Skip to main content‌

Plan your Sunshine Coast skydiving experience: Timings, tours & travel tips

Sunshine Coast skydiving combines a tandem freefall from up to 13,000ft with wide views across the coastline, Noosa, Mount Coolum and the Glass House Mountains. The experience operates from Sunshine Coast Airport in Marcoola, with landing locations at Coolum Beach or a riverside site depending on weather and wind conditions.

Your ticket determines when you jump, while weekday and weekend options follow the same core tandem skydive experience. Selected tickets can also include transfers from Brisbane or Mooloolaba. The full experience takes around four hours, so allow enough time before and after your jump rather than planning another fixed-time activity immediately afterwards.

This guide covers skydive timings, the drop zone, transfers, what to wear, participation requirements, weather considerations, and practical tips to help you plan your Sunshine Coast skydive.

Quick overview: Sunshine Coast skydiving at a glance

  • When to book: Book ahead if you have a specific date or departure time in mind, particularly for weekends, holidays, and popular travel periods. Weekday and weekend departures are available as variants of the 13,000ft tandem skydive.
  • Time on the experience: Allow approximately 4 hours for the full experience. The actual freefall is much shorter, lasting up to around 50–60 seconds depending on the jump conditions, followed by a parachute descent and landing.
  • Jump altitude: The tandem skydive operates from up to 13,000ft, with freefall speeds of more than 200km/h.
  • Included: Your selected ticket generally includes the tandem skydive, qualified tandem instructor, Australian Parachute Federation levy and three-month membership, personal accident insurance, and a personalised certificate. Photos and videos are optional extras unless specifically included in your ticket.
  • Where you land: Landing may take place at Coolum Beach or a riverside location. The final landing area is determined by prevailing weather and wind conditions on the day.
  • What matters most: The main choice is your departure day and transfer option. Weekday and weekend tickets provide the same core 13,000ft tandem experience, while selected experiences add return transfers from Brisbane or other pickup points.
  • What if weather affects operations? Skydiving depends on safe weather and operating conditions. Extreme weather can result in cancellation or rescheduling, and the landing location may change according to wind direction and conditions.
  • Book now: Browse Sunshine Coast skydiving experiences and choose your preferred weekday or weekend departure, with transfers where available.
    -

Booking windows for Sunshine Coast skydiving

Regular travel periods

Availability can vary by date and departure time. If your Sunshine Coast itinerary is flexible, you may have more choice across weekdays, while fixed-date travellers should book ahead rather than relying on last-minute availability.

Weekends & holidays

Weekend departures can be busier, particularly during school holidays and popular travel periods. If you're travelling on a fixed date, secure your preferred session in advance.

Weekday vs weekend

The weekday and weekend options are variants of the same up to 13,000ft tandem skydive. The main difference is the day on which the ticket is available. Weekday sessions currently operate Monday to Friday, while weekend sessions operate Saturday and Sunday.

Morning vs later departures

Available departure times vary by date. Morning sessions can make it easier to leave the rest of your day open, while later sessions work if you have other plans earlier in your Sunshine Coast itinerary. Leave sufficient buffer around the experience because the total session takes approximately four hours.

Getting to the Sunshine Coast skydiving meeting point

Address: Skydive Noosa operates from Sunshine Coast Airport, 4 Kittyhawk Close, Marcoola, QLD 4564. The drop zone is beside the airport and around 350m from the terminal.

By car: Driving is straightforward from Noosa, Mooloolaba and other Sunshine Coast destinations. Allow enough time to reach the airport, park, and complete check-in before your scheduled departure.

By public transport: Translink bus route 622 connects Noosa Junction with Sunshine Coast Airport. The drop zone is a short walk from the airport terminal.

By transfer: Selected experiences offer return transfers from Brisbane. Pickup points can include Roma Street Transit Centre, Howard Smith Wharves, and The Wharf Mooloolaba, depending on the ticket.

Allow enough time before your scheduled departure for check-in, registration, preparation, and safety instructions. If you're driving yourself, factor in time for parking and finding the clubhouse.

If you're using a transfer, follow the pickup time on your booking rather than the skydive departure time.

The skydive clubhouse is located at Sunshine Coast Airport. Your landing location is not necessarily the same as the departure point, so check the arrangements provided with your booking. Beach and riverside landing areas are used depending on conditions.

  • Comfortable clothing: Wear clothes suitable for the weather and an active outdoor experience.
  • Flat, enclosed shoes: Closed-toe footwear with flat soles is required.
  • Booking confirmation: Keep your booking details accessible when checking in.
  • ID: Bring identification as requested by the experience provider.
  • Water & snacks: The full experience takes around four hours, so carrying water and a light snack can be useful.

Choosing your Sunshine Coast skydive time

DepartureWhat to considerExperienceBets suited to

Weekday

Monday–Friday availability

Up to 13,000ft tandem skydive with coastal and hinterland views

Travellers with flexible weekday itineraries

Weekend

Saturday–Sunday availability

Same core tandem skydive experience

Visitors travelling on weekends

Morning

Leaves more of the day open afterwards

Tandem skydive with views across the Sunshine Coast

Full-day itineraries

Afternoon

Schedule other activities earlier in the day

Tandem skydive with beach or riverside landing

Visitors with morning plans

What you’ll experience on a Sunshine Coast skydive

Check-in & preparation

Arrive at the Sunshine Coast Airport drop zone, complete check-in, and provide the information required by the operator before your jump.

