format: equipment, a short briefing, the aircraft ride, then a 5 to 8 minute canopy flight. The main drawback is that the advertised 90 minutes can stretch into a half-day if weather or air traffic causes delays, so do not book this too close to another fixed plan.

• Jump from 3,000 meters: You get up to 30 seconds of free fall at more than 200 km/h.
• Maspalomas views from above: The aircraft gives you 20 to 25 minutes to see the dunes and island before exit.
• Landing near Playa del Inglés: The parachute flight ends beside the dunes, not at a distant airfield.
• No previous experience required: Your tandem instructor supplies the training and manages the jump.
• Weight rules matter: Over 90 kg costs an extra €50, and the absolute limit is 105 kg, subject to evaluation.
• Photos and video cost extra: If you want a record of the jump, add the package when booking.

From Playa del Inglés to the El Berriel airfield

Your appointment begins at the iJump office in Playa del Inglés. This is where you check in, complete the paperwork, and receive your jump-load number. Keep that number handy, since it helps the crew organize the group and explain the expected landing time.

The planned activity takes about 90 minutes, but sky conditions and air traffic can change the schedule. I would treat this as a half-day commitment, especially if your day includes a restaurant booking, airport transfer, or another excursion. The company advises you to ask the crew for an updated landing estimate when you arrive.

After check-in, you receive your jumping gear and a life jacket. Before boarding, the crew fits your harness and gives you the essential instructions. The transfer to Aeródromo de El Berriel takes about 15 minutes by van. It is not a sightseeing transfer in its own right, but it moves you from the resort area to the airfield where the aircraft operates.

A short briefing that covers the parts that matter

The training lasts about 15 minutes. That is brief, but tandem jumping does not ask you to learn a complicated set of procedures. You are shown the body position for the exit, free fall, and landing, then reminded what to do when your instructor gives directions.

Goggles arrive shortly before you leave the aircraft. Listen closely, ask questions, and do not try to guess what happens next. The crew is there to guide you through each stage, and the instructors named in the available feedback include Eddie, Tony, and Toby. Eddie is singled out for supportive help, while Tony and Toby are also praised for their friendly manner.

One useful point is that you should not judge the whole experience by the calm tone of the briefing. The actual exit is the biggest mental hurdle. Knowing the body position beforehand means you can spend less time thinking about your arms and legs and more time looking outward.

The aircraft ride over Maspalomas

The aircraft flight lasts about 20 to 25 minutes and gives you a slow build-up to the jump. From above, you get a broad view of Maspalomas, the dunes, and the coast before the pace changes sharply.

This flight is one of the best parts for anyone who wants more than a few seconds of adrenaline. The free fall is brief, lasting up to 30 seconds, but the aircraft ride gives you time to see where you are and understand the scale of the island. It also gives the crew time to prepare you for the exit.

The jump is from 3,000 meters, with free fall at more than 200 km/h. Those figures explain the appeal, but they also explain why you should wear comfortable clothing and shoes that stay secure. Bare feet are not allowed. Bring a passport or ID card, since it is required at check-in.

Thirty seconds of free fall, then a slower view

The free fall is the intense section. At more than 200 km/h, you will feel the wind and the speed immediately. The tandem instructor controls the technical side, so your job is to follow the instructions and maintain the position you learned during the briefing.

After that, the parachute opens and the experience changes completely. You get a 5 to 8 minute canopy flight, with time to look toward the Maspalomas Dunes and Playa del Inglés. The contrast is useful: the free fall gives you the shock and rush, while the parachute section lets you take in the view.

You land next to the dunes on Playa del Inglés. That location matters because the finish is tied directly to the area you have been viewing from above. You return the gear to the crew and receive a certificate afterward. If you buy the photos and video package, the files are sent by email on the same day.

What the €352 price really covers

At $352 per person, this is a major holiday expense. The price includes equipment, instruction, the jump from 3,000 meters, the free fall, the parachute ride, and the planned 90-minute activity. It does not include photos or video, so your final cost rises if you want a record of the jump.

I see the value in the fact that you are not paying only for a short thrill. The price also covers the aircraft flight, harness, safety equipment, instructor support, transfer from Playa del Inglés to the airfield, and the organization needed to bring you back to the beach area. Still, this is not a budget activity, and you should book it because the jump itself matters to you, not simply because it is something to fill an afternoon.

