Highest Bungee Jump on Earth: Macau (Guide, Tips + Video!)
Updated: 04/06/21 | June 4th, 2021
To celebrate my 30th birthday; I took on another Vs Clock challenge of completing the highest bungee jump in the world.
It was every bit as scary, pricey and exhilarating as I thought it would be. Due to the location of the jump, there were some logistics to wrap my head around first, which included some country-hopping and additional planning.
I’ve set out all the solutions and facts for you in this bungee-centric article. By the end of it you’ll know whether this is for you (or not) and most entertainingly for you, at the end of the post is my squealing as I commit to the big jump…
Table of Contents
Is Macau Tower REALLY The Highest Bungee Jump on Earth?
The extreme sports veterans amongst us may have looked at this title and thought; what about Colorado’s Royal Gorge Bridge and China’s Hunan Province?
You’d be right in thinking that when it comes down to the nitty-gritty mathematics, there are some other contenders for the title of the highest bungee jump in the world. While the Macau bungee jump is an eye-watering 233 meters above ground level, the Colorado and Huan Provence jumps come in at 320 and 290 metres, respectively.
So why does Macau claim to be the highest bungee jump in the world?
Well, it all comes down to a little thing called accessibility.
Bungee jumping from the Royal Gorge Bridge is only allowed during an extreme sports festival, and access to the Hunan Province jump has been restricted, if not totally discontinued.
So, after all this splitting of hairs, we can safely say that the Macau Tower is the highest commercial bungee jump on earth and definitely the most accessible!
In fact, the Macau bungee jump was awarded the Guinness world record for the highest bungee jump when in 2006, the father of modern bungee jumping A. J. Hackett threw himself off the edge in true Hackett style, opening it up to a long line of adrenaline junkies.
Where is Macau Tower? (& How To Get There)
The Macau Tower is located, unsurprisingly, in Macau. You’d be forgiven for not being able to point it out on a map though, as it is only made up of around 12.7 square miles. This small island city is known as a Special Administrative Region of China.
This means it enjoys its own limited autonomy, with a local government and local laws – famously including legal gambling. Located on China’s southern coast and only 37 miles west of Hong Kong, Macau is a real mix of cultural influences. This cultural diversity is only enhanced by the fact Macau only gained independence from Portugal in 1999.
Know Before You Go:
- Location – To do the highest bungee jump on earth, you need to make your way to Macau Tower or Macau Tower Convention and Entertainment Center to give it its official name. The tower is located in the Sé parish of Macau.
- Cost – The cost of doing the highest bungee jump from Macau Tower is HK$2,888. If you’d like a record of your jump, such as a video, this will be an extra HK$559. Full package deals that include the bungee jump, an e-certificate, photos and a video will set you back around HK$3,488.
- Opening hours – Macau Tower is open Monday to Friday from 11 am to 7 pm and during weekends from 11 am to 8 pm. Night jumps can be done from 6 pm in winter and 7.30 pm during summer.
- Time needed – You will need to check in 30 minutes before your scheduled jump, so It’s best to set yourself at least an hour aside from the time you arrive at the tower to your jump.
- Getting there – The easiest way to get to Macau is via its neighbour Hong Kong. There are two ways of getting from Hong Kong to Macau, either by the more popular ferry, or by vehicle across the longest sea-crossing bridge in the world.
- If you want to catch the ferry across from Hong Kong to Macau, your best bet is to catch the ferry from the Hong Kong Macau Ferry Terminal, located near the Shun Tak Centre on Hong Kong Island. This ferry leaves every fifteen minutes and will take around one hour, costing around HK$170 one way.
- If boats aren’t your thing, you can always take the shuttle bus across the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge. Buses run for 24 hours, and the journey takes around 45 minutes. You can catch a bus from Tsim Sha Tsui district or Hong Kong Airport, paying around HK$65 for a single journey.
Important Note: The bridge was not an option when I did the bungee jump and you should do your own due diligence, regarding the multiple ethical and safety criticisms of this project.
Read on to see the quality of the video, as you will see me hurling myself off the tower to see in my 30 years on planet earth!
Does Macau Accept Hong Kong Currency?
Hong Kong Dollars (HKD) are widely accepted in Macau, however Macau Patacas (MOP) are not too welcomed in Hong Kong. So best to spend up all those Patacas before you leave Macau (I personally like to keep a small denomination from each country for sentimentality).
You can exchange money easily in the ferry terminal and at your hotel. ATMs in Macau accept all the worldwide big guns such as VISA, Mastercard and American Express although be warned about rumours of Black Mirror-esque dystopian shenanigans if you go for that option.
How To Book a Slot For The Highest Bungee Jump on Earth
The best way to book a slot for the highest bungee jump is to go straight to the source, that being the Skypark Macau by AJ Hackett.
Here’s a quick rundown of what you need to do:
- Using the website, you must first select the book now feature.
- Select whether you want a single or tandem bungee jump.
- Choose the date and time you want to do your jump.
