Perth: Rottnest Island Skydive and Ferry Package

Rottnest Island looks good from sea level. From 10,000 or 15,000 feet, it becomes a patchwork of bright water, pale beaches, and small green bays. This package adds a serious thrill to a classic Perth day trip, with up to 66 seconds of free-fall before your parachute opens.

I like the simple ferry-and-skydive combination, which saves you from arranging transport separately. I also like the small group size, limited to six people, and the calm, careful briefing praised by recent customers. The main catch is timing: your booking time is your skydive check-in, not your ferry departure, and the waiting time can be long if conditions shift.

Key points to know before booking

• Choose your altitude: The 10,000-foot jump gives up to 30 seconds of free-fall, while 15,000 feet offers up to 66 seconds.
• Walk from the jetty: The Rottnest Island airfield terminal is about a 15-minute walk from the ferry landing.
• Plan around two clocks: Your skydive time and ferry time are separate, so read the ferry ticket carefully.
• Land beside the beach: After the parachute opens at about 5,000 feet, you get roughly five minutes under canopy before landing.
• Expect a safety check: The chief safety instructor assesses your weight, height, health, and relevant medical conditions on the day.
• Keep the rest of the day open: After the jump, you can explore Rottnest Island until your return ferry.

A sky-high view of Rottnest Island

This is not just a parachute jump with a ferry attached. The island gives the flight a strong sense of place. You first approach Rottnest by boat, then see the same shores from far above, where the bays and beaches make a clear pattern below you.

The package costs $365 per person. That is a substantial day-trip price, but it includes the return ferry, Rottnest Island admission, and the tandem skydive. If you already planned to visit Rottnest and wanted to make the day more memorable, combining the two services is convenient.

Still, the price does not include the professional photo and high-definition video package. You can buy those on the day, but the extra cost is not listed here, so budget for that separately if you want a record of the jump.

The experience is rated 4.6 out of 5 from 26 ratings, with particularly strong praise for the welcoming staff, clear instructions, and sense of safety. One practical note comes through clearly: the wait before takeoff may be longer than you expect. Skydiving depends on weather, aircraft timing, and safety checks, so this is not the right outing for a tightly packed sightseeing schedule.

Leaving Perth by ferry

Your starting point is Perth Barrack Street Jetty, close to Elizabeth Quay Train Station. You need to arrive at least 30 minutes before the ferry departure for ticketing and boarding.

The booking time shown when you reserve is not the boat time. It is the time you are due to check in for the skydive on Rottnest Island. The ferry tickets are sent after booking, within 48 hours, and they list the actual departure time, port details, and ferry operator.

This distinction matters. Do not assume the skydive time tells you when to reach Barrack Street Jetty. Check the ferry ticket as soon as it arrives, then plan your morning around the boat schedule.

You are also asked to phone the skydive team one hour before the ferry departure to confirm that weather conditions are suitable. Do not board until you have confirmed that the operation is going ahead. A weather call can save you an unnecessary trip to the island, especially when the forecast is uncertain.

Ferry operators and operating hours can vary by season. The operator named on your ticket is the one to follow for boarding instructions. Since the package includes same-day return tickets, you should also check the scheduled return carefully before setting off.

The 15-minute walk to the airfield

After arriving at Rottnest Island, you make your own way to the Rottnest Island Terminal Building at Rottnest Airfield. The walk from the ferry jetty takes about 15 minutes.

That is an easy transfer for most people, but give yourself enough time. You are not being collected from the ferry, and the skydive team expects you to reach the airfield for your selected check-in time. Comfortable clothing and enclosed sports shoes are the sensible choice. Sandals and flip-flops are not allowed.

This walk also means you should avoid carrying more than you need. You will be wearing a harness for the jump, and loose belongings are not useful at the airfield. The supplied information does not specify luggage storage, so keep your day-trip kit compact and ask the local team about any items you need to leave behind.

At the terminal, you receive a warm welcome, complete the required paperwork, and get fitted with your harness. You then receive a safety briefing before heading to the aircraft.

