Waterfalls of Sri Lanka — Complete Travel Guide
Sri Lanka is packed with waterfalls, especially in the central highlands around Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ella, Hatton, and Badulla. Some are easy roadside stops; others require jungle hikes and local guides.
1. Diyaluma Falls
My number one waterfall experience in Sri Lanka.
I had a great time at Diyaluma. Diyaluma is famous for a lot of things. It is not just famous because of its drop. Diyaluma is also famous because the upper part of Diyaluma has a lot of pools and cascades. You can see the countryside from these natural pools and cascades at Diyaluma.
So why should you visit Diyaluma waterfall?
💧 You get to see beautiful views from the top at Diyaluma
💧 Diyaluma has a lot of pools
💧 Diyaluma is a place to take pictures
💧 You can go hiking at Diyaluma
Diyaluma waterfall is one of the memorable waterfall experiences in Sri Lanka, at Diyaluma.
📍 Near: Koslanda
🚗 From Ella: roughly 1–1.5 hours by road, depending on route and conditions.
⚠️ Safety
The pools can be dangerous, particularly near edges and during/after heavy rain. Never swim or stand near the waterfall edge simply because you see other visitors doing it.
2. Bambarakanda Falls
At around 263 metres, Bambarakanda is Sri Lanka’s highest waterfall.
The waterfall sits in a mountainous, forested environment, making the journey part of the experience.
Best for
💧Nature lovers
💧Photography
💧Hiking
💧Travelers exploring the Haputale/Beragala area
📍 Area: Kalupahana, Badulla District
Tip: Combine Bambarakanda with other attractions around Haputale rather than making a dedicated long journey just for the waterfall.
3. Ravana Falls
Probably the most convenient famous waterfall for visitors staying in Ella.
It’s located directly alongside the road, making it an easy stop on an Ella sightseeing day.
Why go?
✅Very easy to reach
✅Dramatic rock formations
✅Especially impressive after rainfall
✅Convenient to combine with Ella Rock, Little Adam’s Peak and Nine Arch Bridge
⚠️ Swimming
Although you may see people entering the water, conditions can change quickly. Strong currents and slippery rocks make swimming near the main cascade risky.
4. Dunhinda Falls
Located close to Badulla Dunhinda is one of the beautiful forest waterfalls in Sri Lanka.
The name comes from the misty look of the water as it falls.
Reaching the viewing area requires walking through greenery, which makes it more enjoyable than stopping at a waterfall by the road.
Best, for
🌳 Forest scenery
📸 Photography
🥾 hiking
🌧️ Visiting after some rain
5. St. Clair’s Falls
Often called the “Little Niagara of Sri Lanka,” St. Clair’s is particularly attractive because the waterfall cascades through the surrounding tea-country landscape.
📍 Near: Talawakele
It’s a particularly good stop if you’re traveling between Nuwara Eliya and Hatton
6. Devon Falls
Sri Lankas central highlands have another beautiful waterfall.
The best thing about this waterfall in Sri Lankas highlands is that you can see it from many amazing angles without having to walk for a long time.
You can also combine a visit to Sri Lankas highlands with
✅ Nuwara Eliya
✅ Devon Falls
✅ St. Clairs Falls
✅ Hatton
This is an idea, for a fun day drive and you get to see a lot of nice scenery.
🗺️ The place to see waterfalls in Sri Lanka
If you really want to see a lot of waterfalls you should go to the central highlands.
The central highlands are the place to see waterfalls in Sri Lanka.
You can visit a lot of waterfalls in Sri Lanka by going to these places:
Kandy → Nuwara Eliya → Hatton → Haputale → Ella → Badulla → Koslanda.
This area has a lot of waterfalls in Sri Lanka.
You can see a number of waterfalls, in Sri Lanka in this area.
WaterFalls road trip💦👀
5–6 day waterfall-focused route
Day 1 — Kandy
Explore Kandy.
⬇️
Day 2 — Kandy → Nuwara Eliya
Visit waterfalls around the tea country.
⬇️
Day 3 — Nuwara Eliya → Hatton
See Devon Falls + St. Clair’s Falls.
⬇️
Day 4 — Hatton → Haputale/Beragala
Explore mountain scenery and Bambarakanda Falls.
⬇️
Day 5 — Haputale → Ella
Explore Ella and Ravana Falls.
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Day 6 — Ella → Koslanda → Diyaluma
Spend the day around Diyaluma Falls, then continue toward the south coast.
When are Sri Lanka’s waterfalls best?
When are Sri Lankas waterfalls at their best.This really depends on when it rains.After it rains the waterfalls have the water.Sri Lankas waterfalls are generally the most impressive after it has rained a lot.Yhere is something to think about.More rain means Sri Lankas waterfalls are bigger. It also means the trails and swimming conditions can be more dangerous.You should not go to a Sri Lanka waterfall when it is raining hard just to see a bigger waterfall.
For the highlands of Sri Lanka
Sri Lankas waterfalls can be really cool at many times of the year.This is because the mountains, in the highlands of Sri Lanka get rain from different kinds of weather.You should always check the weather in the area especially before you go hiking to the pools of a Sri Lanka waterfall.
Best waterfalls for photography
🥇 Diyaluma
Best overall combination of waterfall + landscape.
🥈 Bambarakanda
Best for scale.
🥉 Ravana
Best for easy access.
🌿 Dunhinda
Best forest atmosphere.
🏔️ St. Clair’s
Best tea-country setting.
🌧️ Baker’s Falls
Best atmospheric mountain setting.
My top 5
If you only have time to see five waterfalls here are the ones you should see:
1. Diyaluma Falls is really something it is the most complete experience
2. Bambarakanda Falls is amazing because of its height
3. Dunhinda Falls is lovely because it is, in a forest setting
4. Ravana Falls is a choice because it is easy to combine with Ella
5. St. Clairs Falls has tea country scenery
If you only have one day to spend you should go to Ella and see Diyaluma Falls and Ravana Falls.
If you have two days you can see waterfalls. Choose Diyaluma Falls, Ravana Falls, then Bambarakanda Falls.
And
If you are traveling from Colombo here is what you can do:
you can go from Colombo to Ratnapura or Kuruwita see Bopath Ella and then go to the central highlands.