About this tour
When Alex from our team suited up for a tandem skydive with Skydive Abel Tasman, we got a proper look at what 13,000 feet of New Zealand's South Island landscape actually feels like from the air. You're strapped to an experienced instructor, jumping out over the Abel Tasman National Park—a patchwork of golden beaches, native bush, and turquoise water that somehow looks even more stunning when you're plummeting towards it. The whole experience runs about 2 hours from start to finish, though the freefall itself is the main event. It's the kind of adrenaline rush that tends to make everything else feel a bit tame afterwards.
Highlights
- Tandem jump from 13,000 feet with professional instructor attached
- Unobstructed aerial views of Abel Tasman's beaches and bush
- Airport transfers and departure tax included in the package
- Accessible to a wide weight range with harness assessment on day
- Wheelchair-accessible facilities; service animals welcome
- Suitable for various fitness levels, not just athletes
- Freefall experience with experienced tandem masters
What to expect
You'll arrive at the departure point and get kitted out—the team runs through safety and harness fitting, which is thorough and professional. Then you're in the plane climbing to altitude, with the scenery getting smaller and more gorgeous by the minute. Once you're at jump altitude, there's that moment where the door opens and the reality hits. Then you're out, and for a few minutes it's pure freefall with your instructor. The view is genuinely massive—you're seeing the whole coastline unfold beneath you, the beaches in crazy detail, the water colour you only get in the top of the South Island.
After freefall, the parachute deploys and things get quieter. You float down with time to actually take in what you're seeing. The landing is surprisingly soft, and the whole crew helps you out of the harness. Most people spend the first few minutes after landing just grinning and shaking their head at what they just did.
What travellers say
- Spectacular Abel Tasman scenery unmatched by other NZ jump zones
- Professional instruction and harness fitting tailored to your size
- Airport transfers and tax included; simplified logistics
- Accessible to varying fitness levels and wider weight range
- Wheelchair accessibility and service animal accommodation
- Not suitable for pregnant travellers or poor cardiovascular health
- Early morning start requires pre-dawn commitment and wake-up
- Weight surcharges apply for participants over 100kg
- Weather-dependent; jumps may be cancelled or rescheduled
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
This is genuinely the best location in New Zealand for a skydive—the scenery alone makes it worth doing, and the team clearly knows what they're doing. If you've ever wondered what jumping out of a plane feels like, this removes the wondering. Airport transfers are included, which saves faffing about with transport. It's also surprisingly accessible—the weight range is flexible (35kg minimum, up to 115kg with assessment), and kids can jump if they meet the size and weight requirements.
It's not for everyone health-wise—if you've got cardiovascular issues or you're pregnant, this is off the table. The early morning start means a pre-dawn wake-up for most people. Weather can affect whether the jump goes ahead, so you might need flexibility in your schedule. There's a surcharge for anyone over 100kg. Bring a light layer under your jumpsuit—it's cold at altitude. Most of the package is included except any video or photo extras, which typically cost extra.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original Global Hobo summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.