The 21 Best Waterfalls in the World

It’s hard to explain exactly why waterfalls are so enchanting, but there’s no denying their effect. People traverse the globe just to witness the magnetic power of water pouring over a cliff’s edge and plummeting to the earth below. Waterfalls top many travelers’ to-see lists and are often protected by parks or UNESCO designations. And while these wonders exist all over the world, from the lush hills of Hawaii to the rugged coast of Iceland, there’s no denying that some falls are more spectacular than the rest.

From those heralded as the largest, tallest, or most powerful to little-known cascades with enticing swimming pools at their feet, these are some of the most beautiful and overall best waterfalls in the world.

Victoria Falls, Zambia and Zimbabwe

In southern Africa, on the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe, is the iconic 354-foot-high Victoria Falls. Surrounded by lush terrain, the water creates a white and misty wall along the cliff’s edge, resulting in photographs that are almost as impressive as the in-person experience. The waterfall is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, credited as “the largest curtain of falling water in the world.” To see the spectacle, visitors can fly into Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula International Airport in Zambia or Victoria Falls International Airport in Zimbabwe and take a car to walkways on either side that lead to the falls.

Havasu Falls, Arizona, U.S.

Part of what makes Havasu Falls so spectacular is its remote location on the Havasupai Indian Reservation at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. Imagine spending an entire day descending the red rocks and finding a lush oasis around plunging water and a blue-green pool. This special cascade is only accessible from February to November, and the trails often close due to extreme heat in the summer. Getting there is a serious physical challenge and requires ample planning, including securing permits for the reservation, but the beauty of these fabled Arizona falls is hard to top.

Angel Falls, Venezuela

Holding the Guinness World Record as the tallest uninterrupted waterfall in the world, Angel Falls plunges 3,212 feet off a plateau into the tropical forest. It’s within southeastern Venezuela’s Canaima National Park, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its signature tabletop mountains (called tepuis) being “of great geological interest.” Most Angel Falls tours last at least two days and include both a hike and boat ride on the Carrao River. The waterfall is so tall it’s often surrounded by clouds, a stunning sight.

Dudhsagar Falls, India

Set in the Indian state of Goa, the milky-white waters of Dudhsagar Falls seem to sprawl across the lush green hillside. The water falls over four tiers into a beautiful pool at the bottom. There’s even a train that travels right in front of the falls. You can get on it at Vasco Da Gama or Margao and ride for about an hour to Kulem to catch a glimpse of the falls. The train runs several times a day, giving you multiple opportunities to get an unbelievable window view.

Yosemite Falls, California, U.S.

This 2,245-foot waterfall can be seen from all over Yosemite Valley. The national park says it’s actually three falls—Upper Yosemite Fall, the middle cascades, and Lower Yosemite Fall—that combine to create one of the tallest plunges in the world. It’s best admired in the spring, when the water flow is strongest. The beauty of the falls is only compounded by the surrounding Yosemite National Park, including Half Dome, El Capitan, and other imposing granite rock formations.

Seljalandsfoss, Iceland

On Iceland’s South Coast, this waterfall is right off Route 1 (aka the Ring Road), which connects most of the inhabited parts of the island. Seljalandsfoss is fed by Eyjafjallajokull Glacier, actually an ice cap-topped volcano. It’s visible from all angles, and the footpath encircling the natural wonder—even going behind the water—provides amazing photo ops. Sometimes Seljalandsfoss is not accessible in freezing conditions.

‘Akaka Falls, Hawaii, U.S.

‘Akaka Falls plummets 442 feet on the Big Island of Hawaii, just north of Hilo. While it’s stunning on its own, the landscape around the falls is what sets it apart from so many others in the world. Surrounded by untouched rain forest, the stark sliver of water drops in a near-perfect stream into the cavernous gorge below. A paved 0.4-mile hiking loop takes spectators close to it.

Iguazú Falls, Argentina and Brazil

Marking the border of Argentina and Brazil is the ever-powerful Iguazú Falls (or Iguaçu Falls), which you can see from the national parks on either side of the border. The tiers are sprawling, with water flowing around rocks and green terrain. Don’t miss the horseshoe-shaped Devil’s Throat. As the largest single waterfall in the Iguazú system, the U-shaped cascade flows across a width of 492 feet and down 269 feet to the next tier of the falls.

Plitviče Waterfalls, Croatia

The expansive Plitviče Lakes National Park in Croatia, undoubtedly one of the best national parks in the world, showcases 16 terraced lakes connected by various waterfalls set among tree-covered limestone hills. The most renowned is Veliki Slap, a 256-foot wonder that runs down the rock to a clear blue pool below. It’s a stunning sight in the spring, when the water is at peak flow, but it’s also magical when the falls freeze over in the winter.

