SeasonMap

High water, month by month around the world

The falls or the river at full flow — spray, thunder, and closed viewpoints.

44 destinations on SeasonMap, ranked within each month by the comfort score — because the point is not only where the season is on, but whether the weather is worth the trip while it is.

← All seasons · The world's calendar

When it is on

Number of destinations with high water on in that month. Windows move a little each year.

High water in January

  1. 🇧🇴 Uyuni, BoliviaThe mirror on the salar · 1 Jan – 31 Mar (usually)A few centimetres of water sit on the salt through the wet months and the flat turns into a mirror of the sky.80climate
  2. 🇧🇷 Lençóis, BrazilWaterfalls at full flow · 1 Dec – 31 Mar (usually)Summer rain pushes the Chapada's falls to full volume and colours the rivers.68climate
  3. 🇨🇳 Guilin, ChinaLi River at its lowest · 15 Nov – 28 Feb (usually)The river drops in winter and the big cruise boats often start further downstream at Mopanshan or shorten the run.67climate
  4. 🇨🇩 Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the CongoThe Congo at full flow · 1 Nov – 15 Jan (usually)The river peaks around December, drowning the sandbanks between Kinshasa and Brazzaville and pushing water into the riverside quarters.65climate
  5. 🇵🇪 Chachapoyas, PeruGocta at full flow · 15 Dec – 30 Apr (usually)The falls carry several times the water in the wet months that they do in August, and you hear them from the village.62climate
  6. 🇧🇷 Bonito, BrazilRain clouds the rivers · 15 Nov – 15 Mar (usually)The springs run glass-clear most of the year, but one heavy summer storm puts silt into the Prata and the Sucuri and the snorkelling floats are called off for a day or two afterwards.59climate
  7. 🇿🇲 Livingstone, ZambiaDevil's Pool season · 15 Aug – 15 Jan (usually)The rock pool on the lip of the falls only opens once the river has dropped, usually from the middle of August until the rains put it back under.53climate
  8. 🇧🇷 Foz do Iguaçu, BrazilFalls at their fullest · 1 Nov – 31 Mar (usually)Rain over the whole upper basin reaches the falls with a lag, and flow is usually heaviest from November to March, around February at its peak.53climate
  9. 🇵🇪 Iquitos, PeruHigh water on the rivers · 15 Dec – 15 Jun (usually)The rivers climb several metres, Belén's lower streets turn back into canals and the flooded forest is reached by paddling between the crowns rather than walking.53climate
  10. 🇧🇷 Alter do Chão, BrazilRiver beaches emerge · 1 Aug – 31 Jan (usually)The Tapajós drops from August and the white sandbanks in front of the village come back out of the water.49climate

What's on around the world in January →

High water in February

  1. 🇧🇴 Uyuni, BoliviaThe mirror on the salar · 1 Jan – 31 Mar (usually)A few centimetres of water sit on the salt through the wet months and the flat turns into a mirror of the sky.81climate
  2. 🇳🇦 Sossusvlei, NamibiaWater in the vlei · 1 Feb – 15 Apr (usually)Every few years the Tsauchab runs far enough to put water into Sossusvlei itself and it stands for weeks.72climate
  3. 🇧🇷 Lençóis, BrazilWaterfalls at full flow · 1 Dec – 31 Mar (usually)Summer rain pushes the Chapada's falls to full volume and colours the rivers.72climate
  4. 🇨🇳 Guilin, ChinaLi River at its lowest · 15 Nov – 28 Feb (usually)The river drops in winter and the big cruise boats often start further downstream at Mopanshan or shorten the run.68climate
  5. 🇧🇷 Bonito, BrazilRain clouds the rivers · 15 Nov – 15 Mar (usually)The springs run glass-clear most of the year, but one heavy summer storm puts silt into the Prata and the Sucuri and the snorkelling floats are called off for a day or two afterwards.61climate
  6. 🇵🇪 Chachapoyas, PeruGocta at full flow · 15 Dec – 30 Apr (usually)The falls carry several times the water in the wet months that they do in August, and you hear them from the village.61climate
  7. 🇿🇲 Livingstone, ZambiaVictoria Falls at full flow · 15 Feb – 30 Jun (usually)The Zambezi fills from late February and peaks in April, when the spray soaks you on the footbridge and the falls vanish inside their own cloud.57climate
  8. 🇿🇼 Victoria Falls, ZimbabwePeak flow · 15 Feb – 31 MayThe Zambezi crests around April and the spray goes several hundred metres up, visible from a long way off.57climate
  9. 🇧🇷 Foz do Iguaçu, BrazilFalls at their fullest · 1 Nov – 31 Mar (usually)Rain over the whole upper basin reaches the falls with a lag, and flow is usually heaviest from November to March, around February at its peak.57climate
  10. 🇵🇪 Iquitos, PeruHigh water on the rivers · 15 Dec – 15 Jun (usually)The rivers climb several metres, Belén's lower streets turn back into canals and the flooded forest is reached by paddling between the crowns rather than walking.54climate
  11. 🇺🇸 Mammoth Cave National Park, United StatesSpring high water · 1 Feb – 30 Apr (usually)The Green River rises through the wet months and the ferry crossing inside the park shuts whenever it does, which puts a long detour on the drive to the north side.52climate
  12. 🇧🇷 Alter do Chão, BrazilHigh water on the Tapajós · 1 Feb – 31 Jul (usually)From February the river swallows the sand and the shoreline becomes flooded forest reached by canoe.49climate

