Sri Lanka, the teardrop-shaped country, is quite well-known for its gorgeous waterfalls. Many of these hundreds of waterfalls in Sri Lanka are inaccessible and that perhaps makes them all the more magical. The ones accessible are no less stunning either – strong gushes of water falling with full force from an altitude that gives you goose bumps. To top it, they are surrounded by lush green forests and rocky terrains. If that sounds like a landscape you often imagine yourself in, it’s time to realize your dreams.
So whether you have a love for scenic beauty or looking for a daring excursion, don’t forget to plan a visit to these gorgeous waterfalls in Sri Lanka that will surely make you fall in love with their majestic beauty!
14 Best Waterfalls In Sri Lanka
From an exhaustive list of Sri Lanka waterfalls, check out the ones that you must visit on your first trip to the country. The following are the most visited waterfalls in Sri Lanka that lure travelers from across the world with their exclusive experiences!
- Bakers Falls: Lush Green Ferns
- Rawana Ella: Widest Falls In Sri Lanka
- Bopath Ella: Breath-Taking Cascade
- Dunhinda Falls: Smokey Surrounding Spray
- St Clairs Falls: Awe-Inspiring Ambiance
- Devon Falls: Perfect Escape Near Colombo
- Ramboda Falls: 11th Highest Waterfall
- Kirindi Ella: Impeccable Beauty
- Diyaluma Falls: Majestic View
- Bambarakanda Falls: Horsetail Fall
- Laxapana Falls: Serene Environ
- Elgin Falls: Delightful Sights
- Aberdeen Falls: For Nature Lovers
- Alakola Falls: Refreshing Break!
1. Bakers Falls: Lush Green Ferns
Splashed by the brightness of pink-purple Rhododendron and lush green ferns, Bakers is a popular waterfall in Sri Lanka. Named after the famous British explorer, Sir Samuel Baker, it is among the widest Sri Lankan waterfalls that forms many streams as it comes down.
Height: 20 meters
How to Reach: Bakers is an easy short trek from Horton Plains National Park.
Tip: Avoid it during the rainy season, both the path and the waterfall are quite risky at that time.
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2. Rawana Ella: Widest Falls In Sri Lanka
Expect some crowd as Rawana is a popular fall in the country. One of the widest falls in Sri Lanka, it looks absolutely spectacular in the rains. The water level however decreases substantially during the off-season. It is named after Ravana who also appears in the Indian epic Ramayana. Undeniably, it is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Sri Lanka.
Height: 25 meters
How to Reach: Just a 20-minute drive from Ella in Badulla.
Tip: Dont miss the Ravana Ella cave, which is a little more than 11 km from Bandarawela.
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3. Bopath Ella: Breath-Taking Cascade
Among many picturesque Sri Lankan waterfalls, Bopath is a unique one. It derives its name for its resemblance to the sacred Bo Leaf. The most striking feature is its shape, taken as it flows through two narrow rocks and then widens into a breath-taking cascade.
Height: 30 meters
How to Reach: Located in the village Agalawatte, it is easily accessible by car.
Tip: A designated catchment area is safe for tourists and locals to have a bath.
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4. Dunhinda Falls: Smokey Surrounding Spray
There is no way you can miss Dunhinda while talking about most beautiful waterfalls in Sri Lanka. Formed by a diversion of Badulu Oya River, it is best known for a smokey surrounding spray.
Height: 64 meters
How to Reach: 5 km from the city of Badula can be covered in a tuk-tuk, but you need to walk the last 1 km.
Tip: Enroute you will see Kuda Dunhinda, another captivating fall, but the path is muddy.
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5. St Clairs Falls: Awe-Inspiring Ambiance
Called the Little Niagara of Sri Lanka, St Clairs is formed by Maha and Kuda falls. It gets its name from a neighboring tea estate. It is undoubtedly an awe-inspiring waterfall in Sri Lanka and also one of the most beautiful places in Sri Lanka
Height: 80 meters
How to Reach: It is 3 km away Talawakele, a town in town in Nuwara Eliya. There is a 500 meters walk through the tea gardens, just before the fall.
Tip: The surrounding tea gardens are perfect to relax for a while. Enjoy the beauty of the place before heading back.
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6. Devon Falls: Perfect Escape Near Colombo
19th among the highest waterfalls of Sri Lanka, Devon stands out for its lovely tiered formation. Named after an English (yes, again!) coffee planter, Devon is also popular as the Veil of the Valley. This is one of the most breathtaking waterfalls near Colombo.
Height: 97 meters
How to Reach: 6 km away from Talawakelle town, which falls on the A7 highway (Colombo-Nuwara Eliya).
Tip: If you are game for an adventure, you can reach the base of Devon by taking a descent through the tea estate. Contact the locals to know the best path.
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7. Ramboda Falls: 11th Highest Waterfall
On an altitude of 945 meters above sea level, this scenic waterfall makes for a memorable experience. It is the 11th highest waterfall in the tea country. This is amongst the highest waterfalls in Sri Lanka.
Height: 109 meters
How to Reach: Located in Pussellawa, on the A5 highway, it is just 15 minutes away from Katukithula
Tip: Stay at Ramboda Falls Hotel to let your soul soak in the beauty of the region.
