Most people who ask "can I skydive?" are really asking about one of four things: their weight, their age, a medical condition, or something practical like glasses or a hangover. This page answers all of them with the exact rules Skydive Palawan applies on jump day, so there are no surprises at the weigh-in.
The short version
Weight
Up to 115 kg (253 lbs). A ₱3,500 overweight fee applies from 91 kg.
Age
No minimum age. Minors jump with a parent's or guardian's consent. No upper age limit.
Health
Good general health. Heart conditions, epilepsy, recent surgery and severe respiratory issues need a doctor's clearance.
Experience
None. Your instructor manages the whole jump from exit to landing.
The Skydiving Weight Limit in the Philippines
Every dropzone in the world has a weight limit, and it is set by the equipment, not by fitness or body shape. Tandem parachute systems are certified for a combined instructor-plus-passenger load, so the passenger limit is what is left once the instructor and the rig are accounted for. At Skydive Palawan the maximum passenger weight is 115 kg (253 lbs), which is on the generous side for Asia — some dropzones in the region stop at 100 kg.
Weight is checked on a scale at the dropzone before your jump, fully clothed, so allow a kilo or two for what you are wearing. If you are close to the limit, tell us when you book: jumps for guests in the 91–115 kg range are subject to instructor approval on the day, which in practice means matching you with the right instructor and gear rather than a yes-or-no decision at the scale.
What happens at each weight
| Under 91 kg | Standard jump. No extra fee. |
|---|---|
| 91 – 115 kg (200 – 253 lbs) | You can jump. A ₱3,500 overweight fee is paid in cash at the dropzone after weigh-in, subject to instructor approval. |
| Over 115 kg | We cannot take you on a tandem — the parachute system is not certified for the load. |
Why is there an overweight fee?
Heavier tandem pairs fall faster, open harder, and need a larger main canopy and an instructor rated for the load. The ₱3,500 fee (about US$60) covers the extra wear and the instructor assignment. It is not included in your online booking total and is only ever charged after the scale confirms it applies.
Age Requirements: Minimum and Maximum
There is no minimum age for a tandem skydive at Skydive Palawan. The practical test is whether the harness fits properly and whether the jumper genuinely wants to go — a nervous but willing 12-year-old is fine; a child being pushed into it is not. Anyone under 18 needs a parent or legal guardian present to sign the waiver.
There is no upper age limit either. We have taken guests in their seventies, and older jumpers are usually the calmest people on the plane. What matters at any age is general health: if you can climb a few steps and lift your legs for landing, you can skydive. If you have any doubts, a short conversation with your doctor beforehand is the sensible move.
Medical Conditions and Health
Tandem skydiving is physically easier than most people imagine — the instructor does the flying, and you mostly need to arch your back and lift your legs. Even so, there is a hard opening shock, a few minutes at altitude, and a landing. These conditions need a doctor's written clearance before you jump:
- Heart conditions, high blood pressure that is not controlled, or a history of stroke
- Epilepsy or seizure disorders
- Surgery, fractures, or joint dislocations in the last six months
- Severe asthma or other respiratory conditions
- Back, neck, or spinal problems, including recent disc injuries
- Diabetes that is not well controlled
We do not take pregnant jumpers, and we ask you to disclose any condition honestly on the waiver — it is there to protect you, not to exclude you. Mild asthma, well-managed diabetes, old injuries and everyday medication are rarely a problem.
The Practical Questions
Can I skydive with glasses or contact lenses?
Yes. We provide goggles that fit over most prescription glasses, and contact lenses are fine under goggles. Sunglasses stay on the ground.
Can I drink the night before?
A drink with dinner is fine. Arriving hungover or with alcohol still in your system is not — you will be refused the jump with no refund, so keep the celebration for after you land.
Can I bring my own GoPro?
No. Personal cameras are a snag hazard on a tandem, and the USPA recommends at least 200 jumps before anyone jumps with one. Your instructor films the jump in 4K instead.
Do I need to be fit?
No. You need to be able to lift your legs to waist height for landing and hold that for a few seconds. That is the whole physical requirement.
What should I wear?
Athletic clothing and closed-toe shoes like sneakers. No sandals, no loose scarves, no jewellery that can catch.
What if I am scared?
Everyone is. Being nervous is not a requirement problem — the briefing and the 20-minute scenic flight settle most people before the door opens.
Requirements sorted? The before-you-book checklist covers what to bring, deposits and the weather policy, and the tandem skydiving prices page shows exactly what is included in the ₱28,100 rate.
Skydiving Requirements: Quick Answers
What is the weight limit for skydiving in the Philippines?
At Skydive Palawan the maximum passenger weight is 115 kg (253 lbs). Jumpers between 91 and 115 kg can skydive with a ₱3,500 overweight fee, paid in cash at the dropzone after weigh-in and subject to instructor approval. Other Philippine dropzones set limits between 100 and 114 kg.
Is there a minimum age for tandem skydiving in the Philippines?
Skydive Palawan has no minimum age — the jumper needs to fit the harness properly and want to jump. Anyone under 18 must have a parent or legal guardian present to sign the waiver. There is no maximum age.
Can I skydive if I am overweight?
Yes, up to 115 kg. Between 91 and 115 kg a ₱3,500 overweight fee applies and the jump is subject to instructor approval on the day. Above 115 kg the tandem parachute system is not certified for the load, so we cannot take you.
Which medical conditions stop you from skydiving?
Heart conditions, epilepsy, surgery or fractures within the last six months, severe respiratory problems, spinal injuries and poorly controlled diabetes need written clearance from a doctor. Pregnancy rules out a jump. Everyday conditions and medication are rarely an issue — disclose them on the waiver and we will advise.
Can I skydive with glasses?
Yes. Skydive Palawan provides goggles that fit over prescription glasses, and contact lenses are fine under goggles.
Ready to Take the Leap?
If you are 115 kg or under, in good general health, and fit the harness, you can skydive in Palawan — no minimum age, no experience, no fitness test. Anything borderline is worth a quick message before you book; we would rather answer a question now than turn someone away at the dropzone.
