The Ultimate Guide to Cape Town Skydiving

Cape Town in South Africa is synonymous with a multitude of adventure activities owing to its landscape and natural bounty. One of the most popular adventure sports that you can partake in while visiting this beautiful city is skydiving. Several operators in Cape Town offer you the chance to experience what it feels like to jump off a plane! You can choose from different kinds of skydiving, and if you aren’t comfortable with the idea of being thrown off a plane, you can always opt for indoor skydiving too. One of the most mesmerising aspects of skydiving in Cape Town is that you are met with the most incredible views, such as that of Table Mountain, Table Bay Harbour, Hout Bay, False Bay, the south peninsula up to Cape Point, Robben Island, Cape West Coast, Langebaan Lagoonand Kasteelberg.

Types of Skydiving in Cape Town

1. Tandem Skydiving: Tandem skydiving is a very popular form of skydiving where you are strapped to an instructor/professional, and both of you are attached to a single parachute for support. They deploy it once you come down to approximately 5,000 ft and mainly manoeuvre the parachute, although you can assist if you like. You would spend less time preparing for a tandem skydive since a professional is with you at all times, and they also film the experience if you opt for that package.
2. Accelerated free fall: Accelerated free fall skydiving is a type of solo skydiving experience (usually from about 10,000 ft to 15,000 ft) wherein you train with instructors before being allowed to do it entirely on your own. The first few times, an instructor accompanies you but does not help control the parachute in any way; once you deploy yours, they tend to deploy their own and fly away.
3. Static line skydiving: If you’re keen on becoming a skydiver, you can also opt for static line skydiving, which involves attaching one end of a static line (a cord) to the top of the parachute deployment bag and the other end to the aircraft. The deployment bag remains attached to the static line, and you descend with the parachute. It usually involves longer training, often with dummies, to perfect the body’s position.
4. Indoor skydiving: If the idea of jumping off a plane doesn’t appeal to you much, but you still want to try skydiving, indoor skydiving is the way to go! This involves going into a vertical wind tunnel where you can fly because of the wind pressure. There is an instructor with you inside the tube to help you control your body within the airflow. This requires much less preparation, and all you need to wear is a jumpsuit, earplugs, goggles, eye protection and a helmet.

Cape Town Skydiving Cost & How to Book?

Skydiving in Cape Town usually costs anywhere between R 600 to R 4,000, depending on which package you choose. These costs include the necessary training required for a safe experience, instructors who accompany you and the high-quality equipment that you would need. Moreover, if you choose a photo and video package, it would cost approximately R 600 to R 1,000 as some operators allow for a third flyer who accompanies you specifically to document your entire flight. In case of any camera malfunction, most operators refund the amount too.

Booking a skydiving session or course is quite simple as you simply need to go on to the operator’s website and choose the package as well as the slot that best suits you. It is advisable to book as much in advance as possible as there are often long waiting periods. The most commonly accepted forms of payment include credit cards, cash and EFT payments from local bank accounts.

Best Time for Skydiving in Cape Town

Cape Town is usually perfect for skydiving all throughout the year, but avoiding the rainy season is recommended as it may put a damper on your plans! Summertime is considered the most suitable time as the skies are blue and clear and everything is visible, so you can fully take in the region’s natural beauty. The best months for skydiving here are late November to mid-March, when the sun shines brightly, but it is windy enough for it not to be too hot.

Popular Skydiving Operators in Cape Town

1. Skydive Cape Town

One of the most popular operators in the city, Skydive Cape Town, is known for its tandem skydiving packages. You go as high as 9,000 ft above ground levels and then jump off the plane attached to an instructor, free falling at a speed of about 200kph for about 30 seconds before deploying the parachute. The entire experience lasts for about an hour. They also have a handicam and photograph package. 

Address: Brakkefontein Rd, Cape Farms, Cape Town, 7441, South AfricaCost: Approximately R 3,150 (And an additional R 800 for the handicam and photograph package)

2. Skydive Robertson

Skydive Robertson is the perfect choice whether you wish to become a skydiver or just experience it for the thrill of it. They offer several courses which help you get a licence, including First Time Jump (FTJ), static line jumps and Progression or Accelerated freefall. On the other hand, the tandem skydiving packages require minimum preparation as an instructor accompanies you. You can also opt for the video and photograph package; Skydive Robertson is the only operator in the area that allows for a third person to capture your dive. 

