Make the most of your day on the island with these short excursions

So, you’ve booked a skydive over Rottnest Island! How exciting and what a fantastic way to see this spectacular holiday isle. A common question from our customers is “What can I do before or after my skydive?”.

The truth is, there’s plenty to see and do on the island.

In saying that, it’s important to allow at least two hours for your skydiving experience and always be 15-20 minutes early to catch your pre-booked ferry back to the mainland (unless you’re staying the night, which is highly recommended). But with a little pre-planning, you can make the most of your trip and squeeze in a few more top attractions.

To make things easy, here are the best things to do before or after your skydive on Rottnest Island.

Quench your thirst

The first thing you’ll want to do after your jump is have your complimentary beer, wine or soft drink at Thomsons Rottnest! Every skydive passenger receives a voucher from us, so do take advantage of this little gift. It’s a great way to catch your breath while enjoying the epic views of Thomson Bay. Feeling hungry? You’ll also find an array of delicious seafood dishes, burgers, and share plates to devour.

If you want to continue along the boozy path (after your jump only, please), meander to Pinky’s Beach Club for a colourful cocktail where you can drink in the views of the Bathurst Lighthouse from the beachside lounge.

Go on a wild sea adventure

If skydiving isn’t enough adventure for one day, hop aboard the Eco Express. This 90-minute adventure boat tour will have your hair blowing and your stomach flip-flopping as you high-speed into the ocean in search of whales, dolphins, seabirds, and fur seals. If you’re lucky enough to visit between September and November, there’s a high chance you’ll spot humpbacks! The expert crew know exactly where the whales hang out, and they’ll do their best to get you some great photo opportunities. There’s usually a morning and an afternoon trip, which depending on your skydiving booking time, could work out perfectly.

Meet the locals

And by locals, we mean quokkas. These cute little marsupials have become world-famous thanks to the hashtag #quokkaselfie. You’ll see these little critters all over the Main Settlement and beyond, so don’t stress too much about whether you’ll get a photo or not. It’s important to know that you cannot touch or feed the quokkas. They are wild animals, and although they are friendly, and super adorable, they should not be touched or fed.

To get the best “selfie”, get on the ground (on your belly
is best) with your phone ready to capture the moment. Wait for the animal to
approach you and position your phone low and shoot upwards towards both of your
faces. This is how you’ll get a “smiling” quokka image.

Bike to beaches and bays

With 63 beaches and 20 bays to explore on Rottnest Island, it’s easy to fill in a few hours beach-hopping before or after your skydive. Of course, you’ll land on a beach as part of your tandem skydive so you’ll definitely see one beach up close.

You and your skydiving instructor will land at either Salmon Bay, Thomson Bay or Bickley Bay, depending on the weather and wind direction. But if you want to see some of the other beautiful beaches and bays, be sure to factor time into your day. One of the best ways to get around the island is by bicycle. You can hire a bike on the island at Pedal and Flipper or as part of your ferry package with Rottnest Express.

If you’re biking before your skydive, be sure you have ample time to get to the airport for your booking check-in time. There are many hills, and biking can take longer than you may think. Choose a few places to hit – preferably close to the settlement. We can highly recommend Parker Point, Little Salmon Bay, Pinky’s Beach, and Henrietta Rocks.

Treat yourself

Holidays are all about treating yourself, aren’t they? A trip to Rottnest Island in itself is a luxury, but while you’re there, you may as well go whole hog. For a tiny treat, the Rottnest Bakery makes delicious jam doughnuts. If you don’t have one, you’re missing out (sorry to anyone who’s gluten-free as they are not). The bakery is also famous for its Australian meat pies.

Perfect for before or after your skydive is a personalised massage at Karma Spa. Choose from 60, 75 or 90-minute Balinese-style massages that will take away your stresses and make you feel brand-new. Short on time? Try an express manicure or neck and shoulder rub.

If you’re keen to spend the night on the island, book yourself an eco-tent at Discovery Rottnest Island located at Pinky’s Beach. This “glamping” experience will allow you extra time to do all the things and see more of Rottnest Island so you won’t have to feel rushed before or after your skydive.