16,500 ft Tandem Skydive – Franz Josef

The 16,500 ft Tandem Skydive is the premium high-altitude skydive at Franz Josef, delivering an extraordinary combination of a long scenic flight, up to 70 seconds of freefall, and breathtaking views of glaciers, alpine peaks, rainforests, braided rivers, and the Tasman Sea. It is designed for thrill-seekers who want maximum airtime and one of the most spectacular skydiving experiences in New Zealand. (Skydive New Zealand)

🛩️ Experience Overview

Your adventure starts with a check-in and safety briefing at the Franz Josef drop zone. Professional tandem instructors explain every step of the jump, fit your harness and equipment, and answer any questions before boarding the aircraft.

The climb to 16,500 ft (5,029 m) takes approximately 20 minutes, giving you ample time to admire the ever-changing landscape as the aircraft rises above glaciers, mountains, and the coastline. (Skydive New Zealand)

🪂 Jump Statistics

With over a minute of freefall, this jump offers significantly more airtime than the 10,000 ft and 13,000 ft options, making it ideal for those wanting the longest standard tandem experience available at Franz Josef. (Skydive New Zealand)

🌄 Spectacular Scenery

Few places in the world offer such diverse scenery from the air.

During the climb and descent you'll enjoy panoramic views of:

• 🧊 Franz Josef Glacier

• 🧊 Fox Glacier

• 🏔 Southern Alps

• 🏔 Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park

• 🌿 Te Wāhipounamu UNESCO World Heritage Area

• 🌳 Ancient temperate rainforest

• 🌊 Tasman Sea coastline

• 🏞 Mirror lakes

• 🏞 Braided glacial rivers

The contrast between snow-covered peaks, emerald rainforest, and rugged coastline creates one of the world's most photogenic skydiving landscapes. (Skydive New Zealand)

🚀 The Ultimate Freefall

As the aircraft door opens, you'll be securely attached to your tandem instructor before launching into open sky.

Freefall Experience

• Up to 70 seconds of freefall

• Speeds reaching approximately 200 km/h

• Continuous panoramic glacier and mountain views

• Incredible sensation of floating rather than dropping

The longer freefall allows jumpers to settle into the experience, appreciate the scenery, and fully embrace the adrenaline rush before parachute deployment. (Skydive New Zealand)

🪂 Peaceful Canopy Flight

Once the parachute opens, the atmosphere changes completely.

For the next 3–5 minutes, you'll glide silently over Glacier Country while enjoying:

• Snow-covered alpine peaks

• Glacier valleys

• Dense rainforest

• River systems

• The dramatic West Coast shoreline

On suitable flights, instructors may demonstrate gentle canopy turns, adding another dimension to the experience. (Skydive New Zealand)

👨‍✈️ Tandem Skydiving Made Simple

No previous skydiving experience is necessary.

Your certified tandem instructor takes care of:

• Safety checks

• Equipment operation

• Aircraft exit

• Stable freefall

• Parachute deployment

• Navigation

• Landing

Passengers simply follow basic body-position instructions and enjoy the adventure. (Skydive New Zealand)

📸 Professional Photo & Video Packages

Optional media packages ensure every moment is captured.

📷 Instructor Camera

• Close-up action footage

• Full jump video

• High-resolution photos

• Pre-jump and landing interviews

🎥 Personal Photographer (Outside Camera)

• Dedicated camera flyer jumps alongside you

• Wide panoramic shots

• Dynamic freefall footage

• Glacier and mountain backdrops

⭐ Best of Both

Includes:

• Instructor Camera

• Outside Camera

• Complete photo collection

• Full-length video

• Highlight reel

• Social-media edit

Booking online provides discounted pricing compared with purchasing at check-in. (Skydive New Zealand)

📍 Location

Meeting Point

• 69 Cron Street

• Franz Josef Glacier, New Zealand

Allow: 2–3 hours for the complete experience from arrival to landing. (Skydive New Zealand)

👕 What to Wear

Recommended clothing includes:

• Secure lace-up shoes

• Comfortable trousers or leggings

• T-shirt or thermal layer

• Light jacket depending on weather

• Hair tied back if long

All technical skydiving equipment—including jumpsuit, harness, goggles, and parachute—is provided by the operator. (Skydive New Zealand)

👥 Participant Requirements

Each participant is individually assessed to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. (Skydive New Zealand)

⭐ Why Choose the 16,500 ft Jump?

• 🚀 Up to 70 seconds of freefall

• 🛩️ 20-minute scenic flight to altitude

• 🏔 Views across Westland & Aoraki/Mount Cook National Parks

• 🌿 UNESCO World Heritage landscapes

• 📸 Optional professional media packages

• 🪂 Suitable for complete beginners

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

💡 Insider Tips

• Book a morning jump for the best chance of clear glacier and mountain views.

• Reserve media packages online to save money.

• Glacier Country weather changes rapidly, so keep your itinerary flexible.

• Skydivers on community forums often recommend 13,000 ft for first-timers, but many agree that 16,500 ft is the ideal choice if you want the longest possible freefall and are comfortable paying extra for the experience. (Reddit)

🌟 Overall Experience

The 16,500 ft Tandem Skydive Franz Josef is an unforgettable high-altitude adventure that combines a 20-minute panoramic flight, up to 70 seconds of adrenaline-filled freefall at 200 km/h, and a peaceful parachute glide over glaciers, rainforest, alpine peaks, and the Tasman Sea. It is widely regarded as one of New Zealand's most scenic and exhilarating tandem skydiving experiences, offering the perfect blend of natural beauty and extreme adventure. (Skydive New Zealand)