We’ve all seen photos of stunning waterfalls. Still, at the same time, we’ve all seen cartoons of people facing the rapids on a rickety boat and careening over the edge of a massive waterfall. While some waterfalls are small streams, others flow off considerable drop-offs to the rocks hundreds of feet below. From Victoria Falls to Niagra Falls, these are the most dangerous waterfalls in the world.
Salto de Tequendama Falls in Colombia
This 433-foot tall waterfall is located just outside Bogotá to the southwest, making it a popular natural tourist attraction. Salto de Tequendama Falls has a tragic history. When the Spanish invaded the area, the native Muísca people escaped enslavement by jumping from the cliffs to land in the deep, rocky waters below.
Today, locals know the waterfall as a place where people go to take their own lives. On top of that, the falls are dangerous because the Bogotá River is contaminated with the whole city’s sewage.
Angel Falls in Venezuela
Angel Falls is the world’s tallest uninterrupted waterfall, with a height of 3,212 feet. If you happened to fall into Angel Falls from the very top, you’d find yourself free-falling for twenty seconds as freezing cold water obstructs your airways and your limbs bash into jagged rocks protruding from the cliffside.
Once you hit the bottom, the waterfall will try to drag you beneath it, which is a death sentence unless you’re a strong swimmer.
Mongefossen Waterfall in Norway
Located in Norway, Mongefossen Waterfall is a gorgeous site of natural beauty that’s attracted tourists for many years. It’s the fourth tallest single-drop waterfall on Earth. The waterfall generates hydroelectric power, reducing the flow during the summer. The waterfall’s incredibly slippery rocks make it a dangerous place to visit.
Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe and Zambia
As one of the most famous and prominent waterfalls in the world, Victoria Falls is a sight to behold. It’s located on the border of Zimbabwe and Zambia and flows from the Zambezi River.
Located at the top edge of the falls is the Devil’s Pool, a calm area during the dry season that tourists can swim in and enjoy a breathtaking view. But be warned: strong currents can tug weak swimmers towards the dangerous falls, and only a short rocky barrier prevents visitors from careening over the 320-foot drop.
Niagra Falls in Canada and the U.S.
Niagra Falls comprises three waterfalls that border Canada and the U.S. state of New York. Horseshoe Falls, the largest of the three, is 188 feet tall. Many adventurers embarked on a mission to careen over the falls in some sort of protective barrel. Of the 16 recorded attempts, 11 people survived the fall. But the other four died amid the jagged rocks and icy waters.
Ban Gioc-Detian Falls in China and Vietnam
Fed by the Quay Son River, the Ban Gioc-Deitan waterfalls are located in Northern Vietnam on the border of China. Instead of a single drop, these two falls are multi-tiered, making for an impressive sight. They empty into a pool of bright blue waters, where tourists gather on boats to visit this natural wonder.
However, during heavy-weather events, the paths along the falls can become even more slippery, and the mist coming from the water can make it difficult to see where you’re going.
Yosemite Falls in the U.S.A.
Yosemite Falls is a massive waterfall with multiple tiers, causing a total of six drops. The upper falls are the most impressive, with water plummeting over a 1,430-foot drop. Tourists risk losing their lives in many ways when encountering Yosemite Falls.
The rivers are full of strong currents that can whisk swimmers in the wrong place at the wrong time off their feet and into a terrifying descent over the edge of a waterfall. Also, hikers may require emergency helicopter rescue if they trek too close to the falls and the terrain becomes too steep and slippery to safely transverse.
Kegon Falls in Japan
Located in Japan’s gorgeous Nikko National Park, Kegon Falls is a breathtaking tourist attraction. But Kegon Falls is also a popular spot for locals to take their own lives because of how dangerous it is. Over 200 young Japanese people died after jumping into the 318-foot falls’ rocky, icy waters during the early 20th century.
Iguazú Falls in Brazil and Argentina
The Iguazú Falls make up the most extensive waterfall system in the world, spanning between Argentina and Brazil. Tourists flock to this stunning natural attraction each year but are warned to be careful. Not only do some of the local wildlife, like coatis, hassle visitors for food, but the falls themselves are a force to be reckoned with. Boats often visit the falls but can be sucked into the water and sunk in just a few minutes.
Kaieteur Falls in Guyana
The Kaieteur Waterfall is Guyana’s tallest single-drop waterfall, located in the wilds of the Amazon Rainforest. According to legend, a brave chief named Kai sacrificed himself to save his people by leaping to his death over the falls. That’s where Kaieteur Falls gets its name. The waterfall’s massive 741-foot drop makes it a dangerous place to swim or boat.
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