Skydiving has always been something that I have been itching to cross off the bucket list. There have been past opportunities, but these have always been either too expensive, or been lacking the beautiful scenery that could truly make jumping out of a plane worth more than the adrenaline rush. Plettenberg Bay is considered one of the world’s most beautiful skydiving spots, so it seemed like the perfect place for my first skydive!
Skydive Plett is the only company in town and they offer tandem jumps with experienced divers from 10,000-12,000ft, with the option to land on the beach or at the airport. Being a budget backpacker and given that this was my first ever skydive, I opted for the standard 10,000ft dive with an airport landing. At 1850R ($185) this was by far the most pricey experience I had whilst in South Africa, but it was worth every penny.
I arrived early in the morning at Plettenberg Bay airport with nothing but excitement on the brain. I was surprised by the absence of nervousness, I expected to be at least a little bit terrified! But this was not the case, I was quite clearly nothing but keen for the adventure!
The tiny aircraft had only one proper seat for the pilot, so we sat in the back with legs outstretched. The 20 minute scenic flight was nothing short of breathtaking, and I recall being unable to stop wriggling in my excitement.
Then after what seemed like only a few minutes, the plane door opened and out we went! If you want to see proof that I giggled upon jumping out of a plane, check out this footage from my skydive!
The feeling of freefalling is almost impossible to describe. All my thoughts just disappeared and all I could feel was excitement, freedom, amazement! Not once did I feel fear, just exhilarated, like I now knew what flying felt like. Once the 22 second freefall was over and the parachute had deployed, I was able to really see the world from a whole different angle and a brand new perspective.
Upon landing this girl could not have wiped the smile from her face if she had tried. There were big grins all around and a good mood that lasted all day! I also made the decision that if my career in midwifery ever fizzled out, I would happily become a skydive instructor!
THE LOWDOWN
Camera: GoPro Hero
Hostel: Amakaya Backpackers
Budget: 120-130ZAR for an 8 bed dorm per night
Days/Nights: 3/3
Remember: Closed toed shoes that won’t fall off your feet!
Skydiving: Tandem skydive from 10,000ft with airport landing R1850 ($185) or R2250 ($225) with camera footage. Beach landings and/or dives from 12,000ft also available. Check out Skydive Plett for more info!
So my lovely readers! Have you ever skydived? If so, where did you make your jump? If not, would you be game to in the future?
Wow! You are so brave!! No way can anyone get me out of that little aircraft. Beautiful views.
It wasn’t at all scary! You should definitely give it a go! 😁
But your mad tho! 🙂
Just a smidge haha
The best way to be ))))
I laughed most of the way through as the other parachustist seemed to dive-bomb you. And your first words…”Can we go again”. Never tried it despite living near a jump school. I do recall driving past a man walking up the road towards the jump school with his parachute tucked under his arm and wearing a huge grin. I think his aim may have been a bit off. Good for you…Cheers.
That’s the same place I did my first skydive nearly 10 years ago!! I loved it so much I went on to get my AFF a few years later. Plettenberg Bay remains one of my favourite places that I have been to.
https://mistynites.wordpress.com/2011/11/12/south-african-odyssey/
https://mistynites.wordpress.com/2011/12/02/listo-para-saltar-ready-to-jump/
I don’t think I could do it!
I bet you could! 😁
Looks absolutely incredible and views are breathtaking!! You’re so brave, good on you for doing it, truly impressive 🙂
You were so relaxed!
I skydived 12,000ft on holiday in Queenstown, New Zealand.
I was terrified, emotional & felt sick with fear. If I didn’t have my video I still wouldn’t believe that I did it. Once the parachute is pulled and you are floating, that was nice. I wouldn’t do it again, saying that, I never thought I’d do it the first time either.
Such an amazing experience, I’m so thrilled you allowed us to live it via your photos. I’d be shitting myself 🙂
My feet went weak seeing your pictures. Ahahha But i bet it was so much fun! I’ve never skydive befire because they’re expensive. Below $200 is actually one of the less expensive ones around, huh?
I feel like visiting this Plettenberg now. Bur it’s so far from where I am! Greetings from Singapore!
It’s definitely one of the cheaper ones! But very expensive by South African standards. Worth every penny though!
I did my first (and, so far, only) skydive in 2009. What a rush it was! One of the best feelings ever! I so can’t wait to do it again! Though, next time, it will be in another country.
wow
That’s awesome! I did mine in England, in a town called March (near Cambridge). It’s one of the most amazing things I’ve ever done and I’m so glad I didn’t chicken out at the last minute or anything. I sure would like to do it again!
You are one fine example off how people should live! Cracking
I skydived in Cape Town 2 years ago. Amazing experience! If you’re ever in Victoria falls you should definitely do the gorge swing 🙂
That’s definitely on the bucket list!
Wow, awesome sights from above! Nice!
Wow, I think everyone have that on their bucket list, but not so many actually do it. I know that I never want! Really cool pictures to! 🙂
Oh God! The feeling!!!! I just so wish I could cross this out in my bucket list.
So brave! 🙂
Great post and amazing photos! I’ve kind of put skydiving off my list when I had my children, but now I am having second thoughts :).
Stunning shots! So cool that you took your GoPro for a ride 😉
Sky diving is amazing!! Dying to go again!! First and only jump was in Portugal. Scenery not as nice as your jump. But still a brilliant experience!
Gutsy girl! I don’t think my fear of heights will allow it. I conquered that enough to become a snowboarder, but, my rationale was that I was still connected with the ground. Good for you!
So amazing! 🙂
I wanted to do this always but the scare is what I need to break out from. Nevertheless, great experience and view 🙂
Stunning is definitely the word for these photos, esp the ones with the waves at the shore! 🙂
Wow that looks absolutely incredible! Would love to do it at some point in the future if I ever work up the courage! 🙂
So beautiful! <3
Oh my god. must be an amazing experience!!!
Amazing Pics. I love it!
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That’s a beautiful view! It does look like you are enjoying yourself a lot, I can’t help smiling when reading your blog:D
I love your blog. I wish to travel more and this will give me some great ideas. I have Skydived once. I just did it at home in Cincinnati, but it was awesome! I can’t wait to do it again.
lol…i can’t do that…i’ll die of heart attack !..lol…
Yes totally agree! I wasn’t scared at all during my skydive, I only felt exhilaration! But your location looks so much more awesome! Look at the view!!
Haha the second that door opened and I heard the rushing wind on the video, my face split into a huge grin and my heart started pumping lol. Definitely remember that rush! I’ve done it tandem in Queenstown, NZ and wasn’t overly impressed despite the amazing view and heart stopping 15000ft drop. So I took a class and jumped out solo…way different ball game! Bungy is better, but skydiving is still a rush. Climbing out of the plane is still the scariest part and therefore my favourite part 😄
Wow! you are a brave girl. Skydiving is now on my bucket list.:)
I really amazed with your guts to do all stunts that other people can’t for me I’m too old for those activities. Good luck and take care.
Wow …..I would love to do that…. One day.
These pictures of land from sky are amazing ……
🙂
Amazing!! I’ve always wanted to to try this but seem to chicken out, right after the thought crosses my mind. Brave girl! 🙌🙌😆
I think once it’s booked you would definitely do it! Just book a tandem jump one day and you will do it and you will love it 😊
I’ll keep that in mind thanks!
Incredible photos–always wanted to go myself!!
Your blog is amazing! I love your design of this as well! That’s also why I nominated you for the one lovely blog award :))
Thank you very much again 😊