Wanaka Tandem Skydive from 9,000, 12,000 or 15,000 Feet
Wanaka: Tandem Skydive from 9,000, 12,000 or 15,000 Feet
It’s amazing how you’ve made the dubious yet thrilling decision to jump out of a airplane over Wanaka. Good for you! If you’re wondering whether to aim for 9,000, 12,000, or 15,000 feet, allow me to elaborate: 9,000 feet is for the “I wanna skydive but also still honor my sense of survival” crowd. 12,000 feet is for those who would like a little more freefall and dubious life choices. And 15,000 feet? That’s for those who like to test their adrenal glands to see if they still function.
A Quick Reality Check Before the Drop
You’ll start off nice and easy: checking in, meeting your instructor (who, thankfully, has done this a ridiculous number of times), and signing a waiver that basically says, “Yes, I understand I am willingly throwing myself at the ground from a great height.” Then, you get suited up in a jumpsuit that somehow makes you feel both invincible and like a giant toddler at the same time.
And then there’s flying up in the plane. And this is when it gets thrilling. At 9,000 feet, you’re like, “Wow, that’s actually quite high.” At 12,000 feet, you feel like you’re seeing half of New Zealand or something. And at 15,000 feet? The earth starts to look suspiciously like a Google Maps satellite image.
The Moment of Truth (or Regret)
The plane door opens, and suddenly you see the sense in the adage ignorance is bliss. If your instructor is nice to you, they pat you reassuringly on the shoulder. If they’re not, they crack a joke and say something like their last jump was “a bit bumpy. Either way, there’s no turning back now.
And then—whoosh! You’re out. And for a few seconds, your brain doesn’t quite know what to do with the fact that the ground is rapidly approaching, your stomach is somewhere near your ears, and you might have screamed, but the wind swallowed the sound before it left your mouth.
But then, something weird happens. Your brain catches up. The view? Absolutely insane. You’ve got Lake Wanaka, snow-capped mountains, and more breathtaking scenery than your mind can process at once. This is not just falling—it’s flying. And for those precious seconds of freefall (which feel both like an eternity and a split second), it is the most incredible thing you’ve ever done.
The Gentle (Hopefully) Return to Earth
At some point, your instructor pulls the chute. If you’re feeling particularly brave, they might even let you steer. The freefall chaos is replaced by a calm, surreal glide, giving you a chance to actually appreciate the landscape without the existential crisis that was happening 30 seconds ago.
And then, just like that, you’re back on solid ground. Shaky legs? Probably. Massive grin? Definitely. Immediate desire to go again? Almost guaranteed.
Final Verdict?
If you want the ultimate adrenaline fix combined with some of the world’s best scenery, a tandem skydive in Wanaka is a must. Take 9,000, 12,000, or the whole 15,000 feet – whatever you choose, you can be sure that you’ll never see the sky in the same way again.
Oh, and one last thing—definitely get the video. Because nothing beats reliving that moment your face flapped in the wind like a poorly secured tent in a hurricane. Happy jumping!
