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Tandem Skydive over Wanaka, 9,000ft

A lower-altitude tandem jump over Wanaka's lakes and mountains. Same plane, same views.

A tandem skydive from 9,000ft over Wanaka: a 10 to 15 minute flight past lakes and mountains, flying through the air at 200km/h, then a parachute ride down to a smooth landing at the dropzone.

📍 New Zealand ⏱ 3 Hours 👥 Small group 🔥 Active

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Booked with Wanderlust, an Australian travel business based in Byron Bay (ABN 34 636 612 523). We handle your booking ourselves, before and after you travel.

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Overview

This is the 9,000ft jump over Wanaka, and it's a straightforward way to add a skydive to your travel resume: up to 25 seconds of freefall at over 200km/h, then a long canopy ride over the lakes. You don't need previous skydiving experience. You are harnessed to a highly qualified tandem master with many thousands of jumps behind them, at a dropzone with over 30 years and 150,000+ tandems behind it. It is also the only altitude open to kids aged 6 to 12.

You start with check-in and registration at the hangar at Wānaka Airport, then a safety briefing in the cabin, including a video of what you've signed up for. You suit up in a jumpsuit, helmet, goggles and gloves, then board a Cessna Caravan for a 10 to 15 minute flight to altitude over Lake Wānaka, the surrounding lakes, the Upper Clutha River and the Southern Alps, with Aoraki Mount Cook on the horizon on a clear day. At the open door you pause on the edge, then you are flying. Your parachute opens and you float to a smooth landing at the dropzone.

Allow around 3 hours in total. The dropzone is at Wānaka Airport, 10km from town, with a free shuttle from the Wānaka i-SITE at 103 Ardmore Street for every jump time. Return transfers from Queenstown run on set days for an extra fee. Minimum age is 6, minimum weight 30kg, minimum height 1.2m, and anyone 95kg or more is assessed by a tandem master on the day. Pens are in the departure lounge: write messages on your hands for the camera.

Why you'll love it

  1. 1

    9,000ft tandem jump, up to 25 seconds of freefall

  2. 2

    Over 200km/h in freefall

  3. 3

    10 to 15 minute flight to altitude in a Cessna Caravan

  4. 4

    Lakes, Southern Alps and, on a clear day, Mount Cook

  5. 5

    Open to kids from age 6

  6. 6

    Free shuttle from the Wānaka i-SITE

  7. 7

    No previous skydiving experience needed

Itinerary at a glance

1 Check-in · Arrive at the hangar, Wānaka Airport

Arrive at your booking time, by free shuttle from the Wānaka i-SITE or self-drive to 14 Mustang Lane. Check-in, registration and the safety briefing video happen in the cabin. Pens are out in the departure lounge for hand messages.

1 Gear up · Jumpsuit, harness and tandem master briefing

You are fitted with a jumpsuit, helmet, goggles and gloves, meet your tandem master and go through the jump with them.

1 The flight · 10 to 15 minutes to 9,000ft

The Cessna Caravan climbs over Lake Wānaka, the surrounding lakes, the Upper Clutha River and the Southern Alps. On a clear day Aoraki Mount Cook sits on the horizon.

1 The jump · Up to 25 seconds of freefall, then the canopy

You pause at the door, then fall at over 200km/h for up to 25 seconds. The parachute opens and you glide down over the lakes to a smooth landing at the dropzone.

1 Back on the ground · Photos, video and the shuttle back to town

Collect your photo and video package if you bought one, then take the pre-booked shuttle back to the Wānaka i-SITE. Allow around 3 hours in total.

What's included

✓ What's included

  • Tandem skydive from 9,000ft with a qualified tandem master
  • Safety briefing video and harness fitting at the hangar
  • Jumpsuit, helmet, goggles and gloves
  • 10 to 15 minute scenic flight to altitude in a Cessna Caravan
  • Free shuttle to and from the Wānaka i-SITE, 103 Ardmore Street (return must be pre-booked)

✕ Not included

  • ✕Photo and video packages: a wrist-mounted camera package, a camera flyer package, or both combined, bought on the day
  • ✕Return transfers from Queenstown (set days only, extra fee)
  • ✕Weight surcharge for jumpers of 95kg and over (paid on the day)
  • ✕Meals and drinks

Common questions about this trip

  • Where do I check in and how do I get there?
    The dropzone is the hangar at 14 Mustang Lane, Wānaka Airport, about 10km from the town centre along State Highway 6. A free shuttle runs from the Wānaka i-SITE at 103 Ardmore Street for every jump time; be there 10 minutes early, and pre-book the return. Arrive at your booking time and allow 3 hours for the whole experience. Call the dropzone 30 minutes before to confirm conditions.

  • Can I do this from Queenstown?
    Yes. Return transfers from Queenstown run on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, departing at 6.45am from a skydive centre on Shotover Street in central Queenstown, and the drive to Wānaka Airport is about an hour and a half each way. The transfer is an extra cost and turns the jump into most of a day.

  • Are there age, weight or height limits?
    Minimum age is 6, and children 12 and under are limited to this 9,000ft altitude. Anyone under 18 needs written consent from a parent or guardian. Minimum weight is 30kg and minimum height is 1.2m. Anyone 95kg or more is assessed by a tandem master on the day, and a weight surcharge applies. Recent injuries or pre-existing conditions such as epilepsy, high blood pressure, heart conditions or a dislocated shoulder must be declared and may need a doctor's clearance.

  • What should I wear?
    Secure, enclosed footwear: jandals, flip flops and bare feet are out. In winter wear warm layers rather than one bulky jacket. A jumpsuit, helmet, goggles and gloves are provided, and the goggles fit over glasses or contact lenses.

  • What happens if the weather is bad?
    The crew do not jump if the weather is not good. If your slot is weathered off they rebook you later the same day or the following day. Call 30 minutes before your booking time to check conditions, and leave a spare day in Wānaka if you can.

  • Can I bring my own camera or get photos?
    You cannot take any kind of camera on the skydive. Three packages are sold on the day: one filmed on a wrist-mounted camera by your tandem master, one with a separate camera flyer, and a combined package with both. Each comes with 100+ high-resolution digital photos.

  • Can my mates come and watch?
    Friends and family are welcome at the airport base. There is no safe viewing area at the landing zone itself, so they watch from the hangar side. Children riding the shuttle must be able to wear a seatbelt; infants and baby carriers are not permitted on it.

  • What's the cancellation policy?
    Cancellation terms for this trip are set by the operator and confirmed on your booking voucher. Refunds mirror the operator's policy, if they can refund, so can we. Wanderlust handles the refund for you, refunds mirror the operator's terms 1:1 (including if the operator cancels) and we chase it on your behalf. Message us for the exact day-by-day terms before you book.

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What travellers say

Reviews from real travellers

Public reviews of the operator who runs this tour on the ground.

⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
via Tripadvisor
"Great people who made the whole experience straightforward and enjoyable. So much fun, and I would definitely do it again!"
J

Joshua1635

Tripadvisor review

⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
via Tripadvisor
"Great communication on the day. Instructors were excellent. Felt really safe at all times. View was incredible"
R

Rachel J

Tripadvisor review

Traveller reviews, source shown on each · shown as excerpts.

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