Most Breathtaking Waterfalls Around the Globe
There’s something primal about standing before a waterfall. The ground trembles, mist clings to your skin, and the roar of falling water drowns out everything else. No matter how many you’ve seen, they always leave an imprint—some for their sheer scale, others for their surreal beauty. Let’s explore some of the world’s most breathtaking waterfalls.
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe/Zambia

Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Straddling the border of Zimbabwe and Zambia, Victoria Falls is a spectacle. This natural masterpiece sends water plunging 354 feet into the Zambezi Gorge with such force that its mist can be seen from miles away. Locals call it Mosi-oa-Tunya, “The Smoke That Thunders,” and they aren’t exaggerating. When the river is at full flow, the mist can rise over 1,000 feet, drenching onlookers and creating perpetual rainbows. The best viewpoints are from the Zimbabwean side, where walking trails take visitors close enough to feel the ground shake beneath them.
Angel Falls, Venezuela

Credit: pexels
As the highest uninterrupted waterfall on Earth, Angel Falls towers a staggering 3,212 feet. It plunges from the Auyán-Tepuí plateau in Venezuela’s Canaima National Park, an isolated region only accessible by small plane and boat. Because of the extreme height, much of the water evaporates into mist before it reaches the ground, making it appear as though it vanishes into the air. The falls are named after American aviator Jimmie Angel, who unintentionally landed his plane on the summit in 1937 and had to hike for days to be rescued.
Niagara Falls, USA/Canada

Credit: pexels
Though not the tallest, Niagara Falls makes up for it with volume—750,000 gallons per second, to be exact. The falls consist of three sections—Horseshoe Falls, the largest and most powerful; American Falls, known for its rocky base; and Bridal Veil Falls, the narrowest of the three. During winter, parts of the falls freeze over and create massive ice formations that contrast with the churning water still flowing beneath.
Gullfoss, Iceland

Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Iceland doesn’t do small waterfalls. Gullfoss, meaning “Golden Falls,” is a roaring two-tiered cascade that plunges into a rugged canyon along the Hvítá River. On sunny days, the mist creates shimmering rainbows, while in winter, the edges freeze into jagged ice sculptures. What makes Gullfoss unique isn’t just its beauty but its history—early in the 20th century, a determined Icelandic woman fought to protect it from industrial development, ensuring it remained untouched for generations to come.
Plitvice Falls, Croatia

Credit: flickr
This isn’t just one waterfall—it’s dozens of them. Plitvice Lakes spills from one emerald lake to another, each connected by wooden pathways that let you walk right over the flowing water. The water flows over limestone and travertine formations. The turquoise color of the water comes from minerals in the surrounding rock. The lakes and falls shift slightly over time as new mineral deposits form, thus, creating a constantly evolving landscape.
Yosemite Falls, USA

Credit: Wikimedia Commons
If there’s one waterfall that defines the grandeur of the American West, it’s Yosemite Falls. At 2,425 feet, it’s one of the tallest waterfalls in North America and tumbles down in three sections—Upper Yosemite Fall, the most visible and dramatic; the Middle Cascades, a series of smaller drops; and Lower Yosemite Fall, where water crashes onto boulders below. Snowmelt fuels the falls, which makes late spring the best time to visit. By August, it often dries up completely, only to return when winter snows begin to melt again.
Ban Gioc-Detian Falls, Vietnam/China

Credit: pexels
Few waterfalls blur national borders as beautifully as Ban Gioc-Detian. Shared by Vietnam and China, this multi-tiered cascade is framed by limestone karsts and lush rice paddies. Water tumbles down a wide, terraced rock face and creates multiple streams that shift in intensity depending on the season. During the dry months, the falls are segmented into smaller streams, while the rainy season transforms them into a wide, roaring cascade. Traditional bamboo rafts allow visitors to get up close for a unique view of the river.
Kaieteur Falls, Guyana

Credit: pexels
Nestled deep in the rainforest of Guyana, Kaieteur Falls is pretty prehistoric. It drops a staggering 741 feet in a single, uninterrupted plunge—nearly five times the height of Niagara Falls. The surrounding jungle is just as wild, home to rare golden frogs that live inside tank bromeliads. There are no crowds, no safety railings—just you, the roar of the falls, and an overwhelming sense of awe.
Dettifoss, Iceland

Credit: pexels
Europe’s most powerful waterfall, Dettifoss, is all about brute force. It churns over 6,000 cubic feet of water per second and carves its way through Iceland’s otherworldly basalt landscape. The ground shakes as you approach, and the sheer intensity of the cascading water feels almost intimidating. It’s no surprise that scenes from Prometheus were filmed here—it looks like it belongs on another planet.
Jog Falls, India

Credit: flickr
Interestingly, this waterfall transforms with the seasons. During the dry months, it appears as four separate streams trickling down a sheer rock face. But when the monsoon arrives, it swells into a thunderous deluge, sending water free-falling 830 feet into the lush valley below. And since it has no pool at the bottom, the vertical drop is all the more dramatic.
Havasu Falls, USA

Credit: pexels
Hidden within the Grand Canyon, Havasu Falls is known for its bright blue-green water, the result of high calcium carbonate levels. The falls drop 100 feet into a pool surrounded by red rock cliffs. Reaching Havasu requires a 10-mile hike through desert terrain. The journey is strenuous, but the payoff is a secluded swimming hole that contrasts sharply with the surrounding desert landscape.
Tugela Falls, South Africa

Credit: flickr
Tugela Falls is one of the tallest waterfalls on Earth, with a total drop of 3,110 feet. Cascading down the dramatic cliffs of the Drakensberg Mountains, it often appears as a series of wispy silver ribbons, especially during the dry season. The hike to the top is challenging, but standing at the summit, watching the water disappear into the clouds below, is worth every step.
Tukad Cepung Waterfall, Bali, Indonesia

Credit: pexels
Tukad Cepung is unique among waterfalls because of its location inside a cave. Sunlight filters through the top, sending golden beams through the opening above and illuminating the falling water. Reaching it requires a bit of scrambling over rocks and wading through shallow water through a jungle canyon.
Iguazu Falls, Brazil/Argentina

Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Iguazu Falls consists of over 270 individual waterfalls spread across nearly two miles. The most famous section, Devil’s Throat, is a U-shaped chasm where water crashes down with overwhelming force. The surrounding subtropical rainforest is home to diverse wildlife, which adds to the experience.
Yumbilla Falls, Peru

Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Yumbilla Falls isn’t as famous as some of the others on this list, but at 2,938 feet, it’s one of the tallest. It’s tucked away in the cloud forests of northern Peru and flows down a mossy cliff in delicate tiers. The surrounding jungle, home to orchids and exotic birds, makes the trek to Yumbilla as magical as the falls themselves.