Cliff jumping in cinque terre

Are you asking if people here have participated in jumping from cliffs in Manarola or just observed others doing this?

I'm hoping to hear from people who have done it.

probably not; this forum is comprised most of affluent physically aged travelers

Personally, I wouldn't let my kids jump off a cliff into the sea, but that's just me.

Jumping off the side of a boat where you know there aren't any rocks is all I have done in my dozens of trips to southern Italy.

Why don't you SEE and ask locals what the deal is and safety factors?

Maybe someone will chime in, but take it with a grain if salt, it is only the Internet! LOL

Have fun!

99.9% certain the kids jumping into the water are locals--NOT tourists

Thus this is the wrong forum for your question

In the UK this jumping into the sea from height is known as 'tombstoning'. An apt name too as several people die every year doing this in the UK. I wouldn't encourage anybody to attempt it, especially my nearest and dearest.

I was in Mostar 2 weeks ago where the local " pros" jump from the bridge into the river for money. It takes lots of training to make it into the club.
A few weeks before a tourist had insisted on jumping himself in spite of strong warnings against it.
His body was located several days later ...

If you are determined to do this, make Cinque Terre your last stop.

(And I'm not affluent - except for experience - by any means, Jazz+).

There are lots of reports and youtubes out there from tourists who've done it so just do some poking around the net (I just did). There is one spot near Manarola where they jump 60' from the backside of a security railing that I definitely would NOT do but there looks to be some less hair-raising spots.

Here is one tourist's account:
"We talked to the front desk guy at our hostel and he told us the spot where most people cliff jump and luckily it was actually in Manarola and just down the hill from our hostel...Upon first looking at the cliffs we didn’t think it was going to be possible—there were way too many rocks and nowhere to jump from. After further inspection we found a place that had to be it—it was really the only possible place to jump from. Morgan and Zena might have been a little skeptical about this, as they let Jonalyn and I go first. We had to first jump in the water and swim to the rock where we then climbed to the top. I’d say looking down was probably a bad idea at this point, as Jonalyn and I quickly wondered what on earth we were doing up there. After probably 15 minutes of “You go first” “Wait, no, you go first” Jonalyn bravely took the first jump. Luckily, she was just fine and confirmed that there were no rocks and it was really deep right below us. (Don’t worry we knew this before, the water was pretty clear!) Even after Jonalyn went I think it took me another ten minutes to finally jump, but once I did it was so much fun and it was definitely my favorite experience in Italy."

And another (http://jessieonajourney.com/cinque-terre-italy/):
"One afternoon I was enjoying lunch in Manarola with a friend at the harborside restaurant, Marina Piccolo. The restaurant is situated with a view of the harbor, but sits above sea level. Locals and tourists alike can walk down to the waterside and take a swim. Also in view from the restaurant is a large rock jetting straight up from the watering hole and almost reaching the level of the restaurant, but not quite. Every now and again during our lunch, we would hear applause and words of encouragement coming from crowds of spectators overlooking the water below."

"After watching a few of these jumpers, my friend and I decided to take the plunge. We were in a daring mood and didn’t want to miss out on the fun... So we walked down to the water and swam out to the rock. Once we climbed to the top, we understood the reason that only a few people actually made the jump. It was incredibly high and we both contemplated climbing back down. But as we stood there considering our options, we gained an audience and took center stage. The cheering began and then the countdown, and in a matter of seconds we hopped off the giant rock and plummeted into the blue water. Once we emerged, we were given an ovation. The jump gave us such an adrenaline rush we even went back for seconds. Since I’m afraid of heights, this was both memorable and unexpected. Sometimes when you travel, you have to push yourself out of your comfort zone. This was the perfect opportunity."

I'm neither affluent nor ready for the The Home but being a tad accident prone, daredevil jumps are off the plate. Shoot, with my luck I'd manage to miss, splatter all over a rock, and ruin the lovely lunch tourists are enjoying at the marina. Ewwwww.

No one ever thinks they are affluent. Here is the truth. We are all affluent compared to much of the world. I have never had to worry about if I was going to eat the next day. I was able to go to school each day and get an education. If I am sick I can access medical care. I have safe, pleasant, shelter. I have family that loves and cares for me. I even get to travel sometimes! Thankful and feeling blessed.