Consistently and patiently, the earth has worked with water, sunshine, and other natural elements to create some spectacular things that humans have now come to love. One such thing is a fjord. This deep, narrow, and long body of water that flows through tall cliffs has created a unique kind of scenery that now attract people from all over the world. Besides the scenery, fjords also provide the stage for adventures such as - kayaking, boating, and hiking. While there are many fjords in different parts of the world, these are the most impressive and worth seeing to get an idea of what nature is capable of.
10 Milford Sound, New Zealand
New Zealand also has some of the world’s most spectacular fjords, and one place to see these unique geological formations is Fiordland National Park. In the park, several fjords offer opportunities for unique adventures, but Milford Sound is the most popular. The fjord is characterized by roaring waterfalls, towering mountains carpeted with green vegetation, and crystal clear waters hosting a wide variety of marine creatures. Visitors to this fjord often have opportunities to hike on the trails around the fjord and also kayak, cruise, fish, or scuba dive in the water.
9 Howe Sound, Canada
Howe Sound is located in Western Vancouver and is often referred to as North America’s southernmost fjord. The fjord stretches up to 26 miles and encompasses several islands, all of which welcome visitors who want to explore the fjord. At Howe Sound, visitors are welcome to hike around the islands and also enjoy floating through the water on a kayak. It is also a great place for scuba diving, and there are spots where one can see wrecks or marine life.
8 Misty Fjord, Alaska
Misty Fjord is a National monument in Alaska that preserves millions of acres of fjord-like landscape and sea cliffs. The monument is located in Tongass National Forest, and it is characterized by thunderous waterfalls, crystal clear waters, and an abundance of wildlife. One can begin an exploration of this area by taking a boat ride to see the landscape from the river or taking a plane to get a bird’s eye view of the fjord. Other adventures to enjoy here include - hiking and wildlife watching.
7 Doubtful Sound, New Zealand
Doubtful Sound is a fjord in Fiordland National Park with unique scenery that’s enough to clear one’s doubt. Even though Misty Sound is more popular, it comes nowhere close to Doubtful Sound when it comes to size. With a depth of 421 m and length of 40 km (24.8 miles), it is the deepest and second-longest fjord in the entire South Island. This makes it better for those seeking longer adventures and more views of the fjord landscape. While exploring this fjord, one can see beautiful waterfalls and some unique marine creatures such as – bottlenose dolphins and penguins.
6 Hardangerfjord, Norway
Norway is the home of Fjords as the country has over a thousand of them. But one does not need to see them all be satisfied. Just a few are enough, and Hardangerfjord is one of them. In terms of ranking, Hardangerfjord is the second-longest fjord in Norway and the fifth-longest in the world, with a distance of 111 miles (179 km). The famous Trolltunga (also called troll's tongue) hike is located here, and it offers a spectacular view of the fjord. Besides hiking, Hardangerfjord also offers opportunities for fishing, kayaking, camping, and mountaineering, and there is also a ski resort nearby for more adventures.
5 Comau, Chile
Also known as Leptepu, this fjord located in Chile’s Los Lagos Region is one of the numerous places for a nature-inclined adventure in South America. The fjord stretches for 68 km and features impressive waterfalls, lush forests, and towering peaks which create amazing opportunities for so many unique adventures. The best way to explore this park is by cruising or kayaking, and while doing this, one will get up close to the unique fauna and flora of the natural creation.
4 Lysefjord, Norway
Located in Southwestern Norway, Lysefjord comes with impressive natural scenery and lots of adventures. It also ranks as one of the fjords in Norway, with a width of 1.09 miles and a length of 26 miles. Travelers visiting this fjord have opportunities to hike world-famous hikes and see mountain goats or take a cruise on the crystal clear river through the mighty cliffs to see the waterfalls and the biodiversity of the place.
3 Kenai Fjord, Alaska
Alaska is one of the best places to see spectacular fjords in the Americas, and Kenai Fjord is the perfect place to begin. Everything about this fjord is spectacular, from the river filled with humpback whales and orcas to mountains that are home to several mountain goats. The fjord is part of the Kenai Fjords National Park, which is also home to a host of activities, some of which include - fishing, biking, hiking, mountaineering, and camping.
2 Naeroyfjord, Norway
Every Fjord in Norway is unique and offers unique experiences. When it comes to Naeroyfjord, it is the narrowest in the entire country, with a width of just 500 m. This fjord is one of the numerous arms of the larger Sognefjord, and it is characterized by steep side mountains, roaring waterfalls, and unique wildlife. Naeroyfjord is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and adventures to enjoy here range from cruising to hiking, kayaking, and exploring the villages along the 11 miles length of the fjord.
1 Geirangerfjord, Norway
Geirangerfjord is perhaps the most popular fjord in the world and the best place to witness the magnificence of nature. Its elegance, scenery, and attractions have even earned it a UNESCO World Heritage title. Geirangerfjord is a must-see attraction in Norway, and travelers who make it here will be presented with breathtaking sights of waterfalls, several abandoned farms, and mountains rising more than a thousand feet. The fjord is 260-meters deep and stretches for 15 km (9.3 miles), offering opportunities for cruising, hiking, kayaking, canyoning, biking, rafting, and canoeing.