Sutherland Falls, New Zealand

What makes New Zealand’s tallest waterfall even more spectacular is its simplicity. At Sutherland Falls, within Fiordland National Park, the water drops 1,903 feet in a near perfect yet powerful stream. On a scenic helicopter flight, you can see the picturesque alpine lake that creates the falls, technically a set of three cataracts, from above. You can also see it from the Milford Track, a four-day hike that requires a permit and ample advanced planning.

Niagara Falls, U.S. and Canada

The awe-inspiring Niagara Falls straddles the U.S.-Canada border, offering visitors on both sides expansive views and continuously roaring water. In New York, the falls sit within the country’s oldest state park. About 3,160 tons of water flow over the edge every second, hitting the bottom with 280 tons of force. You can see the action from a paved footpath that runs along the rim, or you can get up close (and wet) on the iconic Maid of the Mist boat tour.

Jog Falls, India

Not far from India’s western coast is Jog Falls, a segmented waterfall that is most stunning when viewed during monsoon season (June to September). During this time of heavy rain, the falls go from a spidery trickle to a powerful force of nature that plunges off the cliffs toward the earth. However, the Department of Tourism in Karnataka, where they’re located, says the best time to visit is August to December based on climate patterns overall.

Kawasan Falls, Philippines

These three waterfalls drop into natural swimming holes and turquoise lagoons. At Kawasan Falls, you can join the locals for a dip in the cool water and hike through the jungle between the pools. The falls are fed by mountain springs and surrounded by the lushness of Barangay Matutinao, a municipality on Cebu Island in Badian. They’re about a three-hour drive or bus ride from Cebu City.

Kuang Si Falls, Laos

About an hour’s drive south of the culture-rich city of Luang Prabang is Kuang Si Falls (aka Kuang Xi Falls). The stunning milky blue waters at the base of the three-tiered waterfall draw swimmers, photographers, and Instagrammers who come to see the standout colors and wade in these shallow pools surrounded by jungle. The falls can get quite busy with backpackers constantly motorbiking there from Luang Prabang, but it’s still worth the journey.

Kaieteur Falls, Guyana

In Guyana, people flock to Kaieteur Falls, where an impressive amount of water pours over a cliff’s edge amid the Amazon rain forest. It’s considered the largest single-drop waterfall by volume, plummeting 741 feet—that’s four times taller than Niagara and twice as high as Victoria Falls. To reach it, you have to fly into Kaieteur Airstrip and walk 15 minutes to a viewpoint.

Tegenungan Waterfall, Bali

Set on the island of Bali in Indonesia, this beautiful, isolated waterfall has become a must for travelers visiting the neighboring art village of Ubud. At Tegenungan, the water drops with force into a pool that is often full of swimmers trying to escape the heat of Southeast Asia. It’s a top tourist destination, and one unique way to experience it is at Omma Dayclub. The club has a terrace with loungers facing the falls, and you can have poke or pizza and a cocktail delivered to you while you enjoy the view.

Bản Giốc Waterfall, Vietnam and China

Bản Giốc Waterfall, also known as Detian Falls, is said to be the largest natural waterfall in Southeast Asia. It encompasses a series of cascades that straddle the border between China and Vietnam. In a stunning show of power and grandeur, water flows endlessly through pools, down tiers, and over cliffs in a horseshoe shape. You can access the falls from either Trung Khanh in Vietnam or Detian Village in China’s Daxin County.

Jim Jim Falls, Australia

These Australian falls drop over a rocky escarpment to the ground 656 feet below. Set in Kakadu National Park in the Northern Territory, Jim Jim Falls are only accessible in the dry season (from around May to October), via an off-road drive and short hike. During that time, you can even take a dip in the water at its base, a refreshing respite from the heat of the Outback. In the tropical season (November to April), when the falls are at their full strength, you can only see them by booking a scenic flight.

Yumbilla Falls, Peru

Gocta Waterfall might be Peru’s most famous cascade, but Yumbilla Falls just about seven miles north of it is equally—or arguably even more—impressive. The waterfall is the world’s fifth-tallest, dropping about 2,940 feet in a near perfect stream of power and force. You can get to it by hiking about three miles through the jungle from the village of Cuispes.

Rhine Falls, Switzerland

You won’t find water toppling over an enormous cliff here, but the surrounding scenery makes Rhine Falls a must. It’s Europe’s largest waterfall and one of the best spots to visit in Switzerland, and it’s right on the edge of Schloss Laufen, an actual ninth-century castle. Near the picturesque town of Schaffhausen, the water cascades powerfully over and around the rocky, tiered terrain, showcasing an impressive mass of white, churning water.

Multnomah Falls, Oregon, U.S.

These spring-fed falls might be right off the busy Historic Columbia River Highway, but the site’s easy accessibility does nothing to detract from its fairy-tale feel. Set in the Columbia River Gorge between Portland and Hood River, Oregon, Multnomah Falls plunges from upper to lower tiers as the iconic Benson Bridge stands prominently in the foreground.