Leap Year: 10 Great Bungee Jumps Around The World (PHOTOS)

Travelers can still wring a little wisdom out of that old chestnut, "Look before you leap." The author of that now cliche was quite right, not in the sense that caution is always a virtue, but in the sense that it is best to find a high vantage with a beautiful view before leaping. It is also important to actually leap.

Leap Day was historically the one day on which many European women were allowed to ask a man to marry them. Nowadays, that sort of thing isn't particularly special or eyebrow raising so we propose a new celebration wherein travelers bungee jump, using this year's extra day to scare the bejeezus out of themselves. No, bungee jumping is not for everyone, but it is definitely more appealing to a wider audience than many of its more extreme cousins like Base Jumping or Sky Diving. It is also popular the world over. From the small islands of the Pacific to the wilds of Canada, humanity just can't get enough of falling.

Below are 10 bungee jumps that offer travelers more than just a thrill. These jumps are remarkable because they are huge or surrounded by beauty, near major cities or famous from the movies. For those looking to celebrate a memorable Leap Day, look no further than down. The fall is what gets you.

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Comments

[mamacat]

06:26 AM on 03/02/2012

I have done a lot of different things in my life, but I have never had any desire to bungee jump.
None.
Whatsoever.

[gmarkette]

03:23 PM on 02/29/2012

How come no mention of a US spot? No dangerous chasms over here? Or maybe it's 'cause HffPost is anti US Bungee Jumpers. Ain't there a gorge in West Virginia (Almost Heaven, HuffPost) where red-blooded American lunatics can jump? Why no mention of that, huh?

[SuperBenFranklin]

01:49 PM on 02/29/2012

The bungees can break.

[Grandma Koolfinger]

12:13 PM on 02/29/2012

Hey stoners! Just a word of caution - don't forget to hook the bungee cord to yourself, and to something sturdy up top.

[SlamofDunk]

01:24 PM on 02/29/2012

How cute, another conservative trying to tell someone they don't like to kill themselves through a hacky joke that they think is clever.

[CrankyGal]

11:42 AM on 02/29/2012

Best places to go bungee jumping...

Anywhere next door to a morgue.

True Darwin award nominees all.

[Silverfern]

12:42 PM on 02/29/2012

Gee, you sound like an exciting, go getter. You know nothing of what you are talking about. Bungee jumping is pretty safe.

[lensamy]

11:20 AM on 02/29/2012

I seriously have to go bungee jumping, im super scare but i have to do it lol

[chaiwallah]

10:40 AM on 02/29/2012

I'll pass on bungee cord jumping. I'm afraid i would die of fright.

[gidders1]

09:46 AM on 02/29/2012

Absolutely terrifying! Why do people do it?

[pahammer]

10:17 AM on 02/29/2012

It's fun. I've done two jumps and I'm scared of heights. Wonderful rush. I strongly recommend you try it.

[David Christensen]

09:36 AM on 02/29/2012

There are several other great places to jump in New Zealand. A little under represented I feel.

[Earl]

09:28 AM on 02/29/2012

Just the thought of it gives me reflux.

[Dan Metzger]

08:52 AM on 02/29/2012

I've done the Victoria Falls jump. It was just this past summer, and my first jump. It was absolutely breathtaking. The mist from the falls rises in such a way that as you jump and look down it makes a circular rainbow that it appears you are jumping right through. I highly recommend Zambia as a place to vacation, especially around Livingstone and Victoria Falls. It's safe, inexpensive, and incredibly beautiful.

[pamelawy]

12:27 PM on 02/29/2012

Oh I'm soooo glad to hear someone sing the praises of Zambia as a tourist destination. I lived there for about 10 years and find it to be a magical place! It is indeed safe and incredibly beautiful - but inexpensive???? Not so much! But then most African lodges in places like Kenya, Namibia, South Africa, Botswana and South Africa are even more expensive.

[NitramNos]

08:38 AM on 02/29/2012

I did the New Zealand Kawarau Bridge jump. Twice. Great site!

[LeonBNJ]

05:28 PM on 02/29/2012

Jun 2, 1994, I did that jump in NZ, have the still pictures and a video of it, and while terrifying when I did it, it was well worth the thrill. Everyone who saw the video have laughing out loud as I sweared and cussed then just kind of going to a wimper with my screams.

[orthobobsuruncle]

08:35 AM on 02/29/2012

I don't get it, I'll never get it. And since that woman's rope snapped, I get it even less.