If you love wow-at-the-top moments, this one delivers. A tandem skydive from 13,000ft means you jump with an instructor while you soak up views over Franz Josef Glacier—mountains, ice fields, and the rugged coast—before a fast freefall and a safe parachute ride back down.

I really like how straightforward it is for first-timers: you get fully used gear, a briefing, and you’re not making decisions midair. I also like the practical setup, including a meeting point in Franz Josef Village (63 Cron Street) and the option for a smooth check-in with a mobile ticket. The main consideration is simple but real: the whole experience depends on favourable weather, so you may need to shift dates if conditions aren’t safe.

Key Points to Know Before You Go

• 13,000ft tandem jump with an instructor, plus freefall around 200kph / 120mph
• Franz Josef Glacier scenery that stretches from mountains toward sea level
• Gear included: helmet, gloves, goggles, and jumpsuit
• Short total time on site (about 3 hours) with a simple flow from meet-up to flight to landing
• Optional photo/video available for purchase, and the team can send media quickly after
• Shared transfers provided from the booking office to the airport (when not restricted by COVID rules)

What Makes a 13,000ft Franz Josef Tandem Jump Different

This is one of those experiences that does not ask you to be brave in advance. You just show up, get fitted, get briefed, then trust the instructor. Tandem skydiving is built for exactly that: you’re experiencing the freefall thrill while the hardest parts stay handled for you.

The location is the real reason people book here. Franz Josef Glacier sits in a dramatic part of New Zealand—high mountains nearby, then the coast and sea-level views not far away. From the air, you get a sense of scale fast: ice fields, mountain ridges, and rugged terrain all layered at once. You’re not just looking at one pretty spot. You’re seeing how the whole area connects.

Getting There: Cron Street Meet-Up and Shared Transfer

Your starting point is easy to find in town: 63 Cron Street, Franz Josef / Waiau 7886, New Zealand. The activity ends back at the same meeting point, which keeps things simple if you’re staying nearby.

Most people also get round-trip shared transfer from the booking office to the airport, unless COVID restrictions change the plan. That matters because it removes one more moving part on jump day. You can focus on staying warm, staying calm, and not thinking too hard about the door.

One more practical note: the max group size is listed as up to 70 travelers. That doesn’t mean you’ll be pushed around—it just helps you expect a bit of a wait, especially if you’re trying to land in a tight weather window. It’s worth bringing a good attitude for “hurry up and then wait.”

Before You Jump: Gear Up, Helmet On, and Calm Briefing

You don’t need skydiving experience. You also don’t need to be an athlete. The requirement is a moderate physical fitness level, and you should wear warm lightweight clothes with secure shoes (preferably laced). That combination helps you stay comfortable through the waiting and move safely during the pre-jump steps.

Included gear covers the basics: helmet, gloves, goggles, and a jumpsuit. In other words, you’re not scrambling for equipment at the last minute. You’ll still want to think about comfort—warm layers under the jumpsuit are usually the move in glacier country, even if the day starts bright.

The crew and instructors are there to keep things clear and steady. In one recent jump, an instructor named Danny stood out for being reassuring and giving courage during the experience. That kind of tone matters, because it’s not just about safety. It’s about helping you manage the mental switch from I’m watching people jump to I’m the one doing it.

The Flight Up and the View Drop Over Franz Josef

The whole experience takes about 3 hours, so it’s not a half-day production. The flow typically goes like this: you meet, check in, gear up, head to the airfield by transfer, then fly up to altitude for the jump.

At around 13,000ft, you’ll feel the shift from normal scenery to full-on aerial perspective. The highlight is that your views cover a lot of “from here to there” angles: mountaintops, ice fields, and the rugged coast. It’s not just sightseeing from a plane window. This is sightseeing while you’re moving fast—then again while you’re gliding under parachute.

The freefall portion is fast: roughly 200 kilometers per hour (120 mph). You’ll want to let that land in your mind before the jump, because it’s the part that feels like your body is speeding through the world. With tandem, you’re not controlling anything, but you are experiencing it directly. That’s why it’s memorable.

Landing Under Parachute: The Part Most People Don’t Expect

After the freefall comes the parachute phase. You go from intense speed to a calmer, controlled descent. That’s when the views really start to make sense: you can look longer, process the glacier and coastline connection, and absorb the fact that you’re gliding back to Earth safely.

This is a big part of why tandem is popular for first-timers. You get the thrill without the pressure of figuring out what to do at key moments. Your instructor guides you through what matters, so you can focus on breathing, looking around, and enjoying the moment.

And yes, you will likely still be thinking about the door. But once you’re under canopy, that fear tends to turn into awe fast.

