Tandem Skydive over Reef and Rainforest

A tandem skydive is the biggest single rush on the Cairns activity menu, and this one is marketed for its scenery: the jump zone is described as lying between the World Heritage rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef, so the freefall and the canopy ride look out over both. The booking page shows one option, a freefall jump from 15,000 feet, where freefall typically lasts about a minute before a few minutes under the parachute, and the whole experience takes about three hours from the meeting point at 11 Spence Street in Cairns. A qualified tandem instructor is attached to you, handles the equipment and the landing, and gives a briefing before you board, so no experience is needed. The tour is rated 4.6 out of 5 from 58 reviews, with 93 per cent of travellers recommending it. Inclusions are a qualified jumper, all safety equipment, a commemorative skydive certificate, the Australian Parachuting Levy and administration fee and gratuities. Video and photo packages are optional and paid for at the drop zone, and does not state their cost.

Because skydiving depends on weather, treat your booking as a window rather than a guarantee. Cloud, rain and wind can delay or cancel a jump, and the operator will usually offer to rebook rather than send you away empty-handed, so schedule your skydive early in your stay and keep a spare day free before any flight home. Free cancellation periods and rebooking rules are on the booking page and should be read before you pay.

There are rules to meet. The minimum age is 16 and subject to approval, travellers under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian, and the maximum weight is 110 kilograms with approval needed above that. A surcharge applies for travellers weighing 94 kilograms or more. Health matters too: check the operator's medical declaration, and avoid the jump if you have recent injuries, back or shoulder problems, or any condition that makes sudden changes in pressure risky. Skip alcohol the night before, eat a light meal and wear comfortable clothes and closed shoes.

For first-timers, the feeling is better than the fear suggests. After the plane reaches altitude you shuffle to the door with your instructor, tip forward into freefall for about a minute and then glide under canopy while you look at the coast. Many people buy the photo or video package because it is hard to remember the details afterwards. A skydive pairs well with a relaxed reef cruise the next day, and a rest evening on the Esplanade.

It is worth thinking about what else you plan to do around the jump. Divers are generally advised to leave a gap between scuba diving and flying or skydiving because of pressure changes, and the operators' briefings give exact rules, so ask before you book a jump and a dive close together. A jump is also tiring in a way that surprises people, because adrenaline, early starts and long waits add up, so leave the evening free.

If you are travelling with friends who do not want to jump, ask whether spectators can watch the landing, since many drop zones allow non-jumping companions to wait and photograph the arrival.