February 27, 2024 | Allison Robertson

The Most Beautiful Waterfalls in the World


Beautiful Waterfalls Around the World

It’s hard to say what makes waterfalls so enchanting, but every year, people travel the globe just to witness the captivating allure of water plunging over a cliff's edge.

These are some of the world’s most stunning waterfalls.

Best Waterfalls Split Gallery

Gullfoss Waterfall — Iceland

Considering Iceland is known as one of the most beautiful places on the planet, it’s no surprise that is has some of the most stunning waterfalls in the world.

Gullfoss Waterfall is a wide, two-tiered waterfall that plunges into a gorge full of foaming water.

Gullfoss Waterfall — IcelandO Palsson, Flickr

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Yosemite Falls — California

Yosemite National Park is known for its many gorgeous waterfalls, including the 2,425-foot-high Yosemite Falls—which features three separate falls.

The hike to the top is challenging, the top-notch views are worth it.

Yosemite Falls — CaliforniaSvein-Magne Tunli, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

Iguazu Falls — Brazil and Argentina

Iguazu Falls is a waterfall complex on the Iguazu River, comprised of 275 waterfalls of varying sizes. One of the largest is the 269-foot-high, horseshoe-shaped “Devil’s Throat”.

Iguazu Falls — Brazil And ArgentinaNido Huebl, Shutterstock

Multnomah Falls — Oregon

The Columbia River Gorge is known for its dozens of waterfalls, including the 611-foot-high Multnomah Falls.

It has two drops, and it’s fed by underground springs.

Multnomah Falls — OregonJohn Fowler, Flickr

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Plitvice Falls — Croatia

Plitvice Falls is a series of stunning cascades emptying into 16 terraced lakes.

These waterfalls are located in Plitvice Lakes National Park, where they offer a network of raised wooden walkways so visitors can get up close and personal with the views.

Plitvice Falls — CroatiaCreative Travel Projects, Shutterstock

Sutherland Falls — New Zealand

Sutherland Falls is a spectacular, 1,904-foot-high, three-tiered cascade fed by a gorgeous glacial lake.

It’s located not far from Milford Sound fjord, where scenes from Lord of the Rings were filmed.

Sutherland Falls — New ZealandPiu_Piu, Shutterstock

Victoria Falls — Zambia and Zimbabwe

Victoria Falls is a mile-long curtain of powerful water. It’s massive size makes it one of the world’s most photographed waterfalls.

Victoria Falls — Zambia And ZimbabweVadim Petrakov, Shutterstock

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Angel Falls — Venezuela

At a whopping height of 3,212 feet, Angel Falls is the world’s tallest waterfall.

Its remote location in the Amazon rainforest makes it a bit of a challenge to get to, which involves a 3-day hike. But the views make it worth-while.

Salto Angel from above, Auyantepuy, Venezuela - 2009Rafael Estrella, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Niagara Falls — U.S. and Canada

Niagara Falls is a stunning, and extremely powerful geological wonder. It’s actually made up of three separate falls—and the grouping is known as some of the most powerful waterfalls in the world.

Niagara FallsMian Rizwan, Pexels

Wailua Falls — Hawaii

Hawaii has numerous waterfalls, but not all are as accessible as Wailua Falls in Kauai.

The stunning Wailua Falls are twin waterfalls that have appeared in the opening credits of the show Fantasy Island.

Wailua Falls — HawaiiMichael Warwick, Shutterstock

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Kaieteur Falls — Guyana

Another one of the world’s most powerful waterfalls is Kaieteur Falls, which stands at 741-feet-tall. It’s one of the best waterfalls to see up close.

Kaieteur Falls — Guyanakakteen, Shutterstock

Maletsunyane Falls — Lesotho

The Maletsunyane Falls, in southern Africa is a lesser-known hidden gem. This 630-foot-tall single cascade, surrounded by cliffs, empties into a prehistoric gorge.

Maletsunyane Falls — Lesothombrand85, Shutterstock

Havasu Falls — Arizona

Havasau Falls may not be the tallest or the widest, it is definitely one of the prettiest.

Located on Arizona's Havasupai Reservation, the falls are surrounded by massive red rocks and tumble into a pool of turquoise-colored water.

Havasu Falls — ArizonaJuancat, Shutterstock

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Dudhsagar Falls — India

The milk-white waters of Dudhsagar Falls crawl along the surrounding green hillside, creating a spectacular view.

The waterfall includes four tiers, a beautiful pool at the bottom, and a train that cuts in front of the falls.

Dudhsagar Falls — IndiaLizloy1992, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Seljalandsfoss — Iceland

Seljalandsfoss is a waterfall whose water comes from under a glacier. What makes it so famous is that this waterfall can be fully encircled, with pathways surrounding the stunning flow of water.

The cascade of the falls is relatively narrow but falls from a tall cliff.

Seljalandsfoss — IcelandFabio tomat, Shutterstock

'Akaka Falls — Hawaii, US

'Akaka Falls plummets 442 feet into a beautiful gorge below. It is surrounded by a stunning landscape made up of untouched rainforest, and a near-perfect stream.

