When was the last time you looked at that adventurous to-do list you made ages ago? Summer is a beautiful season to be a bird, and to make the experience less intimidating, oM scouted the best skydiving drop zones near NYC, including outfitters in Long Island, Jersey Shore, and upstate New York. Whether you’re a first time flyer or know your stuff, use these tips and take the kick-ass plunge.
Requirements: Anyone who wants to skydive in the U.S.A. must meet the USPA’s Basic Safety Requirements. This includes being healthy and in the right physical condition to dive. Make sure you tell your instructor about any medications you might be on, or heart conditions you may have.
If you’ve been scuba diving or donated blood recently, you might need to wait a few days before you jump. Most sites also have a weight limit of 220 pounds, and some will charge extra for those over the maximum. Skydiving schools also typically require their students to be at least 18 years of age.
Learning: First time jumpers must complete a training course, and it is common for instructors to give students written and practical tests before the first jump. The tests are used to practice reactions and decision-making skills for a safe first jump, and to give first jumpers the confidence they need to make that leap.
The Jump: Your first jump will most likely be a tandem jump. Jumping with an instructor will take the stress out of your first experience. You will either have a “one-time fun jump,” which takes half an hour of preparation, or a “tandem progression,” which requires a first jump course that can take up to four hours.
The instructor will carry the parachute, and the student will wear a harness that attaches to the instructor. Another popular first jump style is accelerated free fall (AFF), which is a seven level program and more involved than the tandem jump. For levels 1-3 of the AFF, the student will free-fall with two instructors to assist the student in becoming stable in the air. Mentally prepare yourself for your adventure with these tips.
The Drop Zones:
1. Long Island Skydiving
One of the nearest skydiving sites is Long Island Skydiving at the Brookhaven Airport just fifty miles outside the city. Though they do not offer extensive classes, they have a brief introduction before their tandem jump (the only kind they offer). See beautiful views of the city and the south shores of Long island for $229-$298 per individual (book online for a discount). Reductions are offered for groups. You can also get a video of your jump for $100-$119.
How to get there: Take the LIRR from Penn Station to Majestic/Shirley station. Call the local cab company (631.882.4489) for the five-minute ride to the airport.
2. Skydive New Jersey
Head to beautiful western New Jersey and find the 2,500 square foot hangar of Skydive New Jersey. This facility has everything from tandem jumps for beginners ($205-$215 per person) to options for those looking to achieve a sky dive certificate (call them for details). During your jump you can spot everything from the Delaware River to the NYC Skyline and videos are available for $99.
How to Get There: On popular weekends, Skydive New Jersey offers a shuttle service from the Hoboken Path train ($30) to the airport. Otherwise, take the PATH or NJ Transit to Newark to hop on the Raritan Valley NJ Transit line to the Annandale Station. Call a cab (908.268.4088) for the quick 10-mile trip to the airport.
3. Skydive The Ranch
Skydive the Ranch in New Paltz is a school dedicated to training first jumpers, and offers tandem jumps called instructor-assisted freefall (IAF) up to level thirteen. First jumps are $219, or $119 a person for groups of five or more.
How to get there: Take Adirondack Trailways to New Paltz, and take a fifteen-minute cab ride (845.256.1111) to the 45 Sand Hill Road.
4. Sky Dive East Coast
Enjoy views of the Atlantic Ocean as you dive with Sky Dive East Coast located in West Creek New Jersey near Long Beach Island. One tandem jump at Sky Dive East Coast will cost $185 with a photo + video package bringing the price up to $310 per person. They also offer killer deals if you book in the winter so this is the place to go for those of you planning ahead.
How to get there: The Eagles Nest Airport is about a 2.5 hour drive from New York City.
5. Skydive Sussex
With jumps from 14,500FT, Skydive Sussex boasts the highest jumps in the area. Prices start at $205 during the week and $225 on weekends. Those with student id’s can get $20 off.
How to get there:
Take the Lakeland Bus #80 to Sparta and switch to the Skylands Connect which takes you directly to the town of Sussex New Jersey.
In the winter, enjoy indoor skydiving in Westchester (NY) and Paramus (NJ)
Photo credit: Silveira Neto.
Sarah Knapp is a Brooklyn based entrepreneur whose love for the outdoors and community building led her to the October 2013 creation of OutdoorFest. She has a BA in History, is a Wilderness First Responder and a NY state hiking, camp and boating guide. Her proudest achievement to date is reading the Aeneid in Latin. 
Allison was one of our first top writers and Chief Editor but is no longer working with offMetro. Allison is a native New Yorker, who has lived in Rome, Tuscany, Melbourne, Toronto and Los Angeles. She frequently contributed travel pieces to Family Travel Forum, using her own children as guinea pigs as they travel the globe. She never missed a chance to sample local delicacies, as her love for travel goes hand-in-hand with her love for food and wine. 
Josh Laskin is a freelance travel writer and photographer based in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. When he is not at work or on the road, you can find him in the mountains snowboarding, climbing, hiking, fly fishing, mountain biking, and eating bagel bites.
Annie is a travel writer, environmentalist, and surfer based in Venice, CA. She heads up our West Coast team, keeps our grammatical errors in check, and makes sure our California writers always have a plan for their next adventure. Follow Annie’s travels @annelisemcb.
Carly Pifer is a freelance writer who has been known to follow whims inspired by romantic movie scenes or colorful street style shots to India, Japan, Tunisia and Argentina. After stints living in Seoul, Boston, Paris and Los Angeles, writing and searching for something intangible, she landed somewhat steadily in Brooklyn and has begun to find inspiration in her more immediate surroundings. 
Kate E. O’Hara is a New York based freelance writer and photographer who loves all things food—especially the people who make it and market it. Her writing aims to capture the essence of the food experience; the stories that go well beyond a plate of ingredients. In addition to her love of food, Kate is also known to have a hankering for red wine and craft beer. You can also find Kate on Instagram