Top 10 Beautiful Waterfalls In The World

The majestic land of New Zealand is rich with unbelievable natural sites, although few are as eye-popping or awe-inspiring as the Sutherland Falls. Situated not too far away from Milford Sound, this waterfall was discovered in the 19th century by Scottish settler Donald Sutherland (no relation to the famous actor). Initially, Sutherland Falls was touted as the tallest waterfall in the world, although this was later proven inaccurate. At roughly 1,900 feet, however, it’s still considered by some to be the tallest waterfall in New Zealand, its only rival being Browne Falls. In any case, Sutherland Falls is a towering spectacle that only adds to the tranquil beauty of Fiordland National Park.

Two astounding waterfalls for the price of one. The Ban Gioc–Detian Falls are part of the Quây Sơn River, which runs amid the Chinese–Vietnamese international border. Comprised of several drops, this shared national treasure has attracted tourists to both China and Vietnam. Whether you view the falls from Daxin County, Guangxi or Trùng Khánh District, Cao Bằng Province, there isn’t a bad seat in the house. The visual splendor on display has also made the falls a popular shooting location for Chinese movies. Be it a thrilling action sequence or a touching love scene, the Ban Gioc–Detian Falls can always set just the right tone.

If you’ve always wanted to visit the Amazon rainforest and are up for an adventure, be sure to seek out Kaieteur Falls in Guyana. Running down the Potaro River in Kaieteur National Park, this colossal cascade stands out as the largest single drop waterfall, in terms of volume of water, on the planet. At 741 feet, it’s also among the highest waterfalls in the world. With its gigantic size, Kaieteur Falls manages to be intimidating while also being magical. The misty ambiance additionally gives the falls a soothing, dreamlike sentiment. Much like a beautiful dream you don’t want to wake from, Kaieteur Falls is entrancing.

Our next entry is so whimsical and picturesque that you’d swear it was a man-made creation right out of a water park. These falls are 100% natural, however, annually attracting millions of visitors to Plitvice Lakes National Park in Croatia. Comprised of sixteen interconnected lakes, this area is overrun with cascades of flowing water. Veliki Slap is the largest waterfall in the park at 256 feet, although the smaller waterfalls are also wonders to behold. When snow falls and the waters freeze, it feels as if visitors have been transported to a winter wonderland. No matter the time of the year, Plitvice Lakes never fails to impress with its assortment of waterfalls.

A staple of Yosemite National Park, this California waterfall is the tallest in North America at 2,425 feet. Yosemite Falls consists of three drops, the longest of which is over 1300 feet. Below the Upper Yosemite Fall is a series of Middle Cascades. These lead to the Lower Yosemite Fall, which drops down at almost 300 feet. From the right angle, it kind of looks like a parent waterfall looming over a baby fall. Isn’t that adorable? Since this waterfall stems from melted snow, the water flow will occasionally decrease as the seasons change. Thus, visitors like to drop by during late spring in order to observe Yosemite Falls at its most majestic.

Tucked up in the North Atlantic, Iceland is easily among the most gorgeous places on the face of the earth. If you make your way down the Hvítá River in Southwest Iceland, you’ll eventually discover this remarkable and popular waterfall. The peak of Gullfoss almost looks like a staircase with three steps. Descending, there’s a drop of 36 feet, and then another drop of 69 feet, flowing into a crevice that is over 100 feet deep. Gullfoss is actually just one stop on The Golden Circle, a tourist route that also consists of the Þingvellir National Park and the valley of Haukadalur. So it’s only fitting that Gullfoss means “Golden Falls”.

As the world’s largest waterfall system, running down the Argentina–Brazil border, it makes sense that the word “Iguazú” translates to “big water.” Iguazú Falls consists of a staggering 275 drops, with the highlight being the Devil’s Throat, a U-shaped chasm where roughly half the waterflow falls, measuring in at 269 feet high, 492 feet wide, and 2,297 feet long. With Argentina and Brazil both providing access to these breathtaking falls, there’s no shortage of great vantage points for tourists. Speaking of which, when viewed from above, the falls resembles the letter “J” in reverse. Massive and mesmerizing in equal measure, Iguazú Falls is guaranteed to blow your mind.

In 1933, aviator Jimmie Angel traveled through Venezuela in search of a valuable ore bed. Angel came across an even greater treasure, however, when he flew over this heavenly waterfall. Named after the person who introduced it to the outside world, Angel Falls takes the notion of beauty to (literal) new heights. Stretching up to over 3200 feet, Angel Falls is the tallest uninterrupted waterfall in the world. The longest drop of 2647 feet, in particular, is a marvel. In various languages, it’s described as “waterfall of the deepest place” and “the fall from the highest point.” No trip to Canaima National Park would be complete without a visit to this angelic waterfall.

If you live in North America, chances are a road trip to Niagara Falls in on your bucket list. Spanning the Canada–United States border, this iconic wonder unites three majestic waterfalls. Together, the American Falls, the Bridal Veil Falls, and the Horseshoe Falls make for a trinity of beauty. While the falls are stunning in their natural state, they look otherworldly at night when the floodlights come on, giving them the air of a watery rainbow. To truly experience Niagara Falls in all of its glory, the Maid of the Mist boat tour will get you an up close and personal look. It’s a voyage you won’t soon forget.

Before we get to our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions:

Dettifoss
Vatnajökull National Park, Northeast Iceland

Mealt Falls
Isle of Skye, Scotland

Nohkalikai Falls
Meghalaya, India

Victoria Falls is referred to by the Tokaleya people as “Mosi-oa-Tunya,” which translates to “The Smoke that Thunders.” Thunderous is perhaps the best word to describe this African waterfall, which runs between Zambia and Zimbabwe on the Zambezi River. While it’s not the world’s tallest nor widest waterfall, it has the distinction of being the largest, with a strip of water that stretches 5600 feet across and 354 feet high. With jaw-dropping gorges and mist that extends as far as the eye can see, it’s among the most dazzling sites known to humankind. Visitors can even swim to the falls’ edge at a spot called Devil's Pool, offering a thrilling experience unlike any other.