It’s been virtually 4 years since I jumped out of a airplane over New Zealand’s South Island, however it feels prefer it may’ve been 4 minutes in the past. I’ll always remember the sensation—which, if I’m sincere was a lot scarier than I believed. 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 questioned whether or not I had made an enormous mistake.
Ultimately, I’m glad I went by with skydiving, though the subject is in fact a bit extra nuanced than that. In the event you’re in the identical boat (airplane?) as I used to be—in the event you’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 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 value of skydiving, at 34, as a nominal expense, it may very properly 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 not less than there have been, earlier than coronavirus), however all of them supply principally the identical expertise, at basically the identical value. Two of them are literally positioned proper subsequent door to 1 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 workers. Is New Zealand good for skydiving? Actually, it’s ok that you just don’t have to waste your time purchasing round.
No matter which New Zealand skydiving store you go to, you’ll have many selections for the place you leap. Widespread choices embrace Wanaka and over Queenstown itself, in addition to a spot referred to as Glenorchy, which I’d by no means heard of previous to coming into the shop. The lady behind the counter was adamant that it was her favourite, nevertheless, so I ended up reserving a drop over Glenorchy at her suggestion.
The small print of your leap will seemingly change
The following morning, nevertheless, a girl (one other lady) referred to as simply after the break of day, to inform me that climate situations over Glenorchy (specifically, upper-level winds) weren’t appropriate for leaping—I may 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 connected 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′) without spending a dime, 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 photograph/video package deal–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 price, if I had to return and pay for it, I in all probability 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 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 realize that feeling you’ve 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 complete freefall. For a second, I believed I’d suffocate!
Does Skydiving in New Zealand Dwell As much as the Hype?
Sure as a result of the surroundings is excellent, and the expertise was actually like something I ever may 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 completed extra analysis earlier than I jumped. Don’t get me incorrect: Seeing the Southern Alps on the horizon, and Lake Wanaka beneath me was completely unimaginable.
However whereas Queenstown skydiving deserves its repute as being one of many world’s most stunning spots for its, I later realized that significantly 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 accomplice 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 leap will solely final a couple of minutes, it is best to commit a complete day to your New Zealand skydiving expertise. Or two: Relying on wind and climate situations within the higher ambiance, it’s potential that your morning dive may very well be delayed till afternoon, or certainly {that a} Monday dive may very well be delayed till Tuesday.
How a lot is skydiving in NZ?
New Zealand skydiving corporations supply quite a lot of packages, however generally it is best to plan on spending a minimum of 300 NZD (a bit lower than 200 USD) to your skydiving expertise. Clearly, you’ll have to pay extra for bells and whistles like customized photograph and video packages, which the “base” price by no means contains.
The place is the very best place to skydive in New Zealand?
As a normal 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 equivalent to Glenorchy and Wanaka. Nonetheless, the complete nation is nice for skydiving, together with the North Island. My skydiving teacher advisable that I strive 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 equivalent to “CNNGo” and “Shanghaiist” alongside the best way. His weblog, Go away Your Each day Hell, supplies a mixture of journey recommendation, vacation spot guides and private essays protecting the extra esoteric points of life as a traveler.