Vanuatu’s N’gol land diving ritual has to be one of the world’s most unique cultural traditions — and it’s possible to go and see it for yourself. Every Saturday between April and June, men jump from a wooden structure with nothing but vines tied to their ankles. You can feel the ground quake with the rhythmic stomping and chanting of the community as everyone gathers to support the land divers, and the energy is electric.
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The legend of Vanuatu's land diving ritual origins
The story behind this centuries-old tradition has a few different iterations, but I’ll share the one I like most. According to the legend, the first jumper was actually a woman. Fleeing an abusive husband, she climbed a tree, tied vines to her ankles, and dove from a branch. He jumped after her and died from the fall, but she survived thanks to her brilliant vine idea, finally free.
But hey, the woman is the icon of the story here, so how did this become a ritual performed only by men? It was a female-only custom for years, where they jumped in solidarity with the brave wife who escaped her POS husband. And, in part, to remind all the men in the community not to mess with them. Some years later, the island’s male leaders decided to co-opt the annual practice in the name of “addressing their shame and proving their courage.” To my knowledge, all of this is simply legend and has been passed down over centuries, so the facts and origins of the practice remain unknown. But it’s a pretty great story!
About the land diving ritual
The N’gol is also tied to the yam harvest, which is why it’s spread across several months from April to June. I’ve seen every spelling under the sun from Nagol, to Naggol, Naghol, and Nangol. But the apostrophe is common and it just looks cooler, so I’m going with that.
The structures can be as high as 30 metres (100 feet) and the community builds them over several weeks. They construct a new tower every year. Pentecost is relatively small, with a population of under 20,000, but people travel from all over the island to come support friends and family. The ritual is also a fertility rite for young men, and some jumpers are as young as 7! The youngest land diver when I went was just 9 years old, and he looked absolutely fearless. There are different stages at different heights along the tower, with older men typically jumping from higher platforms.
It was super overcast when I went, so my photos didn’t turn out that great, but you get the idea.
The courageous divers get hyped up by a large group of dancers. They chant, sing, and whistle, stomping from left to right waving leaves and sticks. Women and girls wear traditional kustom skirts made from dried grass. Boys and men wear only a “namba,” a penis shealth made from the leaves or bark of a pandanus plant. (This is also a common material used for weaving baskets and other things because it’s particularly sturdy.)
The energy is incredible and you can’t help but hold your breath every time a man leaps head first from the platform. There’s a brief moment of silence before you hear the snap of the vines and the thud of their bodies hitting the earth. Then thunderous cheers from the audience of locals and travellers. 10 different men jumped on the day of my visit, and the whole ritual took about two hours.
Note the guy in the back lighting up a cig while dancing. Legend.
How to get to Pentecost Island to see the land diving
Make sure you time your visit on a Saturday! That’s the only day the ritual actually takes place. So you’ll be sorely disappointed if you show up on a Wednesday. Though the island is still stunning and there are things you can do, like visiting a waterfall.
Flying to Pentecost
If you’re going the intrepid DIY planning route, the most common thing to do is stay in Port Vila or Espiritu Santo (depending on the flight schedule) the day before. You’ll then fly to the island on Saturday morning to watch the land diving ritual.
Note: Flights do not arrive/depart Pentecost every day, but are more common on Saturdays in the land diving season.
Staying on Pentecost Island
There is one guest house (Nak Guesthouse) if you wanted to stay on the island. But there are only a couple rooms, so make sure you book it in advance! The accommodations are very basic with hanging bug nets. And I don’t want to lie to you, I saw some massive spiders. That said, it’s perfect if you’re adventurous with your sleeping arrangements.
If you choose to stay on the island, you’ll likely need to book for a few nights as flights don’t run daily. It requires a bit of logistical planning, but it’s an amazing way to soak up a bit more of the local island life and give your money directly to the community. The island is really beautiful and I easily could have spent more time there. But most people go for a short day trip.
Proof that the spiders are no joke, but the kids loved showing me how they weren’t afraid.
Booking a tour to experience the land diving ritual
The simplest way to visit Pentecost for the N’gol land diving is to book a tour. You may be able to do this through your hostel/hotel, or you can book online in advance. Charter airlines run frequently from April to June and offer packages that include hotel pick up, flights, lunch, and a tour guide who will tell you more about the tradition. Check out Unity Air, Air Taxi Vanuatu, and Vanuatu Eco Tours. They leave from Port Vila or Luganville (Espiritu Santo).
Note: Air Vanuatu has some financial struggles post-COVID and liquidated its assets in 2024. They no longer operate international flights but are currently still doing a reduced domestic schedule. It may be more challenging than usual to reach Pentecost for some time, but these charter airlines are still operating. Book in advance, as demand may be higher and spaces limited.
More activities in Vanuatu
Here are some other activities you can book around Vanuatu. The land diving ritual is a once in a lifetime experience. If you’re feeling inspired, check out the jungle canyon swing, similar to N’gol or bungy jumping. But there’s lots more to enjoy in this incredible country!