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Vanuatu🇻🇺 | festivalsNagolPentecost land diving, liana vines, timber towers, April to June | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Nagol
🏆 Top pickfestival ranked #1
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 15, 2026

Decades ago, Nagol was a yam-harvest rite that only Pentecost villagers and the odd anthropologist ever witnessed. Today small groups of travelers fly in and watch it from the hillside. It happens in the south of Pentecost Island in Vanuatu, around Wali and neighboring villages. Men and boys leap headfirst from hand-lashed timber towers up to about 25 meters, with liana vines tied to their ankles as the only safety. The season runs from April to June, mostly on Saturdays, timed to the yam harvest and the strength of fresh vines. Expect a small crowd of backpackers and adventure travelers, chanting, stamping dancers, and no barriers or nets. Bungalows are few, so book early, and carry cash for the village entry fee. It is worth the trip if you take it as a ceremony rather than a show. On day one, land at Lonorore, drop your pack at a bungalow, and walk to the tower site to watch builders lash the last platforms.

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✨ Why go?
Ranked #1 festival in VanuatuWhat makes it a must-see festival

Nagol pulls people onto Pentecost because there is nothing else like it, and because you watch it with almost no infrastructure between you and the event. The tower of saplings and branches, built with vines and no nails, goes up days beforehand, and you can watch the crew test every joint. That access is the draw. You are close enough to hear the vine snap taut and the women's song rise at the base.

The second reason is the temporary community. Almost everyone sleeps in the same handful of village bungalows or guesthouses, eats the same island food, and ends up swapping notes with strangers around the same fire. Seating is on the ground, the crowd is small, and conversation with the divers' families comes easily.

It also fits neatly into a longer Vanuatu route. The April to June season … read more 👉
Nagol pulls people onto Pentecost because there is nothing else like it, and because you watch it with almost no infrastructure between you and the event. The tower of saplings and branches, built with vines and no nails, goes up days beforehand, and you can watch the crew test every joint. That access is the draw. You are close enough to hear the vine snap taut and the women's song rise at the base.

The second reason is the temporary community. Almost everyone sleeps in the same handful of village bungalows or guesthouses, eats the same island food, and ends up swapping notes with strangers around the same fire. Seating is on the ground, the crowd is small, and conversation with the divers' families comes easily.

It also fits neatly into a longer Vanuatu route. The April to June season overlaps with the drier months, so you can pair it with volcano hikes on Ambrym or Tanna, or with Santo diving. Plan the Pentecost leg around a Saturday, and book flights and beds first, because both fill before anything else.

💡 HighlightsEssential experiences to have while celebrating the Nagol

  1. The Land Dive Towers: Each tower is built from tree trunks, branches and vines, then climbed by the divers over several days. Platforms stick out at different heights, and the tallest reach roughly 20 to 25 meters. Watching builders judge every lashing is half the fun.
  2. The Dive Itself: A diver tied by the ankles launches headfirst, arms crossed or spread, and the vines stop him just short of the ground. The soil is tilled soft beforehand, and the aim is to touch your shoulders or head to it. Boys as young as seven or eight jump from low platforms, and the top jumps come last.
  3. Songs and Dances at the Base: Women sing, men stamp and chant, and everyone adds rhythm as each jumper prepares. It is not background music. It is a part of the ritual, and it builds tension before every jump.
  4. The Story
… read more 👉
  1. The Land Dive Towers: Each tower is built from tree trunks, branches and vines, then climbed by the divers over several days. Platforms stick out at different heights, and the tallest reach roughly 20 to 25 meters. Watching builders judge every lashing is half the fun.
  2. The Dive Itself: A diver tied by the ankles launches headfirst, arms crossed or spread, and the vines stop him just short of the ground. The soil is tilled soft beforehand, and the aim is to touch your shoulders or head to it. Boys as young as seven or eight jump from low platforms, and the top jumps come last.
  3. Songs and Dances at the Base: Women sing, men stamp and chant, and everyone adds rhythm as each jumper prepares. It is not background music. It is a part of the ritual, and it builds tension before every jump.
  4. The Story of Tamalie: Locals tell the legend of a woman who fled an abusive husband by climbing a banyan tree, and he followed her. She tied vines to her ankles and jumped, and he died. Hearing a villager tell it explains why men now dive and why the ceremony ties to fertility and the yam harvest.
  5. Village Walks Around Wali and Lonorore: Between jump days, take footpaths through gardens, yam plots and coconut groves, and ask your host to point out the tower site. Kastom dress, hearth meals and a quiet shoreline make a gentler second act than the dive itself.
Allow a full day for a jump, plus a day either side for the build and the walks, so about three days covers it all.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

🌤️ When to go?When is the celebration of Nagol?