Address: Robertson Airfield, Robertson, Western Cape, Cape Town, 6705, South AfricaCost: R 1,250 - 2,150 (First Time Jump), R 945 (Static Line Progression), R 965- R 1,075 (Progression Freefall), R 650 - 2,500 (Accelerated Freefall), R 3,150 - 5,300 (Tandem skydiving, includes the cost of video and photograph packages)

3. Mother City SkyDiving

Mother City SkyDiving is a well-known skydiving operator in Cape Town that guarantees you an unforgettable adventure through its tandem skydiving packages. They are also known for offering transportation to and from the drop zone. You need to be at least 12 years old to participate. Some of their other packages include sports skydiving, parachuting and wingsuiting.

Address: Diepkloof Airfield, Malmesbury, Cape Town, 7299, South AfricaCost: R 3,150 (Tandem skydiving), Additional R 980 (HandiCam Video & Photos), Additional R 1,800 (Camera Flyer Video & Photos)

4. Skydive Africa

With years of sports experience, Skydive Africa has several bases across the country, including 4 in and around Cape Town. They are popular for their tandem skydiving packages; many also include meals and drinks upon landing! You are treated to unmatched views of the city and its surrounding natural beauty, which you can capture if you opt for a video and photo package.

Address: Uitsig (ADMIN OFFICE, 20 3rd Ave, Wellington, Cape Town, 7441, South AfricaCost: Approximately R 3,150 (extra charges for the photo and video packages)

5. Tandem Skydive

Tandem Skydive is a perfect choice if you’re planning to gain considerable skydiving expertise. They offer courses on tandem skydiving, accelerated free falling and static line skydiving. You get a certificate for completing a flight, and you can also choose a video and photograph package to document your experience. 

Address: 48 Glenhurst Rd, Welcome Glen, Cape Town, 7975, South AfricaCost: R 2,680 onwards (Tandem skydiving), R 2,475 onwards (Accelerated free fall), R 1,600 onwards (Static line courses), R 650 - R 950 (Photograph and video packages)

Rules and Requirements for Skydiving in Cape Town

• If you are below the age of 18, you need your parent’s consent in order to go skydiving.
• You would only be allowed to go skydiving if you weigh below 100kg or approximately 220 pounds, whether you are a man or a woman. 
• Only those without any severe health issues would be allowed to go skydiving.
• You must not be under the influence of alcohol or any other substances.
• It is necessary to sign the liability waiver form.
• Know that the entire experience lasts for about two to three hours, which includes time in the hanger; you are in the plane for about 20 to 30 minutes prior to diving, which takes about 30 seconds and then it takes approximately 3 to 5 minutes to make it to the ground. 

Tips

• Book any early slot if possible, as it will allow you to go first in case of any weather delays.
• Arrive on time or even slightly earlier so as to be able to go through everything with your instructor to ensure that all papers are signed and complete your pre-jump orientation.
• Don’t eat or drink too much before your flight (try to keep a gap between your meal and your flight) as you might feel queasy but don’t go into it on an empty stomach. And also, make sure to use the restroom before you get all suited up to avoid any hassles or delays later. 
• Communicate with your instructor and tell them about any doubts or fears you may have, including motion sickness. It also helps to ask them about the entire process, as it might calm your nerves. Listen very carefully to what they say you must do once off the plane.
• Wear slightly warm and tight-fitted clothes as it tends to be cool up in the air, and wear close-toed shoes that won’t slip off mid-flight. You can wear your glasses or contact lenses as you are provided with goggles for the flight.
• Don’t carry any valuable items, as they could potentially fall off during your descent and get permanently lost. Instead, keep them in a locker or a bag on the ground.
• It is always advisable not to bring cameras as they could fall off. Instead, check for any skydiving packages that include video documentation.

If you are a thrill seeker on a trip to Cape Town, skydiving is one of the best adventure sports for you to try out. You would find numerous operators in Cape Town offering you the chance to embark on this exciting escapade and appreciate the city’s marvellous landscape and natural beauty from high up in the sky!