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

Franz Josef gives you one of New Zealand’s most dramatic backdrops for a first tandem skydive. From the aircraft, you look down on glowing glaciers, temperate rainforest, rugged mountains, and a landing area near sea level. The 18,000-foot option gives you 85 seconds of free fall, the longest available here.

I like the choice of three jump heights, so you can match the price and intensity to your nerve level. I also like the calm, friendly instruction, with guides such as Danny and Dani praised for helping nervous first-timers feel secure. The main drawback is weather: poor conditions can push your jump to another day, so you need room in your Franz Josef plans.

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.
• Glaciers from above: The view includes Franz Josef’s famous ice, rainforest, mountains, and the coast.
• A strong first-time choice: You are attached to an experienced instructor, with equipment and a safety briefing included.
• Allow three hours: The total experience includes preparation, aircraft time, the jump, and landing.
• Weather needs flexibility: Book early in your stay and keep another day free if possible.
• Extra media costs more: Photos and video are not listed as part of the base activity, and the media package has been called expensive.

Why Franz Josef is such a good place to jump

Many first-time parachute jumps take place above a plain or a city. Franz Josef gives you something far more memorable: a view that changes from high mountain ridges to thick rainforest, bright ice, and the low coastline. The scenery is the reason to choose this location over a basic jump elsewhere.

The landing area sits at about 300 feet above sea level. That low finish makes the descent feel like a gradual return from the alpine world to the West Coast. Under the open parachute, you have time to look around rather than simply brace for the ground.

The scenery is especially striking because the West Coast packs several different environments into one view. You may look toward the glaciers, then out across forest and beaches, with the Southern Alps forming the high backdrop. The aircraft ride is part of the experience, not just a short ride to the jump point.

The highest option reaches 18,000 feet, making it the biggest version of this activity. At that height, you free fall for about 85 seconds before your instructor opens the parachute. The 16,500-foot option gives you 65 seconds, while the 13,000-foot jump gives you 45 seconds.

Those numbers matter more than they may seem. Free fall passes quickly, particularly if it is your first time, and several people who chose a lower height later wished they had gone higher. If you are already certain you want the full experience, the 18,000-foot choice gives you more time in the air. If the thought of the jump itself is the main challenge, 13,000 feet is still a serious, exciting experience.

From check-in to the aircraft

Plan on roughly three hours from start to finish. The exact start time is not always the time you request, since the local operator confirms the flight time by email after booking. Keep an eye on that message and avoid scheduling another fixed activity too close afterward.

You begin by meeting your English-speaking instructor and receiving a safety briefing. This is where you learn the basic body position, what happens during the exit, and how the landing works. You do not need prior parachuting experience. Tandem equipment lets you take part while the instructor handles the technical work.

The preparation is practical rather than theatrical. You receive the required equipment, get secured to your instructor, and wait for the aircraft and weather checks to line up. The staff have been particularly well regarded for making first-time jumpers feel comfortable, with Danny, Dani, and Lauren singled out for friendly assistance and steady reassurance.

That human element matters. The frightening part for most beginners is not the parachute ride. It is the few minutes before leaving the aircraft. A patient instructor can explain what is happening, answer last-minute questions, and keep you focused on simple instructions. This experience seems well suited to people who are excited but not entirely calm.

You should also expect some waiting if conditions change. Weather delays are not a sign that the operation is poorly organized. Wind, cloud, and visibility directly affect safety and the quality of the views. The team has been praised for keeping people updated during delays and checks, but you still need patience.

Choosing 13,000, 16,500, or 18,000 feet

The three options let you decide how much free fall you want.

At 13,000 feet, you get about 45 seconds of free fall. This is the only permitted height for children aged 13 to 16, according to the supplied conditions. It is also the sensible choice if you want the experience but are not sure you want the longest possible fall.

At 16,500 feet, you get about 65 seconds. This sits in the middle and gives you more time to take in the experience without choosing the highest option.

At 18,000 feet, you get about 85 seconds. This is the best fit if your priority is maximum free-fall time and the strongest version of the activity. Several people who had already jumped before, or who simply wanted to make the most of the opportunity, preferred the higher option.

Your instructor may also assess you at the drop zone. Anyone weighing more than 100 kilograms may face a surcharge on the day. That is worth checking before you commit to the activity, particularly if you are comparing the advertised price with your likely final cost.

The age rules are clear. Children aged 13 to 16 can jump only from 13,000 feet. Anyone over 16 can choose any height, while anyone under 18 needs written parental consent. The information provided does not give a minimum or maximum age beyond those rules, so ask the operator if your group falls outside the stated age brackets.

The free fall and parachute ride

The aircraft takes you upward over Franz Josef, and the views begin before the jump. As you climb, the perspective changes. Forest becomes a broad green surface, glaciers appear as pale rivers through the mountains, and the coast adds a low, open edge to the scene.

The exit is the moment most people fear. The first two or three seconds can feel startling, even for someone who was eager to try it. Your instructor controls the tandem setup, so your job is to follow the briefing and maintain the required position.

After that first shock, the free fall becomes the central event. At 13,000 feet, you have about 45 seconds. At 16,500 feet, it lasts about 65 seconds. At 18,000 feet, it lasts about 85 seconds before the parachute opens.

Try to stay present during this part. It goes fast. Looking down at the glaciers, rather than squeezing your eyes shut, is the best way to make the most of the setting. You may find that the scale is difficult to grasp at first. The mountains, forest, and ice can look like a detailed map below you.

