If you’re booking your first jump, here’s the short version: tandem vs solo skydiving comes down to whether someone experienced jumps with you or you jump on your own. On a tandem skydive, you’re harnessed to a trained instructor who handles the technical work. Solo skydiving means you exit, fall, and land your own parachute after hours of training. For a first jump, almost everyone starts tandem and for good reason.
That said, “which is better” depends entirely on what you actually want out of the experience. Let’s break it down so you can book with confidence.
- Tandem skydiving = strapped to an instructor, ~20–30 minutes of training, and you just enjoy the ride. Best for first-timers, tourists, and bucket-list jumps.
- Solo skydiving = you fly your own parachute, which requires 4–8 hours of ground school first (usually through AFF). Best if your goal is to become a licensed skydiver.
- Safest, easiest first step: tandem. Most people who want to go solo still do a tandem first.
What Is Tandem Skydiving?
Tandem skydiving is a jump where a harness securely attaches you to a certified instructor who controls the entire skydive, from the exit, the freefall, deploying the parachute, and the landing.
Your only job is to relax, follow a few simple instructions, and take in the view. Because the instructor handles all the technical aspects, you don’t need any prior experience.
Training before a tandem jump is usually short, around 20 to 30 minutes. The instructor walks you through body position, what free-fall feels like, and how to lift your legs for landing. Then you’re on the plane.
In short: A tandem jump lets you experience free-fall on day one, with a professional handling the hard part.
What Is Solo Skydiving?
Solo skydiving means you’re under your own parachute, fully responsible for deploying it, steering it, and landing safely. It’s the path you take if you want to become a licensed skydiver rather than jump once.
Most people learn through the Accelerated Freefall (AFF) program. AFF starts with ground school, typically 4 to 8 hours of instruction covering equipment, body position, emergency procedures, and canopy control.
On your early AFF jumps, one or two instructors fall alongside you, guiding you in the air without being attached. As you progress, you gain independence jump by jump.
The usual long-term goal is the USPA A license (issued by the United States Parachute Association), which lets you jump on your own and with other licensed skydivers. Earning it generally takes around 25 jumps.
In short: Solo skydiving is a training journey, not a single experience. It rewards you with the freedom to keep jumping for life.
Tandem vs Solo Skydiving: Side-by-Side Comparison
Factor | Tandem Skydiving | Solo Skydiving (AFF) |
Who controls the jump | Your instructor | You |
Experience needed | None | None to start, but heavy training |
Pre-jump training | ~20–30 minutes | 4–8 hours of ground school |
Best for | First-timers, tourists, bucket list | Aspiring licensed skydivers |
Time commitment | A few hours total | Weeks to months for a license |
Cost | One set price per jump | Higher overall, program + multiple jumps |
The goal it serves | The experience itself | A lasting skill and hobby |
In short: Choose tandem if you want the thrill with minimal commitment. Choose solo if your goal is to skydive again and again on your own.
Is Tandem Skydiving Safer Than Solo?
Statistically, yes, tandem jumps carry less risk, largely because of who’s running the jump.
Skydiving as a whole has become far safer over the decades thanks to better equipment, automatic backup devices, and standardized training. Both tandem and solo skydiving have strong safety records compared to many other adventure sports.
Tandem jumps benefit from the instructor’s experience. To earn a tandem rating through the USPA, an instructor must:
- Hold a USPA D license (the highest level)
- Have at least 3 years in the sport
- Have completed a minimum of 500 jumps
- Pass an FAA Class III medical exam
- Complete a rigorous tandem instructor course
With solo skydiving, you’re making the decisions, so newer jumpers have more room for error. That’s exactly why training is so thorough and why starting tandem is a smart way to get comfortable first.
In short, Tandem is statistically the lower-risk way to make a first jump, mostly because a highly trained professional is in control.
How Many Tandem Jumps Do You Need Before Going Solo?
This is one of the most common questions, and the honest answer is: it depends on the dropzone.
Some programs require at least one tandem jump before you start AFF. Others recommend it strongly, but don’t make it mandatory. A few build training tandems directly into the early stages of their solo program.
Even where it isn’t required, a “fun” tandem first is genuinely useful. It answers two questions before you invest in training: Do I actually enjoy this? And can I stay calm in freefall? Most people who do a tandem first tend to move through solo training more smoothly.
Expert tip: If you think you might want to go solo someday, treat your first tandem as a test drive. Pay attention to how your body reacts to the exit and free-fall; that awareness pays off later.
Which Should You Choose? An Honest Guide
Here’s the part most articles skip: the right choice isn’t the same for everyone.
Choose tandem skydiving if you:
- Want a one-time bucket-list experience
- Are visiting and short on time
- Want to enjoy the views without managing equipment
- Are nervous and want a pro in control
- Are you celebrating a birthday, bachelor or bachelorette trip, or group outing
Consider solo skydiving (AFF) if you:
- Want skydiving to become an ongoing hobby
- Are excited by the idea of flying your own parachute
- Can commit the time and budget to full training
- Already did a tandem and got hooked
There’s no wrong answer. Plenty of lifelong skydivers started with a single tandem jump, which they almost didn’t book.
In short, Tandem serves the experience; Solo serves the skill. Pick based on your goal, not just your nerves.
Tandem vs Solo Skydiving in Las Vegas
If you’re planning a jump around a Las Vegas trip, your schedule usually makes the decision easy.
Most visitors have a packed itinerary and limited days, so a tandem skydive fits perfectly. You can experience freefall over the Nevada desert in a single morning, with sweeping views you won’t get on the Strip.
At Skydive Las Vegas, first-time jumpers come for exactly this: a straightforward, well-briefed tandem experience with USPA-certified instructors, plus video and photo options so the memory doesn’t live only in your head. If a tandem leaves you wanting more, solo training through AFF is the natural next step.
In short: For a Las Vegas visit, tandem is the practical and scenic choice; solo makes sense once you know you’re in it for the long haul.
Frequently Asked Questions
On a tandem skydive, you're attached to an instructor who controls the jump. Solo skydiving means you operate your own parachute after completing training, usually through an AFF program.
Statistically, yes. Tandem jumps are managed by highly experienced, USPA-rated instructors, which reduces the chance of error compared to a newly trained solo jumper.
It depends on the dropzone. Some require at least one tandem before solo training; others recommend it. Even when optional, it's a helpful first step.
A tandem jump needs about 20–30 minutes of instruction. Solo skydiving requires roughly 4–8 hours of ground school before your first jump.
If your goal is to keep jumping and eventually get licensed, yes. If you want a single thrilling experience, a tandem jump delivers that at far less cost and commitment.
A USPA A license generally requires around 25 jumps, completed through a structured program like AFF.
Yes, tandem skydiving is ideal for visitors. It requires no experience and fits easily into a short trip.
Ready to Make Your First Jump?
Now that you understand tandem vs solo skydiving, the choice usually comes down to one question: do you want the experience, or the skill? For most first-timers, especially those visiting Las Vegas with limited time, a tandem skydive is the easiest, lowest-pressure way to feel real freefall and see the Nevada desert from above.
If you’re ready to turn “someday” into a date on the calendar, the team at Skydive Las Vegas can walk you through pricing, scheduling, and what to expect. Reserve your tandem skydive today, or call to check availability and lock in your jump.
