When you can’t get on a plane, it’s fun to at least take in some destination eye-candy. Here, we take a look at some of the world’s most Instagrammed waterfalls!
1. Niagara Falls
Almost 3.4 million hashtags
The world-famous Niagara Falls is located between Ontario, Canada, and the US state of New York. Up to 10 million visitors see the falls in a normal year – hence all the hashtags! The picturesque greenish hue of the water at Niagara comes from dissolved minerals.
Trivia: 63- year- old schoolteacher Annie Edison Taylor was the first person to go over the falls in a barrel, back in 1901.
2. Iguazú Falls
More than 1 million hashtags
In second place for Instapopularity is Iguazú Falls, considered the world’s largest waterfall, and made up of more than 250 cascades. The South American wonder lies between Argentina and Brazil and is twice as tall and three times as wide as Niagara Falls.
Trivia: Part of the appeal of Iguazú for photographers is the heavy mist from the falls, which combines with the ample sunshine to cause rainbows throughout the day.
3. Gullfoss
More than 300,000 hashtags
Taking its name from its golden waters, Gullfoss is one of Iceland’s most iconic falls. Located along the Hvitá River in the country’s southwest, it’s less than two hours by car from capital city Reykjavík.
Trivia: As you approach the site, the crevice that carries the water onwards from the falls is obscured from view, so it looks like the river simply plunges into the earth.
4. Victoria Falls
More than 280,000 hashtags
Who can forget the famous Victoria Falls in Zambia? It’s found on the Zambezi River in southern Africa, and is twice as wide and deep as Niagara Falls.
Trivia: The local language name for the falls means “The Smoke That Thunders”.
5. Skógafoss
More than 250,000 hashtags
Another Icelandic beauty, Skógafoss is a must-see. What’s unique is that you can walk right up to its base – if you do, prepare to get wet! Alternatively, you can climb up to the observation platform and view the falls from above.
Trivia: Daenerys Targaryen and Jon Snow kiss in front of this waterfall in Season 8 of Game of Thrones, after flying to it on a dragon.
6. Multnomah Falls
More than 250,000 hashtags
Multnomah Falls is the tallest waterfall in the US state of Oregon and the most visited natural recreation site in the Pacific Northwest. Standing at 189 metres, it’s part of the Columbia River Gorge and is fed by underground springs from Larch Mountain.
Trivia: In 1995, a 400-ton boulder dislodged and fell 69 metres into the pool below the observation deck; the giant splash caused minor injuries to some onlookers.
7. Yosemite Falls
More than 190,000 hashtags
Located in California’s Sierra Nevada, this famous watercourse is made of three different falls: Upper Yosemite Fall, the Middle Cascades and Lower Yosemite Fall. You can view it almost anywhere in Yosemite Valley.
Trivia: The falls stop flowing entirely in late summer or autumn each year, except in extremely wet years.
8. Seljalandsfoss
More than 160,000 hashtags
With a drop of 60 metres, this Icelandic waterfall is part of a river that comes from the glacier called Eyjafjallajökull. Visitors can take a path that circles all the way around the waterfall, including entering a cave located behind the plunging water.
Trivia: The ice of Eyjafjallajökull sits atop the volcano of the same name; it erupted in 2010 and caused widespread disruptions to global flight paths.
9. Bridalveil Fall
More than 140,000 hashtags
Situated across from El Capitan in Yosemite Valley, this waterfall is a prominent one in the area. It drops 189 metres and is the first of the falls you see as you enter the valley.
Trivia: El Capitan is the daunting vertical rock face climbed by Alex Honnold without any ropes or safety equipment in the documentary film Free Solo (2018).
10. Snoqualmie Falls
More than 130,000 hashtags
Located east of Seattle in the US, Snoqualmie Falls has been providing power to a hydroelectric plant since as far back as 1898. It is a traditional burial site of the Snoqualmie Indian Tribe, and central to their culture, beliefs and spirituality.
Trivia: Snoqualmie featured in the 1990s TV series Twin Peaks.
Despite being the tallest waterfall in the world at a whopping 979 metres, Angel Falls in Venezuela came in at 20th place, with just under 30,000 Instagram hashtags.
Statistics collated by retail website showerstoyou.co.uk, January 2021
This article first appeared in the Spring 2021 issue of Expat Living magazine. You can purchase the latest issue or subscribe, so you never miss a copy!
Travel around Hong Kong to check out the most Instagrammed spots here!
