Tourists and locals can take the plunge from more than 10,000 feet above Bermuda with the island’s first skydiving venture.

Skydive Bermuda did its first set of test dives last week and successfully dropped four people, including its co-founders, on Cross Island in Dockyard.

Spencer Butterfield and Christopher Oates, the creators of the business, said the jump served as a blueprint to launch the business next spring.

Mr Butterfield added: “There’s been an overwhelmingly positive response to the opportunity.

“There’s lots of people who said they won’t jump but they’re excited we have it here.

“It’s just a fun, youthful addition to Bermuda’s tourism product.”

Mr Butterfield, the chief executive officer of Butterfield and Vallis, is an avid skydiver and the idea came to him when he had to overseas his hobby.

He approached Mr Oates, his skydiving instructor, with the idea and has been fine-tuning it ever since.

Mr Butterfield expects the service to draw thrill-seeking tourists but also cater to parties and corporate team-building exercises.

He said: “In the different drop zones that I’ve been to, I met a lot of people who travel for skydiving, the same way a lot of people go on sky trips or like to go on cruises.

“There’s a large community of people who will take their vacation and hop around different drop zones to skydive.

“Then of course, there’s your less frequent skydiver who does it on the weekends.”

The dives would take place from 13,000 feet and touch down on Cross Island.

They will be carried out with the help of Paradise Aviation, the holding company of the US-based Azura Helicopters, which is also expected to start tours next year.

Mr Butterfield explained the island was an ideal drop site because of its even surface free of power lines or traffic.

Mr Oates added that Cross Island was relatively large compared with other sites he had worked on.

The instructor, who has thousands of dives under his belt, said divers would be monitored by safety boats and a ground crew throughout the jump.

He added that “highly experienced instructors” would assist jumpers and fit them with emergency flotation devices in case a water landing proved necessary.

“Safety is our top priority,” he emphasised.

“We’re taking a measured and professional approach to this, so that’s our first and foremost priority.”

Mr Oates said Bermuda would also make a fantastic skydiving location because of the chance to view the entire island contrasted against the ocean.

He said: “The view from 13,000 feet here is incredible. Even experienced skydivers who have jumped in similar locations are going to be blown away with the scenery because Bermuda from the air is truly unique.”

Mr Oates added: “We believe this can become an iconic Bermudian experience.

“It complements Bermuda’s existing tourism offerings and experiential tourism is growing globally right now.”

The co-owners said they would be working with the Bermuda Civil Aviation Authority to get approval.

They thanked the BCAA, Skyport, Bermuda Land Management Corporation and the Bermuda Airport Authority for their support as the company works towards its launch.

Those interested can follow @SkydiveBermudaon Instagram for updates.