Our planet is full of magical beauties, and the observers often find themselves in a state of complete blissfulness. Witnessing a flowing waterfall and the most beautiful ones in the world could be a spectacular experience that one cannot describe in words.
While some fast-flowing waterfalls can excite us to the core, the smooth and relaxing ones can present us with the utmost peace of mind. Regardless of the nature of the waterfall, the experience is very inspiring and thought-provoking.
Here you will discover a list of the top ten best stunning waterfalls in the world that you might want to add to your bucket list.
Table of Contents
1. Niagara Falls, North America
If you anticipate visiting the world-famous waterfall and two countries for the price of one, why not visit Niagara Falls? Time and again, Niagara Falls has been bagging the title for the most beautiful waterfall in the world.
With an enormous length of 2600 feet and height of 167 feet, the fall borders Canada and America. It seems to be stretching forever. The fall has been serving as a natural source of electricity for millions of people daily.
And, did you know that Niagara Falls is made up of three waterfalls, the American Falls, the Horseshoe Falls, and the Bridal Falls? A combination of these three produces the highest flow rate compared to any other waterfalls on earth.
When to go there?
You can visit Niagara Falls at any time of the year as the waterfall itself does not freeze in extreme Canadian winters. However, if you admire the summer and blue skies, you might want to schedule a trip between May and September.
If you loathe hiking, you’re in luck. The fall is located in the middle of a city with easy access from Canada or the USA.
2. Kaieteur Falls, Potaro River, Guyana
The Discovery of 1870, Kaieteur Falls in the deep Amazon rainforests, remains the must-travel location until today. Kaieteur is one of the tallest single-drop waterfalls in the world.
It is about 741 feet tall and 370 feet wide. No wonder it is also known as the rectangular-shaped monster atop the ancient Guyana Shield.
If you are looking forward to scheduling a vacation with a bit of adventure and dramatic splendor, you should certainly consider getting a glimpse into Guyana. The remote location of Kaieteur is what makes the trip more exciting.
When to go there?
You might want to look over the weather forecast before scheduling a vacation to the Amazon. The weather in this region gets slightly tricky, making it challenging to determine the perfect time to see Kaieteur falls.
It would be best to organize for the warmer seasons. However, make sure to avoid the dry seasons, which start in March and end in June.
3. Victoria Falls, Zambia
The most easily deserving waterfall on every list of top waterfalls is the Victoria Falls, situated blissfully on the border of Zimbabwe and Zambia. It is the most extensive singular waterfall globally, with a width of 1.7 kilometers and a height of 107 meters (355 feet) alongside rapidly falling water.
The average flow of water in Victoria Falls is one million liters per second!
People take an exceptional tour to visit Victoria Falls, and many tourists who witness the beauty call it a “once in a lifetime” journey. Although the popularity of Victoria Falls has grown only in recent years, the admiration is deemed to increase with time.
It is apprehended as one of the world’s seven natural wonders by the UNESCO world heritage site. The best part, it has a vast natural pool at the bottom where you can swim safely!
When to go there?
One of the primary reasons for its increasing popularity is, you can travel to Victoria Falls all year round. However, hot seasons might not give you the best scenes. For the best views, people recommend visiting in between March and August.
4. Angel Falls, Canaima, Venezuela
The existence of Angel Falls defies the laws of logic as the source of the waterfall is nothing but a wet cloud forest wrenching condensation on the plateau. No wonder it is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
It leaps from the flat-top plateau, barely touching the sheer face. The fall is located in Canaima National Park and is best seen from the air due to a dense forest surrounding the waterfall.
Until recently, Angel falls was considered the tallest permanent waterfall in the world. However, today it is the second tallest one. The recorded height of Angel Falls is 3212 feet (979 meters).
Angel Fall was first discovered by an American adventurer James Angel in 1930 after a crash landing.
When to go there?
The water levels are soaring but safe enough for visitors to take a river trip between September and December. And not to forget the impeccable view during these seasons. The landscape will remain the same all year round; however, the upriver trips may not be possible due to changing water levels.
5. Iguazu Falls, Argentina, and Brazil
This stunning waterfall covering a distance of 2 kilometers and an average flow of one thousand cubic meters of water per second is popularly known as the most extensive waterfall system globally.
The waterfall comprises 275 individual waterfalls and cascades, creating one particular landmark between Brazil and Argentina. Although the fall is only about 82 meters (269 feet) in height, it extends over 1,600 meters (5,249 feet) in width.
