Taupo tandem skydive in New Zealand
Taupo Tandem Skydive
Welcome to tandem skydiving in Taupo, where you can launch yourself toward earth at terminal velocity while enjoying some of New Zealand’s most jaw-dropping scenery.
The Pre-Jump Jitters: Smiling Through the Panic
Your skydiving adventure starts with a safety briefing, during which the instructors tell you they’ve done it a thousand times and that it’s completely safe. You’re nodding your head in agreement while your internal voice is screaming, “THIS IS A TERRIBLE IDEA.” You’re fitted with a jumpsuit, harness, and ridiculously small hat that appears to be doing nothing to aid in your survival. Then you get on the plane, jam-packed with other adventurers who are either smiling from ear to ear or sharing nervous goodbyes with their GoPro cameras.
As the plane climbs higher, the views of Lake Taupo, Mount Ruapehu, and even the distant peaks of Mount Cook look absolutely stunning. It would be a serene and peaceful moment—if not for the fact that you’re about to fling yourself into the sky.
That Enchanted Instant When You Forget How to Breathe
The door opens and suddenly everything feels real. Your tandem instructor pushes you towards the front of the plane, your feet over the void. You experience a brief moment of clarity—why do humans have the urge to throw themselves out of perfectly good aircraft?
Before you can come up with an answer, your instructor cheerfully yells, “Three, two, one!” and BOOM—you’re airborne. For the first few seconds, your brain has absolutely no idea how to process what’s happening. It’s a chaotic blend of wind, adrenaline, and the vague thought that your breakfast might be making a comeback.
And then—euphoria. You’re freefalling at 200 km/h, but instead of fear, you feel… alive. The wind roars past your ears, Lake Taupo gleams beneath you, and Mount Cook stands majestic in the distance, probably judging your life choices. It’s a full 60 seconds of pure, unfiltered thrill before the parachute deploys and yanks you back into reality.
The Gentle Glide (or, the “What Just Happened?” Phase)
The moment the parachute deploys, the atmosphere changes completely. The sheer fear of free fall gives way to a near-trancelike serenity as you drift down to earth. Your instructor, now in full tour guide mode, identifies landmarks as you nod, still reeling from the fact that you just lived through something completely absurd.
Every second that ticks away, you grow to love the descent more. The cobalt water of Lake Taupo lies spread below you, the white summits of the peaks close at hand, and the world itself appears to be even lovelier than ever—maybe because you were just careening towards it in a mad rush.
The Landing: Graceful? Not Quite.
As you pull into the landing zone, your instructor has one final bit of important advice to impart: “Lift your legs.” Get it just right, and you’ll glide on in like a pro. Screw it up, though. and let’s just say backside grass stains are a minor fee for a lesson like this.
Once your feet (or butt) touch the ground, you’re hit with a rush of emotion—elation, disbelief, and an overwhelming urge to do it all over again. Or at least, after your legs stop shaking.
Final Thoughts: Should You Do It? (Spoiler: Yes!)
Taupo’s tandem skydiving is equal parts terrifying and exhilarating. However, you simply can’t deny one fact: it’s unforgettable. It’s not a matter of being a seasoned adrenaline junkie or just looking to conquer a fear since there’s no better way to appreciate New Zealand’s beauty than by freefalling right into it.
So go on, book that jump. Just don’t forget to breathe.
