Sri Lanka, the teardrop-shaped country, is quite well-known for its gorgeous waterfalls. Hundreds of waterfalls in Sri Lanka are inaccessible and that perhaps makes them all the more magical. Those 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 realise 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!
From an exhaustive list of Sri Lanka waterfalls, check out the ones that you must visit on your first trip to the country.
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Ramboda Falls
Location: Ramboda Pass, Pussellawa, Sri Lanka
Type: Tiered
Elevation: 345 m (1,132 ft)
Total height: 109 m (358 ft)
Number of drops: 2
Watercourse: Panna Oya, a tributary of Kotmale Oya
World height ranking: 729
Ramboda Falls is 109 m (358 ft) high and 11th highest waterfall in Sri Lanka and 729th highest waterfall in the world. It is in Pussellawa area, on the A5 highway at Ramboda Pass. It formed by Panna Oya which is a tributary of Kotmale Oya. Altitude of the falls is 945 m (3,100 ft) above sea level.
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Dunhinda Falls
Location: off Badulla, Sri Lanka
Total height: 64 metres (210 ft)
Watercourse: Badulu Oya
Dunhinda Falls is a waterfall about 5 km (3.1 mi) from Badulla in the lower central hills of Sri Lanka. The waterfalls are purported to be one of the country’s most beautiful waterfalls.
The waterfall, which is 64 metres (210 ft) high, gets its name from the smoky dew drops spray, (Dun in Sinhala means mist or smoke) which surrounds the area at the foot of the waterfall. It’s also known as bridal fall, as the shape of the water falling is similar to a bridal veil. The waterfall is created by the Badulu Oya which flows through Badulla.
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Diyaluma Falls
Location: Koslanda, Sri Lanka
Type: Horsetail
Total height: 220 m
Number of drops: 1
Watercourse: Punagala Oya
World height ranking: 361
Diyaluma Falls is 220 m (720 ft) high and the second highest waterfall in Sri Lanka and 361st highest waterfall in the world. It is 6 km (3.7 mi) away from Koslanda in Badulla District on Colombo-Badulla highway. The Falls are formed by Punagala Oya, a tributary of Kuda Oya which in turn, is a tributary of Kirindi Oya.
In Sinhala, Diyaluma or Diya Haluma means “rapid flow of water” or may be translated as “liquid light”. According to Sri Lankan historian, Dr. R. L. Brohier, Diyaluma is the setting of the folklore about a tragedy involving a young chieftain who had been banished to the highlands and the attempt by his betrothed to join. As all the passes were guarded the young man let down a rope of twisted creepers over the escarpment, as she was hauled up she was dashed against the rocks and died. The Gods, moved to pity by the harrowing spectacle, caused a stream of water to gush from the mountain and veil all evidence of the tragedy in a watery light, hence the term Diyaluma.
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Bambarakanda Falls
Location: Kalupahana, Sri Lanka
Type: Horsetail
Elevation: 1,100 m (3,600 ft)
Total height: 263 m (863 ft)
Number of drops: 1
Watercourse: Kuda Oya, a tributary of Walawe River
World height ranking: 299th
Bambarakanda Falls (also known as Bambarakele Falls) is the tallest waterfall in Sri Lanka. With a height of 263 m (863 ft), it ranks as the 299th highest waterfall in the world. Situated in Kalupahana in the Badulla District, this waterfall is five km away from the A4 Highway. The waterfall was formed by Kuda Oya, which is a branch of the Walawe River. The Bambarakanda Falls can be found in a forest of pine trees.
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Aberdeen Falls
Location: Ginigathena, Sri Lanka
Type: Horsetail
Total height: 98 m (322 ft)
Number of drops: 1
Total width: 8 m (26 ft)
Watercourse: Kehelgamu Oya
Aberdeen Falls is a 98 m (322 ft) high waterfall on the Kehelgamu Oya near Ginigathena, in the Nuwara Eliya District of Sri Lanka. Aberdeen is named after Aberdeen, the third largest city in Scotland and the capital of Aberdeenshire. Kehelgamu Oya is a major tributary of the Kelani River.
To reach Aberdeen Falls from Ginigathena town, one then must proceed along Ambatale Road up to the Buddha statue at the end of the road. Then one should park their vehicle and walk about 1.2 km along the road. Bathing in the middle of the pool and swimming to the middle has caused death to swimmers in the past. This waterfall is covered with a big stone complex behind. The waterfall is ranked as the 18th highest on the Island.
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Baker’s Falls
Location: Horton Plains National Park, Sri Lanka
Type: Cascade
Total height: 20 metres (66 ft)
Number of drops: 2
Watercourse: Belihul Oya
Baker’s Falls is a famous waterfall in Sri Lanka. It is located in the Horton Plains National Park, on a tributary of the Belihul Oya.
The height of the Baker’s waterfalls is 20 metres (66 ft). The falls were named after British explorer and big game hunter, Sir Samuel Baker. Many Rhododendron and Fern bushes can be seen around the waterfall.
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