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

Franz Josef gives you a rare view of New Zealand: glaciers, rainforest, mountains, and coast in one sweep. From 13,000, 16,500, or 18,000 feet, you free-fall for 45, 65, or 85 seconds, then float down to a landing area about 300 feet above sea level. The highest option is the real headline, but even the lowest jump gives you a long look at the West Coast from the air.

I like the careful, beginner-friendly setup and the fact that your instructor stays attached to you from the plane to the ground. I also like the choice of three heights, which lets you match the cost, nerves, and free-fall time to your own comfort level. The main drawback is weather: low cloud or poor conditions can push your jump back, so you need a spare day in Franz Josef.

Key points at a glance

• Choose 45, 65, or 85 seconds of free-fall: The 13,000ft, 16,500ft, and 18,000ft options give you a clear choice of intensity and airtime.
• See more than one type of scenery: Look for glaciers, temperate rainforest, dramatic mountains, and the coastline during the descent.
• Tandem setup suits first-timers: Your experienced instructor handles the technical work while you focus on body position and the view.
• Weather planning matters: Book your first available day and keep another day open in case conditions stop the aircraft flying.
• The highest jump is not automatically the best choice: An extra 2,000 feet means more free-fall time, but it also costs more if the price changes by option.
• Media costs extra: The jump is the main experience, while photos or video are an additional purchase and may feel expensive.

Why Franz Josef is a superb place to skydive

Franz Josef is not simply a launch point with a nice view. The West Coast gives you a layered scene to watch as you descend. You may see pale glacier ice, thick temperate rainforest, steep mountain country, and the coast spreading toward the horizon.

That variety makes this more interesting than a skydive over a plain or a built-up area. Your view keeps changing. First, you are looking across a broad sweep of mountains and ice. Later, as the parachute opens, the scenery becomes easier to study, with forest, beaches, and lower country coming into view.

The landing area is about 300 feet above sea level. That detail matters because the jump is not only about the free-fall. A large part of the experience comes after the parachute opens, when you have time to take in Franz Josef from above instead of watching the ground rush toward you.

You should not expect a slow sightseeing flight. The free-fall is the main event, and it passes quickly. Still, the parachute portion gives you the best chance to enjoy the scenery, speak with your instructor, and settle down after the first shock of leaving the aircraft.

Choosing between 13,000ft, 16,500ft, and 18,000ft

The three height choices are easy to understand:

• 13,000 feet: About 45 seconds of free-fall.
• 16,500 feet: About 65 seconds of free-fall.
• 18,000 feet: About 85 seconds of free-fall.

For a first jump, 13,000 feet is a sensible choice if you want the experience but feel unsure about the height. Children aged 13 to 16 can only use this option, so it is also the required choice for that age group.

The middle option gives you more time in the air without going straight for the longest package. It may suit you if you want a longer free-fall but do not feel the need to choose the maximum height.

At 18,000 feet, you get the longest free-fall available for this experience. That option appeals to people who want to make the jump as memorable as possible, and several personal accounts describe wishing they had chosen a higher level after selecting a lower one. Still, nerves are a valid reason to choose 13,000 feet. You are not getting a lesser version of the experience, just a shorter free-fall.

If you are booking for two people, talk through the choices before arrival. One person may want the highest jump, while the other may prefer a shorter version. The supplied information does not promise that everyone in a group must choose the same height, so confirm how separate selections are handled when booking.

Your first three hours, from briefing to landing

Allow about three hours for the full activity. That time includes preparation, safety instructions, waiting for the flight, the aircraft ride, the jump, and the return to the ground. The free-fall itself is only a small part of the total visit.

You begin by meeting an English-speaking instructor and receiving a safety briefing. This is the point where you learn what to do with your body and how the tandem system works. Pay attention even if you have watched skydiving videos before. The useful information is the simple, practical instruction that helps you leave the aircraft correctly and stay comfortable in the air.

You then put on the supplied equipment and prepare for the aircraft. Tandem skydiving is designed for people with no previous experience. Your instructor manages the equipment and the main technical tasks, while you follow the instructions and take in the view.

The aircraft climbs to the height selected for your booking. At 13,000 feet, the free-fall lasts about 45 seconds. At 16,500 feet, it lasts about 65 seconds. At 18,000 feet, you get about 85 seconds before the instructor opens the parachute.

The first moments can feel intense. One account describes the opening few seconds as scary, which is a fair warning for anyone who feels calm on the ground but less certain at the aircraft door. The team’s job is to keep the process clear and controlled. Several named staff members, including Danny, Dani, and Lauren, have been praised for calm explanations, friendly support, and making nervous participants feel secure.

Once the parachute opens, the pace changes completely. You float toward the landing area and can focus more on the view. If you are worried about heights, tell your instructor before the jump and again once the parachute is open. One past participant specifically appreciated being able to request a quicker landing after explaining that the canopy portion was uncomfortable.

What the instructors do for first-time jumpers

The biggest advantage here is the tandem format. You do not need to learn how to operate a parachute or manage the aircraft exit alone. Your instructor is responsible for the equipment and the central safety tasks.

That does not mean you can switch off completely. You still need to listen, follow body-position instructions, and remain alert during preparation. A good attitude is simple: let the instructor handle the complicated parts, but take the briefing seriously.

