If you’re planning to go skydiving around Sydney, one of the biggest questions people ask after booking their jump is: “How should I capture it?”
Your first skydive is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The adrenaline, the views, the moment your feet leave the aircraft — it all happens incredibly fast. That’s why choosing the right skydive video and photo package can make all the difference.
At BIGWAVE Skydive, our premium option is the Ultimate Video Package. It’s designed to capture every moment of your skydive from multiple perspectives, giving you the most immersive and cinematic record of your jump.
In this guide, we’ll explain exactly what the Ultimate Video Package is, how it’s filmed, and how it compares to the handcam option so you can decide what’s right for your jump.
1. The Ultimate Package
The Ultimate Video Package is the premium way to capture your tandem skydive. Instead of relying on a single camera attached to your instructor’s hand, this package includes a dedicated skydiver videographer who jumps out of the plane with you.
This professional videographer exits the aircraft at the same time as you and your tandem instructor, flying alongside you in freefall to capture the experience from an outside point of view (POV). The videographer’s camera is mounted to his/her helmet.
This means your video includes:
- Your reactions before the jump
- The aircraft climb and pre-jump excitement
- Your exit from the plane
- Freefall footage filmed from outside
- Stunning aerial shots around you
- Parachute deployment
- The scenic parachute ride
- Your landing and first reaction on the ground
Because the footage is captured by another skydiver flying around you, it creates a much more dynamic and cinematic video than a standard onboard camera.
You’ll still receive the handcam footage and photos from your tandem instructor as well, giving you the best of both perspectives.
2. How the Ultimate Package is Filmed
What makes this package so special is the third skydiver involved in your jump.
Your jump team consists of:
- You – the passenger experiencing your first skydive
- Your tandem instructor – responsible for the safety and control of the jump
- A dedicated camera flyer – a professional skydiver videographer
When the aircraft reaches jump altitude, all three exit together. The videographer climbs out first and hangs onto the plane while you and your instructor climb out.
During freefall, the videographer flies around you using advanced skydiving body control to capture incredible angles — including:
- Face-to-face reaction shots
- Wide shots showing the sky and ocean backdrop
- Dynamic spinning and flying angles
- Close-up footage of the moment you exit the aircraft
This “outside POV” is what makes the Ultimate Video Package feel like a mini documentary of your skydive, rather than just a recording.
Some people ask if one ultimate package will cover multiple people. The answer is no since each tandem pair (along with their outside cameraman) will exit the aircraft separately.
It allows you to see the jump the way others see it — with you flying through the sky against one of the most beautiful backdrops in Australia.
3. Handcam vs Ultimate Video Package
Most drop zones offer handcam photos and video as the standard option.
While handcam still captures the experience, there are some important differences.
Handcam Package
Handcam footage is filmed by your tandem instructor using a small camera attached to their wrist.
Pros:
- Captures your reactions up close
- More affordable option
- Still great for memories
- Captures under canopy ride footage
Limitations:
- No outside perspective of the skydive
- Limited angles
- The instructor must focus on flying the parachute and managing the jump
Ultimate Video Package
The Ultimate Video Package includes both handcam and an external videographer.
Advantages:
- Outside footage of the jump
- Cinematic freefall angles
- Multiple perspectives
- More dynamic and shareable content
- Captures the full story of your skydive
If you want the best possible record of your first jump, the Ultimate Package is exactly what its name suggests — the ultimate way to capture it.
4. Guaranteed Availability of Ultimate Near Sydney
Another important difference when choosing where to skydive is availability of the Ultimate package.
At BIGWAVE Skydive, we are the only skydive location around Sydney that guarantees the Ultimate Video Package with at least 24 hours’ notice.
Other nearby drop zones — including those in Wollongong and Picton — typically offer outside (ultimate and dedicated) camera footage subject to availability on the day. The “dedicated package” offered in Wollongong consists of only the outside cameraman footage i.e. excludes headcam. This means you do not get the under parachute footage.
Because outside videography requires highly trained camera flyers, many locations cannot guarantee it in advance.
At BIGWAVE Skydive, we plan ahead so you can secure the Ultimate package when booking, ensuring you don’t miss out on capturing your jump.
5. Highly Experienced Videographers and Instructors
Capturing great skydiving footage isn’t just about the camera — it’s about the skill of the people filming and flying the jump.
At BIGWAVE Skydive, our team includes highly experienced tandem instructors and professional skydiver videographers who have completed thousands of jumps.
This experience makes a huge difference in the final result.
