Most Dangerous Bungee Jumping Spots in the World
/granite-web-prod/c8/dd/c8dd9bbf11e2431fbed7fdb39412a82d.jpeg)
Bungee jumping has existed for thousands of years, with indigenous people using it as a rite of passage in places like the Pacific Island of Vanuatu. As a modern sport, the extreme activity is credited to Alan John Hackett, a New Zealander who threw himself off a bridge in Auckland in 1986, spurring the craze as we know it today.
But is bungee jumping safe? For the most part, yes, surprisingly. Only five recorded deaths have happened since 2015, and the chance of a fatal accident while doing the sport is 1 in 500,000. Those are pretty good odds.
Still, jumping hundreds of feet into the void with only a flimsy cord saving you from death can be terrifying. And some spots don't have the best track record of keeping people safe. These are the world's most extreme or dangerous places to go bungee jumping.
15. Skypark
Location: Cairns, Australia
Height: 164 feet
Should you avoid it: No
Why Bungee Jumping in Skypark Is Terrifying
Remember AJ Hackett, the guy who made bungee jumping a modern sport? Well, he opened an adventure sports park in Cairns, Australia, and the main activity is, of course, bungee jumping.
In fact, the park claims that you can try a whole 16 jump styles, which cater to different levels and preferences.
You can also buy a bundle packet and try their giant swing and/or walk the plank experiences.
14. Bloukrans Bridge
/granite-web-prod/25/f7/25f776a726a149e98af2fa4f055264aa.jpeg)
Location: Garden Route, South Africa
Height: 709 feet
Should you avoid it: No
Why Bungee Jumping From Bloukrans Bridge Is Terrifying
The first bungee jumping spot in the African continent, Bloukrans Bridge is also the fourth highest jump in the world.
You'll have to walk on a metal bridge over the Bloukrans River, feeling the powerful crossbridge push you as you get ready to jump. Though only veritable daredevils attempt this jump, it has proven to be quite safe, with no accidents since 1997.
If you can stomach the extreme conditions, go ahead and visit this spot.
13. Contra Dam
/granite-web-prod/99/8c/998c0c488b774de3be1f86874fbe2849.jpeg)
Location: Locarno, Switzerland
Height: 722 feet
Should you avoid it: No
Why Bungee Jumping From Contra Dam Is Terrifying
For its first 30 years of life, Contra Dam — also known as Verzasca Dam — was just a regular old dam in Switzerland. Then, in 1995, Pierce Brosnan jumped from it in the James Bond film "GoldenEye," and the world suddenly realized this was a great bungee jumping spot.
Over 25 years have passed since the movie and people still go to the dam to make a jump that gives you gorgeous views of the Swiss Alps. Besides, at 722 feet, this is the third-highest bungee jumping spot on the planet, which keeps it at the top of many an aficionado's bucket list.
12. Taupo Bungee
/granite-web-prod/a2/ed/a2edb769c0b74e6fb71ef7f513f5b7dd.jpeg)
Location: Taupo, New Zealand
Height: 154 feet
Should you avoid it: No
Why Bungee Jumping in Taupo Is Terrifying
There are definitely much higher jumps than the Taupo Bridge, which is only 154 feet high. But this spot differentiates itself by providing a unique but absolutely terrifying experience.
This bungee is the only cliff-top jump in New Zealand, and it stands over the beautiful and freezing Waikato River. While most jumps over bodies of water are planned so that you don't hit the water, in this one, you'll purposefully be let to fully immerse in the water before being pulled back up.
What makes this so scary is that besides throwing yourself off a cliff, you'll be plunged in cold water at speeds that will most likely make it impossible for you to see anything or even process what is happening. By all accounts, the thrill is worth it, but it is recommended only for experienced jumpers who need an even higher level of adrenaline than usual.
11. Niouc Bridge
Location: Nicouc, Switzerland
Height: 623 Feet
Should you avoid it: No
Why Bungee Jumping From Niouc Bridge Is Terrifying
Switzerland's Niouc Bridge is not as high as the Contra Dam, but we still think it's a more terrifying place to go bungee jumping.
Why? The jump happens from a suspension bridge that shakes with movement and the wind. Rather than jump from a stable platform, you'll be throwing yourself off a bridge that already doesn't provide a sense of security.
We couldn't find any records of accidents happening here, which is reassuring. Still, this is probably not the place where you'd want to do your first jump.
