Best Places to Skydive in New Zealand: Which Location Should You Choose?
New Zealand is an incredible place to skydive. From snow-capped mountains and glaciers to volcanic landscapes, turquoise lakes, beaches and islands, every drop zone offers a completely different view of the country. With so many spectacular locations, choosing where to jump can be difficult. The best place to skydive in New Zealand really comes down to what you want from the experience.
Located in Parakai, approximately 45 minutes from Auckland City Centre, Skydive Auckland offers tandem skydives from 13,000ft, 16,000ft and 18,000ft, with the 18,000ft experience offering up to 75 seconds of freefall.
Here’s how New Zealand’s major skydiving destinations compare, and why Auckland could be the right choice for your jump.
The Best Places to Skydive in New Zealand
| Location | Best for |
|---|---|
| Auckland | High-altitude freefall, coastal scenery and accessibility. Spot Waiheke Island, Great Barrier Island, Piha and Mt Ruapehu! |
| Queenstown | Alpine scenery |
| Wānaka | Mountains and lakes |
| Taupō | Volcanoes and Lakes |
| Mt Cook | Alpine scenery |
| Abel Tasman | Coastal scenery |
Every location has its own appeal. If you’re already travelling through a particular part of New Zealand, that may naturally influence your decision. If you’re choosing based on the experience itself, there are a few things worth considering.
Skydive Auckland: Our Top Choice for a High-Altitude Tandem Skydive
There’s a reason Skydive Auckland has become such a popular choice for first-time jumpers visiting New Zealand.
The experience combines a high-altitude jump, long freefall, incredible views and an easy-to-reach location. You can spend the morning exploring Auckland, head out to Parakai for your skydive, then be back in the city with plenty of time left in your trip.
Skydive Auckland is based in Parakai, around 45 minutes from Auckland City Centre. The drop zone offers tandem skydives from 13,000ft, 16,000ft and 18,000ft, with up to 75 seconds of freefall from 18,000ft.
Why choose Skydive Auckland?
Experience up to 75 seconds of freefall
At Skydive Auckland, you can choose between 13,000ft, 16,000ft and 18,000ft tandem skydives. The 18,000ft experience offers up to 75 seconds of freefall, giving you more time in the air before your parachute opens. During freefall, you’ll travel at speeds of more than 200 km/h while taking in the landscape below.
If you’re travelling all the way to New Zealand for a bucket-list skydive, 18,000ft gives you the longest freefall experience available at Skydive Auckland.
Auckland Looks Incredible From the Sky
One of the best things about skydiving from Auckland is the variety of scenery.
From altitude, you can see across the west and east coasts, beaches and islands, including Waiheke Island and Great Barrier Island. On a clear day, you may also see as far as Mt Ruapehu. The farmland around Parakai gives way to the coastline, beaches and islands surrounding Auckland, with the wider North Island stretching out beyond them.
For travellers who want to experience New Zealand’s coastline and islands from a completely different perspective, Auckland offers something genuinely special.
It’s Only Around 45 Minutes From Auckland City
Another major advantage of Skydive Auckland is its location.The drop zone is in Parakai, West Auckland, approximately 45 minutes from Auckland City Centre. That makes it particularly convenient if you’re:
- Staying in Auckland
- Travelling without a car
- Visiting New Zealand for a short time
- Backpacking around the North Island
- Travelling with friends or family
- Looking for a bucket-list activity that doesn’t require an entire day of travel
Free return transport from Auckland City is also available for eligible direct bookings, subject to availability.
The skydive experience takes approximately three hours. If you’re using the Auckland City return transport, allow around 5.5 hours for the full experience. That means you can experience a high-altitude tandem skydive and still have plenty of time to enjoy the rest of Auckland.
A Skydiving Experience Designed for Groups
Skydiving doesn’t have to be a solo adventure. Skydive Auckland operates a 17-seat aircraft, making it possible for groups of friends and family to experience the adventure together. There is also an onsite viewing deck where friends and family can watch the action from the ground. With free onsite parking and BBQ facilities, you can make a day of the experience.
It’s a great option for:
- Couples
- Groups of friends
- Birthdays
- Celebrations
- Family adventures
- Bucket-list trips
- Travellers wanting to experience something together
A Trusted New Zealand Skydiving Operation
When you’re jumping out of a plane for the first time, choosing an experienced operator matters. Skydive Auckland has more than 20 years of experience in the skydiving industry and is affiliated with the New Zealand Parachute Industry Association (NZPIA). The operation also holds Qualmark Gold accreditation.
Skydive Auckland has thousands of customer reviews across major review platforms, with consistently strong ratings from past jumpers. For a first-time tandem jumper, those factors can provide some extra reassurance when choosing where to book.
Which Altitude Should You Choose?
Once you’ve decided to skydive in Auckland, you’ll need to choose your altitude.
13,000ft: 45 Seconds of Freefall
A great option if you want the full tandem skydiving experience while keeping the price lower.
16,000ft: 60 Seconds of Freefall
A great middle-ground option, giving you around 60 seconds of freefall.
18,000ft: 75 Seconds of Freefall
The choice for people who want to maximise their freefall experience. If you’re travelling to New Zealand specifically for a once-in-a-lifetime experience, 18,000ft gives you the longest freefall experience available at Skydive Auckland.
Other Places to Skydive in New Zealand
New Zealand has several skydiving destinations, particularly across the South Island. Each offers a different setting, so your travel plans may influence where you choose to jump.
Queenstown, Wanaka and Mt Cook
The South Island is home to several well-known skydiving destinations, including Queenstown, Wānaka and Mt Cook. These locations are particularly known for their alpine scenery and are popular choices for travellers exploring the South Island.
Abel Tasman
The Abel Tasman region offers a coastal skydiving experience, making it another option for travellers exploring the top of the South Island.
Taupo
Taupō is another option in the North Island, with views across Lake Taupō and the surrounding volcanic landscape.
So, Which Is the Best Place to Skydive in New Zealand?
The best place to skydive depends on your itinerary and what you want from the experience.
For travellers staying in Auckland, Skydive Auckland offers a combination of high altitude, long freefall, coastal and island views, and easy access from the city. With tandem jumps available from up to 18,000ft and up to 75 seconds of freefall, it’s an easy addition to a New Zealand itinerary.
If you’re already travelling through the South Island, locations such as Queenstown, Wānaka and Aoraki / Mt Cook offer a different setting. Taupō is another option for travellers exploring the Central North Island.
If Auckland is on your itinerary, you don’t need to travel across the country to experience a high-altitude New Zealand skydive.
Ready to Experience New Zealand From Above?
Whether you’ve been planning your skydive for years or you’re looking for something unforgettable to add to your New Zealand trip, Skydive Auckland is ready to take you there.
Choose your altitude and get ready to see Auckland and the North Island from a completely different perspective.
18,000ft is the highest tandem skydiving altitude currently offered in New Zealand, available at Skydive Auckland.
Skydive Auckland, based in Parakai, roughly 45 minutes from Auckland City Centre, offers the 18,000ft altitude with free return transport available from the city.
Approximately 75 seconds, compared to around 45 seconds from 13,000ft and 60 seconds from 16,000ft.
The higher altitude adds a longer freefall and higher views. With 75 seconds of freefall, 18,000ft is our most popular option if the extra cost is within your budget.
Yes. Skydive Auckland offers an Accelerated Free Fall (AFF) course for those wanting to move beyond tandem jumps into solo skydiving.