FAQs

How old do you have to be to skydive? Is it safe? Is it scary? Don’t worry! We’re here to answer all your FAQs related to skydiving. If you can’t find the answer you’re looking for below, feel free to get in touch with one of our friendly staff members on our Contact Page.

Can I use AfterPay or Laybuy to pay for my skydive?

Yes! We are pleased to say we now offer AfterPay & Laybuy as payment options in-store (AfterPay – Only PayWave method, not QR code).

Please note that at this time AfterPay & Laybuy  are only available for in-store payments and only for direct bookings.

Is it normal to be really nervous?

Yes! After all, it’s not normal to fall out of a perfectly good plane! But it’s all part of the experience and will make the achievement even sweeter when you land back on the ground. Our Tandem Masters have thousands of jumps under their belts and will walk you through every step of the way, doing their best to make you feel safe and secure.

Is there a weight limit?

Mobility considerations apply for weight limits (up to and above 100kg). Contact directly for clarification

Is there an age limit?

We don’t have an age limit but you will need to fit our harness. The oldest person to jump with us was 95 and the youngest was 5! The extreme ends of the age scale will depend on our Tandem Masters and weather conditions on the day so call us if you are unsure.

If you are under 18 years of age, you must have written consent from a parent or legal guardian.

Why Choose Taupo Tandem Skydiving?

You’d be crazy not to! But we get it, there’s a lot of places to skydive in NZ.
When you jump with us, you’ll get:
– Best prices guaranteed for NZ’s Best Rated Skydive (win-win)
– Free transport within Taupo and Rotorua
– Incredible views of Lake Taupo, ‘Mt Doom’, and the North Island
– Highly trained (and hilarious) tandem masters
– Free buff
– We are a Gold Qualmarked Drop Zone

What is our highest skydive?

We offer skydiving from an extreme altitude of 16,500 feet! Since Lake Taupo is already elevated, you will actually be skydiving 18,000 ft above sea level which is New Zealand’s highest possible skydiving altitude. In fact, it’s the same altitude as Mount Everest Base Camp! If you choose to jump from 16,500 feet you will get up to 70 seconds of free fall and unbeatable views of the Tongariro National Park and coast-to-coast of New Zealand.

How safe is skydiving?

We like to say that your drive to the airport is more dangerous than your skydive! There is always an element of risk with anything you do, however we do put a significant emphasis on having the best equipment, the best trained staff, and leading industry safety practices. We are governed by the Civil Aviation Authority which has certified our ‘Safety Management System’ and we are proud to be a Gold Qualmarked dropzone. Our tandem masters undergo rigorous testing from the New Zealand Parachute Industry Association and they are highly experienced (some of them have jumped over 20,000 times!). In fact we regularly send our family-members up to jump with us, so that proves something right?!

How often do you run trips?

Trips run every 60 minutes from 9:00am until 4:00pm in Winter, or 8:00am until 6:00pm in Summer. Earlier/later trips are available subject to availability and are weather dependent – contact us to ask!

Can I jump if I have a medical condition?

You will need to seek medical advice from your doctor before jumping. We’re not able to give you medical advice. We can tell you what to expect but ultimately the decision will be up to you.

Can I skydive by myself?

You can’t skydive by yourself on your first jump. But if you’re interested in skydiving as a sport we offer a comprehensive Accelerated Free Fall (AFF) course.

Can you breath at altitude?

The short answer is yes! There is plenty of air up at 15,000 ft and even 16,500 ft. Some people can experience shortness of breath when free falling due to the excitement, however it is no different to riding a very fast motorcycle. Everyone is different and we recommend talking to your doctor if you have any concerns about breathing troubles while skydiving.

Can you skydive in the winter?

You certainly can! While it may be a little chilly, we operate 362 days of the year and all winter long! In fact, the views can be at their best during the winter months with snow-capped mountains beneath you making your skydive extra special. Our operating hours are shorter to accommodate for less daylight hours and you will want to bring plenty of warm clothes.

What do I need to wear?

