Auckland Tandem jump from 13,000 or 18,000 Feet
Auckland Tandem jump from 13,000, 16,000 or 18,000 Feet
Let’s have this clear: if you’re faint-hearted, you’ll be doing yourself a big favor if you stay away from skydiving altogether. Nor is it for those who enjoy keeping their heart rate below 120 bpm. But if you’ve ever wanted to know what it feels like to be a human meteor hurtling towards the earth, Auckland’s got you covered. The only question is: how high do you want to go before you start questioning your life choices?
13,000 Feet: The “Let’s Start with a Sensible Panic” Option
If you’re new to skydiving or just want to experience a mild existential crisis, 13,000 feet is a great place to start. You’ll get about 45 seconds of freefall, which sounds short—until you realize that every single second involves plummeting toward the earth at 200 km/h. That’s about the same speed your thoughts will be traveling as you wonder why you willingly stepped out of a plane.
But let’s be honest, once you’re strapped to an experienced tandem instructor, there’s no turning back. The door comes open, the wind comes through, and bang. You’re plummeting—quickly. And just when you’ve gotten accustomed to the thrill of being a shrieking comet, the parachute comes out, and it all slows down again. Now you can actually take in the stunning vistas of Auckland, the shoreline, and all the sheep below, blissfully unaware of the frenzy above them.
16,000 Feet: The “I Make Questionable Decisions” Package
Ah, 16,000 feet. You’ve chosen this because 13,000 just didn’t seem thrilling enough. Good for you, adrenaline junkie. With about 60 seconds of freefall, you now have an entire extra 15 seconds to contemplate your existence, wave at passing birds, or scream into the void.
At this altitude, you’ll also need an oxygen mask before the jump. That’s right—oxygen. Because the air is so thin, your instructor will casually hand you a mask while you nod and pretend this is completely normal. And then, before you can second-guess everything, you’re airborne.
By the time the parachute deploys, you’ll have unlocked a new level of euphoria—or possibly just relief. The scenery, of course, is spectacular. Auckland’s coastline stretches out before you, the islands in the Hauraki Gulf dot the waters, and somewhere down there, people are enjoying a nice, safe coffee while you defy gravity.
18,000 Feet: The “Who Even Needs Gravity?” Experience
You, my friend, have chosen chaos. 18,000 feet is not just a skydive—it’s a full-blown, heart-pounding, scream-inducing plummet through the stratosphere. With up to 75 seconds of freefall, this is the highest tandem jump in New Zealand. If you like the idea of stretching your face into unnatural expressions while battling terminal velocity, this is the choice for you.
Again, oxygen is required at this height because, well, humans weren’t really designed to be here. And then, before you know it, the plane’s door is open, and you’re looking at the distant, distant ground. You’ll have just enough time to regret everything before you’re out in the open air, gravity doing its thing.
The freefall? Absolutely exhilarating. The parachute opening? A welcome event. The landing? A combination of pride, wobbly knees, and a better appreciation for the ground under your feet.
Which One is For You, Then?
No matter whether you choose 13,000, 16,000, or the absolute lunacy of 18,000 feet, you can guarantee it—you won’t ever forget. Skydiving above Auckland isn’t really about the adrenalin thrill (though that’s a lot of it); it’s the sheer beauty of freefall above one of the most breathtaking pieces of landscape in the world. And, naturally, the bragging rights.
So go for it, take the plunge—literally. Just don’t forget to smile for the photographer. You’ll want evidence that you voluntarily jumped out of a perfectly good plane.