10. The Nevis
/granite-web-prod/35/95/3595785ca1f546f98cb492e4fe3b9c39.jpeg)
Location: Queenstown, New Zealand
Height: 440 feet
Should you avoid it: No
Why Bungee Jumping From the Nevis Is Terrifying
Queenstown is often called the adventure capital of the world, so it's fitting that the most extreme bungee jump in New Zealand is located in it.
At 440 feet, it's not within the top highest jumps, but it's still a pretty harrowing height. But what really makes it take the top spot is that you won't be jumping from a bridge, not even a flimsy suspension one. Instead, you'll take a cable car between two mountains. The car stops in the middle and stands suspended over a gorge through which high winds pass, making the platform shake frequently.
The Nevis is very safe, thanks to New Zealand's strict codes and rules regarding bungee jumping. But just be aware that you might faint before even getting to jump.
9. La Negra Bridge
/granite-web-prod/00/e7/00e725c123d54715bc702f2145aa2f3c.png)
Location: Florida, Bolivia
Height: 50 feet
Should you avoid it: Yes
Why Bungee Jumping From La Negra Bridge Is Terrifying
/granite-web-prod/f4/a7/f4a74afeb3784805912875010202fac8.jpeg)
One of the most important factors in bungee jumping safety is the length of the rope. If it's too long, people can crash into the ground. If it's too short, they can bounce with too much force and hit the bottom of the bridge.
In 2017, one woman experienced the dangers of miscalculating rope length when she jumped from La Negra Bridge in Bolivia. Rather than bounce back when she was supposed to, she crashed into the river below.
Luckily, she survived with no major injuries. However, this is a spot we recommend you skip. For one, the river is only ankle-deep, so the water doesn't provide as much protection as deeper rivers would. Bungee jumping is also a relatively new phenomenon in Bolivia, so the sport is not as regulated yet as it is in other parts.
8. Tablate Bridge
/granite-web-prod/06/63/06639d62b0094ce491a7065b0a854642.jpeg)
Location: Lanjaron, Spain
Height: 262 feet
Should you avoid it: Yes
Why Bungee Jumping From Tablate Bridge Is Terrifying
Jumping from a bridge is always scary, but jumping from a bridge that stands over another bridge may just be too reckless.
The Tablate Bridge is a modern metal bridge that's built above an ancient Roman bridge by the same name. For years people in Spain have used this as a unique bungee jumping spot. However, in 2016, a British woman died when she jumped from the first bridge and hit her head on the stone one.
Negligence was thought to be the cause, since her rope might have been too long. There were also disturbing reports of bungee jump tour companies combining jumps with alcohol. A month after the tragedy, another nonfatal accident happened on the bridge.
All in all, the risk for this spot seems too high, particularly given the obvious irresponsibility of tour companies in the area.
7. Rio Grande Gorge Bridge
/granite-web-prod/29/6d/296ddfc426df4ad8b64053d88082b4a4.jpeg)
Location: Taos, New Mexico
Height: 676 feet
Should you avoid it: No
Why Bungee Jumping From Rio Grande Gorge Bridge Is Terrifying
The bungee jump from Rio Grande Bridge is the highest in the United States and the fifth-highest in the world. This alone ranks it high in danger factors.
Another fact that makes us a bit wary of it is that it has no bungee platform or even a permanent tour company that operates it and has deep knowledge of the environment. Instead, some touring operators offer dates to jump from the bridge from time to time.
Because it is such a rare opportunity, experts jump (pun intended) at the chance to try the sport from this bridge. But we're not so sure we trust traveling bungee jumping operators to really provide the safest conditions.
Still, no accidents have been reported, so we won't discourage you from going either.
6. Macao Tower
/granite-web-prod/c0/8e/c08e482abe07407eb3a51662ad0aaa41.jpeg)
Location: Macao, China
Height: 754 feet
Should you avoid it: No
Why Bungee Jumping From the Macao Tower Is Terrifying
While bungee jumping in natural surroundings is scary, there is something about doing it in a city that is even more nerve-racking. Perhaps it's the amount of concrete or the noise that surrounds you, but there is definitely an added thrill.
The jump from the Macao Tower is the second-highest in the world, lasting four to five seconds — almost double that of average jumps. Before throwing yourself to the ground, you'll get a panoramic view of the gorgeous autonomous Chinese territory, which is famous for its casinos and its mix of Chinese and Portuguese culture.
Accidents are rare, and there is a giant airbag to protect jumpers. Still, in 2018, one man was taken to the hospital after engaging in the activity at Macao Tower. The jump was completely fine, but for some reason, the security system kicked in before he was lowered onto the airbag, leaving him stranded for an hour in low temperatures, which caused him to get mild hypothermia.