What's on around the world in February →

High water in March

  1. 🇮🇷 Isfahan, IranWater in the Zayanderud · 15 Mar – 15 May (usually)The river is dry most of the year and the authorities release water from the dam for a few weeks, usually in spring for the farmers downstream, though releases have become erratic in drought years.83climate
  2. 🇧🇴 Uyuni, BoliviaThe mirror on the salar · 1 Jan – 31 Mar (usually)A few centimetres of water sit on the salt through the wet months and the flat turns into a mirror of the sky.82climate
  3. 🇯🇵 Miyakojima, JapanYabiji reef surfaces · 1 Mar – 10 Apr (usually)Japan's largest reef comes out of the water at the year's lowest spring tides, usually in March.80climate
  4. 🇺🇸 Richmond, United StatesJames River rapids season · 15 Mar – 15 Jun (usually)Spring flow is what makes the class IV whitewater through the middle of the city run, and the rafting companies work the Pipeline and Hollywood rapids until the summer drops it.75climate
  5. 🇳🇦 Sossusvlei, NamibiaWater in the vlei · 1 Feb – 15 Apr (usually)Every few years the Tsauchab runs far enough to put water into Sossusvlei itself and it stands for weeks.73climate
  6. 🇧🇷 Lençóis, BrazilWaterfalls at full flow · 1 Dec – 31 Mar (usually)Summer rain pushes the Chapada's falls to full volume and colours the rivers.72climate
  7. 🇿🇼 Victoria Falls, ZimbabwePeak flow · 15 Feb – 31 MayThe Zambezi crests around April and the spray goes several hundred metres up, visible from a long way off.67climate
  8. 🇿🇲 Livingstone, ZambiaVictoria Falls at full flow · 15 Feb – 30 Jun (usually)The Zambezi fills from late February and peaks in April, when the spray soaks you on the footbridge and the falls vanish inside their own cloud.66climate
  9. 🇧🇷 Bonito, BrazilRain clouds the rivers · 15 Nov – 15 Mar (usually)The springs run glass-clear most of the year, but one heavy summer storm puts silt into the Prata and the Sucuri and the snorkelling floats are called off for a day or two afterwards.65climate
  10. 🇧🇼 Kasane, BotswanaChobe backflow flood · 1 Mar – 31 May (usually)Between March and May, floodwater from the Zambezi backs up through the confluence at Kazungula and briefly reverses the Chobe's flow.65climate
  11. 🇺🇸 Mammoth Cave National Park, United StatesSpring high water · 1 Feb – 30 Apr (usually)The Green River rises through the wet months and the ferry crossing inside the park shuts whenever it does, which puts a long detour on the drive to the north side.64climate
  12. 🇪🇨 Baños, EcuadorWaterfalls at full flow · 1 Mar – 30 Jun (usually)The Pastaza road below town is a run of waterfalls, and after the wettest months the Pailón del Diablo throws enough spray to soak the walkway before you reach the viewpoint.61climate
  13. 🇵🇪 Chachapoyas, PeruGocta at full flow · 15 Dec – 30 Apr (usually)The falls carry several times the water in the wet months that they do in August, and you hear them from the village.59climate
  14. 🇧🇷 Foz do Iguaçu, BrazilFalls at their fullest · 1 Nov – 31 Mar (usually)Rain over the whole upper basin reaches the falls with a lag, and flow is usually heaviest from November to March, around February at its peak.58climate
  15. 🇺🇸 Cuyahoga Valley National Park, United StatesWaterfalls at full flow · 1 Mar – 5 May (usually)Brandywine and Blue Hen only look like waterfalls when snowmelt and spring rain are running; by August they are a trickle over shale.53climate
  16. 🇧🇷 Jericoacoara, BrazilThe lagoons at their fullest · 15 Mar – 30 Sep (usually)Paraíso and Azul are freshwater lagoons that fill on the rains and shrink through the second half of the year, so the hammocks-in-the-water photograph only works for part of it.52climate
  17. 🇭🇷 Plitvice Lakes, CroatiaSnowmelt high water · 25 Mar – 25 May (usually)The falls are at their loudest as the Lika snow comes off, and the spray closes sections of boardwalk when the water is over them.52climate
  18. 🇧🇷 Alter do Chão, BrazilHigh water on the Tapajós · 1 Feb – 31 Jul (usually)From February the river swallows the sand and the shoreline becomes flooded forest reached by canoe.47climate
  19. 🇵🇪 Iquitos, PeruHigh water on the rivers · 15 Dec – 15 Jun (usually)The rivers climb several metres, Belén's lower streets turn back into canals and the flooded forest is reached by paddling between the crowns rather than walking.46climate

