Pricing & FAQ

Why choose Skydive Coastal Maine to make your tandem skydive?

Skydive Coastal Maine features some of the most incredible views available in New England, and our instructors are the absolute best the industry has to offer (each with well over 8,000 jumps). We only jump the best and most modern gear/parachutes and our aircraft are maintained well beyond what is required by the FAA. We are proud to offer some of the highest quality video packages available and strive to make your experience the very best possible from the moment you arrive to the moment you leave.

Located in Biddeford, Maine.. you and your spectators will have easy access to all that the beautiful area of Maine has to offer. From Old Orchard Beach to beautiful Kennebunkport, and the nightlife of Portland.. there’s something for everyone!

Should I be concerned about weather?

Skydiving is a weather sensitive sport. We can only jump if conditions are acceptable, i.e. cloud clearance, no rain, tolerable winds, and we are the ones who make the call. Be advised that weather can be different at your house (or even within a few miles distance), especially since we are located by the coast. Please call and check the weather on the day of your reservation (especially if you live a far distance away). We always try to keep you informed about the weather and won’t make you wait around all day if the weather isn’t jumpable. Remember, weather forecasts are frequently incorrect!

Are you a United States Parachute Association (USPA) Member DropZone?

Yes we are a United States Parachute Association Group Member Dropzone. This is important because USPA Group Member DZs have pledged that they will follow the Basic Safety Recommendations (BSRs) set forth by that organization. Dropzones that will not commit to USPA membership are not necessarily unsafe but they are refusing to pledge that they will follow the BSRs and should be avoided.

Is it customary to tip the instructor?

This is a question we are often asked by students before and/or after their skydive. While it is not required to tip your instructor, if you feel like he gave you an unforgettable experience that will last a lifetime and brought you safely back to the ground, then a gratuity is always accepted and greatly appreciated. Our instructors always try to go over and above to give you the best experience possible.

Can I bring friends and spectators?

Of course!! In fact, we encourage you to bring as many friends and family as you’d like to watch your jump! We have a spectator area in view of our landing area. Please note that your spectators MUST show up with you a half-hour before your scheduled jumping time. We cannot hold the aircraft on the ground or delay your jump if they are not here when you are ready to launch.

Can we bring our own food?

Yes, of course. If you’re bringing friends and spectators, feel free to bring a grill and BBQ with us! (Please note, alcohol is not permitted on airport property at any time). If we see it then we will ask you to remove the alcohol from the airport property.

Are children permitted at Skydive Coastal Maine?

It goes without saying that an airport can be an extremely hazardous environment for unattended children. There are active taxiways with moving aircraft, deadly spinning propellers, open containers of volatile chemicals and fuels, sensitive lifesaving equipment, and parachutes landing at a formidable speed. In addition, there are many other aeronautical activities which take place on and off the field (including frequent military training exercises, banner towing, flight training, etc), which can all be affected by an unattended child running out on the taxiway or into the field. This is an environment for adults, but we also understand how important it is for many to share experiences like this with their children, or those in their families.

In order to keep them safe and allow all activites on the airport to safely continue, all children under the age of 8 must be under the direct supervision of an adult at all times. We define direct supervision by holding their hand 100% of the time while on airport property. This may be an inconvenience, but safety is the number one priority for everyone at our facility. If this policy is not followed, or if we witness children running around/climbing on things, you will be asked to leave the or view from outside the perimeter fence.

Can anyone jump under the age of 18?

Unfortunately, you must be at least 18 years old to legally jump in the state of Maine. There are absolutely no exceptions, and we cannot take parental-signed consents. Be prepared to bring and show valid, government issued I.D. If you do not, you will not be allowed to jump.

Is there a weight limit to jump?

Our weight limit is 230 pounds which is the absolute maximum. Anybody over that limit will be refused. We also reserve the right to turn away people who have a very high weight to height ratio. (For example, 220 lbs at a height of 5′ tall). The harnesses are designed for an individual with a reasonably average body size/shape. They cannot, however, safely accommodate those with an abnormally high height-to-weight ratio.

