The beauty of a rainbow is unmatched, and its ephemeral nature makes these masterpieces even more beautiful. Being an elusive optical phenomenon, rainbows occur when sunlight passes through moisture in the air.
While rainbows can appear anywhere with the right conditions, certain places on Earth are known for hosting frequent and spectacular rainbow displays due to their unique weather patterns, topography, and atmospheric moisture.
Here’s a curated list of the top 11 breathtaking rainbow spots worldwide, each offering a unique opportunity to witness the natural wonder.
1. Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe/Zambia
- Rainbows: Year-round, especially after afternoon showers
- Moonbows: During full moons, typically between March and July
Victoria Falls, also known as “The Smoke That Thunders,” is one of Earth’s largest and most powerful waterfalls. It is located between Zimbabwe and Zambia and is renowned for making consistent mist, which makes it favorable for creating rainbows. However, one of the most spectacular elements of Victoria Falls is that it creates “moonbows”, rainbows that are created by moonlight rather than sunlight. It happens during full moons, especially in the dry season when the skies are clear. If you are lucky, you might witness multiple rainbows spanning the gorge.
2. Hanapepe Valley, Kauai, Hawaii
Rainbows: Almost daily, especially in the morning and late afternoon, mainly between November and March
Hanapepe Valley, more specifically Kauai, is often referred to as the “Rainbow State” and for good reason. Located between lush green mountains, the valley receives abundant rain and sunshine throughout the year. The trade winds in the atmosphere push moist air into the valley, where it rises and condenses, leading to frequent short rain showers and bursts of sunshine. These, in turn, make it a favorable condition for daily rainbows, sometimes even appearing in double and triple arcs.
3. Iguaçu Falls, Brazil/Argentina
Rainbows: Morning hours for rainbows, moonbow potential during full moon.
Located on the border of Brazil and Argentina, Iguaçu Falls is a massive system of over 270 individual waterfalls. The extensive number of waterfalls creates a spray and mist from these falls, combined with the frequent bright sunlight, making this a rainbow hotspot. On the particularly sunny days, the rainbows appear over the gorge and you can witness them in their full glory from the viewpoints around. In rare occurrences, the angle of the sunlight also aligns perfectly with the spray, creating a vivid and full-spectrum rainbow.
Want to explore more places with ideal weather? Don’t miss our list of the best climate cities in the world for year-round comfort and natural beauty.
4. Skógafoss Waterfall, Iceland
Rainbows: Frequently during summer (June–August).
Tagged as one of the most iconic waterfalls in Iceland, Skógafoss Waterfall plummets from a height of 60 feet, creating a thick mist that lingers around. Since Iceland has long summer daylight hours, paired with sporadic rainfall, the chances and recurrences of rainbows are pretty frequent. The mist combines with the sunlight to create some of the most stunning rainbows. Not just that, the backdrop of the vibrant green landscapes and valleys somehow enhances the beauty of the rainbows, too. During the summer solstice, it’s possible to witness rainbows even in the late evening due to the midnight sun.
5. Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada
Rainbows: Best from May to August, typically during late afternoons.
With the Canadian Rockies in the background, Lake Louise in Canada is yet another destination to chase the rainbows. During the summer and spring months, melting snow from surrounding glaciers increases atmospheric moisture levels. Following extensive rainfall, the sunlight cuts through the mist frequently creating beautiful rainbows over the lake. Also, the high-altitude air, clear skies, and the still waters amplify the beauty of the rainbow, which reflects on the lake’s surface too.
6. Cumberland Falls, Kentucky, USA
Rainbows: Two days before and two days after a full moon, rainbows are best viewed between April and October.
Cumberland Falls in the U.S. is renowned for creating some of the most beautiful moonbows in the Western Hemisphere, not just rainbows. The waterfall plunges from 68 feet and emits enough mist around it to create stunning rainbows and moonbows in its wake. The nighttime rainbow, the moonbows, is extensive on full moon nights. Owing to this beautiful natural happenstance, many tourists flock to the falls on full moon nights. The moonbow appears as a pale arc with the potential for faint color visibility with more prolonged exposure or enhanced optics.
7. Waimea Canyon, Kauai, Hawaii
Rainbows: Year-round, especially early mornings.
Another gem in Hawaii, renowned for stunning rainbows, is the Waimea Canyon. It is a hotspot for rainbow activity due to its dramatic weather shifts and elevation. When the morning mists and passing showers combine with the sunlight, it creates one of the most beautiful multi-layered rainbows stretching along the canyon’s reddish cliff. Also, the changing angles of the sunlight also produce rare supernumerary or double rainbows.
8. Yosemite National Park, California, USA
Rainbows: April to June, especially early mornings.
If the concept of a rainbow waterfall mesmerizes you, head to Yosemite National Park. The mist around the waterfall creates “spray rainbows” during spring and summer, especially at waterfalls like Bridalveil Fall and Yosemite Falls. As the snow starts to melt off and the water flow increases, the mist around the falls becomes denser, so the rainbows formed are a beautiful sight when the sunlight hits. On sunny days, the rainbows usually form at the base or middle of the falls.
9. Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong
Rainbows: April to September, especially after afternoon showers followed by sunlight.
Victoria Harbor surprisingly delivers frequent and vivid rainbows in a city known more for its skyline than its skies. The city experiences subtropical humidity and scattered showers, which usually contribute to the beauty of the rainbows, commonly during spring and summer. The view of the curved rainbow over the skyscrapers and water is truly unmatched. Often seen from the Kowloon waterfront or The Peak, these urban rainbows are a magical experience.
10. Niagara Falls, USA/Canada
Rainbows: Year-round, especially on sunny days.
Without a doubt, Niagara Falls is one of the most popular rainbow-viewing destinations, notably for the frequent occurrence of the event. The massive water volume generates a permanent mist; with the sun out, rainbows are visible at virtually all times of the day. Boat rides like “Maid of the Mist” provide thrilling up-close encounters with the arcs. You might witness double arcs with vivid colors during the early mornings if you’re lucky.
11. Alaska (Denali and Interior Region)
Rainbows: May to September, especially after late afternoon storms.
Alaska’s vast, open, and dramatic skies and shifting weather patterns make it an excellent spot for witnessing rainbow formations. It is not as popular for rainbow occurrences but one worth mentioning nonetheless. In Denali National Park and other interior regions, afternoon showers are often followed by bright clearings, ideal for full-circle rainbows over tundra and forest. Due to the low sun angles in Alaska, rainbows usually appear broader and more dramatic than those in lower latitudes. Double and triple arc rainbows are occasionally seen, depending on the showers and weather.
Final Words
Witnessing rainbows up close and personal is an experience that never gets old. It is hands down one of the most artistic natural marvels, and there are certain places on Earth where its beauty is magnified. We have sorted out the top 11 destinations where you get to witness rainbows, moonbows, and double and triple arcs, if nature is genuinely in the mood to bless you. So, when are you planning your next getaway?