What's on around the world in March →

High water in April

  1. 🇮🇷 Isfahan, IranWater in the Zayanderud · 15 Mar – 15 May (usually)The river is dry most of the year and the authorities release water from the dam for a few weeks, usually in spring for the farmers downstream, though releases have become erratic in drought years.93climate
  2. 🇲🇦 Imlil, MoroccoSnowmelt · 1 Apr – 15 Jun (usually)The streams come up with the melt, the irrigation channels run full and the fords above Aroumd need care.88climate
  3. 🇺🇸 Richmond, United StatesJames River rapids season · 15 Mar – 15 Jun (usually)Spring flow is what makes the class IV whitewater through the middle of the city run, and the rafting companies work the Pipeline and Hollywood rapids until the summer drops it.86climate
  4. 🇳🇦 Sossusvlei, NamibiaWater in the vlei · 1 Feb – 15 Apr (usually)Every few years the Tsauchab runs far enough to put water into Sossusvlei itself and it stands for weeks.76climate
  5. 🇺🇸 Taos, United StatesRio Grande runoff season · 20 Apr – 30 Jun (usually)Snowmelt turns the Racecourse and the Taos Box into the big water of the year for about six weeks from late April.75climate
  6. 🇯🇵 Miyakojima, JapanYabiji reef surfaces · 1 Mar – 10 Apr (usually)Japan's largest reef comes out of the water at the year's lowest spring tides, usually in March.75climate
  7. 🇿🇲 Livingstone, ZambiaVictoria Falls at full flow · 15 Feb – 30 Jun (usually)The Zambezi fills from late February and peaks in April, when the spray soaks you on the footbridge and the falls vanish inside their own cloud.74climate
  8. 🇿🇼 Victoria Falls, ZimbabwePeak flow · 15 Feb – 31 MayThe Zambezi crests around April and the spray goes several hundred metres up, visible from a long way off.74climate
  9. 🇺🇸 Mammoth Cave National Park, United StatesSpring high water · 1 Feb – 30 Apr (usually)The Green River rises through the wet months and the ferry crossing inside the park shuts whenever it does, which puts a long detour on the drive to the north side.73climate
  10. 🇧🇼 Kasane, BotswanaChobe backflow flood · 1 Mar – 31 May (usually)Between March and May, floodwater from the Zambezi backs up through the confluence at Kazungula and briefly reverses the Chobe's flow.73climate
  11. 🇺🇸 Zion National Park, United StatesNarrows closed to snowmelt · 1 Apr – 10 Jun (usually)The Virgin River runs too high to wade for most of the spring melt, and the park shuts the bottom-up Narrows above 150 cubic feet a second.69climate
  12. 🇵🇪 Chachapoyas, PeruGocta at full flow · 15 Dec – 30 Apr (usually)The falls carry several times the water in the wet months that they do in August, and you hear them from the village.69climate
  13. 🇪🇨 Baños, EcuadorWaterfalls at full flow · 1 Mar – 30 Jun (usually)The Pastaza road below town is a run of waterfalls, and after the wettest months the Pailón del Diablo throws enough spray to soak the walkway before you reach the viewpoint.65climate
  14. 🇺🇸 Great Sand Dunes National Park, United StatesMedano Creek surge flow · 15 Apr – 5 Jul (usually)Snowmelt runs out across the sand in pulsing waves for a few weeks, which turns the base of the dunes into a shallow beach full of children on inflatables.65climate
  15. 🇭🇷 Plitvice Lakes, CroatiaSnowmelt high water · 25 Mar – 25 May (usually)The falls are at their loudest as the Lika snow comes off, and the spray closes sections of boardwalk when the water is over them.62climate
  16. 🇺🇸 Cuyahoga Valley National Park, United StatesWaterfalls at full flow · 1 Mar – 5 May (usually)Brandywine and Blue Hen only look like waterfalls when snowmelt and spring rain are running; by August they are a trickle over shale.61climate
  17. 🇨🇳 Jiuzhaigou, ChinaSnowmelt and full falls · 15 Apr – 15 Jun (usually)Nuorilang and Pearl Shoal run hardest as the snow comes off the ridges, and the lakes hold their colour before the summer rain stirs the sediment.61climate
  18. 🇧🇷 Jericoacoara, BrazilThe lagoons at their fullest · 15 Mar – 30 Sep (usually)Paraíso and Azul are freshwater lagoons that fill on the rains and shrink through the second half of the year, so the hammocks-in-the-water photograph only works for part of it.51climate
  19. 🇺🇸 Yosemite National Park, United StatesWaterfalls at full flow · 15 Apr – 15 Jun (usually)Snowmelt peaks in May and Yosemite Falls runs hard enough to soak the Lower Fall bridge.50climate
  20. 🇵🇪 Iquitos, PeruHigh water on the rivers · 15 Dec – 15 Jun (usually)The rivers climb several metres, Belén's lower streets turn back into canals and the flooded forest is reached by paddling between the crowns rather than walking.46climate
  21. 🇧🇷 Alter do Chão, BrazilHigh water on the Tapajós · 1 Feb – 31 Jul (usually)From February the river swallows the sand and the shoreline becomes flooded forest reached by canoe.46climate

