Waterfalls are one of the popular tourists’ destinations across the world. You may have seen several waterfalls, but you won’t believe how high the world’s tallest waterfalls are. The tallest waterfall of the world falls from nearly 1 KM of height. Some of these are hard to access, hence the resulting measurements are estimates. There is also no standard measurement process. But the world has accepted the existing estimated heights of most of the waterfalls.
In this article, I have compiled the list of tallest waterfalls in the world according to height. If you are also one of the admirers of waterfalls like me, try to travel to these tallest waterfalls to satisfy your soul.
Also see: Highest Waterfalls In India
List of World’s highest waterfalls
List of highest waterfalls in the world to explore.
Tallest waterfall in the world | Height | Locality |
Angel Falls | 979 metres (3,212 ft) | Canaima National Park, Bolívar, Venezuela |
Tugela Falls | 948 metres (3,110 ft) | KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa |
Tres Hermanas Falls | 914 metres (2,999 ft) | Otishi National Park, Junin Peru |
Olo’upena Falls | 900 metres (2,953 ft) | Molokai, Hawaii, United States |
Yumbilla Falls | 896 metres (2,940 ft) | Amazonas, Peru, Yumbilla |
Vinnufossen | 860 metres (2,822 ft) | Møre og Romsdal, Norway |
Balåifossen | 850 metres (2,789 ft) | Hordaland, Norway |
Pu’uka’oku Falls | 840 metres (2,756 ft) | Hawaii, United States |
James Bruce Falls | 840 metres (2,756 ft) | British Columbia, Canada |
Browne Falls | 836 metres (2,743 ft) | Doubtful Sound, South Island, New Zealand |
Strupenfossen | 820 metres (2,690 ft) | Sogn og Fjordane, Norway |
Ramnefjellsfossen | 818 metres (2,684 ft) | Sogn og Fjordane, Norway |
Waihilau Falls | 792 metres (2,598 ft) | Hawaii, US |
Colonial Creek Falls | 788 metres (2,585 ft) | Washington, US |
Mongefossen | 773 metres (2,536 ft) | Møre og Romsdal, Norway |
The Angel fall is the world’s highest waterfall with a height of 979 m. Here is the list of top tallest waterfalls in the world.
1. Angel Falls, Venezuela
Angel Falls is the world’s highest waterfall located in Canaima National Park, Bolívar State, Venezuela. It is also Venezuela’s top tourist attractions even if it is situated in isolated difficult to access jungle. The waterfall drops over the edge of Auyán-tepui mountain in the Canaima National Park.
Height: 979 m (3,212 ft)
2. Tugela Falls, South Africa
While the accepted height of this waterfall is 948 m (3,110 ft) but a recent measurement by Czech scientist suggest its hight to be 983 m (3,225 ft) making it the tallest waterfall. This is a seasonal waterfall located in the Royal Natal National Park of the KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa.
Height: 948 m (3,110 ft)
3. Tres Hermanas Falls, Peru
Tres Hermanas Falls is the third tallest waterfall located in the protected Parque Nacional Otishi National Forest in Peru. This waterfall is also known as Three Sisters Falls. This waterfall is only visible from the air. It is surrounded by lush, tropical rainforest where trees routinely grow to 100 feet tall. So, it is really hard to reach near the waterfalls. Even if you do, it is impossible to see the entire length of the falls from ground level.
Height: 914 m (2,999 ft)
4. Oloupena Falls, Hawaii, US
Oloupena Falls is located in the north-eastern part of the Hawaiian Island of Molokai. With a height of 900 m, it is considered to be the fourth highest waterfall in the world. It is only accessible by air or sea. The best time to see Oloupena Falls is during the rainy season.
Height: 900 m (2,953 ft)
5. Yumbilla Falls, Peru
Yumbilla Falls is also hard to reach because it is located deep in lush rainforests of the northern Peruvian region. This waterfall becomes known to people recently in 2007 when researchers from Peru’s National Geographic Institute published about it in media. This waterfall is hard to reach and is accessible to adventurous nature lovers who are a ready hike with local guides.
