Best Coastal and Sea-Cliff Waterfalls
Coastal waterfalls combine two of the world's great water features — ocean and falling fresh water — and produce dramatic photography. The Faroe Islands, north Scotland, and the Big Sur coast hold the densest concentrations. All ten on the map.
1. McWay Falls, Big Sur
26-metre fall onto the beach at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, California — the iconic Big Sur photograph. Viewpoint from a short cliff trail.
2. Mealt Falls, Skye
55-metre fall directly off a basalt sea cliff at Kilt Rock, Trotternish. Wind frequently blows the water back upward.
3. Múlafossur, Faroe Islands
30-metre fall off the cliff at Gásadalur, Vágar — the most photographed waterfall in the Faroes, with the village above and ocean below.
4. Bunes Beach Falls, Lofoten
Stream falls onto Bunes Beach on Moskenesøya, Lofoten. Walk in from Vinstad with a small fee for the path crossing private land.
5. Wailua Falls, Kauai
Twin 26-metre falls into a sea-facing valley on Kauai, used in the opening of Fantasy Island TV show. Roadside.
6. Cascada Ézaro, Galicia
The Xallas river falls directly into the Atlantic — Europe's only river to do so. Released on summer weekend evenings.
7. Olo'upena Falls, Hawaii
900-metre plunge straight from the Molokai sea cliffs into the ocean — accessible only by helicopter or boat. Among the world's tallest.
8. Hinatuan Enchanted River Falls, Philippines
Coastal cascade where a karst spring river flows out to the sea at Surigao del Sur. Bathable; popular tourist swim spot.
9. Hjørundfjord cliff falls, Norway
Multiple unnamed seasonal falls drop directly into the Hjørundfjord, viewed from the daily ferry between Sæbø and Leknes.
10. Sambawan Island Falls, Philippines
Coastal cascade falling directly onto a beach in the Biliran group. Combine with snorkelling on the reef opposite.
Keep exploring
All of these are pinned on our interactive map.