The Top 10 Best Waterfalls of the World

Iguazu Falls


It's not easy to put together a Top 10 Best Waterfalls List because it's completely subjective and limited to each person's experience with the falls being named.

Heck, even Julie and I couldn't agree on our own favorites. Nonetheless based on popular demand, we've finally come up with our own list of the favorites that we've personally visited. This is by no means a permanent list and it's sure to change as we continue to collect more falls from around the world. So without further adieu, here they are in reverse order...



10. SUTHERLAND FALLS [Fiordland, New Zealand]
Sutherland Falls
In a country that holds a special place in our hearts, this gorgeous 580m waterfall is easily New Zealand's most spectacular waterfall and makes our list. Given its remote location deep in the wild and beautiful Fiordland National Park (also a World Heritage Area), it's one of many highlights of the Milford Track - said to be one of the finest walks in the world.

Click here to read more about this waterfall.




9. DETTIFOSS [Jökulsárgljúfur, Iceland]
Dettifoss
It is Europe's most powerfull waterfall sending glacial meltwaters over its 44m precipice unchecked at a flow of around 500 cubic meters per second. It epitomizes the wild and raw Icelandic Nature and is a favorite amongst Icelandic Nature lovers. Its position at the head of the impressive Jökulsárgljúfur (the Icelandic version of the Grand Canyon) surrounded by three other major waterfalls on the same river makes it a no-brainer for this to make our Top 10 Waterfalls List.

Click here to read more about this waterfall.




8. GULLFOSS [Haukadalur, Iceland]
Gullfoss
One of the more unique waterfalls you'll ever see in the world, this wild and wide waterfall tumbling on the Hvítá River in two tiers at 90 degree angles to each other is one of Iceland's iconic natural attractions. Part of the Golden Circle of Iceland's main attractions in the Southwest, this is a must on anyone's itinerary. In addition to the falls' unique shape, you can see rainbows arcing over the falls when your timing's right and the weather cooperates.

Click here to read more about this waterfall.




7. KAIETEUR FALLS [Potaro River, Guyana]
Kaieteur Falls
Said to be one of the tallest single-drop waterfalls in the world, this rectangular-shaped monster (said to be 741ft tall 370ft wide) sits atop the ancient Guyana Shield amidst some of the most pristine rainforest left on earth! Indeed a visit to this world wonder can yield rare wildlife settings as well as the reassurance that there are still places on the planet where nature is still allowed to thrive. Thus, Julie and I had to make room for this waterfall on our Top 10 List!

Click here to read more about this waterfall.




6. YOSEMITE FALLS [California, USA]
Yosemite Falls
Even though this waterfall doesn't flow year round, it does flow for a good part of the year and it's one of the tallest in the world at 2425ft. It's the crown jewel of attractions in the incomparable Yosemite Valley and it's easily seen from a multitude of viewpoints and trails. So given its ease of access, scenery, and sheer size, this waterfall makes our Top 10 Waterfalls List.

Click here to read more about this waterfall.




5. ANGEL FALLS (SALTO ÁNGEL) [Canaima, Venezuela]
Angel Falls
Plunging uninterrupted for 807m (with total drop of 979m) from a mystical tabletop mountain (tepuy) deep in a Venezuelan equatorial rainforest, it is widely acknowledged as the tallest permanent waterfall in the world. Its existence defies logic as its source is nothing but the soggy cloud forest on the plateau of the tepuy. No doubt about it, there's nothing like this waterfall and the adventure to even get to this so-called Lost World (Mundo Perdido) for a chance to see this world wonder is sure to leave you with a lasting impression.

Click here to read more about this waterfall.




4. PLITVICE WATERFALLS [Northern Dalmatia, Croatia]
Veliki Slap and Sastavci
When it comes to the overall waterfalling experience, it's hard to beat this world famous attraction. While the rest of the waterfalls on our Top 10 List are primarily singular waterfall attractions, this one is really a network of countless waterfalls (some of which are impressive enough to stand out on their own). The waterfalls themselves segregate the many clear and colorful lakes that bring life to this lush and protected ecosystem. Plus, you have boardwalks that take you under, over, and around almost all of the notable waterfalls for some of the most intimate waterfalling experiences to be had. Add it all up, putting these waterfalls on this list was an absolute no-brainer as far as Julie and I were concerned.

Click here to read more about this waterfall.




