Bay of Islands: 18,000ft Skydive

See Northland from the open sky. The Bay of Islands 18,000ft skydive gives you a fast, dramatic look at one of New Zealand’s finest coastal areas, with 144 islands, blue water, beaches, and distant headlands spread below. I like the highest jump in New Zealand’s North Island and the calm, friendly instruction, especially from tandem instructors such as Prashant, Philip, Rhys, and Maurice. The main catch is that weather and aviation delays can stretch a planned 1.5-hour visit into two to four hours, so do not squeeze it between tight connections.

This is not a sightseeing flight with a gentle commentary. It is a full tandem skydive from 18,000 feet, with a long freefall followed by a parachute descent over Northland. The listed price is $297, and pickup is offered from central Paihia and Kerikeri, though hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

I also like the practical setup. Training and safety gear are supplied, the activity returns to the Kerikeri meeting point, and the group limit is 24 people. The price does not include souvenir photos, and you must confirm conditions by phone one hour before your scheduled jump.

Key things to know before you book

• 18,000 feet is the headline: This is the highest-altitude skydive offered in the North, giving you the longest and most dramatic version of the jump available here.
• The Bay of Islands is your view: You may see the 144-island archipelago, Paihia, Russell, Cape Brett, Cape Reinga, and nearby islands from above.
• Prashant earns repeated praise: His calm manner and clear explanations have helped first-time jumpers feel safe and ready.
• Plan for weather delays: The jump itself may take about 1.5 hours, but you should allow two to four hours.
• Transport is limited but useful: Complimentary collection is offered from central Paihia and Kerikeri, not from every hotel.
• The $297 price is for the core thrill: Photos cost extra, but equipment, instruction, and safety training are included.

Why 18,000 feet changes the experience

Altitude matters here. A jump from 18,000 feet gives you more time in freefall than a lower jump, which means the sensation lasts longer before the parachute opens. For a first-time jumper, that extra time may sound thrilling, alarming, or both. Your tandem instructor handles the technical work, but you still need to follow the body-position instructions and remain reasonably fit.

The appeal is not only speed. From that height, the Bay of Islands has room to reveal itself. Instead of seeing one beach or one island at a time from a boat, you can take in the shape of the whole area, with scattered islands and channels arranged across the water.

On a clear day, the view may extend toward Cape Reinga, New Zealand’s northern tip. That sight is not guaranteed, since clouds and jump direction control what you see, but the possibility adds something special to this Northland setting.

I would choose the 18,000ft option if you want the biggest version of the experience and are comfortable paying for the added altitude. If your main goal is simply to try a skydive at the lowest possible cost, this may be more than you need.

Arriving at 182 Wiroa Road in Kerikeri

The main meeting point is at 182 Wiroa Road, Kerikeri 0293. The activity finishes back at this same location, which keeps the day simple if you have your own vehicle.

If you are staying in Paihia or Kerikeri, call 0800 GOJUMP to ask about the complimentary collection service. The wording is important: central Paihia and Kerikeri pickups are offered, but hotel pickup and drop-off are not included as a general feature.

There is a small practical wrinkle in the booking information. The tour is described as having a mobile ticket, but the arrival instructions say tickets or vouchers must be printed and presented at the drop zone. I would print the voucher rather than rely on a phone screen.

Spectators may be able to use the shuttle, but booked jumpers receive priority. If the van is full, spectators may need to arrange their own transport. That is worth considering if family or friends are coming along to watch.

Getting ready for the aircraft

The team provides the training and safety equipment. You need to arrive in comfortable clothing and closed-toe shoes. This is sensible advice, since you will be moving through a practical preparation process and wearing a tandem harness.

The staff explain what to do before the aircraft leaves and what to expect during the jump. The strongest praise for this part of the experience centers on calm, friendly instructors. Prashant is repeatedly singled out for putting nervous first-timers at ease, while Philip is praised for combining professional guidance with a steady manner. Rhys and Maurice also receive warm mentions for making the jump fun.

