It’s been nearly 4 years since I jumped out of a airplane over New Zealand’s South Island, nevertheless it feels prefer it might’ve been 4 minutes in the past. I’ll always remember the sensation—which, if I’m sincere was a lot scarier than I assumed. Because the propellor airplane ascends (a lot sooner than I anticipated) and it got here time for me (fortunately, with a “grasp” actually strapped to me) to leap, I puzzled whether or not I had made an enormous mistake.
Ultimately, I’m glad I went by with skydiving, though the subject is after all a bit extra nuanced than that. Should you’re in the identical boat (airplane?) as I used to be—for those who’re asking your self “is New Zealand good for skydiving?”, or some comparable query—then I do hope you’ll proceed studying.
Why I Waited So Lengthy to Skydive
As was the case with visiting New Zealand generally, I wished to attend to go skydiving till the time was proper. A 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 value of skydiving, at 34, as a nominal expense, it might very nicely have bankrupted me, had I taken the plunge at 24.
Issues to Know About Skydiving in New Zealand
All the businesses are principally the identical
There are three skydiving corporations in Queenstown (or a minimum of there have been, earlier than coronavirus), however all of them provide principally the identical expertise, at basically the identical value. Two of them are literally situated proper subsequent door to at least one one other on Shotover Avenue; to my eye, the one distinction between the 2 places of work was that one has a Chinese language-speaking member of employees. Is New Zealand good for skydiving? Actually, it’s adequate that you simply don’t have to waste your time purchasing round.
No matter which New Zealand skydiving store you go to, you’ll have many decisions for the place you leap. Widespread 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 getting into the shop. The lady behind the counter was adamant that it was her favourite, nonetheless, so I ended up reserving a drop over Glenorchy at her advice.
The small print of your leap will possible change
The following morning, nonetheless, a lady (one other girl) known as simply after the break of day, to inform me that climate circumstances over Glenorchy (specifically, upper-level winds) weren’t appropriate for leaping—I might cancel, or change to Wanaka. I briefly thought-about canceling, however ended up deciding within the second to go forward and leap over Wanaka. That is a part of the rationale you shouldn’t be too emotionally hooked up to the drop zone you select!
Along with the drop zone for my skydive altering, the employees additionally “upgraded” me (from 9,000′ to fifteen,000′) free of charge, though I think they find yourself doing this for everybody, since I doubt a given airplane actually ascends to 3 separate altitudes. Moreover, since I’m a blogger, additionally they threw in a free picture/video package deal–I solely checked out it as soon as. A 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 fee, if I had to return and pay for it, I most likely 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 airplane journey up was a bit uneasy; however I used to be between the legs of a really enticing man, which assuaged most of my worries. Regardless of this (perhaps due to it?) the feeling of leaping out of the airplane took me unexpectedly. You already know that feeling you have got when water rushes up your nostril? That’s what it felt like for me, besides it was chilly air and it lasted for the whole freefall. For a second, I assumed I’d suffocate!
Does Skydiving in New Zealand Stay As much as the Hype?
Sure 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 best way down, and as a consequence of the truth that I want I had performed extra analysis earlier than I jumped. Don’t get me unsuitable: Seeing the Southern Alps on the horizon, and Lake Wanaka beneath me was completely unbelievable.
However whereas Queenstown skydiving deserves its popularity as being one of many world’s most lovely spots for its, I later discovered 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 provide in Wanaka or Glenorchy. My tandem accomplice himself, as our airplane 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.
Different FAQ About Skydiving in New Zealand
How lengthy does skydiving take Queenstown?
Though your leap will solely final a couple of minutes, it’s best to commit a complete day to your New Zealand skydiving expertise. Or two: Relying on wind and climate circumstances within the higher environment, it’s attainable that your morning dive could possibly be delayed till afternoon, or certainly {that a} Monday dive could possibly be delayed till Tuesday.
How a lot is skydiving in NZ?
New Zealand skydiving corporations provide a wide range of packages, however generally it’s best to plan on spending at least 300 NZD (a bit lower than 200 USD) on your skydiving expertise. Clearly, you’ll have to pay extra for bells and whistles like customized picture and video packages, which the “base” fee by no means contains.
The place is one of the best place to skydive in New Zealand?
As a basic 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. Nevertheless, the whole nation is nice for skydiving, together with the North Island. My skydiving teacher really helpful that I attempt 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 best way. His weblog, Go away Your Each day Hell, offers a mixture of journey recommendation, vacation spot guides and private essays masking the extra esoteric points of life as a traveler.