- Add any extras on; these include media packages that take photos and a video of your highest bungee jump – you don’t have to buy this if you don’t want to.
- Finally, you’ll be asked to fill in your own details and payment details.
- Contracts signed, you’ve now booked a slot for the highest bungee jump on earth!
What to Wear For The Highest Bungee Jump on Earth
First off, you’ll want to wear loose-fitting athletic clothing for your bungee jump, allowing you to move around a lot easier. You should also wear good fitting shoes like trainers – you’ll want that sturdy grip when your legs start turning to jelly at the top of the tower.
If you wear glasses, you’ll have to take them off before your jump, so it’s best to wear high-quality contact lenses if you can. Long hair should also be tied back (not that I’d know much about that world) and all jewellery, including watches needs to be removed.
If you’re doing a night bungee jump, it’s probably best to change your shorts for something a little less exposed. Despite the fact temperatures in Macau can be quite high and humid, that all changes suddenly when you’re nearly 800 feet (240 meters) in the sky and that cold wind smacks you round the face and legs.
You will see from my photos and video that I did not do this and rocked my ugly-shade-of-pink shorts for the jump. This was not due to me being an adventurous badass who doesn’t feel the cold (quite the contrary; I left my chilly, windy city forever and the depressing weather was a major catalyst for my successful escape).
The reason for my flashy attire was that I was a relatively newbie traveller and had accidentally shrunk most of my clothes, way before I knew any better about that world, so I had to buy on the fly!
So please, take advice from someone who did a night time bungee jump in Macau in shorts… opt for comfy trousers instead.
Should You Do The Macau Tower Bungee Jump During The Day or Evening?
One of the things that really sets the Macau Tower Bungee apart from other jumps is the fact you can do it both during the day and during the evening. Night jumps can be done from 6 pm in winter and 7.30 pm during summer.
So which should you go for, day or evening? There’s no real right or wrong answer to this, but here are a few pros and cons to consider.
Morning
Pros
- Views across the city are far clearer from the top of the tower during the day.
- You can spend the rest of your day enjoying the sights and sounds of Macau.
- If you pay for a video or picture package, these come out a lot clearer during the day.
Cons
- Jumping in the morning is very popular, so you might have to wait longer on the day, or even struggle to get a slot unless you book in advance.
Evening
Pros
- Macau looks pretty beautiful from that high up at night!
- Evening jumps are far less common, so you’re likely to get a time slot far easier and have considerably less waiting time.
Cons
- Evening jumps will leave you less time to explore Macau or even get back to Hong Kong if you’re short on time.
- It gets pretty cold 800ft (240 meters) above Macau in the evening, so you’ll need to dress up warm.
- Winds can pick up in the evening, so prepare to be a little chilly while you wait at the top.
My 6 Top Things to do in Macau (After The Macau Tower Bungee Jump)
In my opinion, travelling to Macau is worth it solely to experience the highest bungee jump in the world, but there’s actually more to this place than a bit of thrill-seeking and adventure-bragging. Once you’ve dangled from a bungee cord above the city, why not wobble around and explore what else Macau has to offer?
1. Hit the casinos
Known as the ‘Vegas of the east,’ Macau’s gaming industry is the largest in the world, seven times larger than its American counterpart. With over 41 casinos, it’d be rude not to try a casual throw-of-the dice just once. Some of Macau’s casinos require you to dress formally, while others, you can just rock up in very casual attire (you have already seen the fashion faux-pas disaster that was me in Macau!)
Manage your expectations here a little bit. The energy on the Macau gambling scene is very different to Las Vegas, it’s much less of a party vibe – a way more stuffy, sterile and square atmosphere than the casinos and bars are over there.
It’s still worth a visit though, I’m just warning you that its nickname is somewhat of a misnomer.
With gambling being officially illegal in mainland China, thousands of Chinese come to Macau to seek the thrill of roulette and poker tables. If gambling’s not your thing, it’s always an entertaining evening to watch mega-rich Chinese businessmen place jaw-droppingly high bets – win or lose.
2. Stuff your face with street food at Taipa Village
It’s not all skyscrapers and casinos in Macau; there is still a quaint hangover of pre-boom Macau to be found in Taipa Village. Lying at Macau’s southernmost point, Taipa Village is the perfect combination of east meets west. With Portuguese colonial buildings and Chinese temples, Taipa Village is the perfect place to get a sense of Macau’s rich cultural past. Home to museums, colonial churches and an array of souvenir shops, it will feel a world away from booming casinos and Macau Towers.
As well as its attractive cultural feel, Taipa Village is home to a selection of delicious street food stalls. These offer up a range of Cantonese and East Asian delicacies from across the region. Forget your overpriced restaurants; Taipa Village’s street food scene is the place to be.
3. Hike up Guia Hill
Managing to dodge the urban expansion that has surrounded it, Guia Hill is a natural green space that looms large like a sleeping tortoise surrounded by a concrete jungle. Hiking your way up to the top of Guia Hill is a fantastic way of spending a few hours and working off that street food lunch.
