15 Best Places to Skydive in The World
If you are a serious adrenaline junky, then you’ve definitely dreamed of jumping from a plane over top of some of the world’s most gorgeous scenery.
But, where should you book your once-in-a-lifetime trip?
From the glaciers and lakes of New Zealand and the stunning mountains of Nepal to the beauty of the Grand Canyon and the manmade architecture of Dubai, there are plenty of unique places all over the world where you can go skydiving.
15 Top-Rated Places to Skydive in the World
1. Grand Canyon – Arizona, USA
The Grand Canyon, which winds across 277 miles of northern Arizona, is the United States’ top skydiving destination. Adventurers can not only get the adrenaline rush of skydiving but also of plummeting towards one of America’s most remarkable natural features.
Paragon Skydiving allows you to descend 15,000 feet towards the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, where you can see the geological wonder and the white water Colorado River from the sky.
You won’t even have to worry if you have never skydived before since, at the Grand Canyon, you can get lessons and go tandem skydiving with a professional.
Paragon Skydiving, with its main building inside the Grand Canyon National Park Airport, also provides transportation opportunities from Phoenix and Las Vegas, so you can easily see even more of America’s incredible destinations.
2. Mount Everest – Nepal
Many people dream of climbing Mount Everest, but most don’t realize that they can also skydive at the world’s highest mountain. Everest Skydive, however, makes this a possibility.
Jumpers start at 23,000 feet above the ground, just below the mountain’s peak, and plummet 8,000 feet to 11,000 feet, depending on which drop zone they choose. The amazing drop down the mountainside allows for spectacular views of not only Mount Everest but also of the entirety of Sagamartha National Park.
Plus, a unique part of skydiving at what is already one of the most scenic places in the world is that even once you land at either Ama Dablam Base camp or the Syangboche Airport, you will still be thousands of feet above sea level.
3. Palm Jumeirah – Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Quickly becoming a favorite among skydivers, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, is one of the few places in the world where you can dive right into the city.
The company that allows you this wonderful experience is Skydive Dubai, where you can choose between the Palm Drop zone and the Desert Drop zone. However, most people find that dropping over the Palm Jumeirah offers a better experience.
4. Fox Glacier – New Zealand
As a country full of beauty and the principal adventure capital on earth, it isn’t surprising that New Zealand makes the cut for one of the world’s best places to skydive. And a favorite destination to free fall in The Land of the Long White Cloud is at Fox Glacier in Westland Tai Poutini National Park.
Additionally, not far away is Franz Josef Glacier (also called Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere). Like Fox, Franz Josef Glacier also allows for an astounding aerial view of the icy glacier and surrounding areas.
5. Waialua – Hawaii, USA
For decades, the world has known that Hawaii is one of the most beautiful areas of the world, and now many are realizing that it is also one of the best places to skydive.
Skydive Hawaii, based in Waialua in Honolulu County, allows guests to free fall anywhere from 12,000 feet to 20,000 feet over the coastline of picturesque O’ahu Island.
6. Swiss Alps – Switzerland
Visiting the Swiss Alps is probably on your bucket list, but maybe you should take it up a notch and try skydiving above Europe’s most famous mountains.
The top company for skydiving in the Alps is Skydive Lauterbrunnen, which gives you astounding views of the snow-capped mountains and the lakes of Interlaken or the Valley of Lauterbrunnen.
The tour offers tandem jumps with an expert instructor who will help guide you down the 14,000-foot drop.
7. North Wollongong Beach – Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
A top contender for the best places to skydive in Australia, North Wollongong Beach in Sydney is a sight to see. With crystal blue waters and white sands, North Wollongong is the only place in Sydney to go skydiving and one of the best places in the world to take in an urban landscape from above.
8. Victoria Falls – Border of Zambia and Zimbabwe
Located on the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe, Victoria Falls is one of the largest waterfalls in the world. The 1,708 meter Zambezi River which drops off into a picturesque fall, is one of the most breathtaking places to skydive.
Or, if you truly adore waterfalls, Angel Falls in Venezuela is the largest waterfall in the world. However, there are no opportunities to skydive there, but the area is one of the best places for base jumping.