That balance matters. A good tandem instructor cannot remove the fact that you are about to leave an aircraft, but clear instructions give you something useful to focus on. You will not need to remember a long list of complicated procedures. You do need to listen carefully, use the required body position, and communicate with your instructor when asked.

The company has a strict 100kg weight limit. If you may be close to that figure, contact the operator before booking so you can clarify the requirements. Customers under 18 need signed consent from a parent or guardian.

You should also seek professional medical advice if you have a condition that might affect your ability to skydive. Anyone who has scuba dived within the previous 24 hours cannot take part because of pressure changes.

The 18,000ft ascent and the first seconds

The aircraft ascent gives you time to look down at Northland before the main event. As the ground recedes, the area’s geography becomes easier to read. Bays, islands, roads, and headlands form a broad coastal picture rather than a series of separate holiday stops.

At 18,000 feet, the jump begins with the largest rush of the day: the exit and freefall. First-time jumpers often describe the feeling as overwhelming for the first moments, then exhilarating once they settle into the position. The supplied comments repeatedly praise the freefall, with one person calling it epic and another describing the whole event as the most exhilarating thing they had tried.

Your tandem instructor remains attached to you and manages the jump. Some instructors may add playful touches, such as a forward roll or a cloud walk, but these are not guaranteed parts of every jump. Treat them as possible extras, not promised features.

The parachute phase is slower and gives you more time to look around. This is the part where the Bay of Islands view becomes easier to appreciate. You may be able to identify towns, islands, and coastal features that passed too quickly during freefall.

Reading the Bay of Islands from above

The Bay of Islands contains 144 islands, and that number becomes meaningful from the air. The islands are not just a backdrop. They help you understand why the area is known for sheltered water, small beaches, and boat trips through narrow passages.

Here is what the listed sights mean from a practical point of view:

• The Bay of Islands: The main attraction is the broad view of islands scattered across clear coastal water. Cloud cover can reduce visibility, so the best vistas depend on the weather.
• Paihia: This coastal town may be visible during the jump. It is a useful reference point, especially if you are staying there and want to connect the aerial view with the town below.
• Russell: Across the bay from Paihia, Russell is known for its waterfront setting and early New Zealand connections. From above, the relationship between the two towns becomes easier to understand.
• Waitangi: The birthplace of modern New Zealand has major national importance. You may see the surrounding area from the air, though the jump is not a guided cultural tour and should not be booked as a substitute for visiting the grounds.
• Urupukapuka Island: The largest island in the Bay of Islands is known for walking tracks and clear water. Its size makes it one of the more useful islands to identify from above.
• Kerikeri: Inland from the coast, Kerikeri is home to New Zealand’s oldest stone buildings and sits in a green setting. It is also the practical base for the drop zone.
• Hole in the Rock: This natural arch near Cape Brett is one of the area’s famous formations. Visibility depends on the jump route and conditions, so it should be considered a possible sight rather than a guaranteed one.
• Cape Brett: The rugged peninsula provides cliffs and broad ocean views. It gives the region a wilder edge beyond the towns and sheltered bays.
• Cape Reinga: On excellent days, visibility may reach as far as New Zealand’s northern tip. Cape Reinga is not directly visible on every jump, and its spiritual importance deserves more attention than a quick aerial glimpse can provide.
• Rainbow Warrior memorial: Near Matauri Bay, the memorial honors the Greenpeace ship bombed in 1985. It is a meaningful Northland reference, though you may not be able to identify it from the air.

This list gives you plenty to look for, but do not expect the instructor to provide a full sightseeing commentary for every feature. Your main task is the jump. The views are the setting and reward.

Weather, timing, and the need for a flexible day

The advertised duration is about two to three hours, while the operator advises allowing two to four hours. That difference is not a minor technicality. Skydiving depends on wind, cloud, visibility, aircraft operations, and other aviation needs.

You must call 0800 GO JUMP one hour before your scheduled time to confirm that conditions are suitable. I would not book this on the same day as a ferry connection, long-distance bus, airport transfer, or fixed dinner reservation.