The process is designed for first-time jumpers. You do not need previous skydiving experience, but you do need to listen closely and follow the instructor’s directions. One of the strongest points about this operation is the repeated emphasis on clear explanations, provided by email, WhatsApp, video instructions, and the instructor in person.

Choosing 10,000 or 15,000 feet

You choose between two jump heights, but the real difference is the length of the free-fall.

From 10,000 feet, you get up to 30 seconds of free-fall. From 15,000 feet, you get up to 66 seconds. Both options include the flight upward, the tandem jump, parachute time, and a safe landing, so your choice comes down mainly to how much free-fall you want and how much you are prepared to pay if the higher option carries an additional charge.

The package summary gives one price of $365, but it does not specify a separate price for each altitude. Check the final booking details before paying if the higher jump is important to you.

The climb gives you time to look out over Rottnest Island before the jump. Then, attached to your instructor, you leave the aircraft at about 200 kilometers per hour. That speed is the part many first-timers picture beforehand, but the sensation is difficult to compare with ordinary amusement rides. The useful thing to know is that your instructor controls the jump sequence and deploys the parachute at about 5,000 feet.

Once the canopy opens, the mood changes. You have around five minutes to take in the island from above and prepare for the landing. The beach landing places you near family and friends, provided they are watching from the permitted area.

Safety comes before the spectacular views

The staff’s careful approach is important here. You are harnessed, briefed, and assessed before boarding. The chief safety instructor decides on the day if you are suitable, based on weight, height, health, and relevant medical conditions.

The stated restrictions are firm. The activity is not suitable for children under 16, pregnant women, people with heart problems, people over 95 kilograms, or people with pre-existing medical conditions. Passengers over 95 kilograms may be considered case by case, but you should not count on approval.

Children aged 16 or 17 must be accompanied by an adult or legal guardian on the day. This is not an activity for an unaccompanied teenager, even if the young person meets the age requirement.

Weather can cancel or delay the jump. You need enclosed sports shoes, and you should wear comfortable clothes that work with the harness. The actual jump is only one part of the day, so the sensible approach is to leave plenty of open time after check-in.

That may mean waiting. A recent customer described the experience as fantastic but noted that the wait before takeoff was long. This is a useful warning rather than a flaw unique to this operator. Weather and flight operations cannot be rushed safely.

The parachute ride and beach landing

The free-fall is the most intense part, but the parachute ride gives you the time to appreciate where you are. After deployment at about 5,000 feet, you spend roughly five minutes under the canopy.

You can enjoy a slower view of Rottnest Island, then land safely on the beach near your family and friends. The beach arrival makes this feel tied to the island rather than like a jump over an anonymous field.

Your instructor handles the technical parts, but you still need to follow instructions during the exit, free-fall, canopy ride, and landing. The safety briefing prepares you for those steps. First-time jumpers should find the clear structure reassuring, though nobody can remove the natural nerves that come with stepping from an aircraft.

Photos and a professionally edited high-definition video are available to purchase on the day. They are not included in the $365 price, and you do not need to pre-book them. If you want a record, ask about the package at the airfield and decide after you know the extra cost.

Time to explore Rottnest after the jump

The return ferry is not immediately after the skydive. Once you land and finish the activity, you are free to explore Rottnest Island until your scheduled departure from Barrack Street Jetty.

This is one of the package’s best features. You are not simply flying in, jumping, and rushing straight back to the boat. You can use the remaining time for a separate island visit, though the exact amount depends on your ferry and skydive schedule.

Keep your ferry departure in mind throughout the afternoon. The package does not include a guide for exploring the island, and you make your own way around after the jump. It is wise to leave a generous buffer before boarding rather than squeezing in one more stop.

The supplied information does not promise bike hire, specific island attractions, or a particular amount of free time. Plan only around what is confirmed: the ferry, your skydive, the walk to and from the airfield, and the return boat.

Is $365 good value?

