Most Sensational Waterfalls Around the World

Angel Falls

1 of 6

At a staggering 3,212 feet, Angel Falls in Venezuela is the world's highest waterfall. It's located on the Churun River, 160 miles southeast of Ciudad Bolivar. The falls are named after Jimmy Angel, an American explorer who crashed his plane on the flat plateau known as Auyan-Tepui, or "Devil's Mountain," in 1937. This area of land is where Angel Falls descends from, pooling at the 500-foot-wide base.
Since Angel Falls is surrounded by dense jungle, the ideal way to view the waterfall is from the air. Another option is to wait until wet season, when the Churun River is high enough to allow for travel by boat.

Iguazu Falls

Iguazu Falls

2 of 30

There are 275 waterfalls that make up Iguazu Falls on the border of Argentina and Brazil. The tallest of these — and the most noteworthy — is Devil's Throat, at 262 feet. Pair that with the fact that about 1.5 million liters of water flow through Iguazu Falls every second, and you've got quite a miraculous work of Mother Nature's art. Between November and March, when rainfall is especially heavy, the water flow can be enough to fill five Olympic swimming pools. Iguazu Falls is so impressive that it even made the list of the New Seven Wonders of Nature in 2011.
Both the Argentinean side and the Brazilian side of the falls offer incredible panoramic views, but from Argentina, the experience is more intimate. There are walkways that take visitors to the edge of, the top of and behind the falls, and speedboats that drive right underneath. Expect to get wet if you choose an up-close-and-personal tour.
Viewing the falls from Brazil is equally rewarding, though. You'll have a wider landscape to observe, and you just might catch a rainbow in the making.

Skogafoss

3 of 30

It takes 370 steps to reach the top of Skogafoss in Iceland. And once you reach the top, there's a magnificent view of the coastline.
The waterfall is situated on the cliffs and is fed by two glaciers — Evjafjallajokull and Myrdalsjokull. Skogafoss is 197 feet tall and generates a large amount of spray. Because of its size, the waterfall often produces rainbows. The landscape of Skogafoss is especially breathtaking in winter, when the Northern Lights are prevalent.
According to legend, a Viking named Thrasi hid his collection of gold under Skogafoss. It's been said that one man almost succeeded in finding the gold, but only managed to pull the handle ring off the chest containing the riches. That ring was later used for the door of a church in the Icelandic village of Skogar.

Sutherland Falls

4 of 30

On the Arthur River in the southwest part of South Island, New Zealand is Sutherland Falls. Named for Donald Sutherland, the first European to see this natural sight in 1880, the falls drop from Lake Quill in three cascades. Rushing down from a height of 1,904 feet, these are among the highest in the world.
The base of the falls is intensely windy, due to the force of the falling water. While it's possible to go behind the cascades in dry weather, it’s usually damp, dark and foggy. Better, then, to find a vantage point away from the base to snap photos and just marvel.

Niagara Falls

5 of 30

Situated on the border between Ontario, Canada and the state of New York is Niagara Falls. The falls are separated into three parts by Goat Island and Luna Island. On the Canadian side is Horseshoe Falls, the largest of the three. On the New York side are Bridal Veil Falls and, fittingly, American Falls. Each features impressive heights averaging 185-190 feet.
But it's not the height of Niagara Falls that makes it so impressive — it's the amount of water, some 169 million liters per minute, that flows from it. Niagara Falls is also known for its clear water, which is free of sediment. However, nearly 60 tons of dissolved minerals sweep over the falls every minute.
To get the best views of Niagara Falls, head to Queen Victoria Park in Canada or Prospect Point at the edge of American Falls in New York. Rainbow Bridge, which spans the Niagara gorge downstream from Prospect Point, offers an ideal view as well.
Cave of the Winds tours are also available, which take visitors 175 feet down an elevator to the Niagara gorge, where they walk along the "Hurricane Deck," just feet from Bridal Veil Falls. You won't get any closer to Niagara Falls than this.

Niagara Falls

5 of 30

Situated on the border between Ontario, Canada and the state of New York is Niagara Falls. The falls are separated into three parts by Goat Island and Luna Island. On the Canadian side is Horseshoe Falls, the largest of the three. On the New York side are Bridal Veil Falls and, fittingly, American Falls. Each features impressive heights averaging 185-190 feet.
But it's not the height of Niagara Falls that makes it so impressive — it's the amount of water, some 169 million liters per minute, that flows from it. Niagara Falls is also known for its clear water, which is free of sediment. However, nearly 60 tons of dissolved minerals sweep over the falls every minute.
To get the best views of Niagara Falls, head to Queen Victoria Park in Canada or Prospect Point at the edge of American Falls in New York. Rainbow Bridge, which spans the Niagara gorge downstream from Prospect Point, offers an ideal view as well.
Cave of the Winds tours are also available, which take visitors 175 feet down an elevator to the Niagara gorge, where they walk along the "Hurricane Deck," just feet from Bridal Veil Falls. You won't get any closer to Niagara Falls than this.

Bigar Waterfall

6 of 30

The Bigar Waterfall in Romania, also called Izvorul Bigar, is located in the Anina Mountains on the 45th north parallel — exactly at the halfway point between the equator and the North Pole.
The picturesque site, which is part of Cheile Nerei-Beusnita National Park, is formed by a moss-covered cliff and underground water spring. The spring stretches across the moss and plunges into the Minis River.