Tandem Skydive 13,000ft from Franz Josef

The South Island looks better from the sky. This 13,000-foot tandem jump gives you a fast, thrilling way to see Franz Josef Glacier, high peaks, ice fields, rainforests, braided rivers, lakes, and the Tasman Sea in one sweep. I like the simple setup: no previous experience is needed, and a trained instructor handles the technical work. I also like the broad view, from mountain tops down toward sea level.

The main catch is weather. Cloud, wind, and poor visibility can cancel the jump, so you need some flexibility in your schedule. The $276.60 price is also a serious spend, especially once you add optional photos and video, but the long freefall and dramatic setting give it real value for a major bucket-list day.

Key points to know before you book

• A 13,000-foot jump gives you a long freefall: You reach about 200 kilometers per hour, or 120 miles per hour, before the parachute opens.
• The scenery covers more than glaciers: Look for mountain peaks, ice fields, rainforest, lakes, braided river beds, and the coast.
• Franz Josef Village is the easy starting point: Check in at 63 Cron Street, then use the shared transfer to the airport.
• Instructor Danny earned special praise: One participant credited him with giving strong encouragement during the jump.
• Weather can change the whole plan: You may wait for an update, move to another date, or receive a full refund.
• Photos and video cost extra: One participant received three videos and more than 300 photos within hours after purchase.

Why Franz Josef is such a strong place for a parachute jump

Franz Josef gives this activity more than a standard thrill ride. You are positioned between New Zealand’s highest mountains and the Tasman Sea, with Franz Josef Glacier, Fox Glacier, forests, lakes, and river beds all close by.

That range matters once you are in the air. A city jump may give you buildings and roads. Here, the view can shift from sharp mountain ridges to pale ice, dark forest, open water, and the rough coast. The scenery has enough variety to keep your eyes busy before and after the freefall.

The area is also a useful base for a South Island trip. You can meet at 63 Cron Street in Franz Josef Village, rather than finding your way to an isolated airfield. The shared transfer to the airport is included, except when temporary Covid restrictions affect that service.

The 13,000-foot option is high enough to make the flight upward part of the experience. You do not simply arrive, jump, and land. You spend time rising above the West Coast, watching the view open out while your anticipation builds.

What happens during the three-hour outing

Allow about three hours from the start of the activity to your return to the meeting point. The time includes check-in, preparation, transport, the flight, the jump, and the return process.

You begin at the booking office in Franz Josef Village. From there, the shared transfer takes you to the airport. The supplied details do not give a fixed timetable for each stage, so avoid scheduling a tight connection, guided walk, or dinner immediately afterward.

At the airport, you use the provided equipment. This includes a helmet, gloves, goggles, and jumpsuit. You should arrive in warm, lightweight clothing and wear secure shoes, preferably with laces. That advice makes sense for a high-altitude activity where loose clothing and unsecured footwear would be a nuisance.

Before takeoff, you are paired with your tandem instructor. The appeal of a tandem jump is that you do not need previous experience or the technical knowledge required for a solo parachute jump. Your instructor manages the equipment and the procedure while you focus on staying calm and taking in the view.

The aircraft rises toward 13,000 feet. The flight itself gives you time to see the region from above, and the high starting point makes the freefall a major part of the outing rather than a brief moment.

When it is time to leave the aircraft, the freefall reaches about 200 kilometers per hour. The sensation is intense, but it is also short enough that you can focus on the unusual feeling of moving through open air instead of worrying about every technical step.

After the parachute opens, the pace changes completely. You float toward the ground with more time to look at the mountains, glacier country, rivers, forests, and coast. The activity ends back at the original meeting point.

The view from mountain tops to the Tasman Sea

The strongest reason to choose this jump is the vertical range of the view. Franz Josef is not just a glacier lookout. From the air, you may see the high mountains, broad ice fields, rainforest, mirror-like lakes, braided river beds, and the Tasman Sea.

I would pay particular attention during the calmer parachute ride. Freefall is exciting, but the open-canopy portion gives you more time to absorb the setting. Look toward the mountain tops, then down toward the rivers and coast. The combination of ice and sea is what makes this location feel distinct.

Visibility is crucial. On a clear day, the scenery is the star of the activity. On a cloudy day, you may get less of the wide view that justifies choosing Franz Josef. The operator makes the final call based on favorable weather conditions, so you should not treat a confirmed booking as a guarantee that the jump will happen at the planned time.

One participant came from Australia expecting the jump to be a trip highlight, only to lose the day to poor weather. The useful part of that account is not the disappointment, but the handling of it. Regular updates from the desk helped make the wait easier. If conditions turn bad, patience may be more useful than frustration.

How the instructors shape the experience

A tandem jump succeeds or fails partly on how well the instructor handles the first-time jumper. You need clear directions, calm communication, and enough warmth to stop the moment from feeling like a mechanical procedure.

The available feedback gives a specific name: Danny. One participant praised him for giving strong courage during the jump and described him as an excellent instructor. That does not mean you will be paired with Danny, but it shows the type of support that matters here.

Other positive feedback focuses on the balance between professionalism and fun. The staff helped keep the mood calm without taking the excitement away. That is important because the hardest part for many first-time jumpers is not the equipment. It is the few minutes when the aircraft door is open and the decision suddenly feels real.