What's on around the world in April →

High water in May

  1. 🇲🇦 Imlil, MoroccoSnowmelt · 1 Apr – 15 Jun (usually)The streams come up with the melt, the irrigation channels run full and the fords above Aroumd need care.89climate
  2. 🇮🇷 Isfahan, IranWater in the Zayanderud · 15 Mar – 15 May (usually)The river is dry most of the year and the authorities release water from the dam for a few weeks, usually in spring for the farmers downstream, though releases have become erratic in drought years.87climate
  3. 🇺🇸 Richmond, United StatesJames River rapids season · 15 Mar – 15 Jun (usually)Spring flow is what makes the class IV whitewater through the middle of the city run, and the rafting companies work the Pipeline and Hollywood rapids until the summer drops it.87climate
  4. 🇺🇸 Taos, United StatesRio Grande runoff season · 20 Apr – 30 Jun (usually)Snowmelt turns the Racecourse and the Taos Box into the big water of the year for about six weeks from late April.85climate
  5. 🇿🇲 Livingstone, ZambiaVictoria Falls at full flow · 15 Feb – 30 Jun (usually)The Zambezi fills from late February and peaks in April, when the spray soaks you on the footbridge and the falls vanish inside their own cloud.81climate
  6. 🇿🇼 Victoria Falls, ZimbabwePeak flow · 15 Feb – 31 MayThe Zambezi crests around April and the spray goes several hundred metres up, visible from a long way off.81climate
  7. 🇺🇸 Canyonlands National Park, United StatesHigh water on the rivers · 10 May – 20 Jun (usually)Snowmelt off the Rockies turns Cataract Canyon into big-water class V for a few weeks and floods the west end of the White Rim, which can strand a loop trip.80climate
  8. 🇺🇸 Zion National Park, United StatesNarrows closed to snowmelt · 1 Apr – 10 Jun (usually)The Virgin River runs too high to wade for most of the spring melt, and the park shuts the bottom-up Narrows above 150 cubic feet a second.78climate
  9. 🇧🇼 Kasane, BotswanaChobe backflow flood · 1 Mar – 31 May (usually)Between March and May, floodwater from the Zambezi backs up through the confluence at Kazungula and briefly reverses the Chobe's flow.78climate
  10. 🇺🇸 Cuyahoga Valley National Park, United StatesWaterfalls at full flow · 1 Mar – 5 May (usually)Brandywine and Blue Hen only look like waterfalls when snowmelt and spring rain are running; by August they are a trickle over shale.73climate
  11. 🇺🇸 Great Sand Dunes National Park, United StatesMedano Creek surge flow · 15 Apr – 5 Jul (usually)Snowmelt runs out across the sand in pulsing waves for a few weeks, which turns the base of the dunes into a shallow beach full of children on inflatables.72climate
  12. 🇪🇨 Baños, EcuadorWaterfalls at full flow · 1 Mar – 30 Jun (usually)The Pastaza road below town is a run of waterfalls, and after the wettest months the Pailón del Diablo throws enough spray to soak the walkway before you reach the viewpoint.67climate
  13. 🇧🇷 Jericoacoara, BrazilThe lagoons at their fullest · 15 Mar – 30 Sep (usually)Paraíso and Azul are freshwater lagoons that fill on the rains and shrink through the second half of the year, so the hammocks-in-the-water photograph only works for part of it.67climate
  14. 🇨🇳 Jiuzhaigou, ChinaSnowmelt and full falls · 15 Apr – 15 Jun (usually)Nuorilang and Pearl Shoal run hardest as the snow comes off the ridges, and the lakes hold their colour before the summer rain stirs the sediment.64climate
  15. 🇭🇷 Plitvice Lakes, CroatiaSnowmelt high water · 25 Mar – 25 May (usually)The falls are at their loudest as the Lika snow comes off, and the spray closes sections of boardwalk when the water is over them.63climate
  16. 🇺🇸 Kings Canyon National Park, United StatesSnowmelt on the Kings River · 1 May – 5 Jul (usually)The river runs full and loud through late spring and drowns people every year — the water is snow that fell a week ago and the rocks beside it are wet.60climate
  17. 🇺🇸 Yosemite National Park, United StatesWaterfalls at full flow · 15 Apr – 15 Jun (usually)Snowmelt peaks in May and Yosemite Falls runs hard enough to soak the Lower Fall bridge.59climate
  18. 🇵🇪 Iquitos, PeruHigh water on the rivers · 15 Dec – 15 Jun (usually)The rivers climb several metres, Belén's lower streets turn back into canals and the flooded forest is reached by paddling between the crowns rather than walking.54climate
  19. 🇧🇷 Manaus, BrazilRivers at their highest · 1 May – 31 Jul (usually)The Rio Negro tops out around the end of June and the floating neighbourhoods and jetties rise with it.52climate
  20. 🇧🇷 Alter do Chão, BrazilHigh water on the Tapajós · 1 Feb – 31 Jul (usually)From February the river swallows the sand and the shoreline becomes flooded forest reached by canoe.51climate

What's on around the world in May →

High water in June

  1. 🇲🇦 Imlil, MoroccoSnowmelt · 1 Apr – 15 Jun (usually)The streams come up with the melt, the irrigation channels run full and the fords above Aroumd need care.84climate
  2. 🇿🇲 Livingstone, ZambiaVictoria Falls at full flow · 15 Feb – 30 Jun (usually)The Zambezi fills from late February and peaks in April, when the spray soaks you on the footbridge and the falls vanish inside their own cloud.83climate
  3. 🇺🇸 Taos, United StatesRio Grande runoff season · 20 Apr – 30 Jun (usually)Snowmelt turns the Racecourse and the Taos Box into the big water of the year for about six weeks from late April.81climate
  4. 🇧🇼 Maun, BotswanaOkavango flood peaks · 1 Jun – 15 Sep (usually)Rain that fell in Angola months earlier reaches the delta from June, filling the channels around Maun even though the local dry season has already begun.80climate
  5. 🇨🇳 Hotan, ChinaJade season on the White Jade River · 1 Jun – 31 Aug (usually)Summer meltwater off the Kunlun pushes the Yurungkash up, and people work the gravel bars behind it for jade.79climate
  6. 🇺🇸 Great Sand Dunes National Park, United StatesMedano Creek surge flow · 15 Apr – 5 Jul (usually)Snowmelt runs out across the sand in pulsing waves for a few weeks, which turns the base of the dunes into a shallow beach full of children on inflatables.78climate
  7. 🇺🇸 Zion National Park, United StatesNarrows closed to snowmelt · 1 Apr – 10 Jun (usually)The Virgin River runs too high to wade for most of the spring melt, and the park shuts the bottom-up Narrows above 150 cubic feet a second.77climate
  8. 🇺🇸 Richmond, United StatesJames River rapids season · 15 Mar – 15 Jun (usually)Spring flow is what makes the class IV whitewater through the middle of the city run, and the rafting companies work the Pipeline and Hollywood rapids until the summer drops it.77climate
  9. 🇧🇷 Jericoacoara, BrazilThe lagoons at their fullest · 15 Mar – 30 Sep (usually)Paraíso and Azul are freshwater lagoons that fill on the rains and shrink through the second half of the year, so the hammocks-in-the-water photograph only works for part of it.75climate
  10. 🇺🇸 Canyonlands National Park, United StatesHigh water on the rivers · 10 May – 20 Jun (usually)Snowmelt off the Rockies turns Cataract Canyon into big-water class V for a few weeks and floods the west end of the White Rim, which can strand a loop trip.72climate
  11. 🇺🇸 Yosemite National Park, United StatesWaterfalls at full flow · 15 Apr – 15 Jun (usually)Snowmelt peaks in May and Yosemite Falls runs hard enough to soak the Lower Fall bridge.71climate
  12. 🇺🇸 Kings Canyon National Park, United StatesSnowmelt on the Kings River · 1 May – 5 Jul (usually)The river runs full and loud through late spring and drowns people every year — the water is snow that fell a week ago and the rocks beside it are wet.71climate
  13. 🇪🇨 Baños, EcuadorWaterfalls at full flow · 1 Mar – 30 Jun (usually)The Pastaza road below town is a run of waterfalls, and after the wettest months the Pailón del Diablo throws enough spray to soak the walkway before you reach the viewpoint.70climate
  14. 🇨🇳 Jiuzhaigou, ChinaSnowmelt and full falls · 15 Apr – 15 Jun (usually)Nuorilang and Pearl Shoal run hardest as the snow comes off the ridges, and the lakes hold their colour before the summer rain stirs the sediment.68climate
  15. 🇧🇷 Manaus, BrazilRivers at their highest · 1 May – 31 Jul (usually)The Rio Negro tops out around the end of June and the floating neighbourhoods and jetties rise with it.66climate
  16. 🇧🇷 Alter do Chão, BrazilHigh water on the Tapajós · 1 Feb – 31 Jul (usually)From February the river swallows the sand and the shoreline becomes flooded forest reached by canoe.65climate
  17. 🇧🇷 Barreirinhas, BrazilLagoons at their fullest · 1 Jun – 15 Sep (usually)The rains stop in May and the dune valleys hold thousands of rainwater lagoons through the southern winter.61climate
  18. 🇵🇪 Iquitos, PeruHigh water on the rivers · 15 Dec – 15 Jun (usually)The rivers climb several metres, Belén's lower streets turn back into canals and the flooded forest is reached by paddling between the crowns rather than walking.60climate
  19. 🇮🇳 Pune, IndiaWaterfalls in the ghats · 20 Jun – 15 Sep (usually)Every fall in the ghats west of the city runs, and the weekend traffic out to Lonavala and the fort trails is unbearable because of it.52climate
  20. 🇬🇹 Semuc Champey, GuatemalaBrown water after the rains · 1 Jun – 31 Oct (usually)After a heavy night the turquoise the place is famous for goes the colour of the runoff, and a big rise on the Cahabon can shut the monument for a day or two.44climate