Nagol, the land diving ritual of southern Pentecost Island, takes place on Saturdays (some villages add a Wednesday) from about April to June, timed to the yam harvest and the maturity of the vines, with each jump session lasting a few hours in the afternoon.
  • Best day: Go in May or early June, when the towers are tallest and the top jumpers, who dive from the highest platforms, go last in each session. Early-season towers are lower and the dives milder.
  • Weather: Expect 22 to 28°C (72 to 82°F) with the wet season tapering off, so short showers are possible and the ground by the tower turns to slick red mud. Bring a light rain jacket, sandals with grip, a hat and sunscreen.
  • Booking: Reserve flights to Pentecost and a bungalow two to three months ahead, since seats and beds are few. Village stays
… read more 👉
Nagol, the land diving ritual of southern Pentecost Island, takes place on Saturdays (some villages add a Wednesday) from about April to June, timed to the yam harvest and the maturity of the vines, with each jump session lasting a few hours in the afternoon.
  • Best day: Go in May or early June, when the towers are tallest and the top jumpers, who dive from the highest platforms, go last in each session. Early-season towers are lower and the dives milder.
  • Weather: Expect 22 to 28°C (72 to 82°F) with the wet season tapering off, so short showers are possible and the ground by the tower turns to slick red mud. Bring a light rain jacket, sandals with grip, a hat and sunscreen.
  • Booking: Reserve flights to Pentecost and a bungalow two to three months ahead, since seats and beds are few. Village stays rarely raise their rates, but flights fill.
  • Timing: Arrive the day before, because the dirt tracks between the airstrip and the villages are slow after rain. Leave the day after, as trucks leave late and flights can shift.
Fly in on a Thursday or Friday so a delayed flight cannot cost you the Saturday jump.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: not recommended for travelingFEBFebruary: not recommended for travelingMARMarch: not recommended for travelingAPRApril: not recommended for travelingMAYMay: excellent for travelingJUNJune: excellent for travelingJULJuly: excellent for travelingAUGAugust: excellent for travelingSEPSeptember: excellent for travelingOCTOctober: excellent for travelingNOVNovember: not recommended for travelingDECDecember: not recommended for traveling

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🛏️ Where to stay?Best areas to stay in Vanuatu

Southern Pentecost is the place to stay, and the villages around the jump sites are far better than anywhere else on the island. Accommodation is simple bungalows and family guesthouses run by villagers, so the social side comes from sharing meals and a kava hut rather than from dorm bars.
The area around Pangi and the Lonorore airstrip side is the easiest base for a first visit. Transport links are the best here, shops are within reach and you can take a truck to the jump villages on the day. It suits solo travelers who want flexibility and a chance to meet other visitors heading to the same Saturday … read more 👉
Southern Pentecost is the place to stay, and the villages around the jump sites are far better than anywhere else on the island. Accommodation is simple bungalows and family guesthouses run by villagers, so the social side comes from sharing meals and a kava hut rather than from dorm bars.
The area around Pangi and the Lonorore airstrip side is the easiest base for a first visit. Transport links are the best here, shops are within reach and you can take a truck to the jump villages on the day. It suits solo travelers who want flexibility and a chance to meet other visitors heading to the same Saturday event.
Staying in or beside a jump village such as Bunlap or Wali is the more rewarding choice if you want to watch the tower being built and chat with the men preparing for the dive. These places are quiet at night, safe in the sense that everyone knows everyone, and the hosts are used to looking after solo guests. Facilities are basic: bucket showers, rainwater, generator or solar light and limited phone signal.
Bring cash in vatu, a headlamp and snacks for the day. Book ahead through your host or the local tourism office, as beds in the south are few and fill up on festival weekends.
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👛 Costs (as of 15 October 2026)What things cost and how to budget

