Waterfalls are among the most captivating natural wonders on earth. From the thundering cascades to the gentle flows, these stunning creations of nature never cease to amaze us. The world boasts an array of breathtaking waterfalls, each with its own unique features that set it apart from the rest.
In this blog post, we will take you on a journey to discover the most beautiful waterfalls in the world. Whether it’s the majestic Niagara Falls in North America or the awe-inspiring Angel Falls in Venezuela, we’ve got you covered. Join us as we explore these natural wonders and share the top picks for the most beautiful waterfalls in the world.
Iguazu Falls, Argentina/Brazil
Located on the Iguazu River between Brazil and Argentina, the world’s largest waterfall, Iguazu Falls, is actually a chain of hundreds of separate waterfalls stretched out roughly three kilometers to create the world’s largest cascade. The sights and sounds of all that water crashing down some 70 meters are unlike anything else on Earth.
The lush jungle surroundings are just as stunning, making for a truly unforgettable experience. The falls, which are located in a national park, are open to visitors from both Argentina and Brazil.
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe/Zambia
Victoria Falls, located on the Zambezi River between Zimbabwe and Zambia, is another of the world’s most stunning waterfalls. In the area, it is commonly referred to as “The Smoke that Thunders.”
The greatest views of the falls are situated on the Zimbabwe side, where you can expect to get wet if you decide to stroll along the route during the rainy season.
When approaching from Zambia, you will get up up and personal with the mighty wall of water that plops over a 1.7-kilometer wide and deeper than 100-meter chasm. On the Zambian side of the falls lies a pool known as the Devil’s Pool, which is deep enough for swimming.
Havasu Falls, Arizona, USA
The most breathtaking of the five Havasupai Waterfalls, Havasu Falls cascades from fiery orange cliffs into iridescent turquoise pools in a Grand Canyon side canyon.
No day hiking is permitted, and you must spend at least one night at the campground in the canyon; most visitors spend three nights. All of the waterfalls are located on the Havasupai Indian Reservation, which can only be reached by a 10-mile overnight hike that requires advance reservation and payment of fees.
There’s a waiting list to see this stunning waterfall because of the canyon’s restricted visitor capacity.
Angel Falls, Venezuela
At an astounding 979 meters, or 3,212 feet, Angels Falls in Venezuela is the highest waterfall in the world, dwarfing Niagara Falls by a factor of 15. The water from the Churun River plunges down the side of a mountain and into a section of rapids. Just past the rapids, there is a second plunge of 30 meters.
Yet, getting to the falls is no walk in the park. To reach the falls, you must first take a small plane to the nearby town of Canaima, and from there, you must take a boat for a full day.
Niagara Falls, USA/Canada
Niagara Falls is not the world’s tallest waterfall, but its size and force make it one of the most famous. Horseshoe Falls is the largest of the three waterfalls that make up Niagara Falls. At the international boundary between the United States and Canada is Niagara Gorge, where water plummets 614 feet.
Many locations in New York and Ontario provide excellent views of the falls. One of the most unusual vantage points is found in Cave of the Winds. From the Hurricane Deck, 175 feet below, you’ll feel the full force of the falls mid-flow. As you are guaranteed to get wet, a raincoat will be provided.
Kaieteur Falls, Guyana
Kaieteur Falls, Guyana, is located deep in the Amazon rainforest and is inaccessible without a significant amount of effort. The highest single-drop waterfall in the world is worth the effort, though, at 226 meters (741 feet) in height.
At Georgetown, the capital, small planes depart often for the falls. A 15-minute hike will take you from the airstrip to the peak of the falls. Yet, the best views are found while entering and leaving the area via airplane.
Yosemite Falls, California, USA
Yosemite Falls, the tallest waterfall in North America, ranks fifth in height among all waterfalls in the world. Yosemite Falls, located in California’s beautiful Yosemite National Park, is actually a series of three waterfalls, the combined height of which is 2,425 feet but which provide the impression of a one, massive waterfall.
Since the water for Yosemite Falls comes from melting snow, the best time to observe it is in the late spring or early summer, when its roar can be heard all the way across Yosemite Valley. Nonetheless, Yosemite Falls slows to a trickle by late summer and may dry out entirely by August.
Plitvice Waterfalls, Croatia
Plitvice Waterfalls, located in Croatia’s Plitvice Lakes National Park, is a stunning natural phenomenon consisting of 16 interconnected lakes that are formed by the falls’ cascading waters. Water flowing over limestone and chalk rocks causes the water to take on a wide range of blue and green hues, from aquamarine to emerald and turquoise, making these waterfalls really unique. This whole scene is set off by a beautiful, verdant countryside. This park, which is practically made for Instagram posts, sees over a million visits annually.
Fall Creek Falls, Tennessee, USA
The 256-foot drop of Fall Creek Falls makes it the highest free-fall waterfall east of the Mississippi. The falls are part of Fall Creek Falls State Park and may be reached by a three-mile round-trip hike that adds about 715 feet in elevation and is located in the rocky eastern region of Tennessee’s Cumberland Plateau.
In addition to the main falls, there are also five additional stunning waterfalls inside the park’s expansive 34 miles of trails. There are places to stay, like cabins and campgrounds.
Ban Gioc Waterfall, Vietnam
Ban Gioc Waterfall, also known as Detian Waterfall in China, is the largest waterfall in Asia, and it is located on the border with China, surrounded by a lush green scenery and fairytale-like pointy mountains.
