Where to Skydive in New Zealand
How can you overload your senses in a matter of seconds while freefalling at 200kph/140mph? Skydiving! It is a must-do adrenaline activity in New Zealand. Apart from being a crazy experience that you’ll never forget, what makes skydiving in New Zealand extra special is the national parks, lakes, mountains and beaches that you will be hurtling towards. Skydiving is a fine way to see New Zealand.
Because skydiving isn’t exactly the cheapest activity, however, it’s likely that you will only be doing it once while you’re in New Zealand. With that in mind, check out this list of the best places to skydive in New Zealand to see which one sounds like your sort of adventure. What’s more, we’ve tried and tested (almost) all of them!
Tip: Think of something to write on your hands if you are getting your skydive caught on camera.
1. Franz Josef – The Most Scenic Skydive in New Zealand
A once in a lifetime experience has never been so true considering the view of the Franz Josef Glacier is ever-changing with its rapid retreat. Why not combine this unique sight with jumping out of a plane? Plus, at 20,000ft, this is one of the highest tandem skydives in the Southern Hemisphere. Check out Skydive Franz Josef & Fox Glacier for more information.
Location: 69 Cron Street, Franz Josef, South Island. Transport between your Franz Josef accommodation and drop zone is included. Find more awesome activities nearby in the 10 Epic Things to Do in Franz Josef.
© NZPocketGuide.com2. Taupo – The Cheapest Skydive in New Zealand
The best value skydive in New Zealand, Taupo Tandem Skydiving offers 9,000ft skydives for NZ$199 minus all the photographic video evidence and the been-there-got-the-T-shirt T-shirt. This is also a must-skydive for Middle-earth fans, as you’ll be able to see Mt Ngauruhoe (Mt Doom). The biggest lake in New Zealand is a great sight to see from above too. Skydives to heights of 18,500ft are available. Check out Taupo Tandem Skydiving on Viator or Tripadvisor to start your planning the adrenaline jump of a lifetime.
Location: Anzac Memorial Drive, Taupo, North Island. Transport between the drop zone and your Taupo hotel, motel or hostel is included in the price. See more activities nearby in the 16 Best Things to Do in Taupo.
© Taupo Tandem Skydiving3. Abel Tasman – The Highest Skydive in New Zealand
The magnificent national park is known for its golden beaches, pristine waters and luxuriant rainforest. What about jumping from a plane above it? Skydive Abel Tasman allows you to jump from 20,000ft, one of the highest skydives in the country, for maximum thrills! Check out Viator and Tripadvisor for more information on Skydive Abel Tasman.
Location: 16 College Street, Motueka, South Island. Check out more activities in the area on the 10 Amazing Things to Do in the Abel Tasman National Park.
© Skydive Abel Tasman4. Glenorchy – The Best Skydive in Queenstown
Experience skydiving in the “Adrenaline Capital”, Queenstown, with Skydive Southern Alps. They offer amazing jumps from up to 15,000ft over Glenorchy which is full of Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit scenery. No cities, no fuss; just pure uninterrupted views! Book your skydive with Skydive Southern Alps on Viator or Tripadvisor.
Location: Glenorchy Airport, Glenorchy-Queenstown Road, Glenorchy. Transport between Queenstown centre and the drop zone is included. Plan more activities in the area using the 10 Best Things to Do in Glenorchy.
© Skydive Southern Alps5. Bay of Islands – The Best Beach Skydive in New Zealand
Have up to 85 seconds of madness on a jump of up to 20,000ft with Skydive Bay of Islands! You’ll get the best view of the 144 islands scattered across the ocean, which you’ll get a moment to appreciate after the freefall. Once you have got over all that insanity, prepare for New Zealand’s only beach landing (weather permitting). Check out Skydive Bay of Islands on Klook, Viator and Tripadvisor.
Location: 182 Wiroa Road, Kerikeri, North Island. Transport around the Bay of Islands to the drop zone is included. Find out what else there is to do nearby in 10 Best Things to Do in the Bay of Islands.
© NZPocketGuide.com6. Auckland – The Best City Skydive in New Zealand
One of the highest skydives on the North Island is in Auckland at 20,000ft. Get an epic view of New Zealand’s largest city and multiple offshore islands from the sky. As Auckland is often your arrival city, what is better to start your trip on a high than jumping from a plane above New Zealand’s biggest city? Book your skydive with Skydive Auckland on Klook, Viator or Tripadvisor.
Location: 73 Green Road, Parakai, Auckland, North Island. Transport between the drop zone and Auckland city is included in the price. Plus, be sure to tick off some of the 16 Best Things to Do in Auckland.
© Skydive Auckland7. Mt Cook – New Zealand’s Newest Skydive
Skydive over the milky blue waters of Lake Pukaki with the view of New Zealand’s tallest peak, Aoraki Mt Cook, in the distance! Take the leap from either a 9,000ft, 13,000ft or 15,000ft with Skydive Mt. Cook. Find out more on Viator and Tripadvisor.
