The World’s Best Bungee-Jumping Locations

Bungee jumping is a high-octane, fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants (literally) experience that basically consists of strapping yourself to what amounts to a giant rubber band and jumping off something tall.  Well, okay.  Like most extreme sports there is actually a lot more to it.  There are many safety precautions to be observed and it is nearly always done in a regulated manner (at least for the general public).  And while it certainly will get your heart pumping, the chance of injury or death is fairly small if you know what you’re doing.  Still, you will be jumping into open air, probably over some sort of yawning chasm, with only an elastic cord to make sure you never hit the bottom.  Here are a few of the best places to utter a prayer and leap towards oblivion.

1.) Verzasca Dam, Ticino, Switzerland.  At over 600 feet, this is the world’s highest permanent bungee site (without guide ropes), ensuring an unencumbered freefall adventure towards the menacing rocks at the base.  It is probably most famous for its inclusion in the 1996 film GoldenEye (in which James Bond famously takes the plunge).  But it also offers breathtaking views of the Swiss Alps and the Verzasca River.

2.) Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.  This waterfall is known by natives as Mosi-oa-Tunya, or the Smoke that Thunders, and it’s not hard to see why since it is claimed to be the largest waterfall in the world (although it is neither the highest nor the widest).  A jump from the Victoria Falls Bridge will not only offer a spectacular view of Second Gorge, it will also allow jumpers to gaze upon two countries simultaneously (Zambia and Zimbabwe).  You may even see a few items that have gone over the waterfall (like a hippo or crocodile) since they tend to wash up near the bridge.

3.) Banderas Bay, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.  Slurp down a margarita and then take the 120-foot plunge from a permanent structure (that looks like a grass hut on an extender arm) over the Pacific Ocean.  The clear cerulean waters below may give even the most stalwart bungee-buffs pause, but their commitment to safety is so strong that they literally guarantee you will not be harmed.  As a bonus, the bay is also a breeding and birthing ground for humpback whales, so if you come at the right time of year, you might get a better view than you bargained for.

4.) Morrison Quarry “The Rock”, Wakefield, Quebec, Canada.  Touted as “the best bungee jump in Canada”, this attraction offers the opportunity to literally jump off a cliff (despite your parents’ firm assertion that you should never follow a friend who does such a thing).  You will leap from a platform that seems precariously suspended (although it has been holding strong for 17 years) almost 200 feet over stunningly clear water (best known for scuba diving), and yes, you will get wet.  The upside of this site?  While others can be pretty pricey, Canada offers jumps for under $100.

5.) Macau Tower, Macau.  This manmade structure, coming in at a whopping height of over 1,100 feet, beat out the Bloukrans River Bridge in South Africa to become the world’s highest commercial bungee jumping site.  It may not offer the spectacular vistas to be found at other locations, but a jump from the free-standing tower will earn you some pretty big bragging rights.

Derwood Talbot is a writer for the popular book review website, Written Word. Browse the site to find information on the latest book gadgets and information on your favorite authors.