66. The best skydiving jumps in New Zealand

See Abel Tasman from a different point of view (Image: Camilla Rutherford).

BY Sarah Bennett

Last updated . 31 January 2022

From skydiving and jet-boating to hiking and biking some of the most spectacular and dramatic landscapes in the world, New Zealand is synonymous with adventure: here is No. 66 of our 101 Reasons To Stop Dreaming About New Zealand And Go.

If you’ve considered taking the leap but never quite mustered the courage, New Zealand might just tip you over the edge. Spectacular drop zones and a bunch of top-notch skydive operators make this a great place to bag your bragging rights and get a seriously scenic flight on the side. Tandem skydiving makes it easy. Strapped onto a seasoned pro, you’ll get all the instruction, encouragement and camaraderie you need to seal the deal. Jump from between 2740 and 5600 metres to experience between 30 and 75 seconds of freefall, then enjoy a more mellow high on the final swoop under the chute.

More than just ticking a box on your bucket list, skydiving offers great bang for your buck. Taking a couple of unforgettable hours in all, the full escapade includes an exhilarating scenic flight and the strong possibility of changing your outlook on life for good. Here are four top spots for lift off.

Skydive Tasman (Image: Camilla Rutherford)

Volcanic wonderland

One of the original and best, Taupō Tandem Skydive jumps over the dramatic landscapes of the Central North Island/Te Ika-a-Māui. Eyeball New Zealand’s largest lake, Tongariro National Park’s volcanoes, the perfect cone of Mt Taranaki, and coast to coast from the Tasman Sea to the Pacific Ocean.

Top of the south tapestry

With turquoise waters, golden sands, fruitful plains and mountain ranges as far as the eye can see, it’s no wonder the Nelson–Tasman region is so popular for holidays. Skydive Abel Tasman offers you the ultimate bird’s- eye view of it all. It’s also based at Motueka’s sweet and sunny little airfield, a particularly neat place to jump or just spectate.

Queenstown’s ultimate high

Aotearoa’s adventure capital is awesome from every angle, but from 4572 metres it will probably blow your mind. Slick and savvy NZone Skydive will have you soaring above The Remarkables and Lake Wakatipu, with views stretching far and wide across the snow-capped Southern Alps and down into endless valleys and basins.

Christchurch’s helicopter romp

Blend aerial sightseeing with skydiving with Helidive, one of the world’s only helicopter skydiving operators. Get a good overview of the Garden City and surrounds before sweeping over the east coast to do your big drop down to the soft sands of Sumner Beach.