A man walks beside a waterfall.

Top 7 Most Beautiful Waterfalls in the World

Beautiful waterfalls that welcome you to revel in Mother Nature's best work.

 

Mother Nature's best works are at your doorstep with Wayfairer Travel, as we continue to send our clients to the farthest corners of the world. We recognise that travel tastes differ from person to person, but there is one thing that we all seek during our journeys: beauty. Whether this beauty comes from the people we meet, the scenes we witness, or the moments we share with loved ones, beauty is what drives us to travel and keeps us coming back for more.

Wayfairer celebrates the beauty that nature brings each day, curating trips which champion each small detail of each extravagant setting. From mountain to stream and rainforest to flower, we appreciate the uniqueness of each location in our luxury collection (and beyond!)

Today, we celebrate one of nature's most glorious creations, found everywhere around the globe, crowning landscapes both luscious and stark with watery elegance. The best waterfalls in the world range from mighty to tranquil, often conjuring powerful feelings in its spectators as the raw power is nature is displayed before them.

Our top 7 picks for the most beautiful waterfalls in the world:

1.    Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe/Zambia

2.    Iguazu Falls, Brazil/Argentina

3.    Gullfoss Waterfall, Iceland

4.    Elephant Waterfall, Vietnam

5.    Jog Falls, India 

6.    Sutherland Falls, New Zealand

7.    Yumbilla Falls, Peru 

 

1. Victoria Falls, Zambia/Zimbabwe

One of the best waterfalls in the world for wildlife and tourist experiences.

Located on the Zambezi River, on the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia, Victoria Falls is one of Southern Africa's mightiest natural treasures. The waterfall soars to over 100 metres high, while its enveloping mist and roaring sounds have fostered it the local nickname Mosi-oa-Tunya, translating from Lozi to "The Smoke that Thunders", perfectly capturing its ferocious presence.

On your Victoria Falls tour, you will discover that the region's beauty stretches far beyond the bounds of the waterfall, as its far-reaching spray fosters the growth of an incredible rainforest ecosystem. Within the surrounding forest, thousands of birds, and mammals like the Chacma baboon and Vervet monkey, live happily, protected by national parks on either side of the boundary. In Zambia, visit Mosi oa Tunya National Park and embark on eye-opening safaris, or in Zimbabwe, visit Victoria Falls National Park and head on a peaceful dinner cruise at sunset.

Read our blog about things to do in Victoria Falls to find out more:

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2. Iguazu Falls, Argentina/Brazil

One of the best waterfalls in the world for wildlife tours and incredible viewpoints.

 

Iguazu Falls has become an iconic symbol of South America's natural beauty, straddling the border between Argentina and Brazil and transforming your trip to either country into something magical. The falls consist of many smaller, individual waterfalls, the most mighty part of which is named Devil's Throat, the main attraction of Iguazu Falls accessed from the Brazilian side. Stand at the incredible viewpoint and observe as its cascades of water tumble 262 feet into a thick, white mist.

Visit the remarkable Iguacu National Park during your trip to Brazil, seeking this side of the falls and embarking on insightful walks along the park's trails along the canyon wall which open your eyes to the region's rich biodiversity. See species like the giant otter, toucan, ocelot and even the jaguar if you are lucky! From the Argentinian side, Iguazu National Park protects the subtropical surroundings of the incredible waterfalls, homing over 2,000 species of plant and a variety of wildlife like squirrel and howler monkeys. Whichever side you choose to visit, prepare for an adventure marked by unfathomable diversity and beauty.

To find out more about Iguazu Falls and how best to visit, read our specialist blog below.

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3. Gullfoss Waterfall, Iceland

One of the most unique waterfalls in the world, offering a different adventure each season.

Iceland is a proud new addition to our luxury travel list, offering an abundance of beautiful sights and thrilling experiences as you head on a trip to the remote, European treasure. Located in southwest Iceland on the Hvítá River, Gullfoss is a gem often included on the best Iceland itineraries, a must-see which forms a part of the Golden Circle, an iconic self-drive route. The waterfall is two-tiered and around 32 metres tall, with eye-catching blue waters that have a gold hue during certain times of day, earning it the nickname The Golden Falls of Iceland.

