Top 10 Best Waterfalls of the World 2012 May
It's not easy to put together a Top 10 Best Waterfalls List because it's completely subjective and limited to each person's experience with the falls being named.
Heck, even Julie and I couldn't agree on our own favorites. Nonetheless based on popular demand, we've finally come up with our own list of the favorites that we've personally visited. This is by no means a permanent list and it's sure to change as we continue to collect more falls from around the world. So without further adieu, here they are in reverse order...
In a country that holds a special place in our hearts, this gorgeous
580m waterfall is easily New Zealand's most spectacular waterfall and
makes our list. Given its remote location deep in the wild and
beautiful Fiordland National Park (also a World Heritage Area), it's one
of many highlights of the Milford Track - said to be one of the finest
walks in the world.
It is Europe's most powerfull waterfall sending glacial meltwaters over
its 44m precipice unchecked at a flow of around 500 cubic meters per
second. It epitomizes the wild and raw Icelandic Nature and is a
favorite amongst Icelandic Nature lovers. Its position at the head of
the impressive Jökulsárgljúfur (the Icelandic version of the Grand
Canyon) surrounded by three other major waterfalls on the same river
makes it a no-brainer for this to make our Top 10 Waterfalls List.
One of the more unique waterfalls you'll ever see in the world, this
wild and wide waterfall tumbling on the Hvítá River in two tiers at 90
degree angles to each other is one of Iceland's iconic natural
attractions. Part of the Golden Circle of Iceland's main attractions in
the Southwest, this is a must on anyone's itinerary. In addition to
the falls' unique shape, you can see rainbows arcing over the falls when
your timing's right and the weather cooperates.
Said to be one of the tallest single-drop waterfalls in the world, this
rectangular-shaped monster (said to be 741ft tall 370ft wide) sits atop
the ancient Guyana Shield amidst some of the most pristine rainforest
left on earth! Indeed a visit to this world wonder can yield rare
wildlife settings as well as the reassurance that there are still places
on the planet where nature is still allowed to thrive. Thus, Julie and
I had to make room for this waterfall on our Top 10 List!
Even though this waterfall doesn't flow year round, it does flow for a
good part of the year and it's one of the tallest in the world at
2425ft. It's the crown jewel of attractions in the incomparable
Yosemite Valley and it's easily seen from a multitude of viewpoints and
trails. So given its ease of access, scenery, and sheer size, this
waterfall makes our Top 10 Waterfalls List.
Plunging uninterrupted for 807m (with total drop of 979m) from a
mystical tabletop mountain (tepuy) deep in a Venezuelan equatorial
rainforest, it is widely acknowledged as the tallest permanent waterfall
in the world. Its existence defies logic as its source is nothing but
the soggy cloud forest on the plateau of the tepuy. No doubt about it,
there's nothing like this waterfall and the adventure to even get to
this so-called Lost World (Mundo Perdido) for a chance to see this world
wonder is sure to leave you with a lasting impression.
When it comes to the overall waterfalling experience, it's hard to beat
this world famous attraction. While the rest of the waterfalls on our
Top 10 List are primarily singular waterfall attractions, this one is
really a network of countless waterfalls (some of which are impressive
enough to stand out on their own). The waterfalls themselves segregate
the many clear and colorful lakes that bring life to this lush and
protected ecosystem. Plus, you have boardwalks that take you under,
over, and around almost all of the notable waterfalls for some of the
most intimate waterfalling experiences to be had. Add it all up,
putting these waterfalls on this list was an absolute no-brainer as far
as Julie and I were concerned.
Easily the most famous waterfall in North America, this powerful
waterfall also ranks as the biggest one by volume with a whopping
average of about 750,000 gallons per second (2.8 million Liters per
second)! In addition to its raw power, the falls is easily one of the
easiest to access and view from all sorts of angles. While its
surroundings are a bit less naturesque for many, it clearly makes the
upper tier of our list of Top 10 Waterfalls.
Easily deserving of the top spot on this list (though it finished a
very close second), it's the largest singular waterfall in the world
spanning a width of 1.7km, a height of 108m, and an average flow of 1
million liters per second! It's no wonder this "smoke that thunders" is
considered one of the seven natural wonders of the world and is a UNESCO
World Heritage site. Indeed, it's got power, beauty, and it will make
you humble and awestruck.
With its brink spanning a distance of an incredible 2km in its average
flow of 1.3 million liters per second, this falls tops our list of
favorites. The falls actually consists of some 275 individual
waterfalls and cascades. Catwalks make it easy to get closeup and
intimate views and the rainforest surroundings make the scenery feel
right for a natural attraction such as this. Put it all together and
Julie and I believe this falls is heads and shoulders above the rest
(except Victoria Falls) that we've seen!
Heck, even Julie and I couldn't agree on our own favorites. Nonetheless based on popular demand, we've finally come up with our own list of the favorites that we've personally visited. This is by no means a permanent list and it's sure to change as we continue to collect more falls from around the world. So without further adieu, here they are in reverse order...