What's on around the world in June →

High water in July

  1. 🇺🇸 Kings Canyon National Park, United StatesSnowmelt on the Kings River · 1 May – 5 Jul (usually)The river runs full and loud through late spring and drowns people every year — the water is snow that fell a week ago and the rocks beside it are wet.80climate
  2. 🇧🇼 Maun, BotswanaOkavango flood peaks · 1 Jun – 15 Sep (usually)Rain that fell in Angola months earlier reaches the delta from June, filling the channels around Maun even though the local dry season has already begun.79climate
  3. 🇧🇷 Foz do Iguaçu, BrazilThe river at its lowest · 15 Jul – 15 Sep (usually)August is normally the thinnest month for flow: basalt showing between the curtains, photographs without spray on the lens and a boat ride that gets closer.78climate
  4. 🇧🇷 Jericoacoara, BrazilThe lagoons at their fullest · 15 Mar – 30 Sep (usually)Paraíso and Azul are freshwater lagoons that fill on the rains and shrink through the second half of the year, so the hammocks-in-the-water photograph only works for part of it.77climate
  5. 🇺🇸 Great Sand Dunes National Park, United StatesMedano Creek surge flow · 15 Apr – 5 Jul (usually)Snowmelt runs out across the sand in pulsing waves for a few weeks, which turns the base of the dunes into a shallow beach full of children on inflatables.75climate
  6. 🇨🇳 Hotan, ChinaJade season on the White Jade River · 1 Jun – 31 Aug (usually)Summer meltwater off the Kunlun pushes the Yurungkash up, and people work the gravel bars behind it for jade.75climate
  7. 🇧🇷 Manaus, BrazilRivers at their highest · 1 May – 31 Jul (usually)The Rio Negro tops out around the end of June and the floating neighbourhoods and jetties rise with it.72climate
  8. 🇧🇷 Alter do Chão, BrazilHigh water on the Tapajós · 1 Feb – 31 Jul (usually)From February the river swallows the sand and the shoreline becomes flooded forest reached by canoe.71climate
  9. 🇵🇪 Iquitos, PeruLow water · 15 Jul – 15 Nov (usually)The water drops, sandbars and river beaches appear, and the forest floor can be walked instead of paddled — better for tracking animals, worse for reaching the smaller channels.68climate
  10. 🇧🇷 Barreirinhas, BrazilLagoons at their fullest · 1 Jun – 15 Sep (usually)The rains stop in May and the dune valleys hold thousands of rainwater lagoons through the southern winter.64climate
  11. 🇪🇹 Bahir Dar, EthiopiaBlue Nile Falls in full flow · 15 Jul – 15 Oct (usually)The hydro station upstream takes most of the water for the rest of the year, so Tis Abay is only the wall of spray in the postcards while the rains are running and for a few weeks after.59climate
  12. 🇬🇹 Semuc Champey, GuatemalaBrown water after the rains · 1 Jun – 31 Oct (usually)After a heavy night the turquoise the place is famous for goes the colour of the runoff, and a big rise on the Cahabon can shut the monument for a day or two.57climate
  13. 🇮🇳 Pune, IndiaWaterfalls in the ghats · 20 Jun – 15 Sep (usually)Every fall in the ghats west of the city runs, and the weekend traffic out to Lonavala and the fort trails is unbearable because of it.43climate