While Gullfoss Waterfall isn't as tall as many others on this list, its unique features and notable location make it stand out from the rest. Visiting the falls during summer (June-August) surrounds you with a picturesque scene stamped by abundant flora and mossy green flats. Meanwhile, a winter trip to Iceland drapes the region with crisp snow, transforming Gullfoss Waterfall into a celestial scene which stuns the senses but makes surrounding hikes much more challenging. 

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4. Elephant Waterfall, Vietnam

One of the best waterfalls in the world for mythology and culture.

One of the slightly more obscure destinations on this list, Elephant Waterfall brings a tranquil form of natural beauty to your Southeast Asia tour, making it impossible to leave out. Located in the highland province of Lâm Đồng, within the small and friendly town of Nam Ban, this stunning waterfall reaches 30 metres in height and is surrounded by a dense yet peaceful forest which rings with birdsongs. The sight of the waterfall's white mist along with the sounds of its crashing cascades make for a soul-stirring, off-the-beaten-path experience.

What makes Elephant Waterfall such a fascinating stop on your Vietnam tour is its mythological heritage which intertwines with the peculiar, elephant-shaped rocks which lay at the base of the falls. The story tells that these rocks are grieving elephants which turned to stone after the tragic death of two lovers, while the waterfall itself is said to be the tears of the gods who mourn for their loss. Listening to this heart-wrenching story brings the alluring landmark to life, simultaneously opening your eyes to the region's vibrant cultural landscape.

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5. Jog Falls, India

One of the most beautiful waterfalls in the world for its unique geography.

Another underrated natural wonder, Jog Falls has earned a place on this list as a tourist location where nature's power and beauty unite in a spectacular performance. Located in Karnataka, a southwestern region of India, on the Sharavati River, Jog Falls accumulates a total drop of around 253 metres, making it the second highest plunge in the country. The waterfalls' dramatic plunge produces a thick, white mist which rises against the verdant surroundings to create a mystical scene, like something from a fairytale. 

For visitors like yourself, the main viewing platform is the star of the show: Watkins Platform, where a stunning, panoramic scene of the waterfalls meets your eyes. Meanwhile, for those who don't mind a challenge, a descent of 1,400 steps leads you to the base of Jog Falls, offering an up-close view of nature's majesty accompanied by its calm inducing chorus. As the landmark is fed by rain, visiting during the monsoon season conjures the most magnificent experience, when its four cascades, fondly named Raja, Rani, Rover and Rocket, are liveliest. 

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6. Sutherland Falls, New Zealand
 
One of the best waterfalls in the world for scenic hikes and glacial beauty.

Inviting you to revel in the otherworldly natural beauty of New Zealand, Sutherland Falls rises amid one of the country's most remote and breathtaking regions, Fiordland National Park. Located on the South Island, this is one of the tallest waterfalls in New Zealand, also standing out due to its unique formation, as it spills from an idyllic glacial lake, Lake Quill, which is perched at an altitude of 497 metres. The three-tier structure of Sutherland Falls adds to its beauty, its spectacular plunges accumulating a 580 metre drop which appears to have been carved by a higher power.

The surrounding national park invites travellers into a natural wonderland, a UNESCO World Heritage Site studded with glorious fiords, sky-scraping mountains, and evergreen forests. Sutherland Falls is one of the show-stoppers along the Milford Track, one of the best hikes in the world, which encompasses four days of spell-binding viewpoints and challenging walkways. Embark on this testing hike or seek out the landmark on a day tour, watching as its baffling beauty gradually becomes clearer. 

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7. Yumbilla Falls, Peru
 
One of the tallest waterfalls in the world and best for rainforest lovers.

Taller than all the other picks on this list, Yumbilla Falls is the fifth tallest waterfall in the world, totalling a whopping 896 metres! Tucked away in the wilderness of Northern Peru, shrouded by the Peruvian Amazonia, this magnificent waterfall becomes part of an incredible jungle adventure, one packed with wildlife, natural beauty and cultural insight. Nearby, the friendly village of Cuispes invites tourists to enjoy family-run restaurants and shops before their hike to the mighty Yumbilla, which winds through magical cloud forests. 

The three successive falls of Yumbilla are mind-blowing, crashing down powerfully against the rugged cliff-edges draped in mossy vegetation. Several viewpoints surround the falls, bringing you close to its forceful cascades and surrounding you with its roaring sounds. This transformative tour should be enjoyed as part of the Bosque de Cataratas Gigantes de Cuispes, where a carefully carved circuit of trails leads you from one landmark to the next, in the company of a local guide.

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    So, do you feel inspired?
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