How Much Does It Cost to Go Skydiving?

Key Takeaways 
Skydiving typically costs between $200 and $400, depending on factors like altitude, location, day of the week, and type of aircraft. That price includes far more than just the jump – it covers experienced instructors, aircraft operation, gear maintenance, and the overall quality of the experience. While it may seem like a splurge at first, most people find skydiving to be well worth the money for a once-in-a-lifetime experience – and potentially the start of an exciting new hobby.

How much does it cost to skydive? Is a burning question for anyone with “Jump Out of a Perfectly Good Airplane” on their bucket list! Prices on skydiving can vary depending on a few factors, like altitude, location, and day of the week. This article will break down all you need to know about tandem skydiving rates!

How Much Does A Skydive Typically Cost? 

How much does skydiving cost? A tandem skydive typically costs between $200 and $400 – it all depends on where and when you jump. 

A standard tandem skydiving package includes the plane ride up to altitude, all the necessary gear and equipment, and jumping with a professional skydiving instructor who handles the logistics of your freefall, canopy flight, and landing. Media packages that include skydiving photos and video are available as add-ons at most dropzones. 

What Goes Into The Price Of A Skydive? 

Seasoned instructors and quality gear come at a premium – and for good reason! Here’s a breakdown of what goes into the cost of a skydive: 

Instructor Pay

Tandem skydiving instructors are dedicated, passionate, and professional jumpers who take pride in introducing new people to the sky! Instructors must have at least three years in the sport, at least 500 hundred jumps, and complete qualification courses to gain their tandem instructor rating. 

Think of it like this … when you get a small tattoo or eat a really great meal, you’re not only paying the artist and chef for that one-time experience, but for the years it took them to get there. It’s the same with skydiving! 

Aircraft Fuel & Maintenance

Skydiving airplanes are meticulously maintained and aircraft fuel isn’t cheap. And, don’t forget the pilot pay! 

Gear Upkeep

Tandem skydiving parachutes, reserves, rigs (the backpack), and harnesses require consistent care to keep them in tip-top shape. Even so, all gear wears out over time no matter how well it’s taken care of – jump numbers will eventually catch up. Maintenance, repairs, and replacements are inevitable.

Packer Pay

Speaking of gear … paying the parachute packers is pretty darn critical! Parachutes are packed by riggers certified by the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration), the tandem instructor who will jump it next, or a qualified packer under the direct supervision of a certified rigger. Reserve parachutes must be packed by an FAA-certified rigger every 180 days, regardless of whether or not it was used.

Bonus: Is tipping mandatory when you go skydiving? No, not mandatory. Skydiving instructors and videographers have this mindset: Tipping is never expected, but always appreciated. If you don’t have extra cash, a sincere “thank you” goes a long way! 

What Factors Affect The Price Of A Skydive? 

Now that we’ve covered what all goes into the “for sure” costs behind a skydive, let’s talk about what factors may vary and alter the cost. 

Altitude

The higher we go in the sky, the more it costs. Why? Time is money, baby! But really, it puts more wear and tear on the aircraft, takes up more fuel and instructor time, and requires speciality equipment, like supplementary oxygen. We don’t regularly host HALO (High Altitude Low Opening) skydives, but some dropzones do. 

At Skydive Carolina, we jump from 13,500 feet. This means you’ll be in freefall for about 45 seconds to one minute. How long does a 10,000 foot skydive take? Most people freefall for about 30 seconds during a 10,000 foot skydive. From 17,500 feet, you freefall for about 80 seconds.

Location

Dropzones located in famous or particularly beautiful locations will generally charge more. Are you getting anything extra? Not in a tangible sense; just an extra sick view during the jump! We’ll gladly stick to our dreamy Carolina countryside, thank you very much. 

Day of the Week 

At Skydive Carolina and at most dropzones, weekday skydives are typically more affordable than on the weekend. Why? Demand! 

Aircraft Type

Skydives from specialty aircraft, like helicopters or tailgate-exit airplanes, are generally more expensive than a standard jump plane. 

Group Size

Most dropzones offer a discount for group jumps. The more in your group, the better the deal. At Skydive Carolina, we offer $10 off per jumper for groups of 6-10 people and $20 off per jumper for groups with 11 or more people! 

How Much Does A Parachute Jump Cost in South Carolina? 

How much does it cost to parachute? Here at Skydive Carolina, our tandem skydives start at $229 and go up to $289* (without the media package included). Here’s a quick breakdown of our pricing: 

Category	Day / Package	Price*	Notes
Standard Rate	Monday, Thursday & Friday	$229	Book in advance
Standard Rate	Saturday & Sunday	$269	Book in advance
Walk-In Rate	Monday, Thursday & Friday	$249	No reservation required
Walk-In Rate	Saturday & Sunday	$289	No reservation required

Type	Option	Price / Discount*
Group Discount	6–10 Jumpers	$10 off per person
Group Discount	11+ Jumpers	$20 off per person
Media Package	Stills Only	$109
Media Package	Video Only	$109
Media Package	Video & Stills	$129
Media Package	Social Media Package	$139
Media Package	Xtreme Package	$199

* As of April 2026

The trick for a more cost-effective skydive is to book in advance and with friends! But when it really comes down to it, a skydive is priceless, and saving up for it is well worth it. 

Bonus question: Is 40 too old to skydive in South Carolina? No way – 40 isn’t too old to skydive anywhere! 

Is Skydiving Worth The Money? 

Ummm … YES! Skydiving is a once-in-a-lifetime (unless you choose to make it your new hobby) experience that is nearly guaranteed to blow your mind! The mix of excitement, empowerment and bliss is a magical concoction that leaves people speechless. Skydiving is something that’s much better experienced (at least once!) than described. 

Is Skydiving An Expensive Hobby? 

Like many other extreme sports and hobbies, skydiving is expensive initially, but the cost significantly decreases as you progress through the sport. 

Jumpers aspiring to be solo skydivers must go through a certification program – called Accelerated Freefall (AFF) – to get their skydiving license. AFF costs between $3,000 and $4,000. Once someone gains their license and eventually invests in their own gear, the cost of skydiving as a hobby significantly decreases. 

For example, renting solo skydiving gear costs money, prompting people to buy their own gear, which is a hefty purchase! But, once you have your own gear, you likely won’t buy any again for years! The upfront cost is on the higher side, but once you own everything you use to jump, each plane ride costs between $30 and $40! 

Are You Ready To Send It? 

Have you been dreaming about experiencing the gift of human flight? Treat yourself to the best day ever – you’ve earned it! Book now for the adventure of a lifetime! 

Related Article: Tips for Your First Time Tandem Skydiving