What is the policy on alcohol and/or drugs?

Alcohol is not permitted anywhere on airport property. All of our instructors are drug and alcohol free. Also, since you are required to participate to a certain degree in the skydive (as well as follow the instructions of your instructor), you must not be under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs when you arrive. This is a safety issue, and we reserve the right to refuse service if we believe that you are impaired in any way. Also, we advise against drinking heavily the night before making your jump. Being hungover will ruin your experience and could even make you sick.

Is it possible for tandem skydiving to be less expensive?

There may be some skydiving locations that offer rates that appear to be lower than normal tandem skydiving rates in New England. Often times, these operators will take you to a lower than safe (or legal) altitude to jump, offering you a much shorter amount of freefall and putting your safety at risk. Also, often times low-cost operators will cut corners in gear or aircraft maintenance, or hire sub-par or inexperienced instructors. They often will use Groupon, Living Social, or other similar sites to market and drum up large amounts of business (while tacking on all kinds of fees like airport use fees, homeland security fees, gear rental fees, and the like)

We do not operate that way. At Skydive Coastal Maine, we don’t compromise in any area of your jump. Our instructors have over 8,000 jumps (most have many more than that), and we are privileged to offer you the best view/location in Maine. Also, we have kept our prices as competitive as possible in both the industry as well as the area. We have no hidden fees, no underhanded tactics, and are honest and up front with the pricing structure. We do offer discounts for students, military, and police/fire industries (appropriate ID required). Please see our pricing page for more details.

After considering any other options in New England, we are certain you will find Skydive Coastal Maine to be the very best value and experience for Skydiving in New England.

Where can I stay near the Airport?

Biddeford and the surrounding area have a variety of motels and hotels. Try out Trivago.com to compare prices for rooms. AirBNB often has offerings in this area, also. There is an America’s Best Value Inn and a Holiday Inn Express both within 3 miles of the airport.

How far in advance should I schedule my skydive?

We recommend scheduling a tandem skydive a week in advance. Depending on the season, it is possible to make an appointment 1-2 day(s) prior to jump. Sometimes you are able to jump the same day you call. It all depends on what the bookings look like for the day you choose. July, August, and September are the busiest times, so same day bookings aren’t always available.

What time should I arrive for my skydive?

PUNCTUALITY is a must.

Skydive Coastal Maine requires that you and everyone in your group show up at least 30 minutes prior to your schedule time for processing (i.e 12:00 reservation to show up no later than 11:30). Your reservation time is the time your group should start jumping. There are waivers that need to be completed and training that you need prior to your jump. Also, the larger your group is, the more time it generally takes for processing. We welcome you to show up a little early if you like. It can give you a chance to get settled prior to your jump and see the operation in action.

Please plan according. Biddeford, Maine (and the surrounding areas) are a tourist destination, and many times you may encounter beach traffic or just general congestion traffic (especially during summer months). If you or your group is late it is very possible that you will lose your reserved time slot and be charged $100.00 per person as a late cancellation /no show fee. We cannot delay other reservations if you or your group are late, so it is imperative that this policy is followed. This also applies to spectators. We cannot delay your jump if your family/spectators are late, so please ensure they understand the arrival time as well.

* This policy has absolutely no exceptions!

What is needed to make a reservation?

To secure a reservation: we require a valid credit card number during the reservation process. We do not charge your credit card at this point. You can pay in full the day of your jump.

We accept cash, MasterCard, Visa or Discover, but NOT American Express. No personal checks are accepted.

What is your weather policy?

We are the only qualified people to determine if you can’t jump due to inclement weather (wind, rain, etc.) If you are uncertain about the weather on your reservation date, you must call and we will keep you informed. If the weather isn’t jumpable during your scheduled time, you will be asked to reschedule (instead of waiting around all day). Also, in the event that your jump is canceled due to inclement weather, there would be no charge or deposit fee. Any monies would be returned in full and you will have the option to reserve a different day.