Our camera flyers know exactly how to:
- Position themselves safely during freefall
- Capture the best lighting and angles
- Keep you perfectly framed in the shot
- Showcase the scenery around you
Likewise, our tandem masters are experts at presenting the jump smoothly so the footage looks natural and exciting.
The result is higher-quality footage that truly captures the thrill of skydiving.
You can see the difference in the videos and photos we share across our social media channels, where we regularly showcase real customer jumps.
You can check them out here:
https://www.instagram.com/bigwaveskydive/
This is our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@BIGWAVESKYDIVE
6. The Best Scenery for Skydiving Around Sydney
Another reason the Ultimate Video Package looks so spectacular at BIGWAVE Skydive is our location.
We jump over one of the most beautiful sections of coastline near Sydney, where turquoise ocean meets dramatic cliffs and pristine beaches.
From the air you’ll see:
- The crystal-clear water of Bushrangers Bay
- The boats and harbour views around Shellharbour Marina
- The stunning coastline of Killalea Regional Park
- Long stretches of white sand beaches
- The vibrant blue of the Pacific Ocean
When captured from outside camera angles during freefall, these views create an incredible backdrop for your skydive footage.
This combination of ocean, coastline, and natural parkland makes the video look far more dramatic than inland drop zones.
7. Why the Ultimate Package is Worth It
Many people only skydive once in their lifetime.
Even if you plan to jump again someday, your first skydive is something you’ll never experience twice.
The nerves before the jump.
The moment the aircraft door opens.
The shock of stepping out into the sky.
Those moments happen quickly — but the Ultimate Video Package captures them forever.
It gives you something you can:
- Relive again and again
- Share with friends and family
- Post on social media
- Keep as a lifelong memory
And because the footage is filmed by a professional skydiver flying alongside you, it captures the true scale and excitement of the experience.
8. Ready to Experience the Ultimate Skydive?
If you’re planning skydiving near Sydney, choosing the right video package can make your experience even more unforgettable.
The Ultimate Video Package at BIGWAVE Skydive gives you:
- A dedicated skydiver videographer
- Outside POV freefall footage
- Handcam photos and video
- Guaranteed availability with 24h notice
- Stunning ocean and coastal scenery
- Highly experienced instructors and camera flyers
It’s the best way to capture the moment you jump from the plane and fly through the sky.
To see what it looks like in action, visit our Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/bigwaveskydive/
Or book your jump and experience the ultimate way to skydive around Sydney.
Summary
The table below summarises the options and considerations when choosing your best skydiving Sydney adventure. Keep in mind, we do have a price beat guarantee – if you find a better deal for a beach skydive around Sydney or Wollongong, we will beat it by $20! This combined with guaranteed outside cameraman availability (with 24h notice) means we offer Wollongong’s premium skydive. And who wants anything less for this once in a lifetime experience?
| BIGWAVE SKYDIVE – Shellharbour | Picton | Wollongong | |
| Base Price for Tandem Skydive (as at October 2024) | $399($339 group 8+) | $349 | $433.79 (including booking fee of $4.79pp) |
| Base Price for Photo and Handcam Video Package | $169 | $170 pre-booked or $190 on the day | $179 |
| Total price (incl. most popular handcam photo and video package) | $568 | $519 or $529 | $612.79 |
| Payment | $100 deposit, balance on the day when you check-in. Bad weather? Don’t pay balance until you jump! | Pay in full at time of booking | Pay in full at time of booking |
| Cost to reschedule | Free if more than 48 hours notice | Free if more than 24 hours notice | $100 |
| Ultimate video package (outside cameraman) | $339 | $290 | $339 (cannot be pre-booked and not guaranteed) |
| Cancellation Fee | Conditional | Conditional | 100% of booking value |
| Beach location | Yes – beachside landing | No | Park landing (Stuart Park), occasional (wind direction dependent) beachside landing |
| Take off location | Shellharbour (Wollongong) Airport | At drop zone | Shellharbour (Wollongong) Airport |
| Distance from Airport to Landing Area | 10 minutes | Land at drop zone | 30 minutes bus ride to airport |
| Company | Family-owned | Family-owned | Corporate Company |
| Maximum exit height | 15,000ft | 15,000ft | 15,000ft |
| Google Review Rating | 5-stars (800+ reviews) | 4.7 star | 4.6 star |
| Bus Transfer from Sydney | Free train station pick up | Extra $30 | Yes |
A final note, you cannot bring your own GoPro on your tandem skydive. The Australian Parachute Federation regulations require that you hold a minimum Skydive C licence, 100 skydives and have been trained on the hazards of skydiving with a camera.