Bungee jumping grew out of Naghol land diving on Pentecost Island in Vanuatu, led to the first modern jumps in 1979, and became a commercial sport within about a decade. The guides here trace that history and list the highest jumps you can book today.
The science guides explain what happens during a jump: free fall, how far the cord stretches, the g-forces at the bottom and why you bounce. They also cover how jump cords are made, break-tested and retired, and how bungee compares with skydiving on fear, safety data and freefall time.
5 articles in History & science
Highest Bungee Jumps in the World: Top 10 by Height (2026)
The 10 highest bungee jumps you can book, from China’s 370 m Balinghe Bridge to Macau, Verzasca, Bloukrans and Nevis, with heights from Guinness and operators.
Land Diving on Pentecost Island (Naghol) & the History of Bungee Jumping
Naghol land diving on Pentecost Island, Vanuatu, and how it inspired the 1979 Clifton jump, A.J. Hackett’s Eiffel Tower leap and the first commercial bungy sites, with dates and visitor details.
The Physics of Bungee Jumping: Free Fall, G-Forces and Cord Stretch
The physics of a bungee jump explained: free fall, how far the cord stretches, the g-forces at the bottom, why you bounce, and head-first vs feet-first jumps.
Bungee Jumping vs Skydiving: Which Is Scarier and Safer?
Bungee jumping and skydiving compared on fear, safety data, freefall time and age limits, plus how bungee stacks up against BASE, indoor skydiving, paragliding, zip lines and cliff jumping.
How Bungee Cords Are Made, Tested and Retired
What jump cords are made of, how they are break-tested, how many jumps they last, what inspections the rules require, and what new bungee technology changes.