10,000 ft. Tandem Helicopter Skydive – Franz Josef

One of New Zealand's most exclusive adventure experiences, the 10,000 ft Tandem Helicopter Skydive combines a scenic helicopter flight with the exhilaration of freefall above glaciers, rainforest, mountains, rivers, and the Tasman Sea. It is one of the only commercial helicopter skydives available in New Zealand and among only a handful worldwide. (Skydive New Zealand)

Experience Highlights

🚁 Scenic Helicopter Flight

Unlike a traditional skydive from an aircraft, your adventure begins with a smooth helicopter ascent.

During the approximately 10-minute flight to 10,000 feet, you'll enjoy panoramic views of:

• Franz Josef Glacier

• Fox Glacier

• The Southern Alps

• Snow-covered peaks

• Ancient temperate rainforest

• Braided glacial rivers

• The rugged West Coast coastline

• The Tasman Sea

Large helicopter windows provide outstanding sightseeing and photography opportunities before the jump. (Skydive New Zealand)

The Hover Exit

One feature that makes this experience truly unique is the exit itself.

Instead of jumping from a fast-moving airplane, the helicopter slows and hovers at 10,000 feet, allowing you to:

• Take in uninterrupted 360° alpine views

• Experience a quieter, calmer moment before departure

• Launch into freefall from a nearly stationary position

This creates a very different sensation from a conventional skydive and is one of the reasons the experience is considered so special. (Skydive New Zealand)

🪂 Freefall

After leaving the helicopter, you'll experience:

During freefall you'll enjoy incredible views stretching from glaciers to coastline before the parachute opens for a peaceful descent. (Skydive New Zealand)

Tandem Adventure

No prior experience is necessary.

You'll be securely attached to a highly trained tandem instructor who manages:

• Aircraft exit

• Body position

• Freefall control

• Parachute deployment

• Navigation

• Landing

Participants simply enjoy the scenery and adrenaline while the instructor handles all technical aspects. (Skydive New Zealand)

Included Media Package

One of the biggest advantages of this package is that an Instructor Camera Package is included.

You'll receive professionally captured:

• High-resolution photos

• Full skydive video

• Helicopter ascent footage

• Exit sequence

• Freefall highlights

• Parachute descent

• Landing and post-jump reactions

This means you leave with lasting memories without needing to purchase an additional basic media package. (Skydive New Zealand)

Why Choose a Helicopter Instead of an Airplane?

Unique Features

• Hovering exit instead of a moving aircraft

• Smooth and comfortable ascent

• Larger viewing windows

• Better sightseeing before the jump

• Rare experience available in very few places worldwide

• Spectacular glacier-to-ocean scenery unique to Franz Josef

The operator describes it as the closest sensation to truly flying. (Skydive New Zealand)

Scenery You'll See

The jump offers one of the world's most diverse aerial landscapes:

• 🧊 Franz Josef Glacier

• 🧊 Fox Glacier

• 🏔 Southern Alps

• 🏔 Aoraki / Mount Cook in clear conditions

• 🌿 Temperate rainforest

• 🌊 Tasman Sea

• 🌊 West Coast beaches

• 🏞 Mirror lakes

• 🏞 Braided rivers

Few skydives worldwide combine glaciers, mountains, rainforest, and coastline in a single panoramic view. (Skydive New Zealand)

Participant Requirements

Heavier guests may need assessment or may not be eligible depending on conditions. (Skydive New Zealand)

What to Wear

Recommended clothing includes:

• Secure lace-up shoes

• Comfortable trousers or leggings

• T-shirt or thermal layer

• Light jacket (season dependent)

• Sunglasses for before the flight

• Hair tied back if long

All specialized skydiving equipment is provided by the operator. (Skydive New Zealand)

Perfect For

This experience is ideal for:

• Bucket-list travelers

• First-time skydivers

• Adventure enthusiasts

• Couples seeking a memorable experience

• Photographers wanting extraordinary aerial perspectives

• Visitors looking for an exclusive New Zealand adventure

Insider Tips

• Book early, as helicopter skydives have limited daily availability.

• Morning departures often provide the clearest glacier views and calmer conditions.

• Weather in Glacier Country changes quickly, so keep your schedule flexible.

• Eat a light meal beforehand and stay hydrated.

• Since the instructor camera is already included, you'll automatically have professional photos and video of your jump. (Skydive New Zealand)

Overall Experience

The 10,000 ft Tandem Helicopter Skydive Franz Josef delivers a rare combination of luxury sightseeing and extreme adventure. From a smooth helicopter ascent and dramatic hover at altitude to a 30-second freefall at around 200 km/h above glaciers, rainforest, mountains, and ocean, it stands out as one of New Zealand's most distinctive adrenaline experiences and one of the most scenic tandem skydives available anywhere in the world. (Skydive New Zealand)