Waterfalls have always piqued our curiosities from the very beginning. Whether we are infatuated by their tumbling streams or the thundering sounds they make, they are sparkling natural wonders that compel us to stop and marvel at their majesty.

It's a primal instinct to stop and stare, and these seven, from towering potholes to blood baths, offer an eyeful of natural beauty.

California: Alamere Falls

There’s something spectacular about watching the cascading flow of a waterfall plunge into the streams below, but the Alamere Falls majestically becomes a perfect vision as it spills over into the ocean.  In order to see this beautiful vision, you will need to navigate your way through the California Coast Trail from Palomarin trailhead.  Although the path to the waterfall is an extensive adventure, the sight that waits at the bottom of Alamere Falls is simply breathtaking.  With the ebb of the sea magnificently meeting the towering waters, you’ll be in for a one-of-kind aquatic experience.

Romania: Bigar Cascade Falls

Bigar Cascade Falls is one of the world’s most distinctive falls due to the way its waters trickle into the river below.  Instead of one huge stream tumbling into a massive body of water, its water is dispersed as though it is flowing from a showerhead.  The cliff dangling above the Minis River is covered in green moss that causes the water to be separated thinly creating a shower-styled cascade.  Nestled in the Anina Mountains where an underground spring meanders through rocky craigs before reaching the moss-covered cliff, the Bigar Cascade Falls is a waterfall that remains a world-class attraction.

Philippines: Waterfall Restaurant

You haven’t experienced a waterfall until you have witnessed this fake one.  An articifical waterfall which may be hard to conceive as you gaze at its tumbling waters or be cordially asked to take a seat along its streams. The Labasin Falls acts as a dramatic backdrop as well as a feet-soaking thrill.  Even though it is actually a dam that empties below the restaurant’s tables, it creates a delightful illusion, and most importantly a unique experience for gourmands who are eager to feel the spray of the falls while noshing on local cuisine.

South Africa: Augrabies Falls

The roaring thunder that ricochets throughout the Augrabies National Park is indescribable and met with wonderful visions of gallons of water plummeting into the Orange River. However, the waterfall appears more like a giant bowl of steaming hot water by the way a cloudy mist hovers over its opening.  With a 56-meter drop, the Augrabies Falls is adorned in a rocky décor illuminated by South Africa’s golden sun rays and creates an unforgettable experience for admirers capturing an eyeful of the picturesque beauty of this exquisite landmark.

New York: Eternal Flame Falls

Unlike many other waterfalls, Eternal Flame Falls is met with an awful smell because of a leaking natural gas. But do not let this unpleasant odor discourage you from exploring the glory that encompasses its surroundings.  Many hikers approaching the waterfall are often greeted with a burning flame that is caused by the gas leak located beneath Eternal Flame Falls.  Although the flame does not stay lit, visitors take pleasure in lighting the fire once they have noticed it has been extinguished.

Word to the wise: The best time to visit the waterfall is in spring because its streams are strongly impacted by rainfall and water that has melted from snow.

Antarctica: Blood Falls

Blood Falls is the only waterfall of its kind, due to its morbid crimson hue.  It's not actual blood of course, but red water that is believed to be caused by the iron found in an underground lake.  Whether you witness this strange phenomenon up close or by pressing play, this site regularly makes its gazers shake their heads in disbelief. The red stream strikingly stands out along the powdery cliffs of Taylor Glacier, making it one of the world’s most unusual places to see a blood bath.

Lebanon: Baatara Gorge Waterfall

With a drop of over 800 feet into a cave comprised out of Jurassic limestone, the Baatara Gorge Waterfall is a remarkable natural wonder that empties into a sinkhole also known as the “Three Bridge Chasm.”  Visitors are welcome to observe how this unique waterfall spills into the streams below like a running pipe.  What is even more amazing is the Baatara Gorge Waterfall remained unnoticed until 1952.  Adorned in a rocky décor and appearing like a huge pothole carved in the ground, what lies beneath the surface is a waterfall that begs to be discovered.