There is something inescapably awe-inspiring about the tallest and the biggest waterfalls in the world. It’s the brute force of nature on display as the water comes crashing down to the plunge pool and the air fills with a thunderous roar.
I’ve been fortunate enough to hike to some of the largest waterfalls in the world, and it’s always worth the journey. Often the serene and isolated surrounding make it a perfect spot for short romantic trips and will leave every traveller with fond memories.
Check out our list of the biggest waterfalls in the world. We’ve included some of what we regard as the largest, widest, and most beautiful rapids from around the globe.
Tallest, biggest, highest and largest waterfalls in the world, with some special mentions
- Angel Falls, Venezuela
- Nohkalikai Falls, India
- Niagara Falls, Canada
- Huangguoshu, China
- Tinago Falls, Philippines
- Ban Gioc–Detian Falls, Vietnam & China
- Tugela Falls, South Africa
Angel Falls, Venezuela – Tallest waterfall in the world
Situated in the stunning Canaima National Park – which is also a UNESCO World Heritage site, Angels Falls is the tallest uninterrupted waterfall in the world. The sloping cascades, raging rapids, and plunge pool are all dwarfed by the enormous 979m tall peak.
However, as the falls are located in an isolated jungle, getting to Angels Falls is no small feat, during the wet months from June to December you can journey by boat, but you have to first get a flight to Canaima camp.
The complicated journey is, without doubt, worth the breathtaking views.
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Nohkalikai Falls, India – Tallest plunge waterfall in India
Located in the eastern region of India near Cherrapunji, is Nohkalikai Falls. It is one of the highest waterfalls in the world, and the tallest plunge waterfall in India with its height recorded at 340 metres.
Plunge waterfalls refer to when the water loses contact with the surrounding rock as it falls.
After being fed by the rainwater collected on the summit, pouring over the Himalayan mountainside and dropping, the water collects in the uniquely green plunge pool below.
Niagara Falls, Canada – Most famous waterfall in the world
Niagara Falls may not be regarded as the highest waterfall on our list with its drop of just 51 meters, but it is arguably the most famous, with roughly 30 million people visiting it a year.
I’ve been lucky enough to take a boat ride and hear the roar of the falls, and it is a humbling experience.
Thanks to its portrayal in Hollywood, it has been the most photographed waterfall in the world. It has also been the site of countless attempts by daredevils, where they have tried to navigate the falls in a barrel, with the first successful attempt by Annie Edson Taylor in 1901.
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Huangguoshu, China – Largest waterfall in East Asia
Situated in the Guizhou province in China’s southwestern region, Huangguoshu has the mantle of the largest waterfall in East Asia, with a height of 77.8 metres.
Otherwise known as the Huangguoshu Waterfall National Park, there are a variety of other falls within the park which make this region a popular attraction for tourists and locals alike. It has also been classified as an AAAAA scenic area by the China National Tourism Administration, which makes Huangguoshu one of the most important and most well-maintained tourist attractions in China.
What makes it one of the best waterfalls in the world is a cave that has been carved out by the gushing water above, allowing visitors to get so close to the waterfall that they can even touch it.
Tinago Falls, Philippines – Worth mentioning for its beautiful surroundings
At just 73 metres tall, Tinago Falls isn’t one of the tallest waterfalls in the world. But what makes this one of the best waterfalls is the beautiful surroundings around the waterfall.
There is a blue lagoon at the bottom of the basin pool with a hidden entrance into a cave. Revellers can enjoy the rumbling of the water above.
For those willing to brave the 500 steps to the top, the view gives you an entirely different perspective on the beauty below.
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Ban Gioc–Detian Falls, Vietnam & China – A waterfall along a national border
Located roughly 272km north of Vietnam’s capital, Hanoi, is the fourth largest waterfall along a national border. Ban Gioc-Detian Falls straddles the border of China and Vietnam, dropping 30m and creating a thundering sound that can be heard from afar.
During the dry season, it appears as two separate falls but once the river swells they are once again joined to make one of the biggest waterfalls in the world.
The limestone rock surrounding the area looks directly like a scene out of Jurassic Park. I couldn’t recommend it enough.
Tugela Falls, South Africa – Second-largest waterfall in the world
Definitely worth mentioning, the second-largest waterfall in the world is Tugela Falls in South Africa.
Located in the Drakensberg Royal National Park, the falls descend a jaw-dropping 948 metres.
The waterfall is marred in controversy and may actually be the highest waterfall in the world, knocking Angel Falls off the top spot. Several inaccuracies have been noted in the measurements of both the contenders and recent data has been resubmitted awaiting confirmation.
For the perfect view, start at the “The Sentinel” car park and take the winding track to the Amphitheatre.
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Explore these waterfalls for experiences you will never forget
Our list includes a range of what we think are the best waterfalls in the world. However, deciding on what is the tallest, or biggest waterfall in the world is trickier than you might think.
There are numerous categories including height, width, volume, interrupted fall, and uninterrupted fall that means depending on your choice of measurement, the winner can vary.
Either way, these categories are rather negligible once you are on holiday, so why not take a trip to one of the highest waterfalls in the world and take in the sheer force of nature.
