The tallest waterfalls on Earth, ranked by their total vertical drop.
Quick answer: 1. Angel Falls (Salto Ángel), 2. Tugela Falls, 3. Three Sisters Falls (Cataratas las Tres Hermanas), 4. Olo'upena Falls, 5. Yumbilla Falls, 6. Vinnufossen, 7. Balaifossen, 8. Pu'uka'oku Falls, 9. James Bruce Falls, 10. Browne Falls.
Waterfalls are among nature's most spectacular sights, and the tallest ones are true wonders of geology and hydrology. This list ranks the ten highest waterfalls in the world by their total vertical drop — the full height from the top of the cascade to the plunge pool or talus slope at the bottom. While controversy sometimes surrounds exact measurements (tall, narrow waterfalls are notoriously hard to measure), the rankings below reflect the most widely accepted figures from authoritative geographic sources.
Angel Falls in Venezuela's Canaima National Park is the world's tallest waterfall by a wide margin. It drops from the summit of Auyán-tepui, a table-top mountain, with a total height of 979 meters — more than double the next tallest. The falls plunge into the Churún River gorge, and during the dry season the water often disperses into mist before reaching the bottom.
Tugela Falls in South Africa's Royal Natal National Park has a total height of 948 meters, making it the second tallest waterfall in the world. It is a series of five free-leaping cascades descending from the Amphitheater cliff face of the Drakensberg Mountains. The best viewing time is after heavy rain when the flow is strongest.
Located in a remote area of Peru's Otishi National Park, Three Sisters Falls drops 914 meters in three distinct tiers that are largely hidden within the surrounding jungle. It was discovered relatively recently and remains one of the least visited major waterfalls in the world due to its remote location.
Olo'upena Falls cascades down the eastern side of Molokai, Hawaii, with a total height of 900 meters. It is a seasonal waterfall that flows down a nearly vertical cliff face into the Pacific Ocean. Because it is located on a remote sea cliff, it is best viewed from the air or by boat.
Yumbilla Falls in Peru's Amazonas region has a reported height of 896 meters, placing it among the tallest in the world. It is a multi-tiered waterfall fed by underground springs in the Cordillera Central. Flow levels vary significantly between the wet and dry seasons.
Vinnufossen in Norway is the tallest waterfall in Europe and the sixth tallest in the world, dropping 860 meters. It flows from the Vinnufjellet mountain down into the Driva River valley. The falls are fed by the Vinnufonna glacier and are most impressive in late spring and early summer when snowmelt is at its peak.
Balaifossen in Norway has a total height of 850 meters, making it one of the world's tallest waterfalls. It flows from the Balaivetnet lake and descends the Ulvikfjell mountain in three distinct tiers before reaching the Osa Fjord. Like many Norwegian waterfalls, its volume is relatively small despite its height.
Pu'uka'oku Falls drops 840 meters down the northeastern coast of Molokai, Hawaii, very near Olo'upena Falls. Like its neighbor, it is a seasonal waterfall that flows over a sheer sea cliff. The falls are visible from the ocean but are best appreciated from a helicopter tour.
James Bruce Falls in British Columbia, Canada, has a total height of 840 meters (tied with Pu'uka'oku Falls but ranked ninth by slightly lower confirmed flow). It is located in Princess Louisa Marine Provincial Park and is fed by snowmelt from the surrounding coastal mountains. The falls have two parallel streams that join near the base.
Browne Falls in New Zealand's Fiordland National Park has a total height of 836 meters. It descends from Lake Browne into Doubtful Sound in a series of cascades. The falls are located in one of the wettest regions of the country, ensuring a reliable flow year-round.
| # | Name | Location | Type | Parent river |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Angel Falls (Salto Ángel) | Bolívar, Venezuela | Plunge | Carrao River |
| 2 | Tugela Falls | KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa | Cascade | Tugela River |
| 3 | Three Sisters Falls (Cataratas las Tres Hermanas) | Junín, Peru | Cascade | Cutivireni River |
| 4 | Olo'upena Falls | Molokai, Hawaii, USA | Plunge | — |
| 5 | Yumbilla Falls | Amazonas, Peru | Cascade | Yumbilla River |
| 6 | Vinnufossen | Møre og Romsdal, Norway | Cascade | Driva River |
| 7 | Balaifossen | Vestland, Norway | Cascade | Bala River |
| 8 | Pu'uka'oku Falls | Molokai, Hawaii, USA | Plunge | — |
| 9 | James Bruce Falls | British Columbia, Canada | Plunge | — |
| 10 | Browne Falls | Southland, New Zealand | Cascade | Browne River |
Ranked by total vertical drop in meters (the highest point from which water falls to the lowest reachable point at the base). Sources include the World Waterfall Database, national geographic surveys, and peer-reviewed geological reports. Only waterfalls with a confirmed, single uninterrupted drop or a closely spaced series of drops (cascades) are included; icefalls and seasonal-only features are excluded. Data is current as of the latest published surveys.
Total height is measured as the vertical distance from the topmost point where the water leaves the cliff to the plunge pool or talus at the base, including any intermediate tiers. This is distinct from the 'free fall' height, which only counts unobstructed drops.
The tallest waterfalls typically form where rivers flow off high plateaus or mountain escarpments — often in rugged, inaccessible terrain that is difficult to survey. Angel Falls was not 'discovered' by the outside world until 1933.
Angel Falls has the longest free-fall drop at approximately 807 meters, though some estimates put it lower. The remaining height comes from cascading sections below the main plunge.