About this tour
When Charlie from our team strapped in for this Lake Taupo tandem jump, we got a proper sense of why this drop zone has been running since 1992. You're up at 12,000 feet with 40 seconds of freefall, watching the North Island's coastline roll beneath you—lakes, farmland, forest all at once. The operation feels practiced and safe; they've jumped over 300,000 people. It's two hours total, including the pre-jump chat and gear-up, though the actual sky time is the main event. Friends and family can watch from the ground, which beats doing this solo.
Highlights
- Forty seconds of genuine freefall—long enough to stop thinking, just feel
- 360-degree North Island views: both coasts visible on clear days
- Hotel pickup included; no fussing with transport logistics
- Professional tandem masters who've done this thousands of times
- Souvenir buff and all gear provided—nothing extra to buy upfront
- Spectators welcome at drop zone with good viewing space
- High-quality camera options available (paid separately onsite)
What to expect
You'll arrive two hours before your jump slot. The team runs through safety, explains the camera packages (photo/video options are worth considering if you want proof), then gets you suited up in the jumpsuit, harness, and goggles. It feels real once you're in the gear. You'll board the plane with your tandem master, who's strapped to your back—you're not doing this alone. The climb to 12,000 feet takes about 15 minutes; it's noisy and cramped but oddly calm. Then the door opens. You're out for 40 seconds of freefall, which sounds short until you're doing it. The view is genuinely spectacular—on a clear day you see from one coast to the other. Then the chute opens and you float back down, savouring the landing.
The whole experience moves fast. You're not waiting around for hours; the operation is streamlined. Ground crew and staff are multilingual, so communication isn't an issue.
What travellers say
- Established operator with 300,000+ jumps logged since 1992
- Forty seconds of freefall—long enough to genuinely experience it
- Panoramic North Island views from 12,000 feet on clear days
- Hotel pickup and drop-off included in the price
- Tandem masters multilingual and visibly experienced
- Spectator-friendly drop zone with comfortable viewing
- Weather-dependent; cancellations possible on windy or cloudy days
- Camera packages sold separately; costs add up quickly
- Weight limit and medical restrictions rule out some travellers
- Early morning starts typical; not ideal for late sleepers
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
This is NZ's original drop zone, and it shows. The operation is well-oiled; they know what they're doing. The 40 seconds of freefall is genuinely long enough to settle in and enjoy it. Hotel pickup means no stress about getting there. The views are the real draw—you're not jumping over featureless terrain. Spectators can watch properly, which is great if you've got a mate who wants to see you jump. The souvenir buff is a nice touch.
Weight limit is 100 kg (220 lbs)—check this before booking. It's not suitable if you're pregnant, have spinal injuries, or cardiovascular issues. You need moderate fitness at minimum. The experience is weather-dependent; high winds or cloud can cause cancellations or delays. Camera packages cost extra and add up fast if you want high-quality footage. Kids must fit the harness properly. Early morning starts are common, so expect an early pickup.
Bring light layers (it's cold up there, even in summer); they provide the jumpsuit but you'll want something underneath. The whole thing is 2 hours door-to-door. Groups are kept small—usually one or two jumpers per slot. Peak season (December–February) books up fast.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BugBitten summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.