Introduction
The tallest waterfalls in the world are primarily found in South America, Scandinavia, and mountainous regions where rivers tumble off high plateaus or steep cliffs.
Many of the tallest falls are multi-tiered, with water cascading over several drops. The total height can be measured as the overall drop or the longest single plunge.
1. Angel Falls, Venezuela
- Total Height: 979 m (3,212 ft)
- Longest Drop: 807 m
- River: Churun River
Angel Falls is the tallest uninterrupted waterfall in the world. Water drops from the summit of Auyantepui, a flat-topped mesa (tepui) in the Venezuelan jungle.
The falls are named after Jimmie Angel, an American aviator who crash-landed on top of the tepui in 1937. The indigenous Pemon people call it "Kerepakupai Meru."
2. Tugela Falls, South Africa
- Total Height: 948 m (3,110 ft)
- Tiers: 5
- Location: Drakensberg Mountains
Tugela Falls is the second tallest waterfall, dropping in five tiers from the Drakensberg escarpment. Some measurements suggest it may actually be taller than Angel Falls.
Access requires a challenging hike through Royal Natal National Park. The falls are most impressive after heavy rains.
3. Tres Hermanas Falls, Peru
- Total Height: 914 m (2,999 ft)
- Tiers: 3
- Location: Ayacucho region
Three Sisters Falls (Tres Hermanas) is located in a remote Peruvian cloud forest. It was only relatively recently measured and confirmed as one of the world's tallest.
4. Olo'upena Falls, Hawaii, USA
- Total Height: 900 m (2,953 ft)
- Type: Plunge on sea cliff
- Island: Molokai
Olo'upena is a thin ribbon of water cascading down one of the world's tallest sea cliffs on Molokai. It can only be seen from the ocean or by air.
5. Yumbilla Falls, Peru
- Total Height: 896 m (2,938 ft)
- Tiers: 4
- Location: Amazonas region
Yumbilla Falls was only measured in 2007, discovering it to be one of the five tallest waterfalls on Earth. It is surrounded by dense cloud forest.
6. Vinnufossen, Norway
- Total Height: 860 m (2,822 ft)
- Type: Horsetail/tiered
- River: Vinnu River
Vinnufossen is Europe's tallest waterfall. It cascades down a steep mountainside in western Norway, fed by snowmelt from glaciers above.
7. Balaiforssen, Norway
- Total Height: 850 m (2,788 ft)
- Type: Multi-step cascade
- Region: Hordaland
Balaiforssen is another Norwegian giant, tumbling down a cliff face in multiple steps. Norway has more tall waterfalls than any other European country.
8. Pu'uka'oku Falls, Hawaii, USA
- Total Height: 840 m (2,756 ft)
- Type: Plunge
- Island: Molokai
The second of Molokai's massive sea cliff waterfalls, Pu'uka'oku drops almost as far as its neighbor Olo'upena. Both are fed by the island's heavy rainfall.
Key Facts
- Angel Falls' longest single drop (807 m) is 15 times the height of Niagara Falls.
- Six of the ten tallest waterfalls are in South America and Scandinavia.
- Norway has more tall waterfalls than any other European country.
- Many of the world's tallest waterfalls were only recently measured accurately.
- Hawaii's Molokai has two of the ten tallest waterfalls, both on the same sea cliff.
Fun Facts
- Angel Falls is so tall that water turns to mist before reaching the bottom during dry season.
- Jimmie Angel's plane remained on top of Auyantepui for 33 years before being recovered.
- Tugela Falls freezes into massive icicles during South African winters.
- The tallest waterfall ever was in Iceland during the ice age, estimated at over 3,000 m.
Final Thoughts
The world's tallest waterfalls are feats of natural engineering. From Angel Falls' nearly one-kilometer plunge to Norway's glacier-fed cascades, these waterfalls are among the most awe-inspiring sights on Earth.