Taupo Tandem Skydiving

Went to the dz after reading several reviews from dz.com, brought gear half-way around the world, and made a special trip out to Taupo to find out that regulations in New Zealand apparently have changed. The government CAA agency has taken over all skydiving operations and regulations. The CAA controls plane loading so much so that you do not load based on exit order, but rather weight/balance order and will have to move upon exit order groups. There are two dz's on this same airport. This one allows fun jumpers and Skydive Taupo is a tandem only operation. From how it was explained at this dz before you go know that you have to pay a $50 fee to convert your USPA membership or foreign license to the New Zealand equivalent and it will take a good 2.5 hours to complete all of the paperwork, watch safety videos, etc. Each dz then charges a $75 use fee to jump at each location. The jumps cost $50-$55 NZD per jump. If you only have a day or two to skydive it ends up not being worth your time or money.

There are three dropzones around one airport here and all of them cater mainly to tandems. Great Lakes Skydiving (not listed on the site) were rude to me and hosed me on a jump so that I wouldn't interfere with their tandems.

I wouldn't recommend any of these DZ's.

Although the DZ is mainly tandem oriented they are very welcome to fun jumpers. 15k loads with amazing scenery is a big attraction with spectacular views during freefall.

Definitely recommended if you're passing through NZ.

Geoff, the head instructor was the most knowledgable and professional skydive instructor I have meet in my 7 years of skydiving across the US. My wife and I loved every part of our time at the DZ. We did 2 jumps and got on every load we wanted. We could have done 2 more that day but we had other plans. Geoff also helped us get our high altitude certification in order to jump at 16000 MSL. If you want to jump with a camera make sure you have a snag free mount. The standard GoPro mount will not be allowed. If you plan to come to New Zealand from the states be understanding because New Zealand Aviation regulations are a lot stricter on skydivers.

Geoff really helped me get going here. Took a bit to get all set up being a visitor from Canada. Once we got sorted everything went quite smoothly. People seemed nice, good facilities and nice views. Rental gear was good too.

My first time skydiving in NZ! Geoff took the time to brief about the DZ and to help me applying for my NZ liscence on line. Very nice views, nice airplane, good maintained hire-equipment. Very professional!

I arrived there trying to do some sport jumping. Jeff, the main instructor was great and really tried to put me on a free slot. when they dont have a place in their airplane, they try to get free slots in the other tandem clubs airplanes.
The atmosphere is great - free WiFi, beautiful girls and everyone smile all the time.
I met 2 AFF students that started to do their AFF, they had to stop because of the weather, but they said that the attitude was great and professional.

Thanks Jeff for all the effort, I will defenetly coming back there!

I did my first tandem with TTS in 2004, came back in 2005 and did my AFF; will go there again this year;
so if you´re interested in skydiving no matter what (Tandem or AFF) - i can´t do anything but recommend Taupo Tandem Skydive - friendly staff everywhere!!!

I did my skydiving license with TTS and it was just perfect. All instructors were very friendly, helpful, patient and it was like a big family. Safety was ALWAYS first, the whole equipment & the plane were in perfect condition and the scenery with the lake and volcane is just amazing! A 12'000ft tandem jump was just 150NZ$/170NZ$ (depending on the day time)(march 2005), the best price I've ever seen so far...
I can strongly recommend the TTS DZ! Go for it... :-P