I've visited over 50 waterfalls now and I must say you don't often get a crap one (except for a few years ago on the Great Ocean Road in Australia when a waterfall advertised was literally just a drip! I've narrowed this list down to a top three as these three are head, shoulders and currents above the rest. I'm basing it only one waterfalls I've been to by the way (yet to do Angel Falls in Venezuela or Victoria Falls in Zambia/Zimbabwe). 
1. ICELAND: Gullfoss:
Oh to the undeniable magic of Gullfoss. This incredible and often unknown waterfall is in Iceland. So as well as strong gushing water you get the bonus of strong winds, rain,snow and cold conditions just to add to the awesome experience of it all. Gullfoss crops up out of nowhere - suddenly you're up next to it in disbelief at how fast and endless the water flow is. You can get to Gullfoss by getting on one of many Golden Circle tours, or hire a car if you want. Wear warm clothes and take plenty of photos! You'll love it. You can also buy food, drink and souvenirs nearby.
2. Niagara Falls/Horsehoe Falls - CANADA and USA border:
It was over 10 years ago since I was at the Niagara Falls. I did the Maid of the Mist tour and thoroughly enjoyed it. An amazing spray from these falls and the border town of Niagara is in an awesome location overlooking the spectacular waterfalls. It's FREE to gaze down onto the waterfall itself, but to do the Maid of the Mist Tour is still under $20 Canadian Dollars and even cheaper if you're a child, a student or a pensioner. I'd recommend it - you get up close to the falls and you get wet.
3. Iguazu Falls (BRAZIL and ARGENTINA border):
SO the ongoing debate continues - which country is the best to view the Iguazu Falls from? And the answer is BOTH Argentina and Brazil. Plus the only way to experience it properly is actually to visit it from both sides, which I did in 2010 when I visited. Both National Parks are fairly close to each other and there are frequent border buses so you are best to view it from Both Argentina and Brazil. The Brazil one costs slightly more to get, which I noted, here's a rundown of them both:
Iguazu Falls, Argentina:
Reaching the Argentina side of the falls isn't that difficult. You can get a bus that goes along Ruta 12 - it leaves from the centre of Puerto Iguazu and heads along the main road into the national park. This also goes past the Hostel Inn Iguazu Falls (the hostel I stayed in). Once you arrive at the national park, get a day pass (it was 85 Pesos in 2010 on my visit) and you have 3 real options (try and do all three): 1. Upper Falls route - a higher hike of the falls - start the hike at Estacion Cataratas 2. Lower Falls route - this goes closer to the falls itself and leads you down to the bottom parts - start the hike at Estacion Cataratas as well. 3. Garganta del Diablo/Devil's Throat - the most recommended part of the falls - this place is immense - after walk a few kilometres over a bridge you arrive at the waterfalls on a wooden ledge. You can also do boat trips, watch animals and eat in the restaurants inside the park.
Viewed from Brazil:
The Brazil Side of the falls featured wooden platforms right up close and personal to the waterfalls and a decent view over the border into Argentina. On the Brazil side the method of transport was by bus when I was there in 2010. There are a few walks along the side of the waterfall. Iguazu is just incredible!
It's important to note that is both waterfall viewings whether from Brazil or Argentina will be busy as these are just brilliant falls of water.
So there you have it - a brief account of my top three. Happy travelling to waterfalls!
1. ICELAND: Gullfoss:
Oh to the undeniable magic of Gullfoss. This incredible and often unknown waterfall is in Iceland. So as well as strong gushing water you get the bonus of strong winds, rain,snow and cold conditions just to add to the awesome experience of it all. Gullfoss crops up out of nowhere - suddenly you're up next to it in disbelief at how fast and endless the water flow is. You can get to Gullfoss by getting on one of many Golden Circle tours, or hire a car if you want. Wear warm clothes and take plenty of photos! You'll love it. You can also buy food, drink and souvenirs nearby.
2. Niagara Falls/Horsehoe Falls - CANADA and USA border:
It was over 10 years ago since I was at the Niagara Falls. I did the Maid of the Mist tour and thoroughly enjoyed it. An amazing spray from these falls and the border town of Niagara is in an awesome location overlooking the spectacular waterfalls. It's FREE to gaze down onto the waterfall itself, but to do the Maid of the Mist Tour is still under $20 Canadian Dollars and even cheaper if you're a child, a student or a pensioner. I'd recommend it - you get up close to the falls and you get wet.
3. Iguazu Falls (BRAZIL and ARGENTINA border):
SO the ongoing debate continues - which country is the best to view the Iguazu Falls from? And the answer is BOTH Argentina and Brazil. Plus the only way to experience it properly is actually to visit it from both sides, which I did in 2010 when I visited. Both National Parks are fairly close to each other and there are frequent border buses so you are best to view it from Both Argentina and Brazil. The Brazil one costs slightly more to get, which I noted, here's a rundown of them both:
Iguazu Falls, Argentina:
Reaching the Argentina side of the falls isn't that difficult. You can get a bus that goes along Ruta 12 - it leaves from the centre of Puerto Iguazu and heads along the main road into the national park. This also goes past the Hostel Inn Iguazu Falls (the hostel I stayed in). Once you arrive at the national park, get a day pass (it was 85 Pesos in 2010 on my visit) and you have 3 real options (try and do all three): 1. Upper Falls route - a higher hike of the falls - start the hike at Estacion Cataratas 2. Lower Falls route - this goes closer to the falls itself and leads you down to the bottom parts - start the hike at Estacion Cataratas as well. 3. Garganta del Diablo/Devil's Throat - the most recommended part of the falls - this place is immense - after walk a few kilometres over a bridge you arrive at the waterfalls on a wooden ledge. You can also do boat trips, watch animals and eat in the restaurants inside the park.
Viewed from Brazil:
The Brazil Side of the falls featured wooden platforms right up close and personal to the waterfalls and a decent view over the border into Argentina. On the Brazil side the method of transport was by bus when I was there in 2010. There are a few walks along the side of the waterfall. Iguazu is just incredible!
It's important to note that is both waterfall viewings whether from Brazil or Argentina will be busy as these are just brilliant falls of water.
So there you have it - a brief account of my top three. Happy travelling to waterfalls!
About the Author:
You can find more articles like three top waterfalls by visiting Jonny Blair's worldwide travel, work and lifestyle site Dont Stop Living which is updated daily.
