The World’s Best Skydiving Locations
Perhaps we’re just too used to the obvious purpose of things these days, maybe that’s why we feel the need to experiment. Take bridges – why cross them when you can jump off them dangling on a cord attached to your groin? Why get on an aeroplane only to land comfortably when you can open a hatch in the side and throw yourself out of it at 15,000 feet? Or, if you’re Felix Baumgartner, you could go even further and freefall to earth from the edge of space. Why? Why ever not. Jumping out of things is not an activity that will tickle everyone’s pickle, but for many it’s a ‘must do’ and there remains a bafflingly high amount of adrenaline seekers who eagerly crowbar skydiving into their holiday itinerary. And, thanks to the new Bond flick, Skyfall, being released in the UK on October 26th, falling from the sky seems to be the activity of the moment. Inspired by a certain plucky Austrian (and our own plucky writer-turned-skydiver), below is a selection of the best places around the world to fall from the clouds.
Slovenia might not be the most obvious choice of skydiving destination in Europe, but this adds to the charm, as you tumble towards mountainous areas of the country you might feel as if you’re uncovering something just for yourself. For a better look, you can see My Destination’s Will dropping through the sky by whacking play on the video below. It is worth it just to see his choice of headwear.
Skydiving in Australia will give you a kick wherever you choose to jump, but perhaps the best location would be above Byron Bay. Jumping there will gift you views across rural New South Wales and into Queensland, with the sublime Byron Bay coastline spread across from right to left like the lining of buttercream in a cake.
There are a couple of ways to get a nosebleed in Dubai. You could always catch the elevator and scale the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa. Or, if you’re happier without you feet planted on any surface, you could skydive. Dubai might just be able to claim the best cityscape views for skydivers. Whether it’s the skyscrapers all jockeying to be higher than one another, or the artificial islands spread out to sea, you could easily become so lost in what’s beneath you that you forget the rush of falling.
Skydiving in Santa Barbara California offers more than just golden views of the American inland. In addition to the baked scenery across the state you can also swoon at panoramic views of the Pacific coastline. There’s a rawness to the Californian landscape which adds to the powerful feeling of taking on nature by freefalling.
Cape Town is a remarkable city to descend on. Flanked by Table Mountain and Table Bay Harbour, the city is given a sense of scale and drama when viewed from the clouds. Out to the west you will be able to spot the iconic Robben Island and the Atlantic Ocean breaking on the Cape West Coast. When most will do a skydive just to test out their heart rate and the stretchiness of the skin on their face, throwing in scenery like that really sweetens the deal.
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About the Author (Author Profile)
Fraser Balaam is someone who uses travel to access absurd situations, like the time he was hit by a car immediately after being blessed by a monk in Kathmandu. He enjoys writing travel yarn based on the little things he sees here and there, and his work has appeared in the Guardian. Fraser was born in Somerset and is banned from Stonehenge. It’s a long story.Subscribe
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You forgot New Zealand! I skydived in Taupo and it was one of the very experiences of my life!
Ah, good shout! There’s so many places I’d love to add to that list.
Great post, Fraser! Hopefully this won’t happen, though… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qtb3N7eqejM