'akaka Falls — HawaiiJulian Peters Photography, Shutterstock

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Jog Falls — India

Jog Falls is a segmented waterfall that is most stunning when viewed during monsoon season (August to December).

During this season the falls go from a spidery trickle to a powerful force of nature that plunges off the cliffs toward the Earth.

Jog Falls — IndiaLodo, Flickr

Kawasan Falls — Philippines

This series of three waterfalls, which drop into natural swimming holes and lagoons, is not only beautiful, it's interactive.

Visitors are encouraged to take a dip in the cool water, and then continue your hike on the jungle trails toward the next pool.

Kawasan Falls — PhilippinesShemlongakit, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Kuang Si Falls — Laos

Kuang Si Falls boasts stunning milky-blue waters at the base of a three-tiered waterfall that draws in swimmers and photographers from all over the globe.

Kuang Si Falls — LaosWeStudio, Shutterstock

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Tegenungan Waterfall — Bali

This beautiful island waterfall is an isolated natural wonder. The water drops forcefully into an inviting pool below that is often full of swimmers trying to escape the heat.

Tegenungan Waterfall SideviewKarter873, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Ban Gioc Waterfall — Vietnam and China

At Ban Gioc Waterfall water flows endlessly through pools, down tiers, and over cliffs in a unique horseshoe shape.

Ban Gioc Waterfall — Vietnam and ChinaHoangTuan_photography, Needpix

Jim Jim Falls — Australia

These Australian falls drop over a rocky escarpment to the earth 656 feet below.

This stunning and powerful waterfall can only be seen during the dry season when you can drive to its location.

Jim Jim Falls — AustraliaAlexandra Martynova, Shutterstock

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Yumbilla Falls — Peru

The Yumbilla Falls is considered the world's fifth tallest waterfall and drops from a dizzying height in a near perfect stream of power and force.

Yumbilla Falls — PeruJolyn Chua, Shutterstock

Rhine Falls — Switzerland

This waterfall is not very tall at all, but that doesn’t make it any less beautiful. The water cascades powerfully over and around the rocky, tiered terrain, showcasing an impressive mass of white, churned up water.

Rhine Falls — Switzerlandmaloff, Shutterstock

Blood Falls — Antarctica

Blood Falls are a chilling sight—in more ways than one. Crimson water pours out of snow-covered glaciers onto the ice-covered surface of West Lake Bonney.

Blood Falls — AntarcticaPeter Rejcek, Wikimedia Commons

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Hannoki Falls & Shomyo Falls — Japan

Hannoki Falls is the tallest waterfall in Japan, with a height of 1,630 feet. However, the waterfall only flows between April to July, fed by melting snow from the Midagahara plateau.

During the rest of the year, Hannoki’s neighbour, Shomyo Falls, is considered the tallest waterfall in Japan.

Hannoki Falls & Shomyo Falls — Japansadao, Shutterstock

Khone Phapheng Falls — Laos

Khone Phapheng Falls is the largest waterfall in Southeast Asia.

It’s are populated with thousands of little islands, giving the area the name Si Phan Don (Four Thousand Islands).

The falls make up the widest waterfall in the world, measuring an incredible 3,5374-feet across.

Khone Phapheng Falls, Si Phan Don, LaosBasile Morin, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Nohkalikai Falls — India

Nohkalikai Falls is the tallest waterfall in India, with a plunge of 1,115. It is also the fourth tallest falls in the world and known for the brightly coloured lagoon at its base.

Nohkalikai Falls — IndiaMeheSan, Shutterstock

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Thi Lo Su Waterfall — Thailand

Thi Lo Su is the sixth biggest waterfall in the world. The water tumbles along limestone cliffs, cascading down tiers of rock.

Behind the waterfalls, there is also a cave you can explore and natural pools you can swim in.

Thi Lo Su Waterfall — Thailandtanoochai, Shutterstock

Burney Falls — California

These falls are not very big—only 115 feet—but they’re absolutely stunning. Former President Theodore Roosevelt called them the Eighth Wonder of the World.

Burney Falls — CaliforniaCalifornia State Parks, Flickr

Erawan Falls — Thailand

This multi-tiered waterfall is surrounded by beautiful foliage. There are seven levels to explore, although the path is quite tricky to reach the top tiers. It’s definitely worth the hike.

Erawan Falls — ThailandPatrick Foto, Shutterstock

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Konoko Falls — Jamaica

This gorgeous waterfall is one you can easily climb up. There’s a natural pool at the top, and a bar for visitors at the bottom.

Konoko Falls — JamaicaMehdi Kasumov, Shutterstock

Bigar Cascade Falls — Romania

This hidden gem is tucked away in the Anina mountains of Romania. The water flows over green moss lined rocks into a basin below.

It also has a rather dark and sad legend.

Bigar Cascade Falls — RomaniaIon George, Flickr

Salt Creek Falls — Oregon

Salt Creek Falls is one of the highest single-drop waterfalls in Oregon. The water drops 286 feet and flows into a basalt ledge into a canyon in Willamette National Forest.

The approximate annual volume of water is 250 cubic feet per second.

Salt Creek Falls — OregonAndy Reago & Chrissy McClarren, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons


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