What's on around the world in July →

High water in August

  1. 🇿🇲 Livingstone, ZambiaDevil's Pool season · 15 Aug – 15 Jan (usually)The rock pool on the lip of the falls only opens once the river has dropped, usually from the middle of August until the rains put it back under.77climate
  2. 🇨🇳 Hotan, ChinaJade season on the White Jade River · 1 Jun – 31 Aug (usually)Summer meltwater off the Kunlun pushes the Yurungkash up, and people work the gravel bars behind it for jade.77climate
  3. 🇧🇼 Maun, BotswanaOkavango flood peaks · 1 Jun – 15 Sep (usually)Rain that fell in Angola months earlier reaches the delta from June, filling the channels around Maun even though the local dry season has already begun.76climate
  4. 🇧🇷 Jericoacoara, BrazilThe lagoons at their fullest · 15 Mar – 30 Sep (usually)Paraíso and Azul are freshwater lagoons that fill on the rains and shrink through the second half of the year, so the hammocks-in-the-water photograph only works for part of it.76climate
  5. 🇧🇷 Foz do Iguaçu, BrazilThe river at its lowest · 15 Jul – 15 Sep (usually)August is normally the thinnest month for flow: basalt showing between the curtains, photographs without spray on the lens and a boat ride that gets closer.74climate
  6. 🇧🇷 Alter do Chão, BrazilRiver beaches emerge · 1 Aug – 31 Jan (usually)The Tapajós drops from August and the white sandbanks in front of the village come back out of the water.72climate
  7. 🇵🇪 Iquitos, PeruLow water · 15 Jul – 15 Nov (usually)The water drops, sandbars and river beaches appear, and the forest floor can be walked instead of paddled — better for tracking animals, worse for reaching the smaller channels.66climate
  8. 🇧🇷 Barreirinhas, BrazilLagoons at their fullest · 1 Jun – 15 Sep (usually)The rains stop in May and the dune valleys hold thousands of rainwater lagoons through the southern winter.66climate
  9. 🇪🇹 Bahir Dar, EthiopiaBlue Nile Falls in full flow · 15 Jul – 15 Oct (usually)The hydro station upstream takes most of the water for the rest of the year, so Tis Abay is only the wall of spray in the postcards while the rains are running and for a few weeks after.60climate
  10. 🇬🇹 Semuc Champey, GuatemalaBrown water after the rains · 1 Jun – 31 Oct (usually)After a heavy night the turquoise the place is famous for goes the colour of the runoff, and a big rise on the Cahabon can shut the monument for a day or two.57climate
  11. 🇻🇳 Can Tho, VietnamFloating season · 15 Aug – 15 Nov (usually)Locals call it mùa nước nổi — the Mekong pushes up over the fields upstream, the linh fish and the water lilies come with it, and the delta looks like the delta it is meant to be.53climate
  12. 🇮🇳 Pune, IndiaWaterfalls in the ghats · 20 Jun – 15 Sep (usually)Every fall in the ghats west of the city runs, and the weekend traffic out to Lonavala and the fort trails is unbearable because of it.48climate
  13. 🇹🇭 Chiang Mai, ThailandWaterfalls at full flow · 1 Aug – 15 Oct (usually)The end of the monsoon is when Mae Ya, Bua Tong and the Doi Inthanon falls actually run, and the hills are green rather than burnt.46climate
  14. 🇱🇦 Pakse, LaosFalls at full flow · 1 Aug – 31 Oct (usually)Tad Fane, Tad Yuang and the Khone Phapheng cataract downstream run hardest at the end of the rains — loud, drenched in spray and worth the wet feet.44climate

