Auckland: 13000, 16000, or 18000-Foot Tandem Skydive

The door opens, and Auckland drops away. This three-hour experience combines a scenic flight over New Zealand’s North Island with up to 75 seconds of freefall, reaching speeds near 200 km/hr above the coast. I especially like the choice of three heights and the chance to see both the East and West coastlines from the air.

The crew also earns strong praise for calming first-timers. Instructors including Owen, Aaron, James, Mitch, Erin, and Simon are singled out for making nervous jumpers feel safe and well looked after. The main drawback is weather: one scheduled 9 AM jump started around noon, and another was delayed by gloomy winter conditions. You need patience, and perhaps a snack in your bag.

Key Points Before You Book

• Three jump heights: Choose 13,000, 16,000, or 18,000 feet, with the highest option offering the longest freefall.
• Up to 75 seconds in the air: You reach speeds of up to 200 km/hr before the parachute opens.
• Wide North Island views: On a clear day, you may see Waiheke Island, Great Barrier Island, Mount Ruapehu, or Mt Taranak, along with both coastlines.
• Easy access from Auckland: The base in Parakai is about a 45-minute drive from Auckland City.
• Good support for nervous beginners: The tandem format means you are attached to a trained instructor throughout the jump.
• Photos and video cost extra: You can buy a one-on-one package on the day, with one recent account noting delivery within about 15 minutes of landing.

From Auckland City to Skydive Auckland in Parakai

Skydive Auckland operates from Parakai, roughly 45 minutes by car from central Auckland. That makes this a realistic half-day activity rather than an all-day expedition, though the advertised three-hour duration can stretch when weather interrupts the schedule.

I would allow extra time around the experience. Skydiving depends on safe flying conditions, and the published start time is not a promise that your aircraft will leave at that exact minute. One jumper with a 9 AM booking did not get into the air until around noon because of weather. Another waited through winter cloud before finally making an 18,000-foot jump.

That delay can be frustrating, especially because there are no food options or café facilities nearby according to one account. Eat before you arrive, and bring water and a small snack if you can. A café was reportedly being built, but you should not plan your morning around it being open.

The meeting point is Skydive Auckland. The viewing deck is positioned so friends and family can watch you return to the ground. That is a useful feature if you are bringing a support crew, although it also means your non-jumping companions have a place to wait rather than simply sitting in a car park.

The Ground Briefing and Getting Ready

The activity begins with preparation and instruction before you board the aircraft. You receive the required equipment and are attached to your tandem instructor, who manages the technical parts of the jump.

That arrangement suits first-timers. You still need to follow instructions, especially for body position and landing, but you are not expected to operate a parachute or make flight decisions yourself. Several people who had never jumped before described the team as reassuring, thorough, friendly, and efficient.

The names attached to those positive experiences are useful because they give the service a human face. James helped one nervous jumper settle in, Mitch took careful charge of a first-time jumper, and Owen was praised for confidence and calmness. Erin was especially supportive during a 13,000-foot jump, while Aaron was credited with taking good care of a tandem partner.

You should wear closed-toe shoes. Open-toed footwear is not allowed. The weight limit is 100 kg, or 220 pounds, and the activity is not suitable for pregnant women. There is no general age limit, but anyone under 18 needs a parent or guardian or a signed waiver. The 18,000-foot option is limited to people aged 12 and older.

The Scenic Flight Up to 13,000, 16,000, or 18,000 Feet

The aircraft ride is not just a waiting room for the jump. It gives you time to look out across Auckland and the surrounding North Island scenery as the ground gets smaller below you.

Your chosen height affects the length of the freefall. The 13,000-foot option is the lower-priced entry point if you want the experience without choosing the longest possible fall. At 16,000 feet, you spend more time moving through open air. At 18,000 feet, you get up to 75 seconds of freefall, making it the choice for people who want the biggest version of the experience.

The listed price is $206 per person, though the supplied information does not break down separate prices for each height. Check the exact option before paying, since the final amount may depend on the altitude you choose.

The views are a major part of the value. From above Auckland, you may see Waiheke Island and Great Barrier Island, while clear conditions can reveal much farther landmarks such as Mount Ruapehu or Mt Taranak. The activity promises views of both the East and West coastlines, giving the flight a broader sense of place than a jump over a small local field.

Of course, weather controls what you actually see. Cloud can delay the aircraft, limit distant views, or change the feel of the jump. One person who passed through clouds described ice crystals striking the face and temperatures below zero inside the cloud. That sounds dramatic, but it is also a reminder that high-altitude jumping is cold and exposed, even when the weather feels pleasant on the ground.

The Door Opens: Freefall Above the Coast

At the chosen altitude, the aircraft door opens and you move toward the edge attached to your instructor. For many people, this is the hardest moment mentally. The crew’s job is to keep you focused on the instructions rather than the enormous drop below.

Once you leave the plane, you can reach speeds of up to 200 km/hr. The sensation is less like gently floating and more like powerful wind pushing against your whole body. The freefall lasts up to 75 seconds from 18,000 feet, with shorter periods from the lower heights.

The experience is designed to feel like flying, but you should expect noise, cold air, and a great deal of motion. One jumper enjoyed flips and tricks during the descent, while another described the wind as wild enough that the instructor raised his arms to shield the jumper’s face. Those details show why the instructor matters so much.

Your tandem guide remains responsible for the jump while you take in the views. First-timers repeatedly praised the staff for helping them relax before and during the experience. That does not remove the natural nerves, but it gives you a professional partner for the part you cannot control.