You will be provided with a jumpsuit, goggles, hat and buff for your skydive, so just wear warm comfortable clothes to wear underneath and closed-toe shoes. If you wear glasses it’s no problem, we’ll give you skydiving goggles that fit over them

How long does it all take?

The actual skydive portion will take around 30 minutes and ideally you will be finished in about 2 hours including your photos and videos, but we ask that you allow 2-3 hours for the entire process to allow for operational and weather delays.

What happens if the weather is bad?

We can skydive in plenty of different conditions, not just blue skies! But if we do make the call to not jump due to bad weather, don’t worry, we don’t take any payment until after you jump so we will just re-book your jump for later in the day or whenever suits you. If you can’t come back at a later time we can cancel your booking free of charge, but please note that we will be heartbroken. Taupo has its own weather patterns because of our big lake, we often have beautiful weather when the rest of the country is cloudy. It’s nearly impossible to know for sure if we’re jumping until the day of your skydive, so just give us a call for the latest updates.

What's it like to free fall?

We can’t put the feeling into words, but trust us when we say that it feels more surreal than it does scary! Free falling is an incredible sensation. You will only experience that upside-down-stomach feeling like on a roller coaster for a brief moment when you exit the plane but then the wind supports you! Because you are traveling at up to 200kph, the wind almost feels like a cushion against you. Come and try it for yourself.

Can you come and pick me up?

Sure thing! If you are staying in Taupo we will pick you up in our sweet stretch Hummer from your accommodation. Pick ups are approximately thirty minutes before your booking time. If you’re not coming to Taupo we can pick you up from Rotorua with our minibus. Daily pick ups are at 12.30pm and you will return to Rotorua at around 5pm. Alternatively you can drive out to us, there’s plenty of parking!

What camera options are there?

Heaps! We have the most camera options in New Zealand! We offer Freefall and Selfie video and photos, and our exclusive Exit Photo. Everything is shot in HD. After your skydive we will email you a link to your media for easy sharing. Check out our Prices page for more information.

Can I take my own camera?

You can take as much footage as you like on the ground but there are strict rules on taking extra equipment in the plane. So unfortunately not, sorry! Our own cameramen do a minimum of 200 jumps before they begin training to carry a camera, and since we are working with lines and parachutes there are too many safety issues with bringing your GoPro along. We’ll take some amazing footage for you though!

How do I pay?

You will pay after the jump, we take credit cards, EFTPOS, AliPay, PayPlus, Cash, Laybuy and AfterPay ( Laybuy and AfterPay are in-store only). Please note that there is a 1.5% credit card surcharge.

Can my family and friends come watch?

Definitely! Spectators are very welcome and can watch you getting geared up and landing. If there is enough room in the Hummer they can also ride along.

Can you give me a sweet deal?

As we’re already the best priced skydive in New Zealand we tend not to discount our jump, but check out our Combos & Deals page for some awesome savings on other elements of your skydive experience!

Do you have any combos with other activities?

We sure do!

– Air Extreme 2 – $480: A 47m bungy jump with AJ Hackett Bungy and a 12,000 ft skydive
– Air Extreme 3 – $573: A swing and 47m bungy jump with AJ Hackett Bungy and a 12,000 ft skydive
– Huka Freefall – $398: Combo up a jetboat ride with Hukafalls Jet and a 12,000 ft skydive
– Duck’n’Dive – $436: Pair a rafting trip with Tongariro River Rafting and a 12,000 ft skydive
– Heli And Skydive – $519: How about a ride in a helicopter followed by a 15,000 ft skydive
– 4Play – $750: Combine a bungy jump, jetboat ride, white water rafting trip and 12,000 ft skydive

All combos include a few freebies too. Check out our Combos & Deals page or call us for more information or to book!

Can I skydive if I have been scuba diving?

Have you been scuba diving? Lucky you! Unfortunately you cannot go skydiving if you have been scuba diving within 24 hours, however after 24 hours then you are safe to skydive. Please just let us know if you have been scuba diving when you sign in at our dropzone.

Reviews

Fantastic experience, very professional, great photos and free buff and t-shirt was a lovely bonus! I jumped with Ian and he was great, really friendly and...

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