5. The Last Resort
/granite-web-prod/19/92/1992cd9191b34eadb5da15c8d7dae997.jpeg)
Location: Thamel, Nepal
Height: 524 feet
Should you avoid it: No
Why Bungee Jumping From the Last Resort Is Terrifying
Few experiences will ever be as amazing as bungee jumping in the Himalayas. At Nepal's Last Resort (yes, that really is the name), you can walk a suspension bridge, stand over a metal platform and jump into a gorge with the powerful Bhote Kosi River rushing below.
Terrifying? Absolutely. But we have yet to find a person who regretted trying it. Well, except someone who got stung by a bee as they were suspended, waiting to be brought back up.
Besides an extreme setting, we've ranked it this high because getting attacked by bees definitely ups the danger factor.
4. Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge
/granite-web-prod/23/97/23974d80e37c48e2925e1413c347f96a.jpeg)
Location: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, China
Height: 853 feet
Should you avoid it: No
Why Bungee Jumping From the Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge Is Terrifying
Few jumps in the world can compete with the breathtaking beauty and the thrill of the Zhangjiajie Bridge. You'll not only be doing the highest bridge jump in the entire world, but will also be surrounded by landscapes so unreal, they served as the inspiration for the famous flying scene in James Cameron's "Avatar."
Jumpers begin to face their fears as soon as they step on the bridge, which is the world's highest glass-bottom bridge and which provides views of the deep canyon at your feet.
You'll then head down to a platform just below the bridge, and prepare for a scary but truly rewarding bungee jump experience.
3. Helibungee With Heliforce
Location: Kiskunlachaza-Bankhaza Airport, Hungary
Height: 1,980 feet
Should you avoid it: No
Why Helibungee With Heliforce Is Terrifying
Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge may be the tallest bridge jump in the world, but if 853 feet isn't high enough for you, you can completely leave land and jump from a helicopter.
Heliforce, a company based in Hungary, offers a Helibungee experience that lets you jump from a height of 1,980 feet. The rope alone is 110 meters, so the fall is the longest you can possibly experience.
The company also boasts that the harness is adjustable, so when you're suspended in the air, you could put yourself into an upright position and take in the view.
2. Victoria Falls Bridge
/granite-web-prod/a4/33/a4332dc3e5834070a03d95367b33e50d.jpeg)
Location: Victoria Falls, Zambia and Zimbabwe
Height: 364 feet
Should you avoid it: No
Why Bungee Jumping From the Victoria Falls Bridge Is Terrifying
At 364 feet, Victoria Falls Bridge is nowhere near the top 10 highest bungee jumps. Yet it manages to beat almost every single jump experience in terms of both being extreme and being somewhat dangerous.
As one of the planet's biggest waterfalls, Victoria Falls is an amazing location to complete a jump. But the jump ends just a few feet over the Zambezi River, which is the most dangerous river in the world thanks to its sharp rocks, inclement currents and resident crocodiles, hippos and bull sharks.
Accidents are extremely rare, but in 2012, a woman's cord broke mid-flight, sending her down into the frightening river. According to her account, she almost drowned because her feet were tied, and at one point the rope got stuck on the rocks and pulled her underwater. She had to wait a full 40 minutes to be rescued, since the current had brought her far from the bridge and into Zimbabwean territory.
The good news is that she survived and that there haven't been major accidents since. We wouldn't say you shouldn't do this jump, but do keep in mind that if something goes wrong, nothing guarantees there won't be any crocs around.
1. Villarica Volcano
/granite-web-prod/44/2c/442ce2e8e9d84baa8561bbcd4b938e76.jpeg)
Location: Pucon, Chile
Height: Unknown
Should you avoid it: Probably
Why Bungee Jumping Into the Villarica Volcano Is Terrifying
We've seen some pretty terrifying bungee jumping spots on here, but nothing could beat jumping from a helicopter into an active volcano in Chile.
Organized by Bungee as an MTV stunt, the jump is periodically available for anyone with guts of steel and $15,958 to spare. The experience includes other adventure sports, like skydiving, whitewater rafting and a second helibungee into a lava tube. Hey, they're really intent on you getting your money's worth.
As one of the most extreme adventure tours you could take, the experience is most definitely dangerous. After all, you'll be jumping into a volcano known to have had explosions in the past 40 years.
To answer the very frequent question of whether you could die, Bungee offers this very reassuring answer: "Yes. You could. You'll be signing a waiver, so we're cool. Oh, and yes, you will get a cool T-shirt, keychain and if you’re really nice a refrigerator magnet if you survive the trip!"