It’s been nearly 4 years since I jumped out of a aircraft over New Zealand’s South Island, nevertheless it feels prefer it may’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 aircraft 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. If you happen to’re in the identical boat (aircraft?) as I used to be—if you happen to’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 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 mainly the identical
There are three skydiving firms in Queenstown (or a minimum of there have been, earlier than coronavirus), however all of them supply mainly the identical expertise, at basically the identical worth. Two of them are literally situated proper subsequent door to 1 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 employees. Is New Zealand good for skydiving? Definitely, it’s adequate that you simply don’t have to waste your time buying round.
No matter which New Zealand skydiving store you go to, you’ll have many decisions for the place you bounce. Standard 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, nonetheless, so I ended up reserving a drop over Glenorchy at her suggestion.
The small print of your bounce will doubtless change
The following morning, nonetheless, a lady (one other girl) referred to as simply after the daybreak, 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 of canceling, however ended up deciding within the second to go forward and bounce over Wanaka. That is a part of the explanation you shouldn’t be too emotionally connected 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 believe they find yourself doing this for everybody, since I doubt a given aircraft 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 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 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 aircraft experience up was a bit uneasy; however I used to be between the legs of a really enticing man, which assuaged most of my worries. Despite this (perhaps due to it?) the feeling of leaping out of the aircraft took me unexpectedly. You already know that feeling you could have 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 may have anticipated. No, primarily due to feeling like I used to be suffocating on the way in which down, and resulting from the truth that I want I had finished 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 unimaginable.
However whereas Queenstown skydiving deserves its popularity as being one of many world’s most lovely 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 associate himself, as our aircraft 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 bounce will solely final a couple of minutes, it is best to commit 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 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 firms supply quite a lot of packages, however generally it is best to plan on spending at least 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 picture and video packages, which the “base” charge by no means consists of.
The place is one of the best place to skydive in New Zealand?
As a normal rule, most individuals (and definitely, most first timers) get pleasure from their first skydiving expertise someplace close to Queenstown, whether or not over Queenstown itself, or close by locations reminiscent of Glenorchy and Wanaka. Nonetheless, the whole nation is nice for skydiving, together with the North Island. My skydiving teacher really useful 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 reminiscent of “CNNGo” and “Shanghaiist” alongside the way in which. His weblog, Depart Your Each day Hell, offers a mixture of journey recommendation, vacation spot guides and private essays masking the extra esoteric features of life as a traveler.