Measuring the tallest waterfalls in the world isn’t as straightforward as it seems. The challenge lies in determining whether to measure only the longest single drop or the total combined height of multiple cascades.
Additionally, defining where a waterfall begins and ends can be subjective, leading to ongoing debate. Because of these factors, there is no universally agreed-upon list of the world’s tallest waterfalls.
However, in this list, you will find 10 of the highest waterfalls based on widely recognized measurements, starting from number 10 and counting down to the tallest one.
10. Catarata Gocta
Location: Peru
Height: 2,531 ft (771 meters)
Catarata Gocta flows into the Cocahuayco River in Peru. It has two impressive drops that have a total height, by some estimates, of around 2,531 feet. But, this number changes depending on seasonal fluctuations in the volume. On some lists, this waterfall is the fifth tallest in the world, while on other lists, like The World Waterfall Database, it ranks it as the 16th tallest.
Legend suggests that the falls remained unknown to outsiders for so long due to a curse of a mermaid who lived in the waters. The falls are said to be protected by this spirit. Today, tourists can visit and hike around the falls.
9. Ramnefjellsfossen
Location: Norway
Height: 2,684 feet (818 meters)
This waterfall often features towards the top of various lists of the world’s tallest waterfalls. It is unofficially listed as the third tallest waterfall by different publications. Some other lists have it as far down as the 11th. It falls from glacial waters into Lake Lovatnet. The waterfall has four drops, fed from the Jostedalsbreen glacier. The waterfall is located in a dangerous area that has killed more than 100 people in landslides.
8. Pu’uka’oku Falls
Location: Hawaii, United States
Height: 2,756 feet (840 meters)
Pu’uka’oku Falls is one of the two waterfalls on this list located on Molokai Island, Hawaii. It is usually listed around eighth on the list of the tallest waterfalls in the world. It is on the northern coast of the island and is not the easiest waterfall to access on this list.
7. Balåifossen
Location: Norway
Height: 2,789 feet (850 meters)
Balåifossen Falls is one of the tallest waterfalls in Norway and the world. It is tall, thin, and has a few tiers. It’s located south of Osa in the municipality of Ulvik. This waterfall is not as striking as some of the others on this list, but it is commonly cited within the top ten tallest waterfalls.
6. Vinnufossen
Location: Norway
Height: 2,821 feet (860 meters)
Vinnufossen is one of Norway’s tallest waterfalls; it is also one of the most beautiful. It is commonly cited as the tallest waterfall in the world, breaking four times into tiers throughout its height. The falls are fed by the Vinnufonna Glacier.
5. Yumbilla Falls
Location: Peru
Height: 2,939 feet (896 meters)
This waterfall is located near Cuispes in the Amazonas region. It is sometimes ranked as the fifth tallest waterfall in the world. There are a total of four drops across its height. The waterfall originates from a stream emerging from the cave Caverna San Francisco. The area around the waterfall is extremely forested and features interesting flora and fauna, such as the Andean cock-of-the-rock.
4. Olo’upena Falls
Location: Hawaii, United States
Height: 2,952 feet (900 meters)
This waterfall is located in Molokai, Hawaii. It is the highest waterfall in the United States and is commonly listed as the fourth tallest waterfall in the world. The falls are located in a split between two cliffs in the Pelekunu and Wailau valleys and can only be seen from the ocean or the air.
3. Cataratas las Tres Hermanas
Location: Peru
Height: 2,998 feet (914 meters)
This waterfall is sometimes listed as the second or third tallest in the world. It is located near the fork in the Cutivireni River. It has three drops, inspiring its name, “Three Sisters.” The waterfall is in Otishi National Park.
2. Tugela Falls
Location: South Africa
Height: 3,110 feet (948 meters)
Tugela Falls is a seasonal waterfall in the Royal Natal National Park in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. Its longest single drop is 1,348 ft or 411 m. Depending on the list, this waterfall ranks at different levels as its single tallest drop does not put it towards the top of some rankings. Located in the Drakensberg mountains, itt has a total of five drops. It’s easy to visit this waterfall as it is visible from the side of the road.
1. Angel Falls
Location: Venezuela
Height: 3,212 feet (979 meters)
Angel Falls is generally considered to be the world’s tallest uninterrupted waterfall. It is a beautiful sight to behold, measuring an incredibly 3,212 ft. The water rushes over the top of Auyán-tepui mountain in Canaima National Park and has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
FAQs
Which country has the most of the world’s tallest waterfalls?
Norway has the most waterfalls in the top 10 tallest, with three: Ramnefjellsfossen, Balåifossen, and Vinnufossen.
Can waterfalls grow taller or shrink over time?
Yes, geological changes such as erosion, rockfalls, or shifts in water sources can alter a waterfall’s height over time.
What’s the difference between a waterfall and a cascade?
A waterfall typically has a single or multi-tiered drop, whereas a cascade flows over a series of smaller rock steps, gradually descending instead of plunging in a single drop.
Why do some waterfalls dry up during certain seasons?
Some waterfalls are seasonal, meaning they rely on rainfall or glacial melt. During dry seasons or droughts, water flow may reduce or stop entirely. Tugela Falls in South Africa, for example, is known to dry up at times.
