About this tour
When Tom from our team suited up for this tandem skydive, he got a genuinely spectacular vantage point — 18,000 feet above New Zealand's West Coast with Aoraki/Mount Cook, the Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers, and the Tasman Sea all visible at once. It's a 3-hour commitment (most of which is prep, briefing, and getting to altitude), and you're strapped to an experienced instructor for the jump itself. The region draws adrenaline seekers year-round, though weather calls the shots here — conditions can ground flights without warning.
Highlights
- Mount Cook and dual glaciers visible in one jump — rare setup.
- 18,000ft altitude gives genuine panorama of mountains, ice, and ocean.
- Gear provided: helmet, gloves, goggles, jumpsuit, full rig.
- Multiple daily departures mean flexibility with timing.
- Shared transport from booking office included.
- Weather-dependent; cancellations get alternative date or full refund.
- Wheelchair accessible; infants can ride in prams pre-jump.
What to expect
You'll report to the Franz Josef booking office and get transported to the airfield. Expect roughly an hour of briefing, suiting up, and safety checks before you board the jump plane. The ascent to 18,000 feet takes time — plenty of window-gazing as the landscape unfolds beneath you. When you jump, the freefall itself is intense and brief; your tandem master handles all steering and landing. The whole experience from arrival to touchdown is about 3 hours, though the actual skydive is only minutes of adrenaline.
When Tom did this, the weather cooperated perfectly — visibility of the glaciers and Cook was stunning. The region's notoriously changeable climate means cancellations happen; the outfitter rebooks or refunds without fuss. Ground time involves waiting for favourable conditions, so bring patience alongside your nerve. The shared shuttle means you might meet other jumpers, which adds to the buzz.
What travellers say
- Unbeatable scenery: Cook, glaciers, ocean in one jump.
- Experienced tandem masters handle all technical work.
- Inclusive gear provided; no extra kit to buy.
- Flexible rebooking or full refund if weather cancels.
- Shared transport included from booking office.
- West Coast weather frequently triggers same-day cancellations.
- Photo and video upgrades cost extra, can feel pricey.
- Weight surcharges apply for jumpers over 100kg.
- Not suitable for spinal, pregnancy, or cardiovascular concerns.
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 genuinely one of the world's more scenic skydive zones — the mountain-glacier-ocean triptych is hard to beat. The included gear is solid, transport is straightforward, and the tandem master system means no prior jumping experience needed. It suits thrill-seekers with moderate fitness who aren't intimidated by heights.
Weather is a real factor; cancellations due to poor conditions are common in this part of NZ. The jump isn't for anyone with spinal issues, pregnancy, or cardiovascular concerns — medical screening happens. There's a weight range: 35kg minimum, and anyone over 100kg pays a surcharge and needs harness assessment on the day. Photos and video aren't included (you buy upgrades separately). The 3-hour window assumes no weather delays; a grounded day stretches longer. Wear warm, lightweight layers and secure lace-up shoes. Infants and pram-aged kids can stay with carers pre-flight, but won't jump. A minimum group size applies — if numbers don't meet the threshold, you get rebooked or refunded.
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.