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In the initial part of this series, we featured the top ten most awe-inspiring waterfalls. The aim was to showcase the ultimate examples of cascading water—those immense, dramatic falls that come to mind when you think of the word 'waterfall.' The original selection included some of the most famous and iconic waterfalls across the globe. However, as we move beyond these, it becomes more challenging to find waterfalls with the necessary width, height, and flow to truly fit the 'awe-inspiring' category. Yet, after thorough research, we bring you 10 more waterfalls that are not only visually stunning but also possess an immense, imposing presence. And who knows, maybe a third volume will emerge in this awe-inspiring waterfall series—since there are only a few colossal waterfalls left.
10. Detian Falls Thác Bản Giốc & Thác Đức Thiên
Majestic waterfalls often serve as natural markers, delineating the boundaries between nations—take Iguazu, which splits Argentina and Brazil, Victoria, which marks the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe, and Niagara, which straddles the USA and Canada; all of these were covered in the first edition of this list. While Detian Falls isn't as enormous as those giant waterfalls, it is still impressive enough to earn its place here. Situated on the border between China and Vietnam, Detian Falls cascades 50 meters in three distinct steps, slightly affecting its overall grandeur. However, its 80-meter width enhances its splendor. The falls are located on the Guising River, nestled between the provinces of the two countries, and are surrounded by lush, verdant scenery—one of the most picturesque environments among the waterfalls on this list. Imagine standing in the middle of Vietnam's vibrant rice paddies and gazing up at the stark contrast of the pale blue water plummeting from above.
9. The Majestic Sutherland Falls
New Zealand's breathtaking fiords have been featured before on this site, but the beauty of the country’s water features isn't confined to these inlets. Just south of Milford Sound, you’ll find Sutherland Falls, which could easily be considered New Zealand’s most iconic waterfall. Typically, towering waterfalls don't always exemplify the true power that a waterfall can convey, though there are a few notable exceptions that were included in the first edition. Sutherland Falls, standing at an astonishing 580 meters, breaks this rule. It's not too narrow or imperfectly vertical, as is often seen with other tall waterfalls. The flow is far from weak, maintaining a forceful stream—something we don't always see in the tallest waterfalls around the world. The thunderous roar of Sutherland Falls proves just how much power height can bring when combined with the right water flow. Visitors often comment that its sound is more deafening than some of the world's most famous falls. Now, that's real power.
8. Jim Jim Falls
With Jim Jim Falls, we begin to enter the realm of the classic rectangular waterfall, where a thick sheet of water plunges in a single, powerful descent. This type of waterfall is, to me, the ultimate form, and I highlighted similar falls in both the previous and current editions. Jim Jim Falls exemplifies this perfectly as it drops 150 meters from the sheer cliffs of Kakadu National Park in Australia’s Northern Territory. It’s at its most spectacular during the wet season, from December to March in the Southern Hemisphere, when the rainfall is abundant, allowing the falls to surge with great force. Unfortunately, during the dry season, the falls can dry up entirely, but this change adds to the dramatic seasonal transformation, offering a striking contrast in its appearance.
7. Rhine Falls
Rhine Falls presents itself as an overwhelming cascade of water, so much so that it’s hard to distinguish where the waterfall begins or ends. The vast rush of water merges seamlessly with the river Rhine, with no visible land at the top due to the sheer volume of the flow. Although only 23 meters tall, its impressive 150-meter width, combined with the immense water flow, earns Rhine Falls the number 7 spot. In fact, it frequently ranks highly on waterfall flow rate charts. Without any rapids and with a substantial width that gives it a unique and striking look, Rhine Falls can confidently be regarded as one of the elite pure waterfalls. Several viewing platforms offer close-up views, amplifying the excitement and awe.
6. Montmorency Falls
The United States and Canada share many common features, and one of them is their stunning array of waterfalls. Montmorency Falls can easily be considered Canada’s finest waterfall after Niagara, with its impressive dimensions—275 feet high and 150 feet wide. It presents a magnificent display of cascading water on the Montmorency River, located in Quebec. For better or worse, depending on one’s preference, the falls have been made more accessible by creating a park around it, complete with facilities designed to enhance the visitor experience. These include a footbridge spanning the falls and a cable car that allows tourists to ascend and descend along the waterfall. While some might argue that such amenities diminish the raw, untouched allure of the falls, the infrastructure provides varied perspectives that might otherwise be inaccessible. Regardless, Montmorency Falls stands as a true testament to nature’s grandeur.
