The tallest waterfall is Kerepakupai Merú, aka Salto Ángel or Angel Falls, located on a branch of the Carrao River, an upper tributary of the Caroní River, in eastern Venezuela, with a total drop of 979 m (3,212 ft); its longest single drop, which is also a record, is 807 m (2,648 ft).

The tallest waterfall in the world in 2026 remains Angel Falls (Salto Ángel) in Venezuela, which stands at a staggering 979 meters (3,212 feet). The waterfall features a primary uninterrupted plunge of 807 meters (2,648 feet), followed by sloped cascades and another smaller drop. It is located in the Canaima National Park and is fed by the Churún River, which falls off the edge of the Auyán-tepui "tabletop" mountain. It is worth noting that there is a long-standing academic debate in 2026 regarding Tugela Falls in South Africa. Some researchers argue that Tugela is actually taller (measuring it at 983 meters) if you include its five distinct seasonal tiers. However, the World Waterfall Database and the majority of international geographic societies still officially recognize Angel Falls as the record-holder due to the sheer scale of its primary vertical drop. To visit, most travelers in 2026 still rely on small aircraft flights into the remote Canaima camp, as no roads lead to the base of the falls.