13,000 ft Tandem Skydive – Franz Josef

The 13,000 ft Tandem Skydive strikes the perfect balance between scenic flight time, exhilarating freefall, and value, making it one of the most popular skydiving experiences in Glacier Country. Jumping over Franz Josef Glacier and Fox Glacier, participants enjoy an unforgettable combination of alpine scenery, temperate rainforest, braided rivers, and the rugged Tasman Sea coastline. (Skydive New Zealand)

✈️ Experience Overview

Your adventure begins with a check-in and comprehensive safety briefing, where expert tandem instructors explain the equipment, body position, and landing procedures.

Once harnessed to your instructor, you'll board the aircraft for a 15-minute scenic flight climbing to 13,000 ft (3,962 m). The ascent itself is a spectacular sightseeing journey, with ever-expanding views of New Zealand's World Heritage-listed wilderness. (Skydive New Zealand)

🪂 Jump Statistics

The additional altitude compared with a 10,000 ft jump provides approximately 50% more freefall time, allowing you to fully appreciate the sensation of flying before the canopy opens. (Skydive New Zealand)

🌄 Unparalleled Scenic Views

From nearly 4,000 metres above sea level, you'll enjoy panoramic vistas of:

• 🧊 Franz Josef Glacier

• 🧊 Fox Glacier

• 🏔 Southern Alps

• 🏔 Aoraki / Mount Cook on clear days

• 🌳 Ancient temperate rainforest

• 🌊 Tasman Sea coastline

• 🏞 Mirror lakes

• 🏞 Braided glacial rivers

• 🌿 Westland National Park

This rare combination of glaciers, mountains, rainforest, and ocean in a single jump is one of the reasons Franz Josef has been recognized as one of the world's premier skydiving destinations. (Skydive New Zealand)

🚀 The Freefall

The aircraft door opens, the cool alpine air rushes in, and within moments you and your tandem instructor launch into open sky.

For up to 45 seconds, you'll accelerate to approximately 200 km/h, experiencing an extraordinary sense of weightlessness while the glaciers and mountains expand beneath you.

Many first-time jumpers describe the sensation as surprisingly smooth rather than feeling like "falling." (Skydive New Zealand)

🪂 Peaceful Canopy Flight

After freefall, the parachute deploys and the experience transforms into a tranquil aerial tour.

For the next 3–5 minutes, you'll gently glide over Glacier Country while your instructor points out:

• Glacier valleys

• Snow-covered peaks

• Rainforest canopies

• River systems

• The Tasman coastline

On suitable days, instructors may even allow you to assist with gentle canopy turns for an interactive experience. (Skydive New Zealand)

👨‍✈️ Perfect for First-Time Skydivers

No experience is required.

Your certified tandem instructor manages:

• Safety procedures

• Equipment checks

• Aircraft exit

• Stable freefall

• Parachute deployment

• Navigation

• Landing

You simply enjoy one of New Zealand's most memorable adventures. (Skydive New Zealand)

📸 Professional Media Packages

Optional media packages allow you to relive every moment.

Instructor Camera

• Close-up freefall footage

• Photos and full video

• Pre-jump and landing interviews

Personal Photographer (Outside Camera)

• Dedicated camera flyer accompanies your jump

• Dramatic panoramic images

• Wide-angle glacier and mountain views

Best of Both

• Combination of instructor camera and outside camera

• Complete photo gallery

• Full-length video

• Highlight reel

• Social-media-ready edit

Booking online generally provides discounted pricing compared with purchasing on arrival. (Skydive New Zealand)

📍 Location

• Meeting Point: 63 Cron Street, Franz Josef / Waiau

• Allow: 2–3 hours for the complete experience

• Departure: Weather dependent for optimum safety and visibility. (Skydive New Zealand)

👕 What to Wear

Recommended attire:

• Secure lace-up shoes

• Comfortable clothing

• Long trousers or leggings

• Thermal or light jacket depending on season

• Hair tied back if long

All specialist equipment, including jumpsuit, harness, goggles, and parachute system, is provided. (Skydive New Zealand)

👥 Participant Requirements

Suitability is confirmed on the day based on operational conditions. (Skydive New Zealand)

⭐ Why Choose the 13,000 ft Jump?

• 15-minute scenic flight over Glacier Country

• Up to 45 seconds of exhilarating freefall

• Speeds approaching 200 km/h

• 3–5 minute parachute glide

• Spectacular views of glaciers, rainforest, mountains, rivers, and coastline

• Excellent balance of thrill, scenery, and value

• Located in a destination highlighted by Red Bull among the Top 9 Places in the World to Skydive. (Skydive New Zealand)

💡 Insider Tips

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

• Reserve photo/video packages in advance for better pricing.

• Wear contact lenses if possible instead of loose-fitting glasses.

• Experienced skydivers on community forums frequently suggest that 13,000 ft offers an ideal first tandem experience, with the extra freefall time being memorable without the added cost of much higher altitudes. (Reddit)

🌟 Overall Experience

The 13,000 ft Tandem Skydive Franz Josef delivers an exceptional mix of adrenaline and natural beauty. A 15-minute scenic flight, 45-second freefall at approximately 200 km/h, and a peaceful canopy ride above glaciers, rainforest, alpine peaks, and the Tasman Sea make it one of New Zealand's signature adventure experiences and an unforgettable way to experience the dramatic landscapes of the West Coast. (Skydive New Zealand)