3. NIAGARA FALLS [Ontario, Canada/New York, USA]
Niagara Falls
Easily the most famous waterfall in North America, this powerful waterfall also ranks as the biggest one by volume with a whopping average of about 750,000 gallons per second (2.8 million Liters per second)! In addition to its raw power, the falls is easily one of the easiest to access and view from all sorts of angles. While its surroundings are a bit less naturesque for many, it clearly makes the upper tier of our list of Top 10 Waterfalls.

Click here to read more about this waterfall.




2. VICTORIA FALLS (MOSI-OA-TUNYA) [Livingstone, Zambia/Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe]
Victoria Falls from the Zambia side
Easily deserving of the top spot on this list (though it finished a very close second), it's the largest singular waterfall in the world spanning a width of 1.7km, a height of 108m, and an average flow of 1 million liters per second! It's no wonder this "smoke that thunders" is considered one of the seven natural wonders of the world and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Indeed, it's got power, beauty, and it will make you humble and awestruck.

Click here to read more about this waterfall.




1. IGUAZU FALLS (IGUASSU FALLS) [Puerto Iguazú, Argentina/Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil]
Iguazú Falls (Iguassu Falls)
With its brink spanning a distance of an incredible 2km in its average flow of 1.3 million liters per second, this falls tops our list of favorites. The falls actually consists of some 275 individual waterfalls and cascades. Catwalks make it easy to get closeup and intimate views and the rainforest surroundings make the scenery feel right for a natural attraction such as this. Put it all together and Julie and I believe this falls is heads and shoulders above the rest (except Victoria Falls) that we've seen!

Click here to read more about this waterfall.




World of Waterfalls: An Emotive Journey
Want to see the waterfalls on this list in action? Most of them (and then some!) appear in a music video celebrating waterfalls around the world. Check it out!



Want to see the best falls for specific countries or regions we've been to? We've come up with regionalized Top 10 Lists, which you can check out by clicking one of the links below.

The Top 10 Best Waterfalls of...



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What's YOUR Top 10 List?

Have your own Top 10 List?

Or do you have a favorite waterfall?

Is there one (or more) waterfalls that you think should've been on this list?

Any waterfalls you feel that shouldn't have been on this list?

Everybody has an opinion. What's yours?

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What Other Visitors Have Said

Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...

Why Not Jog Falls? 
Jog Falls situated in southern part of India is certainly one of the beautiful and highest waterfalls.

Units - use and translation 
I value the nature a lot and I appreciate the page like yours. I saw few of the waterfalls from your list – they are beautiful without the doubt. My only …

Mbokomu Waterfalls-Tanzania Not rated yet
Mbokomu Waterfalls is one among of amazing Waterfalls found in Tanzania,with a height of 180m. It is surrounded by thick forest with wild animals like …

I like Niagara Falls Not rated yet
I just like it.

I like to Victoria Falls, Zambia Not rated yet
I like to Victoria Falls , Zambia because it's most beautiful and natural without human activities. Further I think high and big water qty falling.

my top 20 waterfalls!  Not rated yet
hi! my top 20 list is: 1.kongou falls in gabon. 2.iguacu falls 3.salto para 4.victoria falls 5.engel falls 6.Kaieteur Falls 7.niagra …

My Iguazu Falls Not rated yet
I am doing a waterfalls project in school, and my waterfall is on the list. Iguazu Falls ! I am delighted you have picked my waterfall as the best in …

Union Falls Not rated yet
It's not huge but Union Falls in Yellowstone is one of the most unique waterfalls I have ever seen.

Iguacu is the best! Not rated yet
I've seen Iguacu , and the land of New Zealand and Norway ... two countries full of amazing waterfalls!! But there is another country not in your …

Skoga River and Plitvice Waterfalls Not rated yet
Skoga River Waterfalls – Iceland. There are more than two dozen waterfalls along the Skoga River in Iceland , some over 30 meters tall. Very few …

Plitvice Waterfalls and Lakes Not rated yet
Plitvice National Park beats at least half of these listed above for its beauty! Hundreds of waterfalls come down 16 amazing lakes. This seems to be …

Virginia Falls Not rated yet
One of the most impressive falls we have seen is not on your list. It is the Virginia Falls in the Nahanni National Park in the North West Territories, …

Travel Wonders Not rated yet
I am from Queensland (Brisbane) though live in Sydney now. Both Qld and NSW have had a lot of rain over the last few months and should promise better …

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