Do your friends know you as a thrill seeker? Dare devil? Do you laugh in the face of danger? What about free falling from rock formations at precarious heights landing in questionable waters? Did I mention no cords or tandem experts? Cliff diving is a wild experience and has even been nicknamed 'tombstoning' so proceed with caution. Read on to learn more about fabulous places around the world to drop it like it's hot for professionals and amateurs.

France

La Rochelle, a historical and picturesque French town literally meaning 'little cliff', has been hosting the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series for the past couple years.  The world's best divers jump from the 138 foot high jail, St. Nicolas since 1345. Villers-le-Lac, another French town, is home to the highest cliff jump of 177 feet done by Oliver Favre-Bulle. He took the famous leap adding a double back somersault which left him severely injured.  Favre luckily recovered and today organizes a diving stunt show.

Mexico

Acapulco, Mexico has made the extreme sport of cliff diving world famous. Attention was brought to Acapulco in the 1950's when Raul Gomez leapt 87 feet into the ocean wearing a Timex watch to demonstrate its durability.  The location is for experienced divers only because of the dangerous rocks and waters below. However, Acapulco is a beautiful place to capture a view and watch the professionals make their deadly plunges. 

Hawaii

Hawaii is known for its tropical atmosphere, gorgeous beaches and great weather year round. The birthplace for cliff diving, records go as far back as King Kahekili's jump of 63 feet in 1770 in Kaunolu. Not up to that height? There are plenty of other spots across Hawaii, most on the Big Island.  Southpoint Cliffs (30 to 50 ft high) with the volcanic rock and endless Pacific is a favorite for locals and if you're visiting, simply watching the divers is quite a treat.

Switzerland

Switzerland is known for magnificent places to jump. The country has hosted the World High Diving Federation (WHDF) Championship several times. Popular areas are located in Brontallo with cliffs up to 78 feet high.  Despite the activity being seasonal, professional divers will brave the cold temperatures of Switzerland to test their will.

Australia

Being home to beaches, sunshine and ocean all over the country, Australia is a great destination for those trying to escape the cold. Australia has many locations to jump off cliffs for the adventurous spirit. Interestingly enough, most of these areas are not located on the coast but further inland on rivers and lakes. Kimberly, in Western Australia for example, is full of waterfalls, gorges and cliffs inland to take a glorious leap of faith.

by Molly Nelson, Contributing Author

With it being too chilly to get out of bed and getting dark at 4 pm, there's little motivation in winter to do anything but hibernate. Never fear adventure enthusiasts, there are some winter adventure activities that will keep your pulse racing and get you excited about the possibility of wind whipping your hair. Or at least give you something to daydream about in the office.

Heli-skiing

Like the exhilaration of backcountry skiing and the remoteness of no lift lines? Get dropped off at the top of the mountain by helicopter. Gaining popularity with adrenaline junkies around the world, BC Canada is the most popular location to partake in this death defying act with 90% of the heli-skiing marketshare. Make sure you do your research before you go though as etiquette is different around the world. The U.S. and Canada treat heli-skiing like a ski lift, picking you up and dropping you off repeatedly on the best snow for 5-12 runs, but in Europe it's more like a taxi, once you're out you're on your own for the day so bundle up and grab a map in order to make it back to civilization.

 Ice diving

Ever heard of the polar bear club? Now's your change to live it by plunging into the icy waters of Antarctica. Don a wet suit or dry suit and take a shallow dive down (just 30 feet)  under the ice floes to experience interesting marine life such as kelp walls, sea snails, crabs, sea butterflies, ice fish, shrubby horsetails, jelly fish, sea hedgehogs, starfish, and even seals and penguins.

Kite skiing

A newer winter adventure sport to come about is kite skiing, which can be done on water, land or ice, but is easier to learn on snow than water. Foil kites are the most common to use, as they won't get crushed upon impact. Popular on the many frozen lakes and fields in the US Midwest and East Coast, the sport first gained popularity in Erie, PA in the '80s.

Igloo adventures

Get a taste of Eskimo living by building your own igloo. Both an art and a science, construct your home for the night with blocks of snow in jenga style succession. Lapland Igloo Village in Sweden boasts snow igloos, 20 glass igloos, an ice bar, an ice gallery, ice chapel and the world's largest snow restaurant to get your freeze on. 

Snowshoeing

Strap on the bindings and float across the snowy landscapes by snowshoeing some of the most beautiful trails and mountains in the world. Gorgeous Patagonia offers the ability to traverse it's terrain via snowshoe. Other popular areas are around ski and backcountry areas. Hokkaido, Japan offers snowshoeing out to frozen waterfalls to enjoy legendary hot springs.