It is twice as wide as Niagara Falls! No wonder Eleanor Roosevelt looked at it and exclaimed, “Poor Niagara!”
When to go there?
The Iguazu Falls are splendid in all seasons. Nevertheless, you can select your preferred travel time based on what you want to see. For instance, the waterfall might be the strongest from December to February, but wet and slippery weather.
Most visitors opt to visit Iguazu between March to September.
6. Sutherland Falls, New Zealand
One of the most remote and desolate waterfalls on the Southern island of New Zealand is enough to take your breath away. And if you are among those people who are hard to please, pack your bags right away, and head to Sutherland Falls.
It is also the highest waterfall in New Zealand, with an astonishing 1904 feet (580 meters) of height.
When to go there?
If you are an accomplished hiker, you can opt for any season. However, it would be ideal for novice or first-time hikers to stick with the summer seasons. You can visit this magnificent beaute anytime from late October to early April.
Many paths leading to this glittering waterfall have been classified as “The Finest Walk in the World.”
7. Kurşunlu Falls, Turkey
One cannot miss out on the flawless grandeur of Kurşunlu when composing a list of top waterfalls in the world. After all, it is a captivating water resource and a great combination of wildlife and natural beauty.
The fall is surrounded by a thick forest of pine trees located in the heart of Kurşunlu Waterfall Nature Park. The fall also renders the visitors relaxing swim beside the turtles and fishes along with the visual feast. And if you are a blackberry fanatic, you will get an unlimited supply.
When to go there?
You can visit Kurşunlu Fall any time of the year. Travelers recommend exploring in the warmer seasons to benefit from the opportunity of a good and relaxing swim.
8. Yosemite Falls, Yosemite National Park (California), USA
A massive and a graceful are only two words to describe the Yosemite Falls. Anyone who has experienced this remarkable charm has for sure been awe-stricken.
And even though the water does not flow throughout the year, it is the crown jewel of attractions in the Yosemite Valley. The fall can be observed from multiple viewpoints, each offering a unique and fabulous angle of the waterfall.
When to go there?
Explorers inform that spring is the best season to view the waterfall embellished by the wildflowers in full bloom. As for those wanting to travel in the colder seasons might not be a good idea considering that Yosemite is a seasonal waterfall.
9. Gullfoss, Haukadalur, Iceland
Iceland has one of the most iconic ice-toned beauty, the Gullfoss falls, cherished by entire Europe. It provides the most dramatic view from the top. The waterfall appears as if the water rushing below from the cliff is vanishing into thin air.
Gullfoss is also one of the unique waterfalls in the world, tumbling on the Hvita River in two tires at a ninety-degree angle. Once privately owned, Gulfoss has now become one of the main attractions of Southwest Iceland.
Furthermore, if you happen to visit in the rainy seasons, do not miss out on the rainbows stretching over the falls. Part of the “Golden Circle” Gulfoss is 105 feet high and flows in two steps. The first cascade is at 36 feet and the second at 69 feet.
When to go there?
You can visit this Icelandic treasure during the warmer seasons as in winter the fall will not have much to deliver to the tourists. It is recommended to plan a visit in the afternoon, roughly around two to four o’clock, for the best mix of lighting and vibrancy over the cliff.
10. Tugela Falls, South Africa
After a revisited validation, today, Tugela Falls is considered the world’s tallest waterfall. It is 3,110 feet (948 meters) in height.
Although there were many arguments that Angel Falls is the tallest waterfall globally, recent observations and validations have proved otherwise.
This complex seasonal waterfall is a combination of five distinct free-leaping drops. It is also known as one of the most Instagrammed waterfalls in the world. And, not to forget the thrilling hiking trails around the location.
When to go there?
Two trails leading to Tugela falls are both easy to climb. If you are someone with plenty of hiking experience, you can reach the spot in a matter of four hours.
Although hikers travel here all year long, the best time to visit Tugela is between March to April, the autumn time in South Africa.
However, make sure to avoid the dry seasons if you want to see the waterfall in its entire splendor.
To conclude
If waterfalls are not the most intense and captivating natural beauties globally, I am unsure what is. And it is often believed that among the diverse range of travelers in the world, wisest are those who travel in search of waterfalls!
(Last Updated on October 18, 2021 by Sadrish Dabadi)