This experience seems particularly suitable if you are nervous but still want to try. Personal accounts repeatedly describe instructors checking comfort, answering questions, and keeping the mood light. That friendly tone matters. A skydiving operation can be technically safe yet feel cold or rushed. Here, the available feedback points to a team that combines safety with humor and encouragement.

Names and staff assignments can change, so do not book with the expectation that a particular instructor will be present. The useful point is the style of support reported by past customers: clear instruction, patience, and reassurance before the aircraft leaves the ground.

The view changes as you fall

The scenery is one of the strongest reasons to choose Franz Josef rather than treating the jump as an adrenaline stunt alone. From high above the region, the glaciers provide bright, striking shapes against the darker mountains and forest.

The rainforest gives the lower view a different texture. You are not looking only at rock and snow. As you descend, the forest and coast bring color and detail to the scene, especially once you are under the parachute and have time to look around.

Weather controls how much of this you actually see. On a clear day, the view can reach across several distinct environments. On a cloudy or unsettled day, the jump may be delayed, or the scenery may be less open. That is why the operator recommends booking for your first available day and keeping an alternative day free.

This is not a minor scheduling note. Franz Josef weather can decide the entire experience. If you have a tight South Island itinerary and cannot move the jump, you may receive a full refund if the skydive cannot go ahead, but you will still miss the activity. Give yourself room if the jump is important.

Price, media, and what counts as good value

The stated price is $25 per person. That is exceptionally low for an activity involving an aircraft, an instructor, specialist equipment, and three hours of staff time, so you should confirm the exact price for your chosen height before paying. The supplied information does not explain whether the figure is a starting rate, a deposit, or a price tied to a particular option.

The basic experience includes the skydive, safety briefing, instructor, and equipment. Food and drinks are not included. You should also expect media packages to cost extra. A past participant called the media package expensive, while another decided the video was worth the money after seeing it.

I would treat media as optional, not part of the core value calculation. The jump is the reason to book. Photos and video can help you remember the event, but they can also make the total cost noticeably higher. Ask about the media price before you commit if you are traveling on a firm budget.

At the base price stated, the activity would be remarkable value. At a higher height-specific price, its value depends on how important the free-fall and views are to you. If this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, the 18,000ft option may justify the extra cost. If you mainly want to experience leaving an aircraft, 13,000 feet provides the essential thrill for less.

Weather, timing, and practical planning

Do not place this jump on the final morning of a tightly planned trip. The operator can change the date or time after booking, and the exact flight time is confirmed by email. Check your messages carefully and keep your schedule flexible.

The recommended plan is to book your first available day in Franz Josef and protect another day as a backup. This is especially important if you are driving onward or have another fixed activity. Weather delays affected at least one reported experience, but the participant felt the wait was worthwhile once the aircraft finally flew.

The start point may not match the location shown by a third-party booking page. Confirm the meeting address and flight time directly in the operator’s email. That small check can save a rushed morning.

The operator is INFLITE Mt Cook Ski Planes & Helicopters. The activity is conducted in English. Drones and selfie sticks are not allowed, so leave both behind rather than trying to negotiate at the dropzone.

All participants are assessed by the Tandem Master at the dropzone. People over 100 kilograms may face a surcharge on the day. Children aged 13 to 16 must use the 13,000ft option. Anyone under 18 needs written permission from a parent, while participants over 16 may use any height if they meet the other requirements.

Who should book this Franz Josef skydive?

I would recommend it to you if you want a major adrenaline activity with scenery that feels specific to New Zealand’s West Coast. The combination of glacier, mountain, forest, and coast views gives the jump more character than a generic aircraft exit.

It is also a good match for first-timers who want strong support. The tandem format removes most of the technical burden, and the available feedback points to instructors who take nerves seriously without making the atmosphere grim.

Think twice if you dislike uncertain schedules or have no spare day. Weather is the one factor you cannot control, and a three-hour activity may take longer in practice if flight times move. Also consider the media cost if you want a full photo and video package.

FAQ

How long does the Franz Josef skydive take?

The stated duration is three hours. This includes the briefing, equipment preparation, flight, jump, parachute descent, and landing.

What heights can I choose?

You can choose 13,000 feet, 16,500 feet, or 18,000 feet.

How long is the free-fall?

The 13,000ft jump includes about 45 seconds of free-fall. The 16,500ft option includes about 65 seconds, and the 18,000ft option includes about 85 seconds.

Is this suitable for someone who has never skydived?

Yes. The experience uses a tandem system with an experienced instructor, making it intended for people without previous skydiving experience.

What is included?

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

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included.

What happens if the weather is poor?

Skydives only operate in favorable weather. You are advised to book for your first available day in Franz Josef and keep another day free. If the jump cannot be rearranged, you receive a full refund.

Can children take part?

Children aged 13 to 16 can only choose the 13,000ft jump. Participants under 18 need written parental consent.

Are photos and videos included?

The supplied information does not include a media package in the basic booking. Media may be available for an additional cost, so confirm the price before purchasing.

Should you book it?

Book this if you want one of the South Island’s biggest thrills and can give the weather some room to cooperate. The 18,000ft option is the clear choice for maximum free-fall time, while 13,000 feet makes sense if you are nervous or are booking for a younger participant.

I would choose the first available day in Franz Josef, keep a spare day open, and confirm the exact meeting point and price for your selected height. With those details handled, this is a strong choice for a first skydive: professionally structured, beginner-friendly, and backed by some of the most striking mountain and glacier scenery in New Zealand.