The scenery changes quickly. Islands, coastlines, and fields appear below you, then grow larger as you descend. If you are able to look outward rather than straight down, the scale of the North Island becomes the memorable part. This is not simply a stunt above Auckland. It is an unusual way to see the region’s shape and distance.

The Parachute Ride and Return to the Ground

After freefall, the parachute opens and the pace changes completely. The roaring wind gives way to a quieter ride, with time to enjoy the view in every direction.

This part can be a relief if the freefall feels intense. It also gives your instructor time to guide the landing and point out what you are seeing. The supplied information describes the parachute section as serene, which is a fair contrast to the speed of the first portion.

You may also experience turns or other movement under the parachute, depending on the instructor and conditions. If you want the calmest possible descent, tell your instructor. If you are eager for extra motion, you can ask what is suitable.

The viewing deck gives your friends and family a clear place to watch the final approach. After landing, you return your equipment and can purchase photo and video packages if you want a record of the jump.

Are the Photos and Video Worth Paying Extra For?

Photos and video are not included in the $206 price. They are available to purchase on the day, so you can decide after hearing the cost and considering how much the memory matters to you.

I would think carefully about this before arriving. You cannot easily photograph yourself while attached to an instructor, and the most dramatic moments happen too quickly for a phone on the ground to capture them properly. If this is a once-in-a-lifetime activity, the extra package may make sense.

One account says a combined photo and video package was worth the money, with the files arriving within about 15 minutes of landing. That quick turnaround is handy if you are continuing your Auckland sightseeing later the same day.

On the other hand, the jump itself is the main purchase. If $206 already stretches your activity budget, skip the add-on without feeling that you have missed the essential experience. The photos and video are a souvenir, not part of the actual freefall.

How the $206 Price Compares With the Experience

At $206 per person, this is a major activity expense, but the price covers more than a few minutes at the edge of an aircraft. You get the equipment, the flight to your chosen altitude, the tandem jump, the parachute ride, and the supervision of a trained instructor.

The strongest value comes from choosing the right height for your priorities. The 13,000-foot option gives you the core experience and may suit someone who wants to try a jump without committing to the longest freefall. The 18,000-foot option is more appealing if maximum time in the air and the highest possible jump matter most to you.

The price does not include photos or video, and the provided information does not state the extra cost. That is the key budget point. Set aside money only if you already know you want a keepsake.

The activity has a 4.9 rating from 151 reviews, with 89 percent giving transport a perfect score. The comments most consistently praise the staff, the sense of safety, the scenery, and the smooth operation once weather allows the jump to proceed. That combination makes the cost easier to justify for a bucket-list experience, but less so if you are only mildly curious about skydiving.

Who Will Enjoy This Auckland Jump Most?

This is best for an adult or older child who wants a serious thrill but prefers the support of a tandem instructor. You do not need previous skydiving experience, and the preparation is designed to help beginners understand the process.

It also suits couples, families with eligible children, and friends who want a shared challenge. The viewing deck helps non-jumpers feel involved, and one account described the jump as a memorable birthday activity.

Choose it if you value scenery as much as adrenaline. The views toward Waiheke Island, Great Barrier Island, the two coastlines, and distant mountains give the activity a strong New Zealand setting.

I would hesitate if you have a tight schedule, dislike uncertain weather, or need a guaranteed start time. You should also reconsider if you are close to the 100 kg limit, since the stated maximum is firm. Pregnant people cannot take part.

Practical Advice for a Smoother Morning

Book this for a day when you can tolerate waiting. The activity lasts three hours under normal conditions, but weather can push the start back by several hours.

Eat before leaving Auckland. The nearby food situation may be limited, and one person finished the experience very hungry after a weather delay.

Wear closed-toe shoes and clothing you can move in. The supplied information does not specify a clothing list, so avoid anything that could interfere with equipment or make movement awkward.

If you are nervous, say so. The team has a strong record of helping first-timers settle down, and named instructors such as Owen, James, Aaron, Mitch, Erin, Simon, and others are repeatedly praised for calm, supportive service.

Keep your schedule open after the jump as well. The total activity is listed as three hours, but the timing of photos, video, and weather changes may affect your plans.

Cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. The experience is wheelchair accessible, although the supplied details do not explain the exact access arrangements, so contact the operator if you need specific assistance.

FAQ

Where does the Auckland tandem skydive take place?

It takes place at Skydive Auckland in Parakai, on New Zealand’s North Island. The base is about a 45-minute drive from Auckland City.

How high can I jump?

You can choose a tandem jump from 13,000, 16,000, or 18,000 feet. The 18,000-foot option is limited to people aged 12 and older.

How long is the freefall?

The jump from 18,000 feet offers up to 75 seconds of freefall. The lower-altitude options provide less freefall time.

How fast do you fall?

You can reach speeds of up to 200 km/hr during freefall.

Is there a weight limit?

Yes. The maximum weight is 100 kg, or 220 pounds. The experience is not suitable for people over that limit or for pregnant women.

Are photos and video included?

No. Photo and video packages are available to purchase separately on the day. One account says the files arrived within about 15 minutes of landing.

Should You Book Skydive Auckland?

Book it if you want a major thrill with some of New Zealand’s best aerial scenery attached. The 18,000-foot option offers the longest freefall, while 13,000 feet may be the sensible starting point for a nervous first-timer. The staff’s repeated praise is important here: instructors are not just managing equipment, they are helping people get through a very big psychological moment.

Plan for weather delays, eat before you arrive, and treat the photo package as optional. If you can spare the time and meet the weight and age rules, this is one of Auckland’s most memorable ways to see the coast, islands, and mountains from above.