From the Chinese side, the waterfall plunges more than 70 meters and spans around 200 meters. The Quay Son River, which serves as a border between the two countries, provides the water for the falls, which produce a deafening roar as the water cascades over three distinct levels.
Kawasan Falls, Cebu Island, Philippines
Kawasan Falls, located in Badian on Cebu Island in the Philippines, are not particularly impressive when compared to other spectacular waterfalls across the world. True, but the pool of turquoise water they land in is stunning. As a result, they’ve become a fast trend in Instagram trip photos.
An exciting canyoneering excursion through the forest to the falls and the inviting blue pool below is one of the best ways to get there.
Gullfoss (Golden Falls), Iceland
Gullfoss, located on the Hvita River in Iceland, translates to “golden falls” because the glacial silt in the river causes the waterfalls to reflect sunlight in a golden hue. The 105-foot-tall waterfall teeters over in two sections that are almost perpendicular to one another, giving the wacky impression as you go closer to the thunder that these golden falls also go on forever. Set against the velvety greenery of Iceland, it is a sight to behold.
Shoshone Falls, Idaho, USA
Shoshone Falls in Twin Falls, Idaho, is sometimes referred to as the “Niagara of the West” due to its breadth of 900 feet and its drop of 212 feet. Shoshone Falls, one of the United States’ greatest waterfalls, is even higher than the more famous Niagara Falls. Set in a steep basalt canyon, the falls can be found on the Snake River.
The closest parking area is about 75 feet from the viewing platform, making these waterfalls quite accessible, especially for those in wheelchairs. Nonetheless, you may get some exercise and see the falls from a variety of angles by walking around the canyon rim trail.
Ruby Falls, Tennessee, USA
Ruby Falls, located just outside of Chattanooga, is the highest and deepest public underground waterfall in the United States. This waterfall is located 1,120 feet down in Lookout Mountain, and getting there requires an elevator ride down 26 storeys, followed by a stroll through a cavern through some bizarre rock formations.
The 145-foot descent at Ruby Falls into a pool is accompanied by a multicolored LED light show. Even so, it is a spectacular and unusual waterfall.
Tukad Cepung Waterfall, Bali, Indonesia
The Tukad Cepung Waterfall, found just outside of Ubud, is one of Bali’s most unusual natural attractions. Accessible by a jungle hiking trail that takes around 15 minutes to walk and is suitable for kids, the most stunning element of this waterfall experience is the way the sun rays light through the jungle scenery to create a spectacular vision.
At certain times of day, the sun’s rays penetrate the canopy above the falls, giving the impression that distant rock structures can be seen across the canyon. You can swim in the pool surrounding the waterfall, too.
Weeping Wall, Kauai, USA
The Weeping Wall is a collection of small waterfalls that cascade from the top of Kauai’s 5,066-foot-tall Mount Waialeale. With an average annual rainfall of 450 inches, this location ranks as the world’s second wettest.
Although though the top of the wall and the waterfalls are typically obscured by clouds, witnessing the water stream down as rain drops hit the ground all around you in the most verdant setting imaginable is a sight to behold.
Bridalveil Fall, California, USA
Bridalveil Fall is one of Yosemite National Park’s most recognizable features, alongside the greater Yosemite Falls. If you’re familiar with Ansel Adams’s work, you may recognize the falls from the iconic view he took of Yosemite Valley from Inspiration Point.
A paved trail leads up to the base of Bridalveil Fall, where you may enjoy the view. In the early spring, when the falls are producing their greatest amount of mist, you are likely to get completely drenched.
Palouse Falls, Washington, USA
Palouse Falls is another breathtaking waterfall, plunging 200 feet into a circular pool encircled by moss-covered canyon walls. When the Palouse River is at its highest and the waterfall is at its fullest, it is very magnificent in this isolated section of southeast Washington.
When you go around the rim of the crater, you’ll get a variety of views of the waterfalls and the small cascade in the rock that causes them.
Agrio Falls, Argentina
The 60-meter-high Agrio Falls are formed when the Agrio River plunges over a cliff (Salto del Agrio). Caviahue, Argentina, in the Patagonia region, is where you’ll find this waterfall.
The vibrant hues of Agrio Falls are enticing. The river runs sour and the pool at the river’s end is a vivid shade of green. There is a striking color contrast between the water and the surrounding red and yellow volcanic rocks.
Even the landscape is picturesque, what with all the rocky outcrops and verdant forests. As the water cascades down in two drops, separated by a basalt boulder shaped like a head, early morning visitors have the best opportunity of viewing a rainbow in the falls. Three different vantage points provide spectacular views of the waterfall.
McWay Falls, California
In the hour before sunset, the scenery around McWay Falls in Monterey, California, takes on a beautiful golden, orange, and pink hue. The 80-foot waterfall in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park is a perennial feature. It plunges from a cliff and into a little beach cove just a few dozen feet from the Pacific Ocean.
The waterfall once dropped straight into the water, but in the early 1980s, a wildfire, landslide, and highway repair project altered the course of the waterfall such that it now splashes down onto a sandy beach cove before continuing out to sea.
The only way to see McWay Falls is from above. It is against the law to descend these cliffs (although some people still do).
Dudhsagar Falls, India
Dudhsagar Falls, one of India’s tallest and most magnificent waterfalls, with four separate drops of more than a thousand feet, and a width of about one hundred. Dudhsagar Falls is also known as “sea of milk” because of the illusion it makes as it plummets into the Mandovi River at high speed and with much spray.
Around 60 kilometers from Panjum and 45 kilometers from Mudgaon, the falls may be found inside the Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary in the Goa province of India.
