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What is Sunshine Coast skydiving?

Sunshine Coast skydiving is a tandem adventure that takes you above the Queensland coastline before a freefall and parachute flight back towards the beach. The experience is designed for first-time skydivers, with a qualified tandem instructor attached to you throughout the jump.

The main Sunshine Coast experience departs from Sunshine Coast Airport in Marcoola, with the 13,000ft jump offering up to 50 seconds of freefall. Depending on conditions, you can land on or near Coolum Beach or at a riverside landing location, while views can stretch across the Sunshine Coast coastline towards Noosa, K’Gari, Brisbane, Mount Coolum and the Glass House Mountains.

A typical experience includes check-in, a safety briefing, equipment fitting, a scenic flight, tandem freefall and a parachute descent. Photo and video packages are also available if you want to capture the jump.

Plan your Sunshine Coast skydiving experience

Timings

Operating days: The Noosa/Sunshine Coast skydive operates 7 days a week, subject to availability and weather conditions.

Typical departure times: Departure times vary by booking and availability. Check your selected ticket for the exact check-in time.

Duration:

  • Skydiving experience: Allow several hours from check-in through landing.
  • 13,000ft tandem skydive: Up to 50 seconds of freefall, followed by a parachute flight back towards the landing area.
  • Full-day planning: If your schedule is flexible, allow extra time in case weather or operational conditions affect the jump.

Getting there

Location: The main Sunshine Coast skydive check-in point is at 4 Kittyhawk Close, Marcoola, beside Sunshine Coast Airport.

Public transport: Translink bus route 622 connects Noosa Junction with Sunshine Coast Airport. From the airport terminal, the skydive meeting point is around a 350m walk away.

Taxi / rideshare: Taxis and rideshare services can take you directly to the Sunshine Coast Airport area and are useful if you're travelling with equipment or from accommodation outside the main bus routes.

Driving: Follow Airport Drive towards Sunshine Coast Airport, then turn onto Kittyhawk Close. The skydive centre is on the corner of Airport Drive and Kittyhawk Close.

Transfers: Selected skydive tickets include transfers, including options from Brisbane or Noosa depending on the experience and operating day. Check your ticket before travelling to confirm whether transfers are included.

From Brisbane: The Sunshine Coast Airport meeting point is less than 1.5 hours from Brisbane by road in typical conditions, although travel time varies with traffic.

What you’ll see on a Sunshine Coast skydive

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Sunshine Coast coastline

Look out across the long stretch of beaches and blue water as you climb towards jump altitude. On clear days, the elevated viewpoint gives you a much wider perspective of the coastline than you would get from the ground.

Mount Coolum

Mount Coolum is one of the most recognisable natural landmarks on the Sunshine Coast. Depending on visibility and your flight path, you may see the distinctive volcanic dome from above.

Glass House Mountains

The Glass House Mountains form a striking backdrop inland from the coast. From altitude, their volcanic peaks stand out against the surrounding Sunshine Coast landscape.

Noosa and coastal beaches

The aerial view can extend towards Noosa and the beaches of the northern Sunshine Coast. The coastline becomes especially easy to appreciate once you are under the parachute and travelling more slowly.

K’Gari and Brisbane

On particularly clear days, views from the skydive can extend as far as K’Gari and Brisbane. Visibility varies depending on weather and atmospheric conditions.

Coolum Beach or riverside landing

The final part of the experience brings you back towards the coast, with landings taking place at the beach or a riverside location depending on prevailing weather and wind conditions.

History of Sunshine Coast skydiving

  • 1990s: Skydiving was already established as a long-running activity on the Sunshine Coast. Sunshine Coast Skydivers began operating from Caloundra in 1994, developing a local tandem and beach-skydiving presence.
  • 2000s: Beach tandem skydiving and recreational skydiving continued to form part of the Sunshine Coast's adventure tourism offering, with Caloundra and other local drop zones serving skydivers.
  • 2010s: Skydiving became increasingly visible as a tourism experience across the region, with operators combining tandem jumps with beach landings and coastal sightseeing.
  • 2016: Skydive Noosa began operating at Coolum Beach, adding another major tandem skydiving operation to the Sunshine Coast. The experience grew around the combination of high-altitude freefall and coastal views.
  • 2020s: Sunshine Coast skydiving continued to be promoted as an adventure activity alongside surfing, hiking, mountain biking and other outdoor experiences. The Noosa operation shifted its check-in and departure point to Sunshine Coast Airport while retaining its coastal landing experience.
  • Today: Sunshine Coast skydiving combines a tandem jump from up to 13,000ft with panoramic coastal views, up to 50 seconds of freefall and a beach or riverside landing, depending on conditions.

What to do around Sunshine Coast skydiving

Spend time at Coolum Beach

Head to Coolum Beach before or after your skydive for swimming, a coastal walk or a relaxed afternoon by the water. The area is also associated with the skydive's beach landing experience.

Explore Noosa

Continue north to Noosa for beaches, coastal walks, restaurants and the Noosa National Park. It is an easy addition if you're building a longer Sunshine Coast itinerary.

Visit Mount Coolum

Hike or explore the area around Mount Coolum for a closer look at one of the region's most distinctive volcanic landmarks. The mountain is also one of the sights you may spot from the air.

Explore Mooloolaba

Head south to Mooloolaba for its beach, waterfront dining and coastal atmosphere. It's a useful stop if you're spending the day exploring the central Sunshine Coast.

Discover the Glass House Mountains

Travel inland to see the dramatic volcanic peaks of the Glass House Mountains. The landscape provides a contrast to the beaches and coastal scenery around the skydive.

Try other Sunshine Coast adventures

The region has plenty of activities to pair with a skydive, including surfing, whale watching, kayaking, hiking, mountain biking and other outdoor experiences.

Tips for your Sunshine Coast skydiving experience

  • Wear comfortable clothing: Choose comfortable clothes that allow you to move easily and work with the tandem harness.
  • Wear fully enclosed shoes: Closed shoes are recommended for the experience. Avoid loose footwear that could come off during the jump.
  • Check the weather before travelling: Skydiving is weather-dependent. Wind, cloud and other conditions can affect whether your jump goes ahead as scheduled.
  • Allow extra time: Don't schedule an important activity immediately after your skydive. Weather and operational conditions can affect the timing of your experience.
  • Arrive for your scheduled check-in: Allow enough time for registration, safety instructions, weight checks and equipment fitting before your jump.
  • Check participation requirements: Age, weight and other requirements apply and can vary by ticket or operator. Check the conditions attached to your booking before travelling.
  • Keep loose belongings secure: Follow your operator's instructions about phones, cameras, bags and other personal items. Photography and video packages are available if you want footage of your jump.
  • Book ahead: Weekend, holiday and popular seasonal departures can fill quickly. Booking ahead also makes it easier to secure your preferred departure time.
  • Be prepared for the landing location to vary: Beach or riverside landings depend on prevailing weather and wind conditions, so the final landing location may not always be the same.
  • Listen to your tandem instructor: Your instructor handles the technical aspects of the jump and will guide you through the safety briefing, aircraft exit, freefall, parachute flight and landing.
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Frequently asked questions about Sunshine Coast skydiving

A tandem skydiving experience where you jump from an aircraft with a qualified instructor and freefall above the Sunshine Coast before descending under a parachute.

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Timings

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Getting There