25 Gorgeous Waterfalls Worldwide That Are Nature’s Masterpieces
Waterfalls have a way of making everything else look boring. Their raw power and sheer unpredictability keep us mesmerized. Some thunder like an oncoming storm, while others whisper secrets to the rocks below. Brace yourself for a wild ride because these waterfalls put on a show!
Niagara Falls, USA/Canada
What does 85,000 cubic feet of water per second sound like? Niagara Falls answers with an earth-shaking roar that sends mist that soar high enough to soak a city block. As night falls, the cascading waters glow in a rainbow of lights for an already phenomenal sight into pure, electrifying magic.
Iguazu Falls, Argentina/Brazil
Some waterfalls trickle, but this one unleashes fury. Stretching nearly two miles across Argentina and Brazil, Iguazu Falls has 275 instances of wild cascades. The Devil’s Throat, the most dramatic drop of it all, plunges 269 feet into a swirling mist that leaves visitors soaked and speechless.
Victoria Falls, Zambia/Zimbabwe
Locals call it “The Smoke That Thunders” for a reason. Victoria Falls crashes with immense force, which sends mist soaring into the sky. As it spans 1.7 kilometers, this monster waterfall sends mist 400 meters into the air. Stand too close, and you’ll walk away, looking like you took an unexpected swim.
Angel Falls, Venezuela
How do you beat other waterfalls? You go higher, way higher. Angel Falls plummets an insane 3,212 feet from a tabletop mountain. It is the world’s tallest uninterrupted waterfall. The water is practically in free fall. It plunges from the edge of the Auyan-tepui mountain and turns into mist before it even hits the ground.
Yosemite Falls, USA
Meet North America’s drama queen. Towering at 2,425 feet, Yosemite Falls puts on its best show in spring, when snowmelt fuels its raging descent. Hike up to the Sierra Nevada in California for a sweaty, heart-pounding view, or admire it from below like a normal person who enjoys breathing.
Gullfoss, Iceland
Iceland doesn’t do average, and neither does Gullfoss. Nicknamed the “Golden Falls,” this two-tiered beauty plunges into a rugged canyon. It is fueled by the Hvita River as it flows southward. The result is a spectacle that looks straight out of a Viking saga. On sunny days, the mist catches the light just right.
Plitvice Waterfalls, Croatia
Fairytale vibes unlocked! In Croatia’s Plitvice Lakes National Park, 16 jewel-colored lakes tumble into each other via waterfalls to create a cascading wonderland. You can find it at the end of Lower Lakes. Wooden walkways snake through the scene, letting visitors step right into this dreamy, water-soaked paradise.
Sutherland Falls, New Zealand
What makes the Milford Track worth every step? Deep within Fiordland National Park, Sutherland Falls rewards hikers with a breathtaking three-tiered plunge of 1,900 feet. The journey may be demanding, but the sight is pure Middle-earth magic. Forget Hobbiton, as this is New Zealand’s real fantasy world.
Seljalandsfoss, Iceland
Seljalandsfoss isn’t just for admiring from afar. Behind the curtain of water, a hidden path leads into the misty heart of the falls. Walking through feels like stepping into another world, where water crashes and the spray soaks you in exhilaration. Behind the waterfalls, the visitors are treated to a walk into a cave.
Skogafoss, Iceland
Mist rises in thick clouds as Skogafoss crashes down from a 200-foot cliff to create a dramatic scene in which rainbows appear like unexpected guests. If you’re up for a challenge, climb the steep staircase beside it for a view that will take your breath away. It is where the former Icelandic coastline to the south before it receded.
Kaieteur Falls, Guyana
Deep in the heart of the Amazon, the Kaieteur Falls roars down an astonishing 741 feet, untouched by fences or crowds. First discovered by the Europeans in 1870, here, nature rules in its rawest form, delivering an unfiltered spectacle of pure power. With nothing between you and the falls, this is the ultimate front-row seat to the wild.
Detian Falls, China/Vietnam
It borders drama but makes it scenic. Straddling China and Vietnam, Detian Falls cascades in steps, surrounded by lush greenery and jagged karst mountains. There is a stone marker on the top that demarcates the two borders. It’s like something out of a watercolor painting—only actual and with much more noise.