Meet your tandem instructor

You'll be paired with a qualified tandem instructor who guides you through the preparation and remains with you throughout the skydive.

Safety briefing & gear up

Your instructor explains the tandem procedure and helps you prepare with the required skydiving equipment.

Take off from Sunshine Coast Airport

Board the aircraft at the Sunshine Coast Airport drop zone and climb to an altitude of up to 13,000ft.

Freefall above the Sunshine Coast

Experience freefall at speeds exceeding 200km/h for up to around 50–60 seconds, depending on the conditions and jump profile.

Parachute descent

Once the parachute opens, the pace changes from freefall to a slower descent, giving you time to take in views across the coastline and hinterland.

Beach or riverside landing

Land at Coolum Beach or the designated riverside landing area. The landing location is determined on the day according to prevailing weather and wind conditions.

Return to the drop zone

After the landing, follow the operator's arrangements for returning to the clubhouse or your onward transport.

Facilities & practical details

  • Tandem skydive: Your selected ticket includes a tandem skydive from up to 13,000ft.
  • Tandem instructor: A qualified instructor accompanies you throughout the experience.
  • Safety and APF inclusions: The experience includes personal accident insurance, the Australian Parachute Federation levy, and three-month APF membership.
  • Certificate: A personalised certificate of achievement is included.
  • Transfers: Return transfers are available with selected tickets and are not included with every skydive.
  • Photos & videos: Media packages are generally optional extras unless specifically included in your selected ticket.
  • Booking confirmation
  • ID
  • Comfortable weather-appropriate clothing
  • Flat, enclosed shoes
  • Water bottle
  • Light snacks
  • Any required personal medication
  • Age: Participants must generally be 16 years or older for the available tandem experience.
  • Weight: The maximum listed weight is 115kg, with participants above 94kg subject to additional conditions, surcharges and on-site assessment. Requirements can vary, so check the conditions for your ticket before booking.
  • Fitness: Reasonable fitness is required, and you should be comfortable with the physical requirements involved in a tandem skydive.
  • Medical conditions: Inform the provider about relevant medical conditions, prescription medication, or illness when booking. If you're unsure whether a condition affects your ability to skydive, seek appropriate medical advice before participating.

Rules & restrictions

Before you book

Check the minimum age, maximum weight, medical requirements, and any other participation conditions attached to your selected ticket.

Arrival & check-in

Follow the arrival instructions on your booking and allow enough time to complete registration and preparation before the jump.

What to wear

Wear comfortable clothing suitable for the weather and flat, enclosed shoes. Avoid footwear or clothing that could interfere with the harness or landing.

Weather & safety

Skydiving is dependent on safe operating conditions. Strong or unsuitable weather can affect the jump or landing location, and the provider may reschedule the experience when conditions are unsafe.

Eat, relax & explore near Sunshine Coast skydiving

Before or after the experience

  • Around Marcoola: The drop zone is located near Sunshine Coast Airport and Mudjimba Beach, making the coastal area convenient for a meal or relaxed beach stop around your skydive.
  • Around Coolum: If your jump lands at Coolum Beach, you can continue your day around the beach and coastal area after the experience.
  • In Noosa: If you're staying in Noosa, allow travel time to Marcoola before your session. The drop zone is outside central Noosa, so don't plan a tight connection with another timed activity.

Nearby attractions to combine

  • Noosa Heads & Noosa National Park: Explore coastal walks, beaches and the headland around Noosa.
  • Coolum Beach: Pair your skydive with time on one of the Sunshine Coast's popular beaches.
  • Mooloolaba: Head south for beaches, dining and the coastal esplanade.
  • Australia Zoo: Combine your Sunshine Coast adventure with wildlife and conservation experiences inland.
  • Glass House Mountains: Explore the distinctive volcanic peaks and hinterland landscapes after your coastal adventure.

Practical tips from travellers

  • Book around your itinerary: A skydive takes around four hours, so don't squeeze it between two tightly scheduled activities.
  • Keep your day flexible: Weather and operational conditions can affect the timing, so leave some buffer around your skydive.
  • Check your weight requirements before booking: Participants over 94kg may face additional charges and an on-site assessment, while the listed maximum is 115kg.
  • Wear the right shoes: Flat, enclosed footwear is required. This is particularly important because the experience ends with a landing rather than simply returning to the aircraft departure point.
  • Don't assume the landing location: Your landing may be at Coolum Beach or the riverside site, depending on the weather and wind direction on the day.
  • Consider transfers if you're coming from Brisbane: Selected experiences include return transfers, which can simplify the journey if you don't have a car.
  • Leave flights for later: Because the experience can be affected by weather and operations, avoid placing a flight immediately after your skydive.
  • Add media if you want a record of the jump: Photos and videos are available as optional packages on selected experiences, so check what's included before booking.

Frequently asked questions about planning your Sunshine Coast skydive

Allow approximately four hours for the full tandem skydive experience.

Read More

About Sunshine Coast Skydiving

Timings

Getting There