What is your cancellation and return policy?

We require a 48 hour notice of cancellation or rescheduling at no charge. There are no exceptions since we regularly turn away others for spots that have been reserved. For groups of 8 and larger we require 1 (one) week notice of cancellation or rescheduling at no charge. No exceptions. Call (207) 991-5800 for more information.

What credit cards do you accept?

We accept Visa, Mastercard American Express, and Discover.

How safe is tandem skydiving at Skydive Coastal Maine?

Skydive Coastal Maine has a perfect safety record. We use state of the art equipment, all equipped with fail-safe automatic activation systems.. and our staff members are United States Parachute Association (USPA) certified. All have many years and thousands of jumps worth of experience in the sport. All carry FAA medical certificates and ratings from the manufacturers of the parachute equipment.. and most are also pilots, so your safety is as guaranteed as possible!

How long does the training take?

The training usually only takes about 5-10 minutes or so. The beauty of the tandem system is that your instructor handles all of the difficult parts of the skydive, while you have an up close and personal view of the world below. You will watch a brief video followed by gearing up, then meeting and boarding the aircraft with your instructor(s). The time it takes to jump also depends on the size of the group: we will give you a more accurate time frame when you call.

What does free fall feel like?

Freefall is not the “roller coaster drop” feeling most people expect it would be. It is a comfortable sensation of floating and support, with a slight pressure of air against your body. There is also an overwhelmingly euphoric adrenaline rush that cannot be described in any other way than awesome!

What should I wear?

During the Summer months, dress in comfortable clothing such as shorts, t-shirts, tank tops, sweaters, jeans, yoga pants, or capris. For shoes, sneakers or similar comfortable, well fitting shoes are recommended. No sandals, flip-flops, open toed or slip-on shoes or boots with hooks, please. During Spring and Fall bring a pair of well fitting gloves and perhaps a fleece or sweatshirt; otherwise, we provide you with gloves, jumpsuit, and goggles for the jump. Glasses or contact lenses are ok as we will provide you with goggles to protect your eyes (and glasses, if necessary).

Can I bring my own camera to jump?

Recently, we have noticed an increased interest by our students to bring their own cameras with them on their skydive. Skydive Coastal Maine does not allow this for a variety of reasons.

The first reason is safety. You or your instructor may be hit with a camera carried in freefall, causing possible injury. Because we are falling at speeds of 120 mph, and any projectile that may dislodge from a mount at that speed is very dangerous. Our camera equipment has been specially designed and modified to be skydiving friendly, and the instructor has extensive experience in safely operating that equipment.

The second reason is one of liability. Should the camera be dropped, bumped, or fall away for any reason, everyone below is at risk. Anything dropped from that altitude (even the lightest of equipment) is extremely hazardous. We regularly jump over highly populated areas, and we are not willing to put those below at risk, nor have to answer to the FAA as to why a camera went through someone’s windshield.

The third reason lies in the fact that our instructors have been highly trained in how to film in freefall and during the canopy ride, and are much more likely to produce a product that accurately reflects your jump. The sensory overload on one’s first jump can be a bit overwhelming, and being able to catch the angles and lighting takes great practice and skill. Our instructors are as much photographers as they are instructors!

And finally, the fourth reason is that you are required to participate (to a certain degree) in the skydive itself. If you are focusing on the perfect selfie pose, or getting that “epic shot”, you will not be doing what you are supposed to. This can lead to greater chance of injury during the landing. We will not put your safety at risk, so this is a non-starter.

You and your family/friends are more than welcome to bring your own cameras for on-the-ground fiming/photography before and after the jump, but please do not attempt to bring one onto our aircraft. You will not be allowed to jump with it. This policy is non-negotiable, and is generally shared by all other skydiving locations in New England.