What to Wear and Bring So the Day Feels Easier

You can’t control wind or clouds, but you can control how comfortable you feel while waiting. The outfit guidance is straightforward and worth following:

• Wear warm lightweight clothes
• Use secure shoes with laces
• Keep layers easy to adjust, since outdoor conditions can shift

You also might want to bring along something practical for waiting time, like a warm top you can put on quickly or keep in a bag. The experience itself includes a jumpsuit, so you’re not freezing once you’re geared up, but jump day can include waiting on weather.

Also, if you’re the type who gets anxious about gear, take comfort here: helmet, gloves, goggles, and jumpsuit are included. You’re not piecing anything together. The team provides the setup, and that helps you settle in.

Photos and Video: Should You Buy the Add-Ons?

You’ll have the option to purchase photo and video after. It’s not included in the standard price, but based on real feedback, it’s an add-on people often feel good about.

One review specifically called out the video as worth buying, with three different videos and over 300 photos sent within hours. That tells you two things:

1) the team takes the capture part seriously, and

2) you won’t be stuck waiting days for media.

If you’re worried the jump will blur into one frantic moment, photos help you relive it. If you want a keepsake, video is the stronger memory-maker because it shows your whole sequence: ascent energy, the freefall moment, and the slower glide back down.

If you’re on a tight budget, you can skip it. But if you’re treating this as a once-in-a-while brag-worthy experience, I’d plan to buy at least one video package.

Price and Value: What $276.60 Really Covers

At $276.60 per person, this isn’t a “cheap thrill.” But it’s also not priced like a luxury helicopter ride. The value comes from what you’re paying for:

• A fully tandem setup (you’re not managing the jump)
• A real instructor-led experience with equipment provided
• A high-altitude jump around 13,000ft with freefall near 200 kph
• Round-trip shared transfer is included for most guests
• Optional photo/video lets you turn the day into a tangible souvenir

For context, you’re paying for a coordinated operation: trained staff, safety systems, aircraft, equipment, and the weather-dependent timing that skydiving requires. When weather cooperates, the result is a genuinely high-impact memory without needing prior experience.

If you’re comparing this to other thrill activities, the difference is time and feeling. You get one concentrated, high-adrenaline moment paired with glacier-country scenery you simply can’t replicate from the ground.

Weather Is the Main Factor: Plan Like It’s a Forecast-Based Sport

You should know this clearly before you book: the experience is subject to favourable weather conditions. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered an alternative date or a full refund. The same is true if the minimum traveller requirement isn’t met—you’ll get another date or a full refund.

I like having options in weather-heavy locations. But I also recommend you plan your Franz Josef stay with a little breathing room. If you only have one day scheduled, you might end up rebooking at the last minute.

On the upside, the operation seems to run with good communication. Even in a cancelled situation, people reported great service while waiting and regular updates that made the waiting feel less stressful.

Who Should Book This Tandem Jump (and Who Should Think Twice)

This experience is best if you want:

• A first-time friendly skydive
• Glacier and coast views from serious altitude
• A guided experience where you don’t need to learn skydiving skills first
• A fast, about-3-hours format instead of a whole-day commitment

You might think twice if you:

• Struggle with moderate physical activity demands (the listed requirement is moderate physical fitness)
• Have no flexibility in your travel dates, since weather can delay or cancel

If you’re traveling solo, it can still be a great pick because the main experience is instructor-led and structured. If you’re traveling with someone who wants reassurance and clear steps, tandem skydiving is built for that.

Should You Book Tandem Skydive 13,000ft From Franz Josef?

If you’re coming to Franz Josef looking for one headline moment, this is a strong contender. I like that it’s built for beginners, with gear and instructor support handled. I also like the location focus: Franz Josef Glacier is the star, and the flight and jump are designed to give you wide, dramatic views.

Book it if:

• You’re excited by a high-altitude freefall and want the glacier-and-coast view combo
• You’re okay with weather dependency
• You’ll probably value the photo/video option as a memory purchase

Consider waiting or rethinking if your schedule is locked tight with zero flexibility. Otherwise, this is the kind of experience that turns into a story you’ll tell for years—one part speed, one part scenery, and one part relief that you didn’t have to figure it out yourself.

FAQ

How high is the jump?

The tandem skydive is from 13,000ft.

Do I need any previous skydiving experience?

No. This is a tandem skydive, and no previous experience is needed.

What speed is the freefall?

The freefall is around 200 kilometers per hour (120 mph).

Where do I meet for the experience?

You meet at 63 Cron Street, Franz Josef / Waiau 7886, New Zealand.

How long does the activity take?

The duration is approximately 3 hours.

What’s included in the price?

Round-trip shared transfer from the booking office to the airport (except under COVID restrictions), use of skydive equipment, and use of helmet, gloves, goggles, and jumpsuit.

What’s not included?

Photo and video options are available to purchase, and there are also t-shirt and hoodie options for sale.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered an alternative date or a full refund.

FAQ

Can I cancel and get a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

What if the minimum number of travellers isn’t met?

If the experience is cancelled because the minimum number isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.