Waterfalls Worth the Flight

Every country has a lovely waterfall. A handful have waterfalls that reorganise your understanding of what water does. These eight are the ones travellers fly across oceans for - each linked to our full page with seasons and logistics.

1. Iguazu, Argentina and Brazil

Not one waterfall but hundreds, roaring around a jungle horseshoe. The Argentine side puts walkways over the lip of the Devil's Throat; the Brazilian side delivers the panoramic postcard. The honest answer to "which side?" is both - they are one day each and a border apart.

2. Victoria Falls, Zambia and Zimbabwe

The smoke that thunders: a mile-wide curtain on the Zambezi, felt as mist long before it is seen. Zimbabwe's side offers the widest views; Zambia's gets you closest, including the infamous Devil's Pool swim at low water. Seasons change everything here - high water drowns views in spray, low water opens swims.

3. Kaieteur, Guyana

A single colossal plunge in untouched rainforest, Kaieteur drops several Niagaras' worth of height with no fences, no crowds and often no other visitors - most arrive by small plane from Georgetown. It may be the wildest easily-reachable great waterfall on Earth.

4. Angel Falls, Venezuela

Water leaping from a tabletop mountain so high it turns to mist before landing. Reaching Angel Falls is an expedition - flight, then river canoe through Canaima's lagoons - which is exactly why it stays magical.

5. Skogafoss, Iceland

Iceland is waterfall country and Skogafoss is its perfect specimen: a broad white wall you can walk right up to, rainbow included on sunny days. Its neighbour Seljalandsfoss adds the walk-behind-the-curtain trick; both sit right on the ring road.

6. Plitvice Lakes, Croatia

Not one drop but a staircase of sixteen lakes spilling into each other over travertine terraces. Plitvice is waterfalls as landscape - wooden walkways thread between cascades in water so clear it looks lit from below. Book entry slots ahead in summer.

7. Gullfoss, Iceland

A second Icelandic entry because it earns it: Gullfoss thunders into a crevice at a right angle, so the river simply vanishes into the earth. On the Golden Circle loop, it pairs with geysers and rift valleys in a single unhurried day.

8. Niagara, Canada and the US

Yes, it is surrounded by casinos. It is also a genuine monster that humbles every visitor who gets close - especially on the boat. The Canadian side has the head-on views; the American side puts you beside the rapids' brink.

The practical bit

Waterfalls mean spray: a rain shell and a waterproof phone pouch save the day at Iguazu and Victoria Falls, and the rainforest kit covers the jungle entries. Browse all our waterfalls for the ones nearer home, and when to go for the high-water months.