What it is
A 15,000ft tandem skydive over Mission Beach, about 90 minutes south of Cairns. You're strapped to a licensed instructor, the plane climbs for 20 minutes, you step out over the beach and free-fall for up to 60 seconds before the canopy opens at around 5,000ft. Then it's a 5-minute parachute ride down with reef on one side, rainforest on the other, landing on the beach.
This is the jump most people do on the East Coast. Mission Beach is purpose-built for it: flat beach landing, clear airspace, genuinely beautiful from altitude. The freefall is 60ish seconds that will probably feel shorter. The canopy ride is the underrated part: quiet, slow, the view you didn't know you were paying for.
Nothing to be scared of in the sense that matters. Plenty to be scared of in the sense that you're stepping out of a plane. Both things can be true.
Why this one
- Mission Beach is the reef-and-rainforest jump. Only place in Australia with both in the frame
- 15,000ft, the highest tandem altitude available in commercial skydiving
- Transfers from Cairns included. You don't need a car
- Beach landing, not a paddock
- Licensed instructors, APF-regulated. The boring safety stuff is in order
Practical notes
Pickup from Cairns around 7am or midday depending on session. Budget a full half-day even though the jump itself is 45 seconds plus 5 minutes of parachute. A lot of the day is travel and waiting for the right wind window.
Weather moves bookings constantly in the wet season (Nov to Apr). They reschedule or refund, they don't jump in rain or high wind. Dry season (May to Oct) is more reliable. Go on day one of your Cairns trip if possible, so there's room to reschedule.
Weight limit is 110kg. Medical disclosures matter. Heart, back, recent ear/sinus trouble are all worth mentioning. Not recommended during pregnancy. Must be 12+ with guardian consent.
Ask Serge
- Is there a jump slot this Saturday?
- What happens if weather cancels, do I get a refund?
- Is the video package worth the extra?
- Can I combine this with the Daintree tour the same week?
- What's the weight limit again?
Related
- great-barrier-reef-outer-reef-day
- daintree-cape-tribulation-day-tour
- whitsundays-2-night-sailing-trip