The usual completion time is about 1.5 hours, but delays can occur. A flexible schedule makes the day much less stressful. If the weather changes, waiting is frustrating, but it is the right trade-off for an activity where safety and visibility matter.

Open-dated tickets need to be booked seven days ahead of the requested jump date. For ordinary changes or cancellations, provide 48 hours’ notice if possible. The stated cancellation policy allows a full refund when you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside 24 hours are not accepted for a refund.

Is $297 good value?

At $297, this is not an inexpensive way to see the Bay of Islands. You are paying for a specialist aviation operation, tandem instruction, equipment, staff, aircraft time, and the 18,000ft altitude. The core jump includes training and safety equipment, but souvenir photos are extra.

I think the price makes the most sense for three types of people. First, it suits someone who has always wanted to skydive and wants to make the first jump a major event. Second, it works well for a short Northland visit because you can see a broad area from the air in one outing. Third, it suits repeat jumpers who want a high-altitude option and a memorable coastal setting.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a cheap scenic flight. You will spend much of the experience preparing, ascending, freefalling, and managing the jump, not quietly studying every island below. A boat trip or scenic flight would offer a slower look at the region, while this offers a much stronger physical thrill.

Photos are another budget question. They are available to purchase, but not included. If recording the jump matters to you, ask about the photo option before you arrive and set aside extra money.

Who should book this Northland jump?

I would recommend it to a reasonably fit adult or older teenager with parental consent, a flexible schedule, and a real appetite for adrenaline. The experience is especially well suited to a first-time jumper who wants strong guidance and a major story to take home.

The repeated praise for instructors is reassuring. Prashant is a particularly safe choice in spirit for nervous beginners because his calm explanations and friendly manner are often highlighted. You cannot request a particular instructor based on the supplied information, but you can tell the team if you are anxious.

I would hesitate if you dislike uncertain schedules, may be close to the 100kg limit, have a medical concern, or have recently scuba dived. I would also think twice if you have only a short window in the Bay of Islands, since weather and aviation delays are part of the reality.

Small details that make the day easier

Book early if your dates are fixed, and keep the rest of the day open. Call one hour before the appointment, even if the sky looks fine from your accommodation.

Wear comfortable clothes and closed-toe shoes. Bring a printed voucher because the arrival instructions specifically request one, despite the mobile-ticket information.

If you are collecting someone from Paihia or Kerikeri, confirm the pickup point rather than assuming the shuttle stops at your hotel. Spectators should understand that jumpers receive priority in the vans.

The group maximum is 24 people. That does not mean all 24 people will be attached to instructors at once, but it does give you a sense of the operation’s upper size. Expect some waiting if several jumpers are scheduled around the same time.

Should you book it?

Book this if you want the Bay of Islands paired with a serious adrenaline rush, not a quiet sightseeing outing. The 18,000ft altitude, possible Cape Reinga views, and strong instructor reputation make it a memorable choice for a first jump.

Skip it if you need a fixed finish time, want photos included, or prefer to study the coast at a slow pace. For everyone else, $297 is a fair price for a high-altitude tandem skydive in one of New Zealand’s most scenic corners, provided you plan for weather and keep your day flexible.

FAQ

Where does the Bay of Islands skydive start and finish?

It starts at 182 Wiroa Road, Kerikeri 0293, New Zealand, and finishes back at the same meeting point.

Is pickup available?

Complimentary collection is offered from central Paihia and Kerikeri. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

How long does the experience take?

The skydive typically takes about 1.5 hours, but you should allow two to four hours because of weather changes and unexpected aviation requirements.

What altitude is the jump?

The jump is from 18,000 feet, described as the highest-altitude skydive in the North of New Zealand.

Is there a weight limit?

Yes. The strict weight limit is 100kg. Contact the operator if you think you may be near that limit.

What should I wear?

Wear comfortable clothing and closed-toe shoes. Training and safety equipment are provided.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the experience are not accepted for a refund.