Once the parachute opens, the mood changes completely. The noise and speed give way to a slower float toward the landing area. This is when you can take in the views more easily and tell your instructor if you need to land quickly or have another concern. One participant with a strong dislike of heights asked for a faster landing under the canopy, and the instructor responded to that request.

The final landing is near sea level, approximately 300 feet above it. The contrast between the high starting point and the low landing gives the activity a satisfying sense of travel through the air, not simply a brief fall.

Safety, staff, and the first-time experience

Tandem jumping is designed for beginners. You are connected to an experienced instructor, and the instructor manages the parachute and the technical parts of the jump. Your responsibility is to listen carefully, follow the instructions, and communicate clearly.

The strongest praise for this experience centers on safety and personal attention. First-time couples and families have described feeling informed from the start, while nervous jumpers have appreciated instructors who stayed calm and reassuring. The team has also been described as friendly, social, and willing to keep the mood light without losing focus.

That balance is useful. You do not want a silent, impersonal operation when you are about to leave a plane. You also do not want so much joking that safety feels secondary. The available feedback points to a professional crew with plenty of banter and a clear safety routine.

The activity can work well for couples, families with eligible teenagers, and solo visitors who enjoy meeting people in an adventurous setting. A family with teenagers aged 15 and 16 completed the experience together, with the younger participants restricted to the 13,000-foot option. Written parental consent remains necessary for anyone under 18.

English is the listed language for instruction. If you need important safety information explained in another language, arrange that before booking rather than assuming it will be available at the drop zone.

Cost, media, and overall value

The supplied price is $25 per person, but you should confirm exactly what that figure covers at the time of booking. A full tandem jump from up to 18,000 feet usually involves aircraft operations, trained staff, specialist equipment, and a substantial time commitment, so the advertised amount may not represent every possible charge.

The jump, safety briefing, instructor, and equipment are included. Food and drinks are not. There is no need to expect a meal during the three-hour activity, so eat beforehand and bring any required refreshments if allowed by the operator.

Photos and video are the main extra expense to consider. The media package is not included, and the price has been described as high by people who still felt the finished photos or video were worth buying. If you want a record of the experience, check the media price before the day so you can make a clear decision rather than feel pressured after landing.

For value, I would judge this activity by the setting and the height rather than by the minutes of free fall alone. You are paying for a rare view of the Franz Josef region from above, plus the support needed to make a first jump possible. The 18,000-foot option costs more than the lower choices, but it also gives you the longest free fall.

The overall score is 4.9 from 113 ratings, with especially strong praise for staff, safety, and views. That does not remove the practical downsides: weather may interrupt your plans, the media package costs extra, and the jump itself is over quickly. Still, for someone already considering a parachute jump in New Zealand, the setting makes the price easier to justify.

Weather planning in Franz Josef

Weather is the biggest practical issue. Every jump depends on favorable conditions, and a cloudy or windy day may force a delay. Franz Josef is a place where you should not treat this as a minor possibility.

Book the activity for your first available day in town, then keep an alternative day free. This gives the operator a chance to move you if conditions are poor without wrecking the rest of your trip. If you have no flexibility and the jump cannot be rearranged, the stated policy provides a full refund.

Do not schedule this on the same day as an important flight, long drive, or prepaid tour. The activity is listed as three hours, but weather checks and delays can affect the timing. The exact flight time may also differ from the time you request, so wait for the operator’s confirmation email.

The upside of a delay is obvious once you are in the air. Clear conditions make the glaciers, mountains, and rainforest far easier to see. A rushed jump in poor visibility would miss much of what makes Franz Josef special.

Who should book this experience?

Book it if you want a major New Zealand memory and like the idea of seeing the West Coast from a completely different angle. It suits first-timers because the tandem format, briefing, equipment, and instructor support remove the need for previous experience.

Choose the 18,000-foot option if free-fall time is your main goal and you are comfortable paying for the highest version. Choose 13,000 feet if you are nervous, are aged 13 to 16, or want the shortest available free fall. The middle option is a reasonable compromise for anyone who wants more time without choosing the maximum height.

I would be cautious if your itinerary has no spare day. Weather can shift the schedule, and the operator may assign a different time than the one requested. I would also budget for media only if you truly want it, since it is an optional extra and may feel costly.

Should you book the Franz Josef jump?

Yes, if you have wanted to try a tandem jump and can give the weather some flexibility. The glaciers, rainforest, mountains, and low coastal landing give this activity more character than a jump over an ordinary open field.

The best plan is simple: book early in your Franz Josef stay, choose your height based on free-fall time rather than bravado, read the confirmed flight email carefully, and keep money aside only if you want the media package. If the first two seconds frighten you, listen to the instructor and let the parachute ride give you time to enjoy the view.

FAQ

How long does the Franz Josef skydive experience take?

The full activity lasts about three hours. This includes meeting the instructor, the safety briefing, equipment preparation, aircraft time, the jump, and the landing.

How much free fall do I get at each height?

The 13,000-foot option 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.

What happens if the weather is poor?

All jumps depend on favorable weather. You are advised to book for your first available day in Franz Josef and keep another day free. If the jump cannot be rearranged, you receive a full refund.

Can teenagers take part?

Children aged 13 to 16 can jump only from 13,000 feet. Anyone over 16 can jump from any listed height. Participants under 18 need written parental consent.

Is equipment included?

Yes. The skydive, safety briefing, instructor, and all equipment are included. Food and drinks are not included.

Can someone over 100 kilograms take part?

All participants are assessed by the Tandem Master at the drop zone. People over 100 kilograms may have to pay a surcharge on the day.