Gocta Cataracts, Peru

One of the highest waterfalls in Peru, the towering Gocta Cataracts near the town of Chachapoyas remained unknown to all but the locals living beneath it until 2005 when a German engineer named Stefan Ziemendorff stumbled upon it while searching for pre-Inca ruins.

Today, the two-level waterfall has become a popular tourist attraction, thanks to the development of the area by the Peruvian government.

Hiking trails now make the waterfall easily accessible on foot or horseback, and every room in the small hotel built near the base offers scenic views of the magnificent waterfall.

Sutherland Falls, New Zealand

Located near the beautiful fjord of Milford Sound, one of New Zealand’s most popular travel destinations, the sea-fed Sutherland Falls descend in three cascades into the glacial lakes of Fiordland National Park.

While aerial sightseeing tours offer glimpses of the distant fells, visitors who take the time to hike the famous Milford Track are rewarded with the best views. A 90-minute walk from the Quintin Public Shelter on the 53 kilometer route leads hikers to the base of the spectacular falls.

First part of the Tugela Falls where the water flows over the slope.

Nohkalikai Falls

Located near the town of Cherrapunji, one of the wettest places on the planet, Nohkalikai Falls is categorized as a waterfall, meaning the water loses contact with the rock as it cascades over a cliff on the edge of the Himalayas.

Nohkalikai is the tallest of its kind in India and is fed by rainwater collected on the forested plateau above, so its volume changes dramatically depending on the season. During the dry season, the water flows calmly into a turquoise pool. During the monsoon, the water crashes into a tumult of white foam.

Dettifoss in Iceland is ranked as Europe’s most powerful waterfall.

Yosemite Falls

The tallest waterfall in the United States, Yosemite Falls cascades down a cliff in three cascades and offers picturesque views from several locations in Yosemite National Park in California.

A challenging full-day hike takes visitors to the summit for panoramic views of the majestic park and the towering Sierra Mountains beyond. However, the falls vary in water flow and sometimes disappear completely during droughts. The best time to enjoy the splashing water and thunderous roar of the falls is in the spring after the winter thaw.

Plitvice Waterfalls

The series of waterfalls connecting the 16 lakes of the Plitvice Lakes National Park is what makes this scenic landscape the most popular natural attraction in Croatia.

Set among wooded hills near the Bosnian border, the small streams, lakes and waterfalls form an appealing water garden that invites exploration. A series of boardwalks, bridges and platforms make it easy to explore the park on foot. Free boat tours take passengers from the upper to the lower lakes where visitors can see Veliki Slap, the country’s highest waterfall.

Jog Falls

Jog Falls, created by the river Sharavathi, which falls from a height of 253 meters, is the highest waterfall in India.

Before the rainy season, Jog Falls is almost unrecognizable with only a couple of thin streams of water trickling down the cliff.

But during the monsoon season, the waterfall comes alive and even surpasses Kaieteur Falls in Guyana in terms of height and volume.

Huangguoshu in China is one of the largest waterfalls in Asia.

Gullfoss observation deck.

Detian Falls

Located on the border between China and Vietnam, Detian Falls is the name of two sets of gorgeous waterfalls located along the Quay Son River.

While the many layers and drops of the falls look absolutely stunning, the perfect scene is completed by the lush vegetation, majestic mountains and karst formations that surround them.

Long closed off to the world due to various border disputes, the Detian Falls are now an increasingly popular tourist destination; hordes of visitors take boat trips below the cascades, covering themselves in a fine mist of water.

Blue Nile Falls

Known as Tis Issat (“water of smoke”) in Amharic, Blue Nile Falls are located on the Blue Nile River in northern Ethiopia.

Although much of the water is now diverted to a power dam, it is still a beautiful sight and one of Ethiopia’s most famous tourist attractions.

Kaieteur Falls

The Potaro River snakes its way through the Amazon rainforest, passing some of the most untouched areas on earth until it suddenly reaches Kaieteur Falls.

Here, the water suddenly plunges 226 meters through the air to the pool below, covering the surrounding area with a fine water mist.

Remarkably, the enormous volume of water that flows over the edge every second makes it the largest single drop waterfall in the world. At over four times the level of Niagara Falls, it’s no wonder Kaieteur Falls is one of Guyana’s most popular tourist attractions.

Angel Falls, Venezuela, The tallest waterfall in the world.

Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls is located on the border between Canada and the United States and is one of the most famous waterfalls on earth.

Consisting of American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and Horseshoe Falls, its endless wall of cascading water stretches seemingly forever.

While the various observation decks around the falls offer amazing views and panoramas, you really have to take a boat ride under them to fully understand how big and powerful they are.

Niagara Falls never fails to impress, and every year millions of people come to see its astonishing size and beauty.

Victoria Falls is nestled on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe in Africa.

​Iguazu Falls

Iguazu Falls on the Argentine-Brazilian border consists of approximately 275 different falls and is the world’s largest waterfall system. As such, it is the only waterfall that can rival or possibly even surpass Victoria Falls.

For almost three kilometers in total, beautiful falls and cascades cross the Parana Plateau, with the undoubted highlight being Devil’s Throat Canyon.

This is best witnessed from the viewing platform of the Brazilian side, where you are greeted by rushing water, a deafening roar and fine spray. With lush rainforest surrounding it, the falls are a treat to visit.

Visitors can take boat tours along the Iguazu River or explore the nearby trails and hiking trails. Set in a stunning setting like no other, the sheer size, scale and spectacular scenery of Iguazu Falls definitely make it one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the world.