# Skydiving in New Zealand: Best Tandem Spots & Prices | Newzealand-Vacation > The best places to go skydiving in New Zealand — Taupō, Queenstown, Franz Josef and Abel Tasman — with heights, prices from NZD, weight limits and what to expect. *Source : https://newzealand-vacation.com/things-to-do/skydiving-new-zealand/* --- Skip to content Few countries make a better backdrop for jumping out of a plane than this one. **New Zealand’s tandem skydives pair 9,000-to-18,500-foot exits with volcanoes, glaciers, lakes and coastline** — no experience needed, strapped to a qualified instructor the whole way. The question isn’t whether to do it, but which scenery you want rushing up to meet you. ## The best tandem skydive locations Four spots stand out, each selling a completely different view under canopy. Location Operator The view Taupō Taupō skydive operators Lake Taupō, volcanoes, often the **highest & best value** Queenstown **Nzone Skydive** The Remarkables, Lake Wakatipu, alpine drama Franz Josef **Skydive Franz Josef** Glaciers meeting the Tasman Sea Abel Tasman **Skydive Abel Tasman** Golden beaches and turquoise coast **Taupō** is New Zealand’s skydiving capital for good reason: operators here offer some of the country’s highest jumps, tend to be the best value, and drop you over Lake Taupō with the central North Island volcanoes on the horizon. It’s the volume leader, so departures are frequent. **Nzone Skydive** in Queenstown delivers the adventure-capital experience, floating you over Lake Wakatipu and the jagged Remarkables. **Skydive Franz Josef** is the wild card — a rare chance to freefall with glaciers, rainforest and the Tasman Sea all in one frame. **Skydive Abel Tasman** trades mountains for coast, with golden sand and clear water below. ## Heights, prices and how to choose Tandem jumps are sold by altitude — typically **9,000 ft, 12,000 ft, 15,000 ft and up to around 18,500 ft** at the highest sites. The higher you go, the longer the freefall (and the higher the price). Jumps are priced **from NZD** upward, climbing with altitude, and most operators charge extra for a photo/video package. If you want the memory, budget for the media add-on — you won’t be filming this yourself. Choosing is simple: pick the **view** you most want, then the **height** your budget and nerve allow. First-timers who just want the thrill are perfectly happy at 12,000 ft; the 15,000 ft-plus jumps are for those chasing maximum freefall time. ## What to expect on the day A tandem skydive is beginner-friendly by design. After a short briefing and gearing up, you board a small plane with your instructor, climb to altitude, and exit clipped to their harness. Freefall lasts under a minute but feels timeless; then the canopy opens for a calmer several-minute glide to the landing zone. A few practical realities: - **Weight limits apply.** Most operators cap tandem passengers (often somewhere around 100-125 kg), sometimes with a surcharge above a threshold. Confirm your operator’s limit when booking. - **Weather holds are normal.** Skydiving needs clear, stable conditions. Delays and same-day cancellations happen, especially at coastal and alpine sites — never book a jump for the day you fly home. - **Wear** layers and secure, closed shoes. It’s colder at altitude than on the ground. - There’s usually a **minimum age**, and under-18s need guardian consent. Queenstown is the easiest place to combine a jump with other adrenaline — see our [Queenstown travel guide](https://newzealand-vacation.com/destinations/queenstown-travel-guide/) for basing yourself there, and if freefall leaves you wanting more, the region is also home to the country’s original [Queenstown bungy jumping](https://newzealand-vacation.com/things-to-do/queenstown-bungy-jumping/). Up north, a Taupō jump slots neatly alongside a stop in [Rotorua](https://newzealand-vacation.com/destinations/rotorua-travel-guide/) an hour away. **Tiaki tip:** Book weather buffer days rather than pressuring an operator to fly in marginal conditions. New Zealand's mountain and coastal weather turns fast, and a good drop-zone will scrub a jump the moment it's borderline — respecting that call keeps both you and the crew safe, and keeps these operations flying for the long haul. ## FAQ ### Where is the best-value skydive in New Zealand? Taupō generally offers the best combination of value and altitude, with frequent departures and some of the country’s highest jumps over Lake Taupō and the central volcanoes. Prices still rise with the height you choose. ### Is there a weight limit for tandem skydiving? Yes. Most operators set a maximum passenger weight — often around 100-125 kg — and may add a surcharge above a certain point. Limits vary by company and aircraft, so confirm directly when you book. ### What if the weather cancels my jump? Weather holds and cancellations are common, since skydiving needs clear, stable skies. Operators reschedule or refund cancelled jumps, but you should build spare days into your itinerary and never book a skydive for your departure day. [← More in Things to Do](https://newzealand-vacation.com/things-to-do/) [All articles](https://newzealand-vacation.com/blog/)