Height: 896 m (2,940 ft)
6. Vinnufossen, Norway
Vinnufossen waterfall is located near Sunndalen, Norway. It is the tallest waterfall in Europe and the sixth tallest in the world. It is the part of river Vinnu that falls from the Vinnufjellet Mountain.
Vinnufossen is easy to reach. It is also visible from the road when you are driving from Sunndalsøra to the east. Even if it is the tallest waterfall in Europe, it is not most impressive or most beautiful.
Best time to visit Vinnufossen is early summer when the weather becomes stable.
Height: 860 m (2,822 ft)
7. Balaifossen, Norway
Balaifossen is another tall waterfall located in Norway and is situated in the southern part of the country. This waterfall is fed by melting snow and Balai River. The water flow rate varies from season to season and year to year. It is also easily accessible. When Driving on the FV300 to/from Ulvik, you can see this waterfall.
Height: 850 m (2,789 ft)
8. Puukaoku Falls, Hawaii, US
Puukaoku waterfall is found along the rugged coast of Moloka’i in the Hawaiian Islands. This waterfall is deeply etched in the cliff, so it is hard to see and capture in photos.
To see this waterfall, one has to take boats or helicopters led by experienced guides who know where exactly this waterfall is.
Height: 840 m (2,756 ft)
9. James Bruce Falls, Canada
James Bruce Falls is located in Princess Louisa Marine Provincial Park in British Columbia, Canada. There are several waterfalls around and James Bruce Falls is the tallest among all. So, you will have to be careful because you could easily be distracted by the other waterfalls.
Height: 840 m (2,756 ft)
10. Browne Falls, New Zealand
Browne Falls is located near the southern tip of New Zealand. Source of this waterfall is a lake called Lake Browne. This waterfall was named after a photographer, Victor Carlyle Browne who discovered Lake Browne and the waterfall in 1940.
Height: 836 m (2,743 ft)
11. Strupenfossen, Norway
Strupenfossen is anther tall waterfall located near Sanddalen near Myklebust (Byrkjelo) in the region Sog og Fjordane, Norway. This waterfall is also easily accessible. Take road Rv60 Utvik, going to the north and then take a right turn to Rv 693 after 900 meters. Drive along the lake Sanddalsvatnet until you see the small stream (Strupen) cascading down.
Height: 820 m (2,690 ft)
12. Ramnefjellsfossen Fall
Unofficially, Ramnefjellsfossen is listed as the third-highest waterfall in the world in many publications but according to The World Waterfall Database, it is the 11th tallest waterfall in the world. This waterfall is on the Ramnefjellet mountain in Sogn og Fjordane, Norway.
Height: 818 metres (2,684 ft)
13. Waihilau Falls:
Waihilau Falls is a waterfall in the Waimanu Valley, Hawaii, US. It is the third-tallest waterfall in Hawaii and the world’s thirteenth-highest waterfall at 2,600 feet (790 meters) in height.
Going to this waterfall is very tough. If you have strong stamina and good health then you can hike to this waterfall. Otherwise, the Helicopter is the only option.
Height: 792 metres (2,598 ft)
14. Colonial Creek Falls:
Colonial Creek Falls is the 14th tallest waterfall in the world and tallest in continental United States.
Height: 788 metres (2,585 ft)
15. Mongefossen
Mongefossen located near the European route E136 highway and the Rauma River. It is a waterfall in the Rauma Municipality of Møre og Romsdal county, Norway. It is the fourth tallest single-drop waterfall in the world.
Height: 773 metres (2,536 ft)
Read More, Best and Beautiful Natural Wonders of the World
These are the highest waterfalls around the world. These waterfalls have their own beauty and stories. If you are into waterfalls, do read about these spectacular tallest waterfalls.