REVIEW · GRAN CANARIA
Gran Canaria : Skydiving over Maspalomas Dunes
Book on GetYourGuide →Operated by iJump Gran Canaria · Bookable on GetYourGuide
A skydiving day can be oddly calm.
This tandem jump over Maspalomas dunes feels like pure action with training handled for you. I love the clear, step-by-step setup from office to aircraft, and I love the headline thrill: free fall at up to +200 km/h with a parachute canopy flight right over Playa del Inglés. One thing to plan for: weather and air traffic can push your landing time later, so you should keep your schedule loose.
What makes it a smart experience is how quickly you go from paperwork to flying. You get a harness fit, a short body-position briefing, and goggles just before exit, so the jump day stays structured without feeling stiff. The whole activity runs about 90 minutes, with the sky time working out to roughly 20–25 minutes in the plane plus about 30 seconds of freefall and 5–7 minutes under canopy.
You also get something concrete afterward: a certificate, and video and photos if you add them. Guides like Eddie, Tony, and Toby show up in recent feedback as particularly supportive, and that matters, because skydiving is equal parts nerves and trust. If you have weight concerns, read the limits carefully before you book; the extra fee kicks in over 90 kg.
In This Review
- Key things you’ll notice
- Playa del Inglés check-in: where the day gets real fast
- Safety briefing and tandem training that actually helps
- The van ride and Aeródromo de El Berriel (GCLB): building anticipation with purpose
- The aircraft flight: 20–25 minutes of Gran Canaria from above
- Exit, freefall, canopy: how the 1.5 hours really feels
- Landing near the dunes and finishing with a certificate
- Price and value: what $352 really buys
- Who this tandem skydive fits best (and who should skip it)
- Practical tips to make your jump day smoother
- Should you book this Gran Canaria tandem skydive?
- FAQ
- How long is the skydiving experience?
- Do I need any previous skydiving experience?
- From what height will I jump?
- How long is the freefall and the parachute flight?
- What weight limits and fees apply?
- Is the experience wheelchair accessible?
Key things you’ll notice

- Tandem skydive means you do not need prior skydiving experience
- Jump from 3,000 meters with freefall clocking up to about 30 seconds
- Maspalomas views from a 20–25 minute panoramic aircraft flight
- Goggles close to exit plus a body-position briefing so you know what happens next
- Supportive instruction is repeatedly praised, including guides Eddie, Tony, and Toby
- Weight rules can affect both eligibility and cost, so check your numbers early
Playa del Inglés check-in: where the day gets real fast

Your skydive starts at iJump in Playa del Inglés, where you meet the crew at your scheduled time. You will do paperwork, and you get a jump load number you should keep handy. This is not just admin. Having that number helps the team coordinate gear, harness fit, and your turn at the aircraft.
Then expect a short chain of practical steps: you will receive your jumping gear and a life jacket, and you will go through the harness fitting. This is where comfort matters. Ask questions during the harness fit and training, because it is easier to adjust straps on the ground than once you are in the air. Also note that bare feet are not allowed, so bring shoes you can walk in comfortably.
A couple of small planning tips:
- Wear comfortable clothes that you can move in during the briefing and gear-up.
- Bring your ID or passport, since it is listed as required.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Gran Canaria.
Safety briefing and tandem training that actually helps

This is a tandem jump, so the instruction is designed around you and your instructor working as a team. Plan on a safety briefing of about 15 minutes, then a quick training session where you learn the body position for exit, freefall, and landing. It is not a deep course, but it is enough to keep you from freezing the moment you feel that first rush.
A good sign: the process is described as thorough, and recent feedback highlights how supported people felt from check-in onward. Guides Eddie and Tony come up specifically in recent positive notes, and Toby also appears as a tandem instructor. That is useful because it suggests you are not just handed gear and sent off. You should feel like someone is coaching you step-by-step.
You will also get goggles shortly before exit. That timing matters because it prevents last-minute fumbling. Listen during the instructions and do not be shy about asking again. If something feels unclear, say so. Skydiving is intense, and your brain will do better when you already know the basic sequence.
The van ride and Aeródromo de El Berriel (GCLB): building anticipation with purpose

After the initial steps, you go by van for about 15 minutes to the aerodrome at Aeródromo de El Berriel (GCLB). That ride is short, but it helps separate the calmer office vibe from the more serious aircraft-and-runway environment.
On arrival, you will get scenic views along the way and you will spend time around the aerodrome before boarding. There is a real rhythm to this part. It gives you a moment to settle, use the time to ask any final questions, and mentally switch from sightseeing mode to skydiving mode.
This is also where delays can become noticeable. Weather and air traffic conditions can affect your estimated landing time, and skydiving days sometimes get adjusted. The best approach is simple: do not schedule a tight connection afterward, and be ready for your jump time to breathe a bit with the day.
The aircraft flight: 20–25 minutes of Gran Canaria from above

