It’s been virtually 4 years since I jumped out of a aircraft over New Zealand’s South Island, however it feels prefer it might’ve been 4 minutes in the past. I’ll always remember the sensation—which, if I’m trustworthy was a lot scarier than I assumed. As the propellor aircraft ascends (a lot quicker than I anticipated) and it got here time for me (fortunately, with a “master” actually strapped to me) to leap, I questioned whether or not I had made an enormous mistake.
In the tip, I’m glad I went by means of with skydiving, though the subject is in fact a bit extra nuanced than that. If you’re in the identical boat (aircraft?) as I used to be—for those who’re asking your self “is New Zealand good for skydiving?”, or some related query—then I do hope you’ll proceed studying.
Why I Waited So Long to Skydive
As was the case with visiting New Zealand generally, I wished to attend to go skydiving till the time was proper. Part of my rationale for each of those was sensible: I couldn’t actually afford a correct journey to New Zealand in my youthful years; though I noticed the worth of skydiving, at 34, as a nominal expense, it might very properly have bankrupted me, had I taken the plunge at 24.
Things to Know About Skydiving in New Zealand
All the businesses are mainly the identical
There are three skydiving firms in Queenstown (or at the very least there have been, earlier than coronavirus), however all of them supply mainly the identical expertise, at primarily the identical worth. Two of them are literally situated proper subsequent door to at least one one other on Shotover Street; to my eye, the one distinction between the 2 workplaces was that one has a Chinese-speaking member of employees. Is New Zealand good for skydiving? Certainly, it’s adequate that you just don’t have to waste your time purchasing round.
Regardless of which New Zealand skydiving store you go to, you’ll have many selections for the place you soar. Popular choices embody Wanaka and over Queenstown itself, in addition to a spot known as Glenorchy, which I’d by no means heard of previous to coming into the shop. The girl behind the counter was adamant that it was her favourite, nonetheless, so I ended up reserving a drop over Glenorchy at her advice.
The particulars of your soar will probably change
The subsequent morning, nonetheless, a girl (one other girl) known as simply after the daybreak, to inform me that climate situations over Glenorchy (specifically, upper-level winds) weren’t appropriate for leaping—I might cancel, or change to Wanaka. I briefly thought of canceling, however ended up deciding within the second to go forward and soar over Wanaka. This is a part of the rationale you shouldn’t be too emotionally connected to the drop zone you select!
In addition to the drop zone for my skydive altering, the employees additionally “upgraded” me (from 9,000′ to fifteen,000′) at no cost, though I believe they find yourself doing this for everybody, since I doubt a given aircraft actually ascends to 3 separate altitudes. Furthermore, since I’m a blogger, additionally they threw in a free picture/video bundle–I solely checked out it as soon as. Part of this was as a result of my hair appeared terrible and my brow was so wrinkled I’m now contemplating botox; at any charge, if I had to return and pay for it, I in all probability wouldn’t.
You may really feel such as you’re suffocating
I didn’t really feel very nervous about skydiving at any second main as much as the dive. The aircraft trip up was a bit uneasy; however I used to be between the legs of a really engaging man, which assuaged most of my worries. In spite of this (possibly due to it?) the feeling of leaping out of the aircraft took me abruptly. You know that feeling you’ve got when water rushes up your nostril? That’s what it felt like for me, besides it was chilly air and it lasted for all the freefall. For a second, I assumed I’d suffocate!
Does Skydiving in New Zealand Live Up to the Hype?
Yes as a result of the surroundings is excellent, and the expertise was actually like something I ever might have anticipated. No, primarily due to feeling like I used to be suffocating on the way in which down, and attributable to the truth that I want I had completed extra analysis earlier than I jumped. Don’t get me mistaken: Seeing the Southern Alps on the horizon, and Lake Wanaka beneath me was completely unimaginable.
But whereas Queenstown skydiving deserves its repute as being one of many world’s most lovely spots for its, I later realized that a lot better choices exist. A person I met in Franz Josef jogged my memory, for instance, that skydiving there provides the ocean to the mountain/lake surroundings on supply in Wanaka or Glenorchy. My tandem accomplice himself, as our aircraft ascended, informed me his favourite spot was the Bay of Islands, a vacation spot within the North Island I by no means even knew existed till that second.
Other FAQ About Skydiving in New Zealand
How lengthy does skydiving take Queenstown?
Although your soar will solely final a couple of minutes, you must commit a whole day to your New Zealand skydiving expertise. Or two: Depending on wind and climate situations within the higher environment, it’s doable that your morning dive may very well be delayed till afternoon, or certainly {that a} Monday dive may very well be delayed till Tuesday.
How a lot is skydiving in NZ?
New Zealand skydiving firms supply a wide range of packages, however generally you must plan on spending a minimum of 300 NZD (a bit lower than 200 USD) on your skydiving expertise. Obviously, you’ll have to pay extra for bells and whistles like customized picture and video packages, which the “base” charge by no means contains.
Where is one of the best place to skydive in New Zealand?
As a normal rule, most individuals (and positively, most first timers) take pleasure in their first skydiving expertise someplace close to Queenstown, whether or not over Queenstown itself, or close by locations resembling Glenorchy and Wanaka. However, all the nation is nice for skydiving, together with the North Island. My skydiving teacher really useful that I strive the Bay of Islands subsequent!
Robert Schrader is a journey author and photographer who’s been roaming the world independently since 2005, writing for publications resembling “CNNGo” and “Shanghaiist” alongside the way in which. His weblog, Leave Your Daily Hell, supplies a mixture of journey recommendation, vacation spot guides and private essays masking the extra esoteric facets of life as a traveler.