The Most Stunning Waterfalls to Visit in Sri Lanka

Laxapana is a hugely important waterfall. It’s an energy source for the water plant of the same name. Quite easy to get to by car with only a short hike needed afterwards, it’s a misty wonder over a deep base pool. As it’s in the highlands, the weather here is a bit cooler than the coast.

Baker’s Falls could be the widest waterfall in Sri Lanka, consisting of many little streams rushing down a rock face. Only a bit of a hike away from Horton Plains, this is an easy waterfall to visit. The nearby greenery is stunning, full of ferns and rhododendrons, but know that when it’s rained the entire area becomes very slippery.

Bambarakanda is the tallest waterfall in Sri Lanka, towering at 263m (863ft) over the base pool. There’s no access to the pool but the downpour can be seen from a little road that climbs up the hill. Bambarakanda looks most impressive after the rains but is even harder to get to due to the mud.

Bopath Ella is a local standout with a very unique shape. It resembles (and is named after) a Bo leaf, with a thin, short stream that opens up to a wider fall towards the bottom. Bopath Ella is quite easy to visit, too; it’s in the vicinity of a village close to the mining town of Rathnapura. It’s possible to swim in the base pool.

Ravana Falls is among the biggest tourist attractions in Ella, a country town in the central highlands. There’s lots of hiking in the area, including Adam’s Peak and Horton Plains. Ravana Falls is easy to see and is most beautiful in the rainy season. There’s also a cave close by that can be visited.

In the middle of the Bambarakotuwa Jungle, Kirindi Ella falls is a towering waterfall that splashes into a big base pool. Local legend says that there’s treasure at the bottom, but many droughts and dry seasons have cast doubt on that. Visiting Kirindi Ella is easy from Ratnapura or Pelmadulla. There are paths that take visitors to a viewing platform, the base and also the top of the waterfall.

This waterfall located in Nuwara Eliya is set between tea plantations, making it incredibly photogenic. As a result, St. Claire’s waterfall is a local favorite.