When you reach the top of Guia Hill, you’ll notice the Portuguese fort and lighthouse at its peak. Constructed in 1865, this colonial architecture is a peaceful contrast to the concrete and steel that surrounds it. If your weary legs can’t manage the hike back down, there’s always Guia Hill’s cable car to take you down.
4. Check out the ruins of St Paul
To get a real feel of the European and colonial footprint on Macau, a visit to the Ruins of St Paul is a must. Constructed in the late 17th century, the church of St Paul was, at the time, one of the biggest Catholic buildings in all of Asia.
Destroyed by a fire in 1835, all that remains of the once-grand church is its southern faced façade and Jesuit crypts. The intricately carved façade is worth the visit alone, but the modern museum gives visitors a rare viewing of the crypts below the ruins of St Paul.
5. Get lost and caffeinated in Senado Square
At the very heart of Macau’s Historic Centre and World Heritage site is Senado Square. Like something straight out of the cities of Europe, Senado Square was once the meeting place for the Portuguese traders and officials of Macau. Home to many still-standing colonial buildings, Senado Square is the perfect place to pause for a little cafe culture; stop for a coffee and watch the world go by, or simply take a slow walk and take in its impressive Portuguese-esque architecture.
6. Climb Macau’s tallest mountain
If the highest bungee jump on earth wasn’t thrilling enough for you, why not try summiting Macau’s tallest mountain, Coloane Alto? Located at one of the southernmost tips of Macau, Coloane Alto rises up to around 560 feet (172 meters), so it’s not quite Everest, or any other of the World’s Seven Summits… but still, they can’t take the; “that one time, when I climbed the tallest mountain in Macau” scalp away from you!
The winding hike up to the summit of the mountain can be a rewarding one, however, and the views alone make the trek worth it. The walk shouldn’t take longer than about two hours up and down – and that’s taking into consideration photo breaks. On your descent, keep a lookout for the incredible Taoist temple dedicated to the Goddess A-Ma, including a nearly 2,000-foot (600 meter) statue of the deity.
Video: Me Screaming During The World’s Tallest Bungee Jump!
Actions speak louder than words, so I thought I’d let the video do most of the talking here. Important note to be added is that a young lady before me was absolutely terrified and kept freezing up every time she was about to jump, falling back onto her arse in floods of tears and hysteria.
She never ended up jumping (and you don’t get a refund in this situation), this extra wait built up the fear for me even more intensely.
It was certainly intimidating looking all the way down, when I finally got tied in and given the green light to go. The jump down was like an out-of-body experience…what a perfect way to celebrate this big life milestone by saying “thank you” and “farewell” to my 20s and quite literally – jumping into my 30s.
1 Comments
Leave a Comment
Hi, I'm Anthony!
In November of 2010, I took on a mammoth challenge against the clock in a quest to upgrade my miserable life. I went out of my comfort zone and turned it all around. Ten years later, I’m completely location independent…
Follow me!
That looked like so much fun! Terrifying in the beginning though. I’m about to skydive for the 1st time this weekend. though not exactly the same, this video made me even more excited! 🙂
Brilliant, Holly. I take it you’ve done it now?
Nice and not that girly – good job and happy 30th, good sir.
Thanks, Rob 🙂
Brillianr
Thanks, Aunty Susan 🙂 xxx
That’s insane! I don’t know if I would be brave enough to do it. But man! It looks awesome.
Do ittttttttttt 😛
Wow ! its awesome blog and what a video dear i really enjoyed it. Bungee Jumping is a adventures sport and i love it very much. Thanks for sharing this great information and video.
It looks really cool! wow! you really are brave! I hope I will also have the guts to do that hahaha
hahaha dooo itttt.
My friend just did the bungee in Zambia and he said it was fun i will start with that one before moving onto something like this lol … good job tho
hahaha yeah work your way up to the BEAST 😛
It is very great news to provide the many travelers for online bloggers to the Highest Bungee in Macau. This is most fabulous journey in traveling………….Thanks
this was really amazing, this is what we like in foreigners, great update anthony
OMG! How you did it? I also want to do bungee jump but i have not that much guts. Were you not scared?
I can’t open the video..
Thanks for write and sharing nice blog about bungee jump in macau.
Blog are awesome so nice written about Bungee Jump in Macau.
Nice Post! Macau is really a wonderful destination to travel. Thanks for sharing!
Nice Post! Macau is really a wonderful destination to travel. Blog are awesome so nice written about Bungee Jump in Macau.Thanks for sharing.
Great! its wonderful post and i really enjoyed it. Bungee Jumping is my favorite adventures sport. Thanks for write and sharing this great information and video.
Breathtaking! I hope I can get the courage to do one myself
Please re-post this video.
Bungee jumping has been a popular outdoor adventure sport. I dont know but the day i’ll be in macau this would be the first thing to try. Can you please provide basic information on pricing to try these activities.
Very Nice.
Thank you for this post man. its very informative.
Wow, this looks great!!