5. Tis Issat Falls
When you think of Ethiopia, you might first think of its renowned coffee varieties, but it’s also home to some remarkable natural wonders, like the Tis Issat Falls, also known as the Blue Nile Falls. This waterfall showcases the power of the mighty Nile, the longest river in the world. Due to the construction of a hydroelectric dam, the water flow diminishes significantly during the dry season, often reducing the falls to a mere trickle—this is a common occurrence around the world where dams are built. However, during the rainy season, the falls surge dramatically, transforming into a massive 400-meter-wide cascade. With a height ranging from 37 to 45 meters, the falls are broken by rocky wedges, but even with these interruptions, Tis Issat continues to amaze, solidifying its place at number five on the list.
4. Skogafoss Falls
Iceland has long been known as a treasure trove of awe-inspiring waterfalls, a fact reinforced in the previous edition, which showcased two remarkable falls from the country. It’s hard to believe that Skogafoss Falls didn’t make the cut the first time, as it definitely deserves to be mentioned alongside its Icelandic counterparts. Skogafoss is arguably the most pristine waterfall on this list, with a flawless, rectangular sheet of water cascading perfectly down. Measuring 25 meters in width and 60 meters in height, it’s a sight to behold. Unlike many towering waterfalls, which often feature rocks or ridges that disrupt the flow and result in multiple smaller falls merging together, Skogafoss stands out with a single, unified cascade. This uninterrupted descent gives it a commanding and striking presence. With Skogafoss now included, the iconic trio of Icelandic waterfalls is officially complete.
3. Kaieteur Falls
Kaieteur Falls was the inspiration behind the creation of 10 More Awe-inspiring Waterfalls. This waterfall was the closest to making it into the first edition, and to make up for its exclusion, it takes the top spot in this list. Situated in Guyana, Kaieteur Falls stands tall at 221 meters in height with a width of nearly 100 meters. Its water flow is consistent and uninterrupted, creating a massive amount of mist, and no waterfall over 200 meters high matches the volume of water that Kaieteur Falls produces. It’s a prime example of what a true awe-inspiring waterfall should look like. In comparison, the top three waterfalls from the first edition fall short in height, yet Kaieteur Falls still maintains an incredible water flow. Similar to how Iguazu Falls surpassed Niagara Falls in the previous edition, Kaieteur Falls has all the features to captivate attention and should be more frequently mentioned among the world’s most stunning waterfalls.
2. Kalandula Falls
Kalandula Falls speaks for itself when it comes to its impressive dimensions. Standing at 104 meters tall, the waterfall stretches 400 to 600 meters in width, depending on the water flow. This breathtaking cascade in Angola may remind some of the Tis Issat Falls, with its flowing water forming long, segmented plunges that merge into a cohesive sheet of falling water, with brown ridges appearing in between. However, at more than double the height of Tis Issat, Kalandula Falls rightfully earns its place on this list. It is Africa’s second-largest waterfall after Victoria Falls (excluding the many rapid-filled falls along the Congo River, which don’t quite meet the criteria of a traditional waterfall). Despite the challenges the country has faced, Kalandula Falls stands as a symbol of the resilience of nature, and it will undoubtedly help bolster Angola’s growing tourism industry.
1. Gokak Falls
Following a recurring pattern from the previous list, Karnataka, India, has produced yet another mesmerizing waterfall, with many other strong contenders from the region considered during the research. Truly, Karnataka stands as the top waterfall destination in South Asia, boasting a vast collection of waterfalls, and at number 3, it proudly presents Gokak Falls. This is where the spectacle truly begins, with water crashing down from the gorges, generating massive amounts of mist below. The distinctive brownish hue of the water adds a unique touch to the falls, setting it apart from other large waterfalls. With an impressive height of 50 meters and, even more striking, a width of 177 meters, Gokak Falls demands attention. Although the construction of a hydroelectric dam has somewhat reduced the flow, during the monsoon season, this mighty waterfall reaches its full potential and unleashes its raw power.
