As you drive along the roads of the Hill Country in Sri Lanka, through the trees, you begin to spy long plumes of white frothy water off in the distance, cascading down from great heights, only to plunge into wide rivers or deep pools.
Waterfalls have an untamed beauty that draws the attention of both the young and the old. A trek through the surrounding greenery can take you closer to the stunning site, where a cool mist will envelop you.
The thundering roar of a waterfall provides a stimulating soundtrack if you want to dive into the refreshing water of the river fed by the water carried in the fall. In the monsoon season, the waterfalls of Sri Lanka are a sight to behold, due to the additional water volume. While the dry season can reduce the volume of water, the torrent of ceaseless water can awe visitors with their sheer beauty.
Sri Lanka has numerous waterfalls of all size and shape; from tall waterfalls that fall in one unrelenting line to small-scale waterfalls that contain several levels. Discover the power of a waterfall and be amazed by the experience.
Bambarakanda Falls
Plunging from a height of 863 ft, the Bambarakanda Falls has the honour of being the tallest waterfall in Sri Lanka. The falls can be seen through the pine trees between Belihul Oya and Haputale. From a distance, it appears as one uninterrupted white ribbon that stretches from the skies to the ground.
Diyaluma Falls
The second highest waterfall in the country Diyaluma is found in the Badulla district. It falls in a straight line across a rocky surface.
Devon Falls
One of the most beautiful waterfalls in Sri Lanka, you can get a clear view of Devon Falls from the Hatton-Nuwara Eliya Road. A viewpoint in Dimbulla offers magnificent views of the 318 ft tall waterfall. Against the stark black of the rock that it plunges down from, Devon appears even more majestic.
Dunhinda Falls
The Dunhinda Falls has a surreal beauty as it plunges between a narrow gap on the rock bed down to a deep pool surrounded by numerous granite boulders. The waterfall has an interesting legend attached to it that explains its creation. A smaller falls, called Kuda Dunhinda greets the visitors before they reach Dunhinda, and hints at the beauty they are about to witness.
St Clair’s Falls
Nestled amid the scenic forestry and idyllic tea estates in Talawakelle, St Clair’s Falls is one of the widest waterfalls in the island. Its moniker “Little Niagara of Sri Lanka” brings the attention to its width. The falls has two main levels and can be seen as you travel down the Hatton-Talawakelle Road.
