It’s hard to explain exactly why waterfalls are so appealing, but their effects are undeniable. These are at the top of travelers’ lists and are so cherished that they are protected by parks and UNESCO designations. Every year, people travel around the world just to witness the magnetic force of water flowing over cliff edges and falling to the land below. And while these wonders exist all over the world, from the lush hills of Hawaii to the rugged coasts of Iceland, there’s no denying that some waterfalls are a little more special and perhaps slightly more beautiful than others.
From waterfalls touted to be the largest, tallest, or most powerful in the world to lesser-known waterfalls with enchanting pools at your feet, these are some of the highest and most beautiful waterfalls in the world is.
Victoria Falls — Zambia and Zimbabwe
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On the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe in southern Africa is the iconic 355-foot Victoria Falls. Surrounded by lush terrain and with water cascading like a curtain from the edge of the cliffs, the photos are as impressive as the experience in person.
Havasu Falls — Arizona, USA
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One of the things that makes Havasu Falls so amazing is its remote location in Havasu Valley, on land managed by the Havasupai Tribe. Although it is not easy to get there, the beauty of the waterfall cannot be beat. Red rocks set off plunging white waters and turquoise pools, making this Arizona waterfall worth a visit.
Angel Falls — Venezuela
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Considered the world’s tallest uninterrupted waterfall at 3,212 feet tall, Angel Falls in Venezuela has captured the imagination of many. This waterfall, so tall that it is often surrounded by clouds, is located in Venezuela’s Canaima National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Dudhsagar Falls — India
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The milky waters of Dudhsagar Falls in the Indian state of Goa appear to stretch across the region’s lush hillsides. The waterfall has four tiers, and there is a beautiful basin at the bottom. There is also a train that runs right in front of the waterfall. Talk about a scenic drive.
Yosemite Falls — California, USA
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This two-tiered waterfall in Yosemite National Park draws many visitors, especially in late spring when the water flow is at its strongest. The waterfall’s beauty is further amplified by the surrounding park, known for its rugged granite cliffs.
Seljalandsfoss — Iceland
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Just off National Highway 1, the ring road that connects most of Iceland’s inhabited regions, lies the wonder of Seljalandsfoss. This glacier-fed waterfall can be seen from every angle, and the boardwalk (open only in summer) that surrounds this natural wonder makes for great sightseeing and great photo opportunities.
“Akaka Falls — Hawaii, USA”
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Akaka Falls, which drops 442 feet, is impressive in its own right, but it’s the landscape around it that sets it apart from other waterfalls in the world. Surrounded by lush, pristine rainforest, slivers of rough water flow into near-perfect streams into the cavernous valley below.
Iguazu Falls — Argentina and Brazil
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Marking the border between Argentina and Brazil is the always impressive Iguazu Falls (or Iguazu Falls). The steps are extensive, with water flowing around rocks and green features, providing tourists with hundreds of photo opportunities. Don’t miss the largest waterfall here, the horseshoe-shaped Devil’s Throat.
Plitvice waterfall — Croatia
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Croatia’s vast Plitvice Lakes National Park is home to 16 tiered lakes connected by various waterfalls surrounded by wooded limestone hills. The most famous is Veliki Slap, an 80-meter-high wonder that winds its way through the rocks to a clear blue pool below.
Sutherland Falls — New Zealand
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Perhaps what makes this waterfall so spectacular is its simplicity. At Sutherland Falls in Fiordland National Park, water cascades 1,904 feet from a picturesque pool above in a near-perfect, powerful stream. The three cataract waterfalls are only accessible by plane or by hiking through the mountain’s natural surroundings.
Niagara Falls — United States and Canada
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The majestic Niagara Falls straddles the U.S.-Canada border, offering visitors expansive views and ever-roaring water on both sides. On the U.S. side, the falls are located in Niagara Falls State Park (the oldest in the country) and release 3,160 tons of water every second.
Jog Falls — India
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Jog Falls, not far from India’s west coast, is a segmented waterfall that is most spectacular during the monsoon season (August to December). During this rainy season, waterfalls go from spider-like drips to powerful forces of nature that cascade down cliffs and into the ground.
Kawasan Falls — Philippines
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This series of three waterfalls cascading into natural swimming holes and lagoons is both beautiful and interactive. At Kawasan Falls, you can take a dip in the cool water or continue hiking along the jungle path to the next pool. The waterfall is located on Cebu Island, about a three-hour drive southwest of Cebu City.
Kuang Si Waterfall — Laos
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About an hour’s drive south of the culturally rich city of Luang Prabang is Kuang Si Waterfall (also known as Kuang Si Waterfall). The stunning milky-blue water at the base of the three-tiered waterfall attracts swimmers, photographers, and Instagrammers to view its striking colors and wade through the property’s shallow pools.
Kaieteur Falls — Guyana
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In Guyana, people flock to Kaieteur Falls, where an astonishing amount of water cascades over the edge of a cliff surrounded by the Amazon rainforest. Kaieteur Falls is considered the largest single-drop waterfall in terms of water volume, due to the sheer volume of solidified falls, with a drop of 741 feet. (This is four times his height at Niagara and twice his height at Victoria Falls.)
Tegunungan Waterfall — Bali
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This beautiful, isolated waterfall on the Indonesian island of Bali has become a must-see for travelers visiting the nearby art village of Ubud. At Tegunungan, the water rushes down into the pool below, which is filled with swimmers looking to escape the heat.
Bangiku Waterfall — Vietnam and China
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Bangiku Waterfall, also known as Detian Waterfall or Bangiku Waterfall, encompasses a series of waterfalls that straddle the China-Vietnam border. In a spectacular show of power and grandeur, water flows endlessly through ponds, down steps and over cliffs in a unique horseshoe shape.
Jim Jim Falls — Australia
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These Australian waterfalls plunge 656 feet over rocky cliffs to the ground below. Jim Jim Falls, located in Kakadu National Park in the Northern Territory, is normally only accessible by car during the dry season (May to October). During the tropical waterfall season (November to April), their full power can only be seen from the air.
Yumbira Falls — Peru
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Yumbira Falls in northern Peru attracts people from all over the world, and for good reason. This waterfall is considered his fifth highest in the world, boasting a drop of 2,940 feet with near-perfect force and force.
Rhine Falls — Switzerland
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Although you won’t see water cascading down giant cliffs here, the surrounding scenery (this is Switzerland, after all) makes Rhine Falls a must-see. The water cascades over and around the rocky terraces, creating impressive bodies of white, churning water.
Multnomah Falls — Oregon, USA
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These spring-fed waterfalls may be right off the busy Historic Columbia River Highway, but the site’s easy access doesn’t diminish its fairy-like atmosphere. Located in the Columbia River Gorge between Portland, Oregon, and the Hood River, Multnomah Falls cascades from upper to lower, with the iconic Benson Bridge prominently in the foreground.