Location: 2 Swallow Drive, Pukaki-Twizel Airport, Twizel, South Island. Additionally, plan more epic things to do in the area with the 12 Best Things to Do in Aoraki Mt Cook.
© INFLITE Experiences8. Tauranga – The Best Skydive on the North Island
See Mt Ruapehu, the Bay of Plenty, East Cape and the Coromandel Peninsula on the flight to 15,000ft. Skydive Tauranga is a much smaller operation than some of the other companies on this list of the best places to skydive in New Zealand, giving you a much more personal experience. Book your trip with Skydive Tauranga on Viator or Tripadvisor.
Location: 2 Kittyhawk Way, Mount Maunganui, North Island. More information and activities can be found in the 10 Best Things to Do in Tauranga.
© Skydive Tauranga9. Wanaka – The Best Skydive on the South Island
Wanaka doesn’t seem quite like your relaxing Otago town as you’re hurtling towards it! Take in the birds-eye-view of Lake Wanaka, its surrounding pastures and beyond to Mt Cook and Mt Aspiring with Skydive Wanaka. Skydives are available up to 15,000ft. Book your skydive with Skydive Wanaka on Viator and Tripadvisor.
Location: Mustang Lane, Wanaka Airport. Transport between Wanaka or Queenstown and the drop zone is included. See what else there is to do in Wanaka in the 20 Things to Do in Wanaka.
© NZPocketGuide.com10. Queenstown – The Most Popular Skydive in New Zealand
NZONE will take you high above The Remarkables mountains and Lake Wakatipu in Queenstown. If you look really closely, which can be hard to do when hurtling through the sky, you might even be able to see New Zealand’s highest mountain, Aoraki Mt Cook. A fun fact: this skydive was New Zealand’s first tandem skydive operation. Find out more about NZONE on Viator, Tripadvisor or KKday.
Location: 35 Shotover Street, Queenstown, South Island. Transport between the drop zone and the centre of Queenstown is included in the price. See more adrenaline-pumping activities in 20 Things to Do in Queenstown.
© NZONE11. South Auckland – The Best Place to Learn to Skydive in New Zealand
That skydiving company that you’ve probably never heard of, Go Skydive NZ is located halfway between Auckland city centre and Hamilton. Choose a jump from either 7,500ft, 9,000ft or 13,000ft with views of Auckland and the rolling pastures of the Waikato region. While they offer tandem skydives, Go Skydive NZ is one of the best places to learn to skydive in New Zealand. Note that tandem skydives are only available on weekends.
Location: 590D Koheroa Road, Mercer, North Island.
© NZPocketGuide.com[CLOSED] Fox Glacier
[Update: Skydive Fox has now merged with Skydive Franz Josef]. The Skydive Fox Glacier flight is especially scenic with Westland Tai Poutini National Park: rainforests, lakes, rivers, sea, Aoraki Mt Cook, Mt Tasman and, of course, Fox Glacier. Check out more awesome attractions in the area on the 6 Epic Things to Do in Fox Glacier.
Location: Complimentary transport between Franz Josef and drop zone.
[CLOSED] Whangarei
The crew at Skydive Ballistic Blondes yes, you read that correctly will take you high above Northland and land on one of two stunning beaches in Whangarei: Ruakaka Beach or Ocean’s Beach. More action can be found in the 10 Best Things to Do in Whangarei.
Location: Transport between Whangareicentre and the drop zone is included.
[CLOSED] Methven
Skydive near Mt Hutt’s nearest village of Methven. Get epic mountain views so close to the Pacific Ocean! This is a unique way to see this scenic part of the Canterbury region. See more things to do nearby in the 10 Best Things to Do in Methven.
Location: The drop zone is just outside Ashburton. You will have to organise your own transport.
More Adrenaline Kicks in New Zealand
Skydiving is just one of many crazy adrenaline activities you can do in New Zealand. Now that you know the best places to skydive, check out these other extreme experiences:
- 7 Epic Places to Bungy Jump in New Zealand
- 7 Places to Go White Water Rafting in New Zealand
- 6 Impressive Canyoning Locations in New Zealand
Plus, check out alternative experiences in the 101 Things to Do in New Zealand: The Ultimate List.
Sources:
The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across New Zealand and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:
- Tourism New Zealand (General travel advice - Updated [2024])
- Adventure Mark (Health and Safety Audit - Updated [2024])
- Work Safe NZ (Adventure Activities Guidelines - Updated [2024])
- Department of Conservation (Tracks, hikes, campsites and more - Updated [2024])
- AdventureSmart (Know before you go - Update [2024])
- NZ Māori Tourism (Official Māori Tourism platform - Updated [2024])
- Tourism Export Council New Zealand (Tourism trade association - Updated [2024])
- TIA (Independent tourism association - Updated [2024])
- Tiaki Promise (Care for people place and culture - Updated [2024])
- Council websites and freedom camping maps (Local travel advice region by region - Updated [2024])
Our editorial standards: At NZ Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.