There is also a weight charge. If you weigh more than 90 kg, an extra €50 applies. The maximum is 105 kg, subject to evaluation. The company requires an accurate declared weight, and if your actual weight is more than 3 kg above what you declared at check-in, the jump may be refused. In that case, the booking is treated as a participant cancellation. Weigh yourself honestly before booking and avoid an unpleasant surprise at the desk.

Timing, weather, and the practical trade-off

The activity has a listed duration of 1.5 hours, but that is an estimate rather than a guarantee. Weather and air traffic may cause delays, and the team may not know the final landing time until the day is underway.

I would schedule this on a day with plenty of open space. Do not place it between a morning ferry and an evening flight. You might finish close to the planned time, but you should also be ready to wait.

Free cancellation is available up to two days in advance for a full refund. That gives you some protection if your plans change before the deadline. It does not remove the need to allow extra time on the day itself.

The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible, but the supplied information does not explain the exact assistance available during the aircraft boarding or landing process. If that affects your booking, contact the provider before paying.

Who will get the most from this jump

This is best for an adult or older child who wants a major challenge but does not want to learn solo jumping techniques. The minimum age is 9, with a minimum weight of 30 kg. Children under 9 cannot participate.

It also suits someone who values scenery as much as speed. The aircraft flight over Maspalomas and the parachute ride add time to look around, so this is not just a quick exit and landing. If your main goal is to see the dunes from above, the canopy section may be more enjoyable than the free fall.

It is not suitable for pregnant women or anyone who has been scuba diving within the previous 24 hours. People over 104 kg are listed as unsuitable, while the formal maximum is 105 kg subject to evaluation. Because the supplied information gives both figures, I would treat 104 kg as the safer cutoff and confirm with iJump if you are close to the limit.

The instruction is offered in Spanish, German, and English. That makes the experience easier to follow for a mixed-language group, especially during the safety briefing and exit instructions.

The human side of iJump

The strongest pattern in the available feedback is the team’s calm, friendly support. Josef specifically praises Eddie’s help from check-in onward. Sabrina names Tony and Eddie as especially good at making the jump feel well supported. Manuel also describes the operation as well organized, with good communication and a friendly crew.

That matters here more than polished sales language. A tandem jump is technical, but the part you remember before the exit is often the way the instructor talks you through it. A warm reception at the office, clear instructions, and a willingness to answer questions can make the difference between panic and focus.

The overall rating is 5 out of 5 from 81 ratings, and the most recent comments give strong emphasis to organization, personal support, and the quality of the briefing. The praise is consistent, but you should still understand what the activity is: a short, intense jump with an uncertain schedule and an extra charge for media.

What to wear and what to bring

Keep your clothing comfortable and simple. You need comfortable shoes and clothes, and bare feet are not allowed. Bring your passport or ID card for check-in.

You do not need to bring jumping equipment. The company supplies the gear, harness, life jacket, and goggles. Ask questions during the briefing rather than saving them for the aircraft. Once you are near the exit, there is little value in wondering about a step that could have been explained on the ground.

If you want photos or video, decide before the jump. They are not included in the base price, and the files are sent by email the same day if you purchase the package. This is worth considering because the free fall is over quickly, and a camera record may be your main way to show the experience later.

Should you book the Maspalomas jump?

I would book this if you want one bold activity in Gran Canaria and can accept the price and flexible timing. The combination of a 3,000-meter exit, more than 200 km/h free fall, a scenic aircraft ride, and a landing beside Maspalomas Dunes gives the experience a clear sense of place.

I would skip it if you need a low-cost activity, dislike uncertainty, or have a tightly packed schedule. Check the weight rules carefully, leave room for weather delays, and budget separately for photos and video. For everyone else, iJump offers a direct way to challenge yourself with instructors who are repeatedly praised for friendly, steady support.

FAQ

Do I need previous skydiving experience?

No. The tandem format includes instruction and training, and an instructor manages the technical parts of the jump.

How high is the jump?

The jump takes place from 3,000 meters. Free fall can last up to 30 seconds at more than 200 km/h.

How long is the parachute flight?

The parachute flight lasts about 5 to 8 minutes.

Where does the jump begin and end?

You check in at the iJump office in Playa del Inglés, travel by van to Aeródromo de El Berriel, and land next to the Maspalomas Dunes on Playa del Inglés.

What is the weight limit?

The maximum weight is 105 kg, subject to evaluation. A €50 charge applies above 90 kg. Anyone declaring more than 90 kg must give an accurate weight, and the jump can be refused if the actual weight is more than 3 kg above the declared figure.

Are photos and video included?

No. Photos and video are optional extras. If you purchase the package, it is sent to you by email on the same day as the jump.