A day at Nagol during the land diving season costs about US$185 per person, and most of that is the village entry fee. The jump season runs roughly April to June, so accommodation is at its high-season price. Everything is paid in cash, in vatu, and there are no ATMs near the jump towers.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Festival ticketsUS$85 to 130The host village charges a one-off entry fee per visitor, collected in cash at the site. Camera fees can be extra, so carry small notes. There is no online booking.
AccommodationUS$25 to 60Simple family-run bungalows with shared bathrooms, often with meals available. Rooms on southern Pentecost fill up on jump weekends, so book through the owners or a Port Vila agent.
Local transportUS$5 to 25Shared pickup trucks run on rough roads between the airstrip,
… read more 👉
A day at Nagol during the land diving season costs about US$185 per person, and most of that is the village entry fee. The jump season runs roughly April to June, so accommodation is at its high-season price. Everything is paid in cash, in vatu, and there are no ATMs near the jump towers.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Festival ticketsUS$85 to 130The host village charges a one-off entry fee per visitor, collected in cash at the site. Camera fees can be extra, so carry small notes. There is no online booking.
AccommodationUS$25 to 60Simple family-run bungalows with shared bathrooms, often with meals available. Rooms on southern Pentecost fill up on jump weekends, so book through the owners or a Port Vila agent.
Local transportUS$5 to 25Shared pickup trucks run on rough roads between the airstrip, villages and the jump site. Fares rise on jump days and drivers expect cash. Inter-island flights from Port Vila to Pentecost, roughly US$150 to 250 return, are not counted in this daily figure.
Food & drinksUS$15 to 25Guesthouse meals of root vegetables, rice, fish and laplap are the norm. Village stalls sell snacks, fruit and drinks. Bring bottled water or purification tablets, as shops are few.
Miscellaneous expensesUS$5 to 20Phone credit, small gifts for hosts, sunscreen, rain cover and a few dollars for local guides or crafts.
Total Daily BudgetUS$135 to 260About US$185 on a typical jump day, with mid-range figures and high-season lodging.
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🍲 FoodLocal Flavors for Backpackers

Food around Nagol is village cooking, and that is the point. Meals are served at your guesthouse or a family kitchen, built around laplap made from grated yam or taro, with island cabbage, boiled manioc, roasted breadfruit and freshly caught fish or chicken when available. Pentecost is known for its yams, and the dive itself is a thanks for the harvest, so expect the root crop to feature heavily.
Worth trying are the coconut cream puddings and fruit from the garden, including pawpaw, bananas and pomelo. For drinks, you get coconut water cut straight from the tree and sweet tea. In the evening, a small kava bowl may be offered in a nakamal. It tastes earthy and numbs the tongue, so take a half shell first, and women and visitors should follow the host on what is appropriate.
At the jump sites, … read more 👉
Food around Nagol is village cooking, and that is the point. Meals are served at your guesthouse or a family kitchen, built around laplap made from grated yam or taro, with island cabbage, boiled manioc, roasted breadfruit and freshly caught fish or chicken when available. Pentecost is known for its yams, and the dive itself is a thanks for the harvest, so expect the root crop to feature heavily.
Worth trying are the coconut cream puddings and fruit from the garden, including pawpaw, bananas and pomelo. For drinks, you get coconut water cut straight from the tree and sweet tea. In the evening, a small kava bowl may be offered in a nakamal. It tastes earthy and numbs the tongue, so take a half shell first, and women and visitors should follow the host on what is appropriate.
At the jump sites, a few villagers sell grilled bananas, snacks and drinks, but selection is small and there is little shade, so carry water and bread. Everything runs on cash in vatu, and there are no card machines, so bring small notes. Portions are generous and often shared from a common dish. Wait to be served, accept what is offered and say thanks. Order meals at your guesthouse in advance, because food is cooked to order and can take an hour.

FAQCommon questions from travelers

Nagol takes place on Saturdays, and in some villages Wednesdays, from about April to June, with the best jumps usually in May and early June. Sessions run for a few hours in the afternoon. The venues are the villages of southern Pentecost Island, such as Bunlap and Wali, which you reach by truck from the Lonorore airstrip.
Plan on roughly 10,000 to 15,000 vatu (about US$85 to 125) for the jump ticket, paid in cash at the village. A daily budget with a basic bungalow at 3,000 to 6,000 vatu, meals and truck rides comes to about US$142 to 257. Flights to Pentecost from Port Vila are an extra cost.
Yes, you pay for a place at the jump on the day, but you should arrange the visit in advance, because there are no ticket outlets and the villages work through local hosts. Book your flight to Pentecost and a bungalow two to three months before the season, since both sell out on jump weekends. Carry the fee in vatu notes, as there are no card machines or ATMs in the south.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Ni-Vanuatu festivals near Nagol

Explore more nearby:

  • Fest’Napuan—String band and reggae, Bislama singalongs, Port Vila waterfront, open-fire food stalls| 198 km away
  • Port Vila Arts Festival—Island dance groups, carving demos, slit drums, walkable town venue| 199 km away
  • Toka Festival—Tanna exchange ceremony, pigs and kava, firelit dancing, Yakel area| 410 km away

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We 💚 feedbackFinal thoughts on celebrating the Nagol

Stay three nights. That gives you a day to watch the tower go up, a full Saturday for the jumps, and a buffer for the island’s flights, which are the real wildcard. I would skip the one-night dash, because you will rush it and miss the dancing. Bring a good hat, a rain layer and small notes for the village fee.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on in-depth research, insights shared by experienced travelers, and feedback from the local travel community in Vanuatu. While every effort is made to keep the information accurate and current, conditions can change — so if you spot anything incorrect or outdated, please get in touch.



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