Franz Josef: 13,000ft, 16,500ft or 18,000ft Skydive

Feel the fear, then enjoy the view. This Franz Josef skydive pairs a 45 to 85-second free fall with sweeping views of glaciers, rainforest, mountains, and the coast. I like the choice of three jump heights, and I like the calm, friendly instruction from staff and tandem masters such as Danny and Dani. The main drawback is weather: clouds and wind can delay your jump, so you need a flexible schedule.

You’ll spend about three hours at the drop zone and in the air, though the actual jump passes quickly. The 18,000-foot option gives you the longest free fall, while the 13,000-foot choice suits younger participants and anyone who wants a shorter introduction. The advertised price is $25 per person, but confirm the full cost when booking, especially if you want photos or video.

Key points to know before you book

• Choose 13,000, 16,500, or 18,000 feet: Free-fall time ranges from 45 to 85 seconds.
• Franz Josef supplies the scenery: Look for glowing glaciers, temperate rainforest, dramatic mountains, and the coast below.
• Tandem format keeps it simple: Your instructor handles the equipment, exit, parachute, and landing while you focus on the view.
• Weather controls the schedule: Book your first available day in Franz Josef and keep another day free if possible.
• The staff earn strong marks for reassurance: Names praised in personal accounts include Danny, Dani, and Lauren.
• Media costs extra: The jump receives high praise, but photo and video packages are described as expensive.

Why Franz Josef is a memorable place to skydive

Franz Josef gives you more than a rush in the air. From above, the West Coast scenery arrives in layers: dark rainforest, sharp mountain forms, bright ice, and the sea-level landing area below. It is a striking setting for a first jump because you are not simply looking at a town or an airport. You are watching one of New Zealand’s most dramatic regions spread out beneath you.

The views change with height. At 13,000 feet, you still get a long enough free fall to feel the speed and then time beneath the parachute to take in the surroundings. At 16,500 feet, the free fall lasts about 65 seconds. At 18,000 feet, you get about 85 seconds before your instructor opens the parachute.

That difference matters. The jump itself can feel over almost as soon as you have adjusted to the noise and wind. If you are making the trip mainly for the sensation of free fall, the highest option gives you more of it. If the height already feels like a major challenge, 13,000 feet is still a serious and memorable experience.

Three jump heights, three ways to handle the nerves

The three choices let you set the level of the challenge. The 13,000-foot jump is the only option available to children aged 13 to 16. Participants over 16 can choose any height, while anyone under 18 needs written permission from a parent or guardian.

The 13,000-foot option is also a sensible pick if your main goal is to experience tandem skydiving without pushing for the maximum free-fall time. You will still leave the aircraft at a great height, fall for roughly 45 seconds, and float back to a landing area about 300 feet above sea level.

The 16,500-foot choice adds another 20 seconds of free fall. That can be a good middle ground for someone who wants more time in the air but does not feel ready for the top height.

At 18,000 feet, you get the longest advertised free fall, around 85 seconds. Several people who chose this height felt it was worth doing, while one person who selected a lower height wished they had gone higher. My practical advice is simple: choose 18,000 feet if you are comfortable with the extra height and the price difference is reasonable for your budget. Choose 13,000 feet if getting out of the plane is already the main victory.

The first hour: briefing, equipment, and calm voices

The experience starts by meeting your tandem instructor and receiving a safety briefing. This is where the activity becomes less mysterious. You learn what will happen, how the equipment works, and what you need to do during the exit, free fall, parachute ride, and landing.

You do not need previous skydiving experience. Tandem skydiving is designed for first-timers, with the instructor attached to you and handling the technical work. Your job is to listen carefully, follow the instructions, and keep your attention on the experience rather than trying to manage equipment you have never used before.

That personal contact matters when your nerves arrive. People who were frightened before the jump repeatedly praised the staff for checking in, explaining each step, and keeping the mood light. Martina described her instructor as kind and funny, while Connor singled out Danny for making the experience easy to trust. Lauren was also praised for helping people feel comfortable before they reached the airfield.

You might still feel a sharp burst of fear during the first few seconds. June described those opening moments as literally scary, which is probably the most honest expectation to carry with you. The fear does not mean you made the wrong choice. It means your brain understands that you have just left a plane.

Leaving the plane and free-falling over the West Coast

The free fall is the central event, and it is over quickly at first. At 13,000 feet, expect around 45 seconds. At 16,500 feet, expect around 65 seconds. At 18,000 feet, expect around 85 seconds.

During this part, your instructor controls the jump. You are attached together, and the instructor manages the parachute system and the sequence of the jump. The experience is fast, loud, and physical, so do not expect a quiet sightseeing flight. Try to take in the view when you can, but do not worry if your first reaction is simply to hold your position and breathe.

Once the parachute opens, the mood changes. The rush gives way to a slower ride, and you have more time to look around. This is when Franz Josef’s setting becomes easier to appreciate. You can take in the rainforest, mountains, glaciers, and the coastline while floating toward the landing area.

The contrast between the two stages is part of the appeal. Free fall gives you the adrenaline. The parachute ride gives you the chance to understand where you are. If you spend every second of the free fall trying to pose for a camera, you may miss the short, strange pleasure of simply hanging in the sky.

What you can see from 18,000 feet

The view is the strongest reason to choose Franz Josef over a less scenic drop zone. The area is known for its temperate rainforest and glaciers, and the jump offers a high viewpoint across those features. On a clear day, you may see glowing ice, dark forest, dramatic peaks, and the beach or coast below.

The weather can change the character of the view. Clear conditions offer the broadest panorama, while clouds may limit what you can see even if the jump can still go ahead. One person described waiting through delays caused by poor weather, then finding the views above the clouds worth the wait.