9. Denarau Island – Fiji
Of course, Fiji is one of the top scenic places in the world, so, for those who want breathtaking views, Denarau Island is one of the most incredible places to skydive.
Skydive Fiji is the most experienced skydiving company in Fiji and allows you to get a great look at the gorgeous water, beaches, and coral reefs of Denarau.
10. Santa Barbara – California, USA
One of the most beautiful sections of California, Santa Barbara is a top place to experience skydiving. Here, you can fall 14,000 feet while also taking in amazing views like the expansive Pacific Ocean and the mountain ranges around the city.
11. Queenstown – New Zealand
Another skydiving journey with stunning views, skydiving at Queenstown, New Zealand, allows adventurers to jump over Lake Wakatipu and the jagged Remarkables Mountains.
NZONE Skydive, the area’s skydiving company, will take you up in the air along their private airstrip and let you off high in the sky to enjoy some of the best skydiving in the world.
12. Rio de Janeiro – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Yet another favorite tourist city that is also a premier destination for skydiving in the world, Rio de Janeiro, is a jewel of South America.
When you skydive on this adventure, you will jump over a fantastic view of the city, beach, and forest, where, in just 40 seconds, you will fall 13,120 feet to the ground in Rio’s Barra de Tijuca neighborhood.
13. Great Barrier Reef – Queensland, Australia
A once in a lifetime experience, jumping over Australia’s Great Barrier Reef allows for one hell of a ride. Adrenaline seekers who take this journey will skydive from 10,000 feet for a thirty-second adventure that ends on the shores of the beautiful Australian coastline.
14. Rottnest Island – Western Australia, Australia
Rottnest Island, off of the coast near Perth, is a lesser-known but no less gorgeous skydiving opportunity that takes you over the mesmerizing blue waters and white sandy beaches of this Indian Ocean island.
Skydive Geronimo, which is the only company to offer jumps over the island, is also the sole institution that allows you to skydive over an island in Australia. This novel experience is quickly catapulting Rottnest into one of the best places to skydive in the world.
15. Mauritius – Mauritius
Mauritius easily takes second for the best places to go skydiving in Africa. As an island nation in the Indian Ocean, the East African country offers many of the same stunning sights that you can find when you skydive in places like Denarau and Rottnest.
You’ll begin your adventure on a C182 aircraft for a 25-minute flight over the island before jumping 10,000 feet for the best 30 seconds of your life.
Honorable Mentions
The world is full of great places to skydive, and they can’t all fit on a list of just fifteen. So, here’s a few more places that also make great skydiving adventures.
- Quebec City in Quebec, Canada – Skydive over the gorgeous traditional city of Quebec
- Cape Town in Western Cape, South Africa – Take a tandem skydive off the coast of Africa’s southern tip and over one of South Africa’s largest cities
- Prague in the Czech Republic – Gain fantastic aerial views of the City of a Hundred Spires
- Bled in Slovenia – Take in the unspoiled landscape of rural Slovenia and the historic European town of Bled
Conclusion
Out of all of the wondrous places on earth to go skydiving, the trip you choose will mostly come down to your own personal preference. So, before you jump off on your next adventure, ask yourself where you think the most beautiful scenery in the world is and go from there.
Table of Contents
- 15 Top-Rated Places to Skydive in the World
- 1. Grand Canyon – Arizona, USA
- 2. Mount Everest – Nepal
- 3. Palm Jumeirah – Dubai, United Arab Emirates
- 4. Fox Glacier – New Zealand
- 5. Waialua – Hawaii, USA
- 6. Swiss Alps – Switzerland
- 7. North Wollongong Beach – Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- 8. Victoria Falls – Border of Zambia and Zimbabwe
- 9. Denarau Island – Fiji
- 10. Santa Barbara – California, USA
- 11. Queenstown – New Zealand
- 12. Rio de Janeiro – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- 13. Great Barrier Reef – Queensland, Australia
- 14. Rottnest Island – Western Australia, Australia
- 15. Mauritius – Mauritius
- Honorable Mentions
- Conclusion