What's on around the world in August →

High water in September

  1. 🇺🇸 New River Gorge National Park, United StatesGauley release season · 8 Sep – 20 Oct (usually)Six weekends of controlled releases from Summersville Dam turn the Gauley into the hardest commercial whitewater in the east, and every outfitter in Fayette County books out.77climate
  2. 🇧🇷 Jericoacoara, BrazilThe lagoons at their fullest · 15 Mar – 30 Sep (usually)Paraíso and Azul are freshwater lagoons that fill on the rains and shrink through the second half of the year, so the hammocks-in-the-water photograph only works for part of it.74climate
  3. 🇿🇲 Livingstone, ZambiaDevil's Pool season · 15 Aug – 15 Jan (usually)The rock pool on the lip of the falls only opens once the river has dropped, usually from the middle of August until the rains put it back under.71climate
  4. 🇧🇼 Maun, BotswanaOkavango flood peaks · 1 Jun – 15 Sep (usually)Rain that fell in Angola months earlier reaches the delta from June, filling the channels around Maun even though the local dry season has already begun.71climate
  5. 🇧🇷 Alter do Chão, BrazilRiver beaches emerge · 1 Aug – 31 Jan (usually)The Tapajós drops from August and the white sandbanks in front of the village come back out of the water.70climate
  6. 🇧🇷 Foz do Iguaçu, BrazilThe river at its lowest · 15 Jul – 15 Sep (usually)August is normally the thinnest month for flow: basalt showing between the curtains, photographs without spray on the lens and a boat ride that gets closer.69climate
  7. 🇪🇹 Bahir Dar, EthiopiaBlue Nile Falls in full flow · 15 Jul – 15 Oct (usually)The hydro station upstream takes most of the water for the rest of the year, so Tis Abay is only the wall of spray in the postcards while the rains are running and for a few weeks after.66climate
  8. 🇧🇷 Barreirinhas, BrazilLagoons at their fullest · 1 Jun – 15 Sep (usually)The rains stop in May and the dune valleys hold thousands of rainwater lagoons through the southern winter.65climate
  9. 🇧🇷 Manaus, BrazilRivers at their lowest · 1 Sep – 30 Nov (usually)Sandbanks come out of the water, the port extends its gangways a long way down the bank, and in the harder years channels upriver get too shallow for the boats that supply the communities on them.64climate
  10. 🇵🇪 Iquitos, PeruLow water · 15 Jul – 15 Nov (usually)The water drops, sandbars and river beaches appear, and the forest floor can be walked instead of paddled — better for tracking animals, worse for reaching the smaller channels.63climate
  11. 🇨🇳 Hangzhou, ChinaQiantang tidal bore · 10 Sep – 12 Oct (usually)The world's largest tidal bore peaks around the eighteenth day of the eighth lunar month, usually late September or early October.60climate
  12. 🇨🇷 La Fortuna, Costa RicaRivers at full flow · 1 Sep – 15 Nov (usually)The Balsa and the Toro run hardest in September and October and the rafting grades go up with them.53climate
  13. 🇮🇳 Pune, IndiaWaterfalls in the ghats · 20 Jun – 15 Sep (usually)Every fall in the ghats west of the city runs, and the weekend traffic out to Lonavala and the fort trails is unbearable because of it.53climate
  14. 🇹🇭 Kanchanaburi, ThailandErawan falls at full flow · 15 Sep – 31 Dec (usually)The seven tiers run hardest at the end of the rains, when the upper pools are loud and the turquoise is at its strongest.52climate
  15. 🇬🇹 Semuc Champey, GuatemalaBrown water after the rains · 1 Jun – 31 Oct (usually)After a heavy night the turquoise the place is famous for goes the colour of the runoff, and a big rise on the Cahabon can shut the monument for a day or two.52climate
  16. 🇹🇭 Chiang Mai, ThailandWaterfalls at full flow · 1 Aug – 15 Oct (usually)The end of the monsoon is when Mae Ya, Bua Tong and the Doi Inthanon falls actually run, and the hills are green rather than burnt.49climate
  17. 🇻🇳 Can Tho, VietnamFloating season · 15 Aug – 15 Nov (usually)Locals call it mùa nước nổi — the Mekong pushes up over the fields upstream, the linh fish and the water lilies come with it, and the delta looks like the delta it is meant to be.45climate
  18. 🇱🇦 Pakse, LaosFalls at full flow · 1 Aug – 31 Oct (usually)Tad Fane, Tad Yuang and the Khone Phapheng cataract downstream run hardest at the end of the rains — loud, drenched in spray and worth the wet feet.43climate

What's on around the world in September →

High water in October

  1. 🇪🇹 Bahir Dar, EthiopiaBlue Nile Falls in full flow · 15 Jul – 15 Oct (usually)The hydro station upstream takes most of the water for the rest of the year, so Tis Abay is only the wall of spray in the postcards while the rains are running and for a few weeks after.88climate
  2. 🇨🇳 Hangzhou, ChinaQiantang tidal bore · 10 Sep – 12 Oct (usually)The world's largest tidal bore peaks around the eighteenth day of the eighth lunar month, usually late September or early October.85climate
  3. 🇺🇸 New River Gorge National Park, United StatesGauley release season · 8 Sep – 20 Oct (usually)Six weekends of controlled releases from Summersville Dam turn the Gauley into the hardest commercial whitewater in the east, and every outfitter in Fayette County books out.67climate
  4. 🇧🇷 Alter do Chão, BrazilRiver beaches emerge · 1 Aug – 31 Jan (usually)The Tapajós drops from August and the white sandbanks in front of the village come back out of the water.66climate
  5. 🇿🇲 Livingstone, ZambiaDevil's Pool season · 15 Aug – 15 Jan (usually)The rock pool on the lip of the falls only opens once the river has dropped, usually from the middle of August until the rains put it back under.62climate
  6. 🇹🇭 Chiang Mai, ThailandWaterfalls at full flow · 1 Aug – 15 Oct (usually)The end of the monsoon is when Mae Ya, Bua Tong and the Doi Inthanon falls actually run, and the hills are green rather than burnt.61climate
  7. 🇱🇦 Pakse, LaosFalls at full flow · 1 Aug – 31 Oct (usually)Tad Fane, Tad Yuang and the Khone Phapheng cataract downstream run hardest at the end of the rains — loud, drenched in spray and worth the wet feet.61climate
  8. 🇧🇷 Manaus, BrazilRivers at their lowest · 1 Sep – 30 Nov (usually)Sandbanks come out of the water, the port extends its gangways a long way down the bank, and in the harder years channels upriver get too shallow for the boats that supply the communities on them.60climate
  9. 🇵🇪 Iquitos, PeruLow water · 15 Jul – 15 Nov (usually)The water drops, sandbars and river beaches appear, and the forest floor can be walked instead of paddled — better for tracking animals, worse for reaching the smaller channels.59climate
  10. 🇹🇭 Kanchanaburi, ThailandErawan falls at full flow · 15 Sep – 31 Dec (usually)The seven tiers run hardest at the end of the rains, when the upper pools are loud and the turquoise is at its strongest.56climate
  11. 🇬🇹 Semuc Champey, GuatemalaBrown water after the rains · 1 Jun – 31 Oct (usually)After a heavy night the turquoise the place is famous for goes the colour of the runoff, and a big rise on the Cahabon can shut the monument for a day or two.51climate
  12. 🇰🇭 Phnom Penh, CambodiaThe Tonle Sap turns · 15 Oct – 15 Nov (usually)At the end of the rains the river stops backing into the great lake and reverses to flow south again — the reason the boat races happen when they do, and visible from the riverfront.50climate
  13. 🇨🇷 La Fortuna, Costa RicaRivers at full flow · 1 Sep – 15 Nov (usually)The Balsa and the Toro run hardest in September and October and the rafting grades go up with them.47climate
  14. 🇻🇳 Can Tho, VietnamFloating season · 15 Aug – 15 Nov (usually)Locals call it mùa nước nổi — the Mekong pushes up over the fields upstream, the linh fish and the water lilies come with it, and the delta looks like the delta it is meant to be.43climate

