Pentecost Island, Vanuatu, is located north of the country's main island, Efate, and capital, Port Vila. It is a remote, mountainous island that's suitable for intrepid cruise passengers searching for adventure and culture. It's far removed from the typical tourist trail, although it's believed to be the origin of modern bungee jumping.
The main attraction there is the age-old tradition of land diving -- where young men leap off bamboo towers standing up to 30 metres high above the ground, with only vines tied to their ankles. It's a ritual unique to Pentecost and considered by some to be a rite of passage, symbol of manhood and a blessing for the yam harvest. It can get hot watching the land diving, held for tourists from April to June, so afterwards, head to the nearby beaches for a swim or snorkel in the aqua waters. With no towns, it's also a place where cruisers can really experience authentic Vanuatu culture with a shore visit to a local village. Explore more of Pentecost Island on your next cruise to Vanuatu.
--By Jennifer Ennion, Cruise Critic contributor