10. SUTHERLAND FALLS [Fiordland, New Zealand]
In a country that holds a special place in our hearts, this gorgeous
580m waterfall is easily New Zealand's most spectacular waterfall and
makes our list. Given its remote location deep in the wild and
beautiful Fiordland National Park (also a World Heritage Area), it's one
of many highlights of the Milford Track - said to be one of the finest
walks in the world. 9. DETTIFOSS [Jökulsárgljúfur, Iceland]
It is Europe's most powerfull waterfall sending glacial meltwaters over
its 44m precipice unchecked at a flow of around 500 cubic meters per
second. It epitomizes the wild and raw Icelandic Nature and is a
favorite amongst Icelandic Nature lovers. Its position at the head of
the impressive Jökulsárgljúfur (the Icelandic version of the Grand
Canyon) surrounded by three other major waterfalls on the same river
makes it a no-brainer for this to make our Top 10 Waterfalls List. 8. GULLFOSS [Haukadalur, Iceland]
One of the more unique waterfalls you'll ever see in the world, this
wild and wide waterfall tumbling on the Hvítá River in two tiers at 90
degree angles to each other is one of Iceland's iconic natural
attractions. Part of the Golden Circle of Iceland's main attractions in
the Southwest, this is a must on anyone's itinerary. In addition to
the falls' unique shape, you can see rainbows arcing over the falls when
your timing's right and the weather cooperates. 7. KAIETEUR FALLS [Potaro River, Guyana]
Said to be one of the tallest single-drop waterfalls in the world, this
rectangular-shaped monster (said to be 741ft tall 370ft wide) sits atop
the ancient Guyana Shield amidst some of the most pristine rainforest
left on earth! Indeed a visit to this world wonder can yield rare
wildlife settings as well as the reassurance that there are still places
on the planet where nature is still allowed to thrive. Thus, Julie and
I had to make room for this waterfall on our Top 10 List! 6. YOSEMITE FALLS [California, USA]
Even though this waterfall doesn't flow year round, it does flow for a
good part of the year and it's one of the tallest in the world at
2425ft. It's the crown jewel of attractions in the incomparable
Yosemite Valley and it's easily seen from a multitude of viewpoints and
trails. So given its ease of access, scenery, and sheer size, this
waterfall makes our Top 10 Waterfalls List. 5. ANGEL FALLS (SALTO ÁNGEL) [Canaima, Venezuela]
Plunging uninterrupted for 807m (with total drop of 979m) from a
mystical tabletop mountain (tepuy) deep in a Venezuelan equatorial
rainforest, it is widely acknowledged as the tallest permanent waterfall
in the world. Its existence defies logic as its source is nothing but
the soggy cloud forest on the plateau of the tepuy. No doubt about it,
there's nothing like this waterfall and the adventure to even get to
this so-called Lost World (Mundo Perdido) for a chance to see this world
wonder is sure to leave you with a lasting impression. 4. PLITVICE WATERFALLS [Northern Dalmatia, Croatia]
When it comes to the overall waterfalling experience, it's hard to beat
this world famous attraction. While the rest of the waterfalls on our
Top 10 List are primarily singular waterfall attractions, this one is
really a network of countless waterfalls (some of which are impressive
enough to stand out on their own). The waterfalls themselves segregate
the many clear and colorful lakes that bring life to this lush and
protected ecosystem. Plus, you have boardwalks that take you under,
over, and around almost all of the notable waterfalls for some of the
most intimate waterfalling experiences to be had. Add it all up,
putting these waterfalls on this list was an absolute no-brainer as far
as Julie and I were concerned. 3. NIAGARA FALLS [Ontario, Canada/New York, USA]
Easily the most famous waterfall in North America, this powerful
waterfall also ranks as the biggest one by volume with a whopping
average of about 750,000 gallons per second (2.8 million Liters per
second)! In addition to its raw power, the falls is easily one of the
easiest to access and view from all sorts of angles. While its
surroundings are a bit less naturesque for many, it clearly makes the
upper tier of our list of Top 10 Waterfalls. 2. VICTORIA FALLS (MOSI-OA-TUNYA) [Livingstone, Zambia/Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe]
Easily deserving of the top spot on this list (though it finished a
very close second), it's the largest singular waterfall in the world
spanning a width of 1.7km, a height of 108m, and an average flow of 1
million liters per second! It's no wonder this "smoke that thunders" is
considered one of the seven natural wonders of the world and is a UNESCO
World Heritage site. Indeed, it's got power, beauty, and it will make
you humble and awestruck. 1. IGUAZU FALLS (IGUASSU FALLS) [Puerto Iguazú, Argentina/Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil]
With its brink spanning a distance of an incredible 2km in its average
flow of 1.3 million liters per second, this falls tops our list of
favorites. The falls actually consists of some 275 individual
waterfalls and cascades. Catwalks make it easy to get closeup and
intimate views and the rainforest surroundings make the scenery feel
right for a natural attraction such as this. Put it all together and
Julie and I believe this falls is heads and shoulders above the rest
(except Victoria Falls) that we've seen! 
