5 Best Places in the World to Go Skydiving

“I started skydiving because I loved the idea of freedom.”

 - Felix Baumgartner, Austrian skydiver and the first man to break the speed of sound in his freefall from space. 

Picture this, you reach the drop zone in immense excitement and your heart begins to race as you see others jump into nowhere. It’s about time for you to jump out of a plane probably 10,000 feet (or more!) above ground level and you secretly pray that the parachute opens in time. The moment arrives when nothing else in the world matters. You leap out of the plane like a free bird. Time stops. 

Euphoria. Congratulations on completing your skydive! 

To indulge in this extreme adventure sport you have to be a risk taker, but what the experience gives you is more than you can ever imagine. The feeling of floating above the clouds and seeing the world’s beauty from a bird’s eye; you have to do it to believe it. 

Here are the best places in the world to go skydiving:

1.    Over the Swiss Alps in Interlaken, Switzerland

Test your limits at the most extraordinary skydive spot in the world, Interlaken. From the turquoise waters of Lake Thun and Lake Brienz to the snow-capped Swiss Alps, this tandem skydive from 14,000 feet offers views like none other. Fly over Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau peaks at a mind-boggling speed before the parachute is finally deployed. 

Watch this video and prepare yourself for one of the most challenging and scenic flights ever:

Submitted by Shekhar Govindarajan

Best Time to Go: All year round
Cost: Starting at US $ 470

2.    Eco-friendly Skydive in Hawaii

A skydiving experience in Hawaii is definitely not for the faint-hearted. You can choose from a range of altitudes between 8,000 to 22,000 feet. The diversity of views that a jump here gives is something to lookout for. You will come across Hawaii’s many islands, rainforests, mountains, beaches and more. Capture uninterrupted aerial views of the entire island at once as you transcend the skies and then jump. 

Wondering what’s eco-friendly about this dive? Skydive operators in Hawaii use energy efficient planes to help reduce your skydiving carbon footprint by upto 40%.

Best Time to Go: All year round, flights depend on weather conditions
Cost: Starting at US $ 139

3.    Across the Namib Desert, Namibia

Here’s a one-of-its-kind experience to fuel your adventurous side. It’s not everyday that you get to gaze down at the endless expanse of a desert and the rolling sand dunes stretching to the edge of a coast. Opt for a skydiving adventure in Namibia and see all this from a height of 10,000 feet. Landing into the middle of such a landscape is something you want to tick off your bucket list right now!

Best Time to Go: March to December, except on days when there is a lot of mist
Cost: Starting at US $178

4.    From the Fox Glacier, New Zealand

Think adventure, think New Zealand! While there are many spots for skydiving in the country, Fox Glacier is a must if you are an adventure junkie. Opt for a tandem skydive from 9,000, 13,000 and even 16,500 feet! You will be rewarded with the most stunning scenery, which includes a stunning 13 kilometre glacier and Mt. Cook enveloped in clouds, a view which is to die for. Fox Glacier is famed as the second most scenic skydive in the world and not without reason. 

Submitted by Namrata Dhingra

Best Time to Go: All year round
Cost: Starting at US $139 

5.    Jump from Mount Everest, Nepal

Take the leap of a lifetime as you jump out of a plane with your tandem instructor or go for a free fall from Mount Everest if you are a daredevil. This is not only the highest drop zone in the world, but also the most scenic, courtesy the views of the mighty Himalayas. An altitude of 29,500 feet makes it all the more thrilling and difficult to achieve. 

There are only four skydiving trips operated from the Mount Everest in a year and it’s also the most expensive. If you want to feel an adrenaline high like never before and jump from the highest peak in the world, make sure you book at least six months in advance.

Best Time to Go: October is when the four jumps are organised. Dates may vary. Check out http://www.everest-skydive.com/ for more details
Cost: Starting at US $30,000 

Safety Tips to Keep in Mind: 

#1 In case you are suffering from any medical condition, take prior approval from your doctor for the jump.

#2 Many local vendors offer skydiving in the respective cities. Do your research well, check reviews and pick a trustworthy source. 

#3 The training session before the actual skydive should last for at least 30 minutes. If it is less, then you might want to reconsider the vendor you have selected.

#4 Pay attention when the instructor is guiding you through the process and explaining the technique of breathing during the flight. Clarify any doubts you may have before you proceed to the helicopter.

#5 Do not meddle with the skydive costume and let the instructor make all necessary checks.

#6 If you wear glasses or contact lenses, inform your instructor and he will ensure that they are protected with the eyewear.

Still need inspiration? Check out Felix Baumgartner’s supersonic freefall from 128,100 feet from the Stratosphere:

3, 2, 1…JUMP!