Havasu Falls, USA
In the Havasupai tribal lands, vivid blue-green waters pour over red rock to form pools, so inviting they should come with “DO JUMP IN” signs. It’s worth the hike. Just imagine trekking through the Grand Canyon’s dusty, sunbaked trails only to stumble upon an oasis. That’s Havasu Falls.
Jog Falls, India
Jog Falls changes with the seasons. Among the plunge falls in India, this is the second highest. During the monsoon, it roars to life as torrents of water plunge 830 feet in separate streams. When the rains fade, the spectacle vanishes and leaves behind a quiet cliff. To experience its full power, plan your visit at the right time.
Tugela Falls, South Africa
At 3,110 feet, Tugela Falls is among the tallest waterfalls on Earth. Seasonal shifts turn it from a mighty cascade to a gentle trickle down the Drakensberg Mountains. No matter when you visit, the scenery is nothing short of breathtaking. There is an ongoing debate on the actual height of the falls, as some argue this to be taller than Angel Falls.
Multnomah Falls, USA
If Waterfalls had Instagram accounts, Multnomah Falls would be an influencer. Oregon’s most photogenic cascade plunges 620 feet in two tiers, with a charming bridge right in the middle. Snap a pic of this second tallest waterfall in the USA that runs all year round, and try not to feel like you’re in a fantasy movie.
Dudhsagar Falls, India
“Sea of Milk” is an apt name for Dudhsagar Falls, where frothy white water cascades 1,017 feet like a liquid avalanche. A railway bridge slices through the spectacle to turn an ordinary train ride into an unforgettable journey through the surrounding area rich with a biodiverse forest’s raw power.
Shoshone Falls, USA
Nicknamed the Niagara of the West, Shoshone Falls plunges 212 feet over rugged cliffs in Idaho. It’s taller than Niagara but has fewer tourists and more dramatic scenery. The best time to visit is spring, when the Snake River swells and turns the falls into a roaring beast. It marks the upper limit of the Snake River’s fish migration historically.
Barron Falls, Australia
Queensland’s wet season superstar, Barron Falls, roars to life when the rains hit, turning into a thunderous cascade. The surrounding rainforest amplifies the drama, with mist rising like steam from a boiling cauldron. Hop on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway for an aerial view that’ll leave you breathless.
Gocta Cataracts, Peru
Once a hidden secret of the Peruvian jungle, Gocta Cataracts is now stealing the spotlight. This 2,530-foot beauty wasn’t officially documented until 2005—how do you hide something that massive? Trek through cloud forests to reach its base, where the roaring water feels almost otherworldly.
Ramona Falls, USA
How does a waterfall whisper and still leave you spellbound? Ramona Falls does just that. Delicate streams trickle over a rugged basalt wall to form a mesmerizing lacy veil. Framed by moss-draped trees, this Oregon gem swaps thunderous roars for quiet elegance with its wall of water that cascades gently.
Bridalveil Fall, USA
Yosemite’s iconic Bridalveil Fall is the definition of dramatic. At 620 feet, it’s not the tallest in the park, but definitely one that runs throughout the year. When the wind catches its mist just right, it looks like a ghostly white veil dancing in the air. Good luck walking away dry because the spray must find you.
Akaka Falls, USA
Can you hear it? The rustling of bamboo and the distant roar of falling water lead to Akaka Falls. This Hawaiian gem plunges 442 feet into a jungle-lined gorge, its mist kissing the lush greenery. The stream above the falls, a goby fish endemic to Hawaii, spawns. A short hike through wild orchids makes the reveal even more breathtaking.
Burney Falls, USA
Burney Falls pulls off the impossible—looking like something out of a dream. Teddy Roosevelt once called it the “eighth wonder of the world.” With hundreds of tiny streams from volcanic rock, it forms a mesmerizing curtain-like cascade that feels like pure magic, especially from April to October, when the snow melts.
Fairy Falls, New Zealand
Hidden in the Waitakere Ranges, Fairy Falls is nature’s version of a lullaby. Mossy rocks and lush greenery frame its delicate, multi-tiered descent, while the soothing sound of falling water completes the enchantment. The track used to access this waterfall is open through Scenic Drive to watch these falls cascading like silk, and it truly lives up to its name.
