The most arresting waterfalls in the world that should be on your bucket list.
Niagara Falls is an icon that needs no introduction. Comprising of three waterfalls with a maximum height of 51 metres, it straddles the border of Canada and the United States of America.
Which side has the better view will not be discussed here, but we will let you know where else you can go for a jaw-dropping waterfall experience that will take your breath away, including a spot right here in Australia.
1. Iguazu Falls (Brazil and Argentina)
When Lady Roosevelt first set eyes on Iguazu Falls, her response was “poor Niagara”.
Iguazu boasts around 275 drops, which span across the Brazilian and Argentinian border. Which side is better is of hot debate, so we suggest you hedge your bets and check them both out.
- Plunge height: 82 metres.
- When to visit: December to February is the wet season.
- Best way to see them: Iguazu Falls Argentina/Brazil tour
2. Victoria Falls (Zambia and Zimbabwe)
With a drop of 885 metres, Africa’s Victoria Falls is the highest waterfall in the world. Now you wouldn’t want to tumble down that in a barrel!
At over one kilometre long, Victoria Falls is also the longest waterfall in the world. It straddles the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe and during the dry season it’s possible to walk along certain parts of it.
- Plunge height: 885 metres.
- When to visit: April is the end of the wet season and is when an average of 500,000,000 litres of water flows through the falls.
- Best way to see them: Victoria Falls helicopter tour
3. Angel Falls (Venezuela)
The falls that inspired the setting for the Disney movie Up.
Disney fanatics may know it as Paradise Falls from the movie Up, but in reality, that waterfall is Venezuela's Angel Falls. Named after Jimmie Angel who was the first person to fly over it, Angel Falls is the highest uninterrupted waterfall in the world.
- Plunge height: 807 metres.
- When to visit: June to November is the wet season.
- Best way to see them: Lost World and Angel Falls tour
4. Gullfoss (Iceland)
Gullfoss is a spectacular waterfall in Iceland that looks different depending on the season.
During summer, greenery surrounds flowing waters. During drier months, brown grass contrasts with the water's blues and during winter, part of the falls freezes over. Whichever season you choose to visit, you can't go wrong.
- Plunge height: 32 metres.
- When to visit: All year round.
- Best way to see them: Golden Circle winter tour
5. Jim Jim Falls (Australia)
Those who say you shouldn’t visit the Northern Territory during the wet season have not seen Jim Jim Falls in all its glory.
During dry season, Jim Jim can seem like little more than a trickle, but come wet season and this waterfall will take your breath away. Set atop a vertical cliff drop in Arnhem Land, Jim Jim is an uninterrupted waterfall that crashes down to a plunge pool
- Plunge height: 32 metres.
- When to visit: Wet season, November to March.
- Best way to see them: Outback to the Top End tou
6. Yosemite Falls (USA)
If you only see one waterfall in Yosemite National Park, make it Yosemite Falls.
From Bridalveil Falls to Horsetail Falls, Yosemite is not short of waterfalls. It has 21 of note. If you’re short on time, make a date with Yosemite Falls. It’s the highest of the lot and consists of three drops known as the upper, middle and lower falls.
- Plunge height: 440 metres.
- When to visit: Late spring is when the falls are at their peak.
- Best way to see them: Yosemite National Park day trip tour
7. Ban Gioc-Detian Falls (China and Vietnam)
For the most part, these two waterfalls remain as separate as the two countries they straddle, but when the weather is right, the two become one in a spectacular sight.
At first glance it might not seem like Ban Gioc-Detian Falls is made up of only two falls. Drops, trees and rocks mar the path downward. But when heavy rainfall swells the Quây S?n River along the Chinese-Vietnamese border the two merge into one waterfall
- Plunge height: 30 metres.
- When to visit: Summer.
- Best way to see them: Ban Gio-Detian Waterfall tour
8. Seljalandsfoss (Iceland)
The best place to take that selfie? Behind the water, obviously.
Seljalandsfoss is a popular and accessible waterfall in Iceland. The river it flows from was born out of the volcano glacier Eyjafjallajökull. Walk behind it for that Instagram snap and to discover its hidden secret: a small glacial lagoon.
- Plunge height: 60 metres.
- When to visit: All year round.
- Best way to see them: Thorsmok by Super Jeep tour