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8. Kirindi Ella: Impeccable Beauty
Amongst all the Sri Lanka waterfalls, Kirindi Oya Falls are a sight to behold. Just 5 km away from A4 highway, its one of the less famous waterfalls in Sri Lanka. The cascading stream forms a pool at the base, but the descent can be tiring.
Height: 116 meters
How to Reach: 7 km from Kuttapitiya road, which is reached by taking a left 600 meters before the Kuttapitiya junction.
Tip: Be careful of the water level, especially when closer to the base.
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9. Diyaluma Falls: Majestic View
2nd highest among waterfalls of Sri Lanka and 6th highest in the world, Diyaluma Ella is an absolutely majestic view. It acquires a horsetail shape after falling and leaping over a cliff.
Height: 220 meters
How to Reach: It is 6 km away from Koslanda, Badulla District.
Tip The last few kilometers of the road are in a bad condition.
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10. Bambarakanda Falls: Horsetail Fall
Surrounded by a dense pine forest, the highest waterfall in Sri Lanka is one of the most famous places to visit in Sri Lanka. This horsetail fall is formed by one of Walawe rivers tributaries.
Height: 263 meters
How to Reach: Off the A4 highway (Colombo – Batticaloa), it is a 5 km walk in a narrow valley from Kalupahana.
Tip: You can cover the last 5 km by road, but the road is bad, and can be worse during the rains.
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11. Laxapana Falls: Serene Environ
Laxapana Falls is the 8th highest waterfall in Sri lanka. According to the popular folklore, this is the place where Buddha mended his saffron robe, while visiting Sri Pada. This rocky waterfall get its name from the Sinhala words Laxa meaning hundred thousand and pahana meaning rock.
Height: 126 meters
How to Reach: It is located in Maskeliya area in Nuwara Eliya district
Tip: Rocky waterfalls are also usually slippery. Be cautious as you walk around the waterfall and do not step on loose rocks.
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12. Elgin Falls: Delightful Sights
The beautiful Elgin Falls was named after the Elgin major town of Moray in Scotland. The waterfall is picturesquely visible when travelling in a train for Nanu Oya to Ambewela.
Height: 25 meters
How to Reach: Elgin Falls is located at Ambewela
Tip: Walk on the regular path or track and do instead of trying new paths around the waterfall as it increases the risk of accidents.
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13. Aberdeen Falls: For Nature Lovers
Aberdeen Waterfall is amongst the most popular waterfalls in Sri Lanka and is located on the Kehelgamu Kya near Ginigathena in Nuwara Eliya. A visit to this stunning fall will surely give a refreshing touch to your Sri Lankan vacation!
Height: 98 metres
How to Reach: The best way to reach here is via road. You can take Ambatale road to the Buddha statue to reach here.
Tip: Avoid bathing in the middle of the pool as it has been risky in the past
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14. Alakola Falls: Refreshing Break!
Another popular waterfall in Sri Lanka is Alakola Ella. It is also known as Thaliya Wetuna Ella and is located in the mesmerizing estate of Alakola being surrounded by the Knuckles mountain range in Matale of Central Province. This beautiful waterfall has been named after a famous tea planter, Allen Collen who used to be active during the colonial era. It is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Sri Lanka.
Height: 50 meters
How to Reach: The best way to reach here is via road
Tip: It is better to go during early hours here
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Why would you want to miss a chance of refreshing your soul and mind in these wonderful waterfalls in Sri Lanka? Come and get drenched in the mighty surprises of nature. Plan a trip to Sri Lanka to Sri Lanka, the paradise of waterfalls.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Waterfalls In Sri Lanka
Which is the most beautiful waterfall in Sri Lanka?
There are over 100 waterfalls in Sri Lanka.
How many waterfalls are there in Sri Lanka?
Ravana Falls, Diyaluma Falls, Dunhinda Falls, Devon Falls, and St. Clair’s Falls are counted among the most beautiful waterfalls in Sri Lanka.
What is the second highest waterfall in Sri Lanka?
Second highest waterfall in Sri Lanka – Diyaluma Falls
What is the highest waterfall in Sri Lanka?
Bambarakanda – Sri Lanka is blessed with over one hundred waterfalls. The tallest is the Bambarakanda Falls which cascades down 263 metres like liquid light.
How many rivers are there in Sri Lanka?
There are 103 rivers and streams with most flowing from the upcountry mountains of sri lanka. The longest is the Mahaweli.
What is the largest dam in Sri Lanka?
Victoria Dam – is the tallest dam in Sri Lanka, and supports a 210 MW power station, the largest hydroelectric power station in the country.
Is it safe to visit waterfalls in Sri Lanka?
Yes, it is completely safe to visit waterfalls in Sri Lanka but avoid planning your visit during rains.
Which is the best waterfall in Sri Lanka?
Sri Lanka is home to numerous gorgeous waterfalls, the most popular being the following: 1. Bakers Falls 2. Rawana Ella 3. Bopath Ella 4. Dunhinda Falls 5. St Clairs Falls 6. Devon Falls 7. Ramboda Falls
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