Glacier Climbing

An exhilarating scaling of ice walls, grab your crampons, don an ice pick and get your adrenaline pumping. Iceland is a great landscape for winter adventure as the white snow capped mountains mix with the black ash of the volcanoes. Alaska is also a popular place for glacier tours.

As kids, we imagined ourselves fighting crime with guns and tuxedos like James Bond.   Living on the edge is a common childhood fantasy but what if we could fulfill it by jumping from spectacular heights without fear of our own demise? Live dangerously by visiting the world's hottest spots to drop at the best places to bungee.

Switzerland

Jet over to Ticino Switzerland for a literal double oh seven dive of 724 feet. Made famous by Mr. Bond himself, replicate his dive from the Verzasca dam in Ticino in the film Goldeneye.  One of the highest jumps in the world, bungee jumping at Verzasca dam is a stunt to remember and will make for an action-packed story on the return home.

Idaho

Idahoans argue their state is home to the best base jumping in the world housing the highest suspension bridge. Bungee jump with Over the Edge, Inc. experience a freefall which is said to be better than falling from a helicopter.

Zimbabwe/Zambia

Plunge into 'no man's land,' a 341 foot drop into one of the wonder's of the world known as Victoria Falls Bridge. The falls are located between the African borders of Zimbabwe and Zambia were named after Queen Victoria, and known to native Kololo tribes in the 18th century as Mosi-oa-Tunya, meaning 'the smoke that thunders' because the spray they generate can be seen for miles around.

Canada

Head to Edmonton, Alberta to bungee 106 feet in West Edmonton Mall, the world's largest mall. Those brave enough to take the plunge will jump in the 5-acre World Waterpark from a tower above. The mall in itself is 5.3 million square feet which leaves plenty of shopping for when you dry off.

Nepal

Freefall with Ultimate Bungy in Nepal over a tropical gorge in the Himalayas. The jump is 500 feet with the take-off point located precariously on a suspension bridge which can hold up to 4.5 tons. Bhote Kosi, a fierce river flowing beneath the bridge, makes the jump that much more unforgettable and adrenaline-rushing.

Australia

Take flight on the Bungee Bullet located in the sunshine state of Australia known as Queensland. Bungee jumpers literally become human sling shots by sitting in a contraption which shoots them 164 feet into the air giving you a truly exhilarating experience that leaves your heart pumping right out of your chest.

by Molly Nelson, Contributing Author

It's rare to meet a person who doesn't have skydiving on their bucket list. One of the most common dreams we have are instances where we defy gravity and gain the ability to fly. The thought of gliding through the sky over extraordinary landscapes tickles our sense of wonderment. But how many of us are audacious enough to take an adrenaline-rushing plunge in the real world?  Make your dreams come true by gaining insight on the world's best places to fall on purpose.

 

Everest, Nepal

At 29,029 feet above sea level, Mount Everest stands as the world's tallest mountain located in Nepal.  Looking to dive into something extreme but not an experienced mountaineer? Go on the most incredible adventure of your life by taking a drop in on the highest skydiving event in the world. Experience soaring through the majestic Himalayas and land on the highest drop zone in the world at 12,350 feet.  Find the daredevil in you and take the leap.

Fox Glacier, New Zealand

If you are not quite crazy enough to jump as high as Mount Everest, New Zealand is a great country to explore at extraordinary heights. The Kiwis are known for their extreme sports and their native land will not let you down. Fox Glacier, New Zealand has been voted the second most scenic skydiving drop zone in the world besides Everest taking you over the biggest of the west coast glaciers. You will also get the chance to ascend over beautiful lakes, rainforests and the Tasman Sea.

 

Swakopmund, Namibia

Up for a freefall in southern Africa?  Take a glorious skydive into Swakopmund, Namibia, a seaside town in the middle of the desert. A tandem 10,000 foot jump will cost you under $300 for a unique view of Namibia's infinite blue sky, wildlife and endless sand dunes.

 

Interlaken, Switzerland

Craving cheese or chocolate? Switzerland is known for its delightful cuisine, but the country is also well-known for its breath-taking scenery. Plunge into one of the most popular skydiving locations in the world and soar through the grand snow-capped Swiss Alps.

Hawaii

Fly into America's paradise by skydiving into Hawaii. Past skydivers argue Hawaii is the most beautiful drop zone in the world. The drop is as high as 18,000 feet and allows you to plummet into the tropical air and experience a bird's eye view of Diamond Head Volcano, Pearl Harbor and marine life in the vast Pacific.

 

Seville, Spain

If you are looking for a spectacular European leap, sign up to skydive in Seville, Spain where you will be dropped at 15,000 feet, the highest altitude in Europe. If 15,000 feet is a little too daunting, you can opt for 10,000 feet which is also less expensive.

by Molly Nelson, Contributing Author