You can leave the technical side to the instructor. Your job is to listen, follow directions, and enjoy the unusual view. A moderate level of physical fitness is required, so this is not the right choice if you cannot comfortably manage the physical demands of getting ready and completing the jump.

Is $276.60 good value?

At $276.60 per person, this is not a casual add-on. You are paying for a high-altitude tandem jump, specialist equipment, instructor support, the airport transfer, and the setting itself.

The value improves if you see it as one of your main Franz Josef activities. The 13,000-foot height gives you a longer and more substantial experience than a quick scenic flight. You also get a rare view of several natural features at once, from glacier country to the coast.

The price feels less attractive if you are mainly seeking a sightseeing flight. A jump requires preparation, physical effort, a weather buffer, and the nerve to leave an aircraft. If your priority is a quiet view of the mountains, another activity may suit you better.

Photography and video are not included. You can buy them afterward, and the available feedback gives a useful idea of what the package may contain: one participant received three different videos and more than 300 photos within hours. That is a lot of material for remembering the day, but it also means you should budget for the add-on before you arrive if visual proof matters to you.

T-shirts and hoodies are also available to buy, but they are optional. The included equipment covers the practical needs of the jump.

Weather is the real planning issue

The West Coast is famous for dramatic weather, and this activity depends on safe and suitable conditions. Poor weather can cancel the jump, delay it, or force you to choose another date.

I recommend placing this activity early in your Franz Josef stay rather than on your final day. That gives you a better chance of using an alternative date if the weather changes. The operator offers either a new date or a full refund when poor conditions cause cancellation.

You should also keep your day flexible. The total duration is approximately three hours, but waiting for an update can affect the schedule. The account from the Australian participant is a good reminder that regular communication does not make the weather predictable.

If the minimum number of participants is not met, the activity can also be canceled. In that case, you receive the choice of another date or experience, or a full refund. The maximum group size is 70 people, so the operation can be fairly large even though your actual jump is handled as a tandem pair with an instructor.

Clothing, equipment, and what to bring

The operator supplies the main gear: helmet, gloves, goggles, and jumpsuit. You do not need to bring your own parachute equipment.

Wear warm, lightweight layers. Franz Josef weather can change, and the airport and waiting periods may feel cool even before you reach altitude. Secure shoes are important, with laces preferred.

A mobile ticket is accepted, and confirmation is provided when you book. Keep the booking details easy to access on your phone, particularly if you are moving around New Zealand without a printer.

You should also decide in advance how you feel about buying images. Photos and video are optional and are not included in the listed price. If you know you will want proof of the jump, ask about the options at the appropriate point rather than making the decision in a rush afterward.

Who will get the most from this jump?

This suits you if you want a major thrill and care about scenery as much as the jump itself. The mix of freefall, mountain views, ice fields, rainforest, lakes, river beds, and sea makes it a strong choice for a special South Island trip.

It is also a good fit if you have never made a parachute jump. The tandem format removes the need for previous experience, and the instructor controls the technical side. Positive feedback repeatedly points to the staff keeping the experience both safe-feeling and fun.

You may want to skip it if your schedule is rigid. Weather can cancel the activity, and a last-day booking leaves little room for a replacement date. You should also think carefully if the price is already stretching your budget, since photo and video packages cost extra.

This is not a passive sightseeing trip. You need moderate physical fitness, warm clothing, secure footwear, and the willingness to deal with a burst of serious adrenaline. The reward is a view that no ordinary roadside lookout can match.

Booking, cancellation, and practical timing

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. A cancellation inside 24 hours is not refundable, and changes made inside that period are not accepted.

The weather and minimum-participant guarantees are more useful than the standard cancellation rule. If the operator cancels because of weather or insufficient numbers, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

Because the jump takes place in Franz Josef and returns to Franz Josef, the meeting point is straightforward. Start at 63 Cron Street, Franz Josef, and expect to finish there after the airport transfer and jump.

Should you book the Franz Josef 13,000-foot jump?

Book it if you want a high-impact South Island memory, can handle a weather buffer, and are comfortable paying extra for photos or video if you want them. The 13,000-foot height, 120-mile-per-hour freefall, and sweeping view from the Southern Alps toward the Tasman Sea give the activity real substance.

I would not book it as a tight final-day appointment or if you mainly want a calm scenic flight. For everyone else, the combination of strong staff support, no previous experience requirement, included equipment, and an extraordinary setting makes this one of Franz Josef’s more memorable splurges.

FAQ

Do I need previous experience to make the tandem jump?

No. The experience is designed for first-time participants, and the tandem instructor handles the technical side of the jump.

How high is the jump?

The jump is from 13,000 feet.

How fast is the freefall?

The freefall reaches about 200 kilometers per hour, or 120 miles per hour.

How long does the activity take?

The full outing lasts approximately three hours.

Where does the experience begin?

You meet at 63 Cron Street, Franz Josef, New Zealand.

Is transport to the airport included?

Round-trip shared transport from the booking office to the airport is included, except when Covid restrictions affect that service.

What happens if bad weather cancels the jump?

You can choose an alternative date or receive a full refund if poor weather causes the cancellation.

Are photos and video included in the price?

No. Photography and video options are available to purchase separately after the jump.