What's on around the world in October →

High water in November

  1. 🇨🇳 Guilin, ChinaLi River at its lowest · 15 Nov – 28 Feb (usually)The river drops in winter and the big cruise boats often start further downstream at Mopanshan or shorten the run.82climate
  2. 🇹🇭 Kanchanaburi, ThailandErawan falls at full flow · 15 Sep – 31 Dec (usually)The seven tiers run hardest at the end of the rains, when the upper pools are loud and the turquoise is at its strongest.71climate
  3. 🇧🇷 Bonito, BrazilRain clouds the rivers · 15 Nov – 15 Mar (usually)The springs run glass-clear most of the year, but one heavy summer storm puts silt into the Prata and the Sucuri and the snorkelling floats are called off for a day or two afterwards.67climate
  4. 🇿🇲 Livingstone, ZambiaDevil's Pool season · 15 Aug – 15 Jan (usually)The rock pool on the lip of the falls only opens once the river has dropped, usually from the middle of August until the rains put it back under.64climate
  5. 🇰🇭 Phnom Penh, CambodiaThe Tonle Sap turns · 15 Oct – 15 Nov (usually)At the end of the rains the river stops backing into the great lake and reverses to flow south again — the reason the boat races happen when they do, and visible from the riverfront.64climate
  6. 🇧🇷 Foz do Iguaçu, BrazilFalls at their fullest · 1 Nov – 31 Mar (usually)Rain over the whole upper basin reaches the falls with a lag, and flow is usually heaviest from November to March, around February at its peak.62climate
  7. 🇧🇷 Alter do Chão, BrazilRiver beaches emerge · 1 Aug – 31 Jan (usually)The Tapajós drops from August and the white sandbanks in front of the village come back out of the water.61climate
  8. 🇧🇷 Manaus, BrazilRivers at their lowest · 1 Sep – 30 Nov (usually)Sandbanks come out of the water, the port extends its gangways a long way down the bank, and in the harder years channels upriver get too shallow for the boats that supply the communities on them.57climate
  9. 🇻🇳 Can Tho, VietnamFloating season · 15 Aug – 15 Nov (usually)Locals call it mùa nước nổi — the Mekong pushes up over the fields upstream, the linh fish and the water lilies come with it, and the delta looks like the delta it is meant to be.57climate
  10. 🇨🇩 Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the CongoThe Congo at full flow · 1 Nov – 15 Jan (usually)The river peaks around December, drowning the sandbanks between Kinshasa and Brazzaville and pushing water into the riverside quarters.55climate
  11. 🇵🇪 Iquitos, PeruLow water · 15 Jul – 15 Nov (usually)The water drops, sandbars and river beaches appear, and the forest floor can be walked instead of paddled — better for tracking animals, worse for reaching the smaller channels.55climate
  12. 🇨🇷 La Fortuna, Costa RicaRivers at full flow · 1 Sep – 15 Nov (usually)The Balsa and the Toro run hardest in September and October and the rafting grades go up with them.52climate

What's on around the world in November →

High water in December

  1. 🇹🇭 Kanchanaburi, ThailandErawan falls at full flow · 15 Sep – 31 Dec (usually)The seven tiers run hardest at the end of the rains, when the upper pools are loud and the turquoise is at its strongest.80climate
  2. 🇨🇳 Guilin, ChinaLi River at its lowest · 15 Nov – 28 Feb (usually)The river drops in winter and the big cruise boats often start further downstream at Mopanshan or shorten the run.76climate
  3. 🇧🇷 Lençóis, BrazilWaterfalls at full flow · 1 Dec – 31 Mar (usually)Summer rain pushes the Chapada's falls to full volume and colours the rivers.70climate
  4. 🇵🇪 Chachapoyas, PeruGocta at full flow · 15 Dec – 30 Apr (usually)The falls carry several times the water in the wet months that they do in August, and you hear them from the village.64climate
  5. 🇨🇩 Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the CongoThe Congo at full flow · 1 Nov – 15 Jan (usually)The river peaks around December, drowning the sandbanks between Kinshasa and Brazzaville and pushing water into the riverside quarters.59climate
  6. 🇿🇲 Livingstone, ZambiaDevil's Pool season · 15 Aug – 15 Jan (usually)The rock pool on the lip of the falls only opens once the river has dropped, usually from the middle of August until the rains put it back under.58climate
  7. 🇧🇷 Bonito, BrazilRain clouds the rivers · 15 Nov – 15 Mar (usually)The springs run glass-clear most of the year, but one heavy summer storm puts silt into the Prata and the Sucuri and the snorkelling floats are called off for a day or two afterwards.57climate
  8. 🇧🇷 Foz do Iguaçu, BrazilFalls at their fullest · 1 Nov – 31 Mar (usually)Rain over the whole upper basin reaches the falls with a lag, and flow is usually heaviest from November to March, around February at its peak.55climate
  9. 🇵🇪 Iquitos, PeruHigh water on the rivers · 15 Dec – 15 Jun (usually)The rivers climb several metres, Belén's lower streets turn back into canals and the flooded forest is reached by paddling between the crowns rather than walking.51climate
  10. 🇧🇷 Alter do Chão, BrazilRiver beaches emerge · 1 Aug – 31 Jan (usually)The Tapajós drops from August and the white sandbanks in front of the village come back out of the water.48climate

What's on around the world in December →