For many of us, the image of a waterfall evokes the familiar sights of the American West—perhaps the misty plunge of Yosemite Falls or the thunderous, wide-reaching power of Niagara. But if you look beyond our borders toward the remote, ancient highlands of South America, you will find a natural wonder that dwarfs them all.
As of 2026, the undisputed title-holder for the tallest terrestrial waterfall in the world remains Angel Falls (known locally as Kerepakupai Merú). Tucked away in the heart of Venezuela’s Canaima National Park, this staggering column of water drops from a height that is almost difficult to process: 3,212 feet (979 meters). To put that into perspective for the Stateside traveler, that is nearly three times the height of the Empire State Building and more than 19 times the height of Niagara Falls.
The Geography of a Legend: Auyán-Tepui
Angel Falls does not flow from a traditional mountain peak. Instead, it spills over the edge of Auyán-Tepui, one of the massive "table-top mountains" that define the Guiana Highlands. These tepuis are geological islands in the sky—remnants of a vast sandstone plateau that has eroded over billions of years.
Because the waterfall originates from such a high, flat plateau, the water often dissipates into a fine mist before it even reaches the Gauja River below. This creates a surreal, ethereal atmosphere that feels like something out of a dream—or a movie. In fact, if the landscape looks familiar, it’s because it served as the primary inspiration for "Paradise Falls" in the beloved Pixar film Up.
A Tale of Two Names: History and Discovery
While the waterfall has been known to the indigenous Pemón people for centuries as Kerepakupai Merú (meaning "waterfall of the deepest place"), its international name has a more adventurous, Western origin.
In November 1933, an American aviator named Jimmie Angel was flying over the region in search of a legendary ore bed. He "discovered" the falls from his cockpit, returning in 1937 to attempt a landing on top of the tepui. His plane, the El Rio Caroní, famously bogged down in the marshy ground at the summit. Angel and his three companions, including his wife Marie, had to trek for 11 days through the dense jungle to reach civilization. Today, the waterfall bears his name—a nod to the daring pilot who brought this hidden giant to the world's attention.
The Scientific Debate: Is It Truly the Tallest?
In the world of geology and "list-making," things are rarely as simple as they seem. There is a long-standing academic debate regarding whether Angel Falls or Tugela Falls in South Africa is the true record-holder.
The controversy stems from how you measure a waterfall. Angel Falls is recognized for its longest uninterrupted drop of 2,648 feet. However, some researchers argue that Tugela Falls, which drops in five distinct tiers, may actually have a greater total cumulative height if measured using modern GPS technology. Despite these technical disputes, the Guinness World Records and the National Geographic Society continue to recognize Angel Falls as the reigning champion of the vertical drop.
A Hidden Giant: The Underwater Contender
While Angel Falls holds the crown for the tallest waterfall on land, there is a "secret" waterfall that is technically much larger. Located deep beneath the Atlantic Ocean between Greenland and Iceland, the Denmark Strait Cataract is an underwater marvel.
This phenomenon occurs when cold, dense water from the Nordic Seas meets warmer water in the Irminger Sea. The cold water sinks, plunging over an enormous ridge in the ocean floor. The drop? Over 11,500 feet. While you can't visit this one with a raincoat and a camera, it serves as a fascinating reminder that Earth still hides its greatest wonders in the deep.
Journeying to the Edge of the World
Reaching Angel Falls is an adventure that requires more than just a GPS and a rental car. Because Canaima National Park is a roadless wilderness, travelers must fly into the village of Canaima. From there, the journey involves a river trip in a motorized dugout canoe (called a curiara) led by local Pemón guides.
The best time to witness the falls in their full glory is during the wet season (June to December). During these months, the river is high enough to navigate, and the waterfall transforms from a delicate ribbon of mist into a powerful, thundering roar. During the dry season, the flow can dwindle significantly, though the sheer scale of the cliff remains breathtaking.
Why We Are Captivated by the Fall
There is something primal about our fascination with waterfalls. For Americans, the "Great Outdoors" is a part of our cultural DNA, from the heights of the Rockies to the depths of the Grand Canyon. Angel Falls represents the ultimate frontier of that fascination. It is a place where gravity seems to lose its grip, where water turns to air, and where the ancient history of our planet is written in the spray of a three-thousand-foot drop.
Whether you are an armchair traveler or a seasoned explorer, Angel Falls stands as a testament to the raw, unbridled power of nature. It is a reminder that even in our mapped and connected world, there are still places that command our absolute silence and awe.