What to Expect from Your First Tandem Skydive: From Booking to Landing

Thinking about your first tandem skydive but not quite sure what to expect? How does booking work, what happens at the dropzone, and what does freefall actually feel like?

Don't worry, we're here to answer all your questions! In this guide, we'll take you through the entire experience, from your first click on the booking button to the moment your feet touch solid ground again.

Booking Your Tandem Skydive

On our website, you'll find a selection of tandem skydiving packages and additional options. Choose the package that suits you best and complete our simple booking form. Before making your reservation, we recommend familiarizing yourself with our current skydiving locations and the jump altitudes available at each one.

Once you've completed your reservation, you'll receive a confirmation by email, and someone from our team will contact you as soon as possible to go through the details.

If you already have a preferred month for your jump, feel free to mention it in the booking form. Have any special requests or wishes? We've left some space for those in the booking notes, too. We'll do our best to accommodate you whenever possible!

Scheduling Your Jump

When you're ready to take the leap, contact our team at least a week in advance so we can reserve your spot. You can reach us by phone, WhatsApp, or email. You'll find all our contact details in the footer of this website or on our contact page.

A few days before your scheduled jump, someone from our team will get in touch to confirm the schedule and your arrival time at the dropzone.

If you don't have your own transportation, we can also arrange a ride to the jump location in one of our vehicles. Just make sure to let us know in advance so we have enough time to organize everything.

Arriving at the Dropzone

The day has finally arrived. It's time for your first tandem skydive!

Put on some comfortable sportswear, grab your sneakers, and make your way to the agreed jump location.

You'll need to arrive at the dropzone at least one hour before your scheduled jump time. When you arrive, someone from our team will welcome you, introduce themselves, and help you through the initial formalities. You'll also receive a short liability waiver to read and sign.

And with that, your adventure can officially begin!

Feel free to ask us absolutely anything. We love talking about skydiving (sometimes a little too much!), and we'll happily answer any questions that come to mind, no matter how unusual they might seem.

While you're waiting for your turn, take a moment to watch the skydivers around you, soak up the atmosphere at the dropzone, and enjoy everything happening around you.

Take a deep breath. Your adventure is about to begin!

Briefing and Preparing for Your Jump

Before your jump, your tandem instructor will give you a short but thorough briefing covering everything you need to know about your first tandem skydive.

They'll explain how to board the aircraft, what position to take before exiting, how to position your body during freefall, and why we call that position the "banana". Of course, you'll also go through all the other important parts of the jump, including how to prepare for landing.

After the briefing, it's time to get dressed for the occasion! You can choose whether you'd like to jump in one of our cool black-and-yellow jumpsuits or simply wear your own clothes. The jumpsuit helps protect your clothing from getting dirty, but the choice is entirely yours.

Next, we'll fit you with a tandem passenger harness, which will later be securely connected to your instructor.

While getting you ready for the jump, your instructor will chat with you and make sure you're feeling as relaxed as possible. Time will fly by in good company, and before you know it, it'll be time to head toward the airplane.

Give your loved ones one last wave before heading off on the adventure of a lifetime!

The Flight to Altitude

When you reach the airplane, your instructor will demonstrate the exit procedure one more time before you board together.

Depending on the aircraft and the jump location, the flight to altitude usually takes between 20 and 30 minutes. But don't worry, you certainly won't be bored!

You'll be surrounded by other skydivers and get to experience the relaxed atmosphere inside a skydiving aircraft. If you've chosen a video package, your instructor will capture a few more moments to preserve the excitement and anticipation leading up to your jump.

A few minutes before the exit, your instructor will go through the procedure with you once again and put your protective goggles on. You'll probably notice the other skydivers greeting each other and preparing to leave the aircraft.

And then comes the moment you've been waiting for.

One of the skydivers will open the airplane door and look outside. After a few moments, they'll position themselves at the exit and simply disappear from view.

Then another one. And perhaps a few more.

And then it'll be your turn.

Your tandem instructor will help you into the correct exit position at the door. After a brief pause, the two of you will push off from the airplane together.

And just like that. You're flying!

Freefall

Suddenly, you're in freefall!

About three seconds after exiting the airplane, your instructor will tap you on the shoulder. That's your signal to spread your arms and relax, because your skydiving adventure has officially begun.

You might be expecting that uncomfortable dropping sensation in your stomach, like on a roller coaster. But freefall from an airplane is a completely different experience. After a brief period of acceleration, you'll feel the powerful rush of air supporting your body.

Get into the "banana" position you learned during your briefing and simply enjoy the ride.

The next 40 to 60 seconds, depending on your jump altitude, are the very reason you contacted us in the first place.

If you've chosen the outside camera option, another skydiver will appear in front of you after about ten seconds. Their job is to capture every moment of your experience, every smile, and every expression.

Go ahead and wave at them. They'll appreciate it!

We'd love to tell you so much more about this part, but there's just one problem: there are no words that can truly capture the feeling of freefall.

It's something you simply have to experience for yourself.

And when the parachute opens and the calmer part of your journey begins, take a look around and soak up the spectacular scenery surrounding you.

Your adventure is entering its second chapter.

Flying Under the Parachute

Once the parachute opens, the pace changes completely. Instead of the speed and powerful rush of wind, you can now enjoy a much calmer flight and incredible views of the world below.

Your instructor will take a moment to chat with you, so make the most of the opportunity to share your first impressions. If your jump is being filmed, don't forget to give the camera a wave!

During the descent, your instructor can perform a few gentle or slightly more exciting turns, depending on your preferences, giving you a chance to experience another magical side of skydiving — flying beneath an open parachute.

As you approach the final hundred meters or so, your instructor will gradually prepare you for landing.

Look down toward the ground. You might already be able to spot your loved ones waiting and cheering you on. Give them a wave!

When it's time to land, lift your legs as instructed during your briefing and let your instructor guide you safely back to the ground.

Landing and Celebrating

You did it!

You've officially joined less than 1% of humanity who have voluntarily jumped out of a perfectly good airplane!

After landing, your instructor will have a quick chat with you and, if your jump is being filmed, capture your first impressions while they're still fresh.

Now it's time to make your triumphant return to your loved ones and share everything you've just experienced.

You'll also receive your very own skydiving certificate from us, and we might even surprise you with another little gift!

If you've got some time to spare, feel free to stick around at the dropzone, meet some other skydivers, and hang out with us. We always appreciate good company!

What Comes After Your First Tandem Skydive?

This doesn't have to be goodbye.

If your first jump leaves you completely in love with the sky and you can't wait to get back up there, perhaps it's time to take the next step.

At Skydive Academy, we also offer skydiving courses where you can learn to jump on your own and begin your journey toward earning your skydiving license.

Who knows? Perhaps an experience that started with a single tandem skydive will turn into a lifelong passion.

See you in the skies!