That is also why you should avoid placing the skydive on the final few hours of your Franz Josef visit. The operator may move your date or time after booking, and the exact flight time is confirmed by email. Book for your first available day and keep another day free if your schedule allows. If the operator cannot rearrange the jump and you cannot move to another date, the activity is eligible for a full refund.

Three hours on the schedule, but not three hours in free fall

The stated duration is three hours. That includes the arrival process, safety briefing, equipment preparation, waiting, transport or movement to the airfield as arranged by the operator, the flight, and the landing process. The free-fall portion is only 45, 65, or 85 seconds, depending on your selected height.

This distinction is useful when planning your day. Do not schedule a glacier walk, bus departure, or other fixed activity immediately afterward. Weather checks and operational delays can shift the timing, and the experience should not be treated like a quick 30-minute attraction.

One practical warning comes from a past booking: the starting point was not exactly where the online map suggested. Check the confirmation email carefully rather than relying only on the initial booking page. The activity is associated with INFLITE Mt Cook Ski Planes & Helicopters, and transport receives a 93 percent perfect score in the activity information, but you should still verify the precise meeting instructions.

Food and drinks are not included. Eat beforehand according to the operator’s guidance and bring water for the wider day, but do not expect a meal or snack as part of the three-hour activity.

Safety, weight rules, and simple restrictions

The activity is built around a tandem format and an experienced instructor, which makes it the most straightforward way for a first-timer to try skydiving. The safety briefing and equipment are included, and your tandem master assesses each participant at the drop zone.

Anyone weighing more than 100 kilograms may face a surcharge on the day. The supplied information does not give a precise upper weight limit, so contact the operator if this rule may apply to you. It is better to settle the question before arriving.

Drones and selfie sticks are not allowed. That restriction is sensible in an aircraft and parachute operation, but it also means you cannot count on filming the jump yourself. If you want a record of the experience, ask about the separate media package and check its price before committing.

The activity is conducted in English. That should be fine for anyone who can follow an English safety briefing, but the instructions are important, so ask questions before the aircraft leaves if anything is unclear.

Is the advertised $25 price good value?

At $25 per person, the listed price appears unusually low for a tandem skydive, especially one involving an aircraft, instructor, equipment, and a choice of high jump altitudes. Treat it as a starting or booking price until you have confirmed exactly what is included in your selected option.

The core package includes the skydive, safety briefing, instructor, and all equipment. Food and drinks are not included. Photos and video are also not included, and this is where the total cost may rise. Karan called the media package expensive, while Carolin felt her video was worth the extra money afterward.

I suggest deciding in advance how much you care about having proof of the jump. If this is a once-in-a-lifetime event, the media package may feel worthwhile when you are back on the ground. If your budget is tight, the experience itself remains the main purchase. Confirm the media price before the day so you are not making a rushed decision while still full of adrenaline.

The flexible booking terms add value. You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately. The weather policy matters more than the cancellation policy here, since West Coast conditions can disrupt plans even when everyone arrives ready.

Who will enjoy this Franz Josef skydive most?

This is a strong fit for a first-time skydiver who wants a major thrill without having to learn the full sport. You will have an instructor attached to you, and the activity provides the briefing and equipment.

It also suits couples and families with older teenagers. A family group with children aged 15 and 16 described the experience as relaxed, professional, and fun. Remember that 13 to 16-year-olds are limited to 13,000 feet, and under-18s need written parental consent.

The experience may not suit you if your itinerary cannot absorb a delay. Weather is not a minor footnote here. It can change the time or date, so leave room in your plans.

It may also be a poor match if you want a cheap scenic flight. The parachute ride offers views, but the main purpose is the free fall. You are paying for an adrenaline activity first and sightseeing second.

My verdict: book it if you can protect the day

I would book this Franz Josef skydive if you can keep your schedule flexible and the confirmed total price fits your budget. The setting is special, the jump heights give you useful control over the challenge, and the staff have a strong record of making nervous first-timers feel secure.

Choose 13,000 feet for a shorter introduction or for eligible younger jumpers. Choose 16,500 feet for a middle option. Pick 18,000 feet if the longest free fall is the reason you are coming, and check the media cost before you arrive.

Book early in your Franz Josef stay, watch for the exact meeting point in your confirmation email, and keep another day open for weather. If you do those three things, this is one of the clearest ways to turn a visit to the West Coast into a story you will still be telling long after the parachute lands.

FAQ

How high can I skydive over Franz Josef?

You can choose a jump from 13,000 feet, 16,500 feet, or 18,000 feet, depending on the option you book.

How long is the free fall?

The free fall lasts about 45 seconds from 13,000 feet, 65 seconds from 16,500 feet, or 85 seconds from 18,000 feet.

How long does the full activity take?

The stated duration is three hours, including the briefing, equipment preparation, flight, jump, and landing process.

Do I need previous skydiving experience?

No. Tandem skydiving is designed for inexperienced participants, with an instructor handling the technical parts of the jump.

What is included in the activity?

The package includes the skydive, safety briefing, instructor, and all equipment.

Are photos and videos included?

No. Media packages are not listed as included, and an additional charge may apply. Check the price before booking or purchasing one.

Can children skydive?

Children aged 13 to 16 can only choose the 13,000-foot jump. Participants over 16 can choose any height, while anyone under 18 needs written parental consent.

What happens if the weather is bad?

All jumps depend on favorable weather. The operator may change your date or time. Booking for your first available day and keeping another day free gives you the best chance of fitting it in. If the jump cannot be rearranged, you receive a full refund.

What should I not bring?

Drones and selfie sticks are not allowed. Food and drinks are also not included in the activity.