For someone who wants both a Rottnest visit and a tandem skydive, the price is reasonable for the convenience. You receive the jump, the return ferry from Perth, and the island admission fee in one reservation.

The value is weaker if you are not interested in skydiving or if you would prefer a relaxed island day. The ferry and admission are bundled with a high-adrenaline activity, so you are paying mainly for the skydive rather than for a standard Rottnest excursion.

The photo and video package is the biggest likely extra. Since the cost is not provided, you should treat it as optional and ask before purchasing. You may decide that the memory is enough, or you may want footage of the jump to share later.

I also place value on the small group size. With no more than six participants, the experience should feel more manageable than a large operation, though the overall wait still depends on weather and flight scheduling.

Who should book this experience?

I would recommend it to an adult or older teenager who wants a full day built around one major thrill. It suits first-time jumpers because the process includes a safety briefing, harness fitting, and close tandem instruction.

It also works well for people who want an unusual view of Rottnest Island without giving up time on the ground. You can make the jump the centerpiece, then spend the remaining hours seeing the island at your own pace.

I would not choose it for a tightly scheduled Perth itinerary. You need to confirm weather before boarding, walk to the airfield after the ferry, and allow for possible waiting. If your return flight from Perth is the same day, leave a wide margin after the ferry returns.

I would also avoid booking if you have a relevant medical condition, are pregnant, weigh more than 95 kilograms without checking first, or cannot meet the enclosed-shoe rule. The final decision belongs to the chief safety instructor.

Practical details that make the day easier

• Arrive at Barrack Street Jetty 30 minutes before the ferry time printed on your ticket.
• Check the ferry operator, departure port, and return time as soon as the tickets arrive.
• Phone the skydive team one hour before ferry departure to confirm weather and operation status.
• Wear comfortable clothes and enclosed sports shoes.
• Keep your schedule open because the skydive can be delayed by weather or operations.
• Remember that the booking time is for skydive check-in, not the ferry.
• Ask about photos and video on the day if you want a professional record.
• If you are 16 or 17, arrange for an adult or legal guardian to be with you.

Should you book the Rottnest Island skydive?

Book it if you want your Rottnest day to be the main adventure of your Perth trip. The combination of ferry travel, a beach landing, and up to 66 seconds of free-fall gives you a strong sense of the island from several angles. The clear safety process and small group limit also make it a sensible choice for a first tandem skydive.

Skip it if you want a calm island outing, need a fixed timetable, or are uncomfortable with the medical and weight requirements. The key booking tip is simple: treat the ferry and skydive times as separate appointments, confirm the weather before boarding, and leave room for waiting. Get that right, and the $365 package offers a memorable way to see Rottnest from far above the beach.

FAQ

Where does the ferry leave from in Perth?

The ferry leaves from Perth Barrack Street Jetty, close to Elizabeth Quay Train Station. Arrive 30 minutes before the departure time shown on your ferry ticket.

Is the booking time the ferry departure time?

No. The booking time is your skydive check-in time on Rottnest Island. Your ferry tickets, sent within 48 hours of booking, provide the ferry departure time and operator.

How do I reach the skydive meeting point on Rottnest Island?

After arriving by ferry, make your own way to the Rottnest Island Terminal Building at Rottnest Airfield. It is about a 15-minute walk from the ferry jetty.

How long is the free-fall?

A jump from 10,000 feet includes up to 30 seconds of free-fall. A jump from 15,000 feet includes up to 66 seconds.

What is included in the $365 price?

The price includes a 10,000- or 15,000-foot tandem skydive, same-day return ferry tickets from Perth Barrack Street Jetty, and the Rottnest Island admission fee.

Are photos and video included?

No. A professionally edited high-definition video and photo package can be purchased on the day. Pre-booking is not required.

What are the age and weight requirements?

Participants must be at least 16 years old. Children aged 16 or 17 need an adult or legal guardian with them. Passengers over 95 kilograms are assessed case by case, and the chief safety instructor makes the final suitability decision on the day.