Once you board, the day shifts into the part many people remember longest: the aircraft flight. You can expect a 20–25 minute panoramic flight. This is not just travel time. It is your chance to take in Maspalomas from above and clock the coastline shapes before you ever feel the jump.
At 3,000 meters, the view changes fast. You go from typical holiday visuals to a wider, flatter geometry of dunes, roads, and ocean. Even if you are nervous, this phase helps you ride the moment instead of fighting it.
This is also when anticipation spikes. You might feel a mix of excitement and nerves. That is normal. If you notice your thoughts racing, focus on the practical checklist: keep listening, keep your body ready, and treat the briefing as the map for what comes next.
Exit, freefall, canopy: how the 1.5 hours really feels
The actual skydiving sequence is brief compared to the time spent preparing, which makes it feel punchy. After a short exit briefing, you leave the aircraft with your tandem instructor.
Freefall lasts up to about 30 seconds, and you can reach speeds listed at +200 km/h. That is the stretch that feels unreal. It is intense and fast, but because you are tandem, you are not doing anything complicated. Your job is to hold the body position your instructor tells you to use.
Then comes the parachute canopy flight, which runs about 5–7 minutes. This is the contrast you want. The speed drops, your breathing evens out, and suddenly you can really see where you are. Canopy time also gives you a chance to feel like you are controlling the experience, even though you are still being guided.
One of the best parts here is the location of the landing. You will land next to the dunes of Maspalomas, close to Playa del Inglés. That makes the whole day feel geographically coherent: you start in the holiday zone, fly over a signature feature of Gran Canaria, and touch down in the same area.
Landing near the dunes and finishing with a certificate

After the canopy flight, you land next to the dunes. You will get gear back to the crew afterward. Then you receive your certificate on-site.
If you add the video and photos package, you get them by email the same day. That is a nice detail because it keeps the excitement from leaking into the next week when everyone is back home and busy. If you care about memory, this is worth considering, since freefall is the kind of thing you will want to rewatch to confirm how fast it really felt.
Also pay attention to your own state after landing. Even if you are fine, take a moment. The adrenaline comes down gradually, and it helps to give yourself a short buffer before you head out for food or a drink.
Price and value: what $352 really buys

At $352 per person, this is not a casual activity. But value in skydiving is less about duration and more about what you get for that duration: tandem jump, training, gear, and the full flight experience to the point of exit and canopy.
You are paying for a lot of behind-the-scenes work: safety briefing, harness fitting, instructor time, the aircraft ride, and a jump profile from 3,000 meters. You also get a parachute flight and the certificate, plus optional photos and video.
Where cost can shift is the weight policy. There is an extra 50€ weight charge when you exceed 90 kg, and the maximum weight is listed as 105 kg subject to evaluation. You also should be careful if you declare a weight above 90 kg: your declared weight needs to be accurate, and if your actual weight is more than 3 kg above your declared weight at check-in, they reserve the right to refuse the jump and treat it like a participant cancellation.
That means the best value comes from being accurate and planning ahead, not from shopping the cheapest option. If you are right at the edge, double-check your weight assumptions before you book.
Who this tandem skydive fits best (and who should skip it)
This activity is suitable for adults and for many first-timers, but it has clear filters. It is not suitable for children under 9, and it is not for pregnant women. It also lists minimum weight and maximum limits: people under 30 kg and people over 104 kg should not book.
It is also restricted if you have done certain diving activity recently: people diving up to 24 hours prior are not suitable. That is a safety-minded constraint, and it is not the place to test the rules.
If you are the type who gets overwhelmed by big physical sensations, you will still likely manage with the tandem setup and coaching, but you should go in with the right mindset: this is a controlled thrill. You are not learning a sport; you are doing a guided adventure.
Wheelchair accessibility is listed as available, which is great for people who need it. Still, because safety equipment sizing and fit are critical for jumps, you should make sure the provider can accommodate you based on the details they require.
Practical tips to make your jump day smoother
Skydiving runs on timing and calm communication, so you want to arrive ready.
Bring:
- Passport or ID card
- Comfortable shoes
- Comfortable clothes
Do not bring your day plans too tightly because weather and air traffic can cause delays. Keep something flexible afterward. If you want photos and video, you should decide ahead of time so you are not scrambling on the day.
During the briefing, take your questions seriously. Recent feedback repeatedly praises how people felt cared for, including mention of guides Eddie, Tony, and Toby. Use that to your advantage: ask about how the instructor will manage your position and what you should focus on during exit and under canopy.
And one more tip that sounds obvious but matters: hydrate and eat something light beforehand. It is a short activity window, but nerves can mess with appetite. A light, steady start helps you focus on instructions instead of your stomach.
Should you book this Gran Canaria tandem skydive?
Book it if you want a first-time skydiving experience that feels organized, instructor-led, and visually rewarding. The combination of tandem training, a 3,000-meter jump, and the iconic view of Maspalomas dunes makes this one of those once-in-a-lifetime challenges that does not require you to be an athlete or a professional.
Skip it or reconsider if any of these apply:
- You are outside the listed weight limits, or you are close enough to the threshold that you need to be precise.
- You want a guarantee of exact timing regardless of weather or air traffic.
- You are sensitive to height and speed, and you know you will struggle with the freefall sensation even with tandem instruction.
If you fit the requirements and you can keep your schedule flexible, this is a high-value thrill day in Gran Canaria. It is short in the air, intense in the right way, and finished with a certificate and optional photos that make the memory stick.
FAQ
How long is the skydiving experience?
The activity is listed as about 1.5 hours, and the schedule includes safety briefing, transport to the aerodrome, the aircraft flight, the jump sequence, and time back at the office.
Do I need any previous skydiving experience?
No. This is a tandem skydive, and you receive instruction and training for the jump. You do not need prior skydiving experience.
From what height will I jump?
The jump is listed as being from 3,000 meters.
How long is the freefall and the parachute flight?
You can expect freefall for up to about 30 seconds, followed by a parachute canopy flight of about 5–7 minutes.
What weight limits and fees apply?
The maximum weight is listed as 105 kg subject to evaluation. If your weight exceeds 90 kg, there is an additional 50€ charge. There is also a rule that if your actual weight is more than 3 kg above what you declared at check-in, they can refuse the jump and treat it as a cancellation.
Is the experience wheelchair accessible?
Wheelchair accessibility is listed as available.




