It’s been nearly 4 years since I jumped out of a airplane over New Zealand’s South Island, however it feels prefer it might’ve been 4 minutes in the past. I’ll always remember the sensation—which, if I’m trustworthy was a lot scarier than I assumed. Because the propellor airplane ascends (a lot quicker than I anticipated) and it got here time for me (fortunately, with a “grasp” actually strapped to me) to leap, I questioned whether or not I had made an enormous mistake.
Ultimately, I’m glad I went via with skydiving, though the subject is after all a bit extra nuanced than that. In case you’re in the identical boat (airplane?) as I used to be—should you’re asking your self “is New Zealand good for skydiving?”, or some related query—then I do hope you’ll proceed studying.
Why I Waited So Lengthy to Skydive
As was the case with visiting New Zealand usually, I needed 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 worth 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 mainly the identical
There are three skydiving corporations in Queenstown (or not less than there have been, earlier than coronavirus), however all of them supply mainly the identical expertise, at primarily the identical worth. Two of them are literally positioned proper subsequent door to at least one one other on Shotover Road; to my eye, the one distinction between the 2 places of work was that one has a Chinese language-speaking member of workers. Is New Zealand good for skydiving? Definitely, it’s ok 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 bounce. Well-liked 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 main points of your bounce will seemingly change
The subsequent morning, nonetheless, a lady (one other girl) known as simply after the daybreak, to inform me that climate situations over Glenorchy (particularly, upper-level winds) weren’t appropriate for leaping—I might cancel, or change to Wanaka. I briefly thought of canceling, however ended up deciding within the second to go forward and bounce 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 workers additionally “upgraded” me (from 9,000′ to fifteen,000′) totally free, though I believe 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 bundle–I solely checked out it as soon as. A part of this was as a result of my hair regarded terrible and my brow was so wrinkled I’m now contemplating botox; at any charge, if I had to return and pay for it, I most likely wouldn’t.
You would possibly 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 engaging man, which assuaged most of my worries. Despite this (possibly 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 your entire freefall. For a second, I assumed I might suffocate!
Does Skydiving in New Zealand Reside 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 executed extra analysis earlier than I jumped. Don’t get me mistaken: Seeing the Southern Alps on the horizon, and Lake Wanaka beneath me was completely unbelievable.
However whereas Queenstown skydiving deserves its fame as being one of many world’s most stunning spots for its, I later realized 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 supply in Wanaka or Glenorchy. My tandem companion himself, as our airplane ascended, instructed 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 bounce will solely final a couple of minutes, you must dedicate a whole day to your New Zealand skydiving expertise. Or two: Relying on wind and climate situations within the higher environment, it’s attainable that your morning dive might be delayed till afternoon, or certainly {that a} Monday dive might be delayed till Tuesday.
How a lot is skydiving in NZ?
New Zealand skydiving corporations supply quite a lot of packages, however usually you must plan on spending a minimum of 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” charge 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 similar to Glenorchy and Wanaka. Nevertheless, your entire nation is nice for skydiving, together with the North Island. My skydiving teacher beneficial 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 similar to “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 facets of life as a traveler.
