15 Stunning Places To Watch the Best Florida Sunset

Beach chairs line the sand, their happy colors muted against the colored sky of a Florida sunset. People become dark silhouettes, some merging to one shape as they embrace to watch the nightly show. Sunsets in Florida beckon people to stop for a moment and enjoy nature’s beauty.

As the sun hits the horizon, phones and cameras come out to capture the perfect Florida sunset. The reds and oranges, the turquoise blue that lingers above, the pinks and purples after the sun drops below the horizon.

Sunsets in Florida stun crowds every day. A Florida sunset is the best free show Florida offers. Wide views of water stretching to meet that orange ball on the horizon tempt us to dream, to relax, to sigh in wonder.

Yet, the beach isn’t the only place to see a great sunset. Though many of the following places are along the water, a few are not. Regardless of where you watch a Florida sunset, you’re in for a spectacular treat to end your day.

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What makes Florida sunsets great?

The short answer is humidity, air quality, and thunderstorms. Florida’s best sunsets occur in the fall and winter. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the lower humidity compared to summer makes for better scattering of the light through air molecules. Winter skies also have higher clouds which catch colors, according to the National Weather Service. In addition, Florida has fairly good air quality.

Though some mistakenly believe that pollution is what makes good sunsets, the opposite is actually true. Summertime haze and urban smog tend to dilute the brilliant colors often found in sunsets.

Florida summers still produce amazing sunsets though. First, the rain from daily thunderstorms help tamp down any pollution particles in the air making it cleaner. Second, lingering clouds from those thunderstorms capture wonderful colors, similar to what happens in the winter with high clouds, and make beautiful photographs even more interesting.

Best Places to Watch a Stunning Florida Sunset

If you’re a sunset lover, add one of these places to your Florida vacation plans. You’ll enjoy spectacular sunsets and many are also great Florida destinations.

1. Key West

Perhaps the most famous Florida sunset is the one you find in Key West. Thousands throng to the sea each evening to watch the sun close out another day, to drink a toast, and to capture the perfect Key West sunset photograph. With some of the most romantic resorts in Florida as well as stunning sunsets, Key West is one of the most popular honeymoon destinations in Florida. It’s also a favorite with partyers!

Best places to watch: Mallory Square, Fort Zachary State Park

2. Clearwater Beach

With hundreds of miles of beach facing west to the Gulf of Mexico, Florida’s Gulf Coast offers some of the very best sunset-watching opportunities in the state. Clearwater Beach, one of the best beaches in the country, is wide with soft sand and uninterrupted views of the Florida sunsets. Features such as Pier 60 and Captain Memo’s pirate ship offer interesting subjects to capture in the setting sun.

If you’re want a less crowded, more low-key places near Clearwater Beach, try any of the beaches between Clearwater and St. Petersburg. Indian Rocks Beach, Redington Beach, Madeira Beach, and Treasure Island are favorites with locals. Or head north to Dunedin where you can enjoy a stunning sunset at Honeymoon Island State Park then enjoy a great meal at one of Dunedin’s restaurants.

Best places to watch: anywhere along the beach; find a pier or jetty for an interesting focal point

3. Miami

I know what you’re thinking. Miami’s on the east coast. Facing East. You’re right, but it also has some of the most populated barrier islands in Florida, and you can catch a spectacular Florida sunset from those places with the Miami skyline as an interesting focal point in a photograph. Still, the best place to watch sunsets in Miami is probably a boat.

Of course, if you’re a morning person, you can’t miss getting up for a Miami sunrise, often rivaling the beauty of a sunset. Head to Miami Beach or any of the waterfront parks for a relaxing and beautiful way to start your day.

Best places to watch: Rusty Pelican, Bar One

4. Cedar Key

Cedar Key attracts visitors year-round for a variety of activities. Whether you love fishing, scalloping, or just lounging in a quaint village by the sea, Cedar Key has what you’re looking for. The town maintains it’s quaint feel by limiting development. Historic wooden buildings line the water, housing shops to browse through and restaurants offering local seafood. When we lived in Ocala, it was a favorite day trip for us to watch a great Florida sunset and eat a fresh seafood dinner.

Best places to watch: Cedar Key Fishing Pier, G Street along the water (but please don’t trespass!)

5. Sanibel

As sunsets in Florida go, you can’t get much better than those on Sanibel and Captiva Islands. The islands are lined by Gulf coast beaches so you have that beautiful white sand beach plus the awe-inspiring Gulf vistas. Sanibel and Captiva also offer interesting features, like the Sanibel lighthouse in the photo above.

In September 2022, Hurricane Ian devastated this area and much of Florida’s southwest coast. The beaches, however, remain and the sunsets are just as stunning as before. Explore a little and you’ll find your perfect place for a great photo, too!

Best place to watch: Lighthouse Point, Bowman’s Beach Park

6. Lake Okeechobee

Florida’s largest lake, Lake Okeechobee is shallow and is located in the south central part of the state. At 29 miles wide, however, It offers plenty of wide open views for catching one of those great Florida sunsets. Plus, there are lake grasses, small islands dotting the lake, and boats that can add interest to your sunset photos.

Best places to watch: Port Myaca, Canal Point, Pahokee

7. Lake George

Lake George is the second largest lake in Florida. It’s part of the St. John River in Florida’s northeast. The St. John River begins far to the south near Kissimmee Prairie Preserve and flows north winding through lakes, farmland, wetlands, and forests. Many of the springs around Lake George are salt springs and impart enough salt to the lake to make it brackish and allow some normally marine animals to live there. At six miles wide, the lake presents a number of great opportunities to see a unique sunset.

Best places to watch: Lake George Fishing Pier, Pine Island Campground and Marina

8. Paynes Prairie

Paynes Prairie exemplifies what you can expect from an inner Florida sunset. Now a state park, hundreds of acres of Paynes Prairie alternate between wetlands and dry prairie. For many years in the 1800s, it was shallow Alachua Lake. Steamboats ferried passengers and goods across the lake from Gainesville to Micanopy. Today, Paynes Prairie is inhabited by wild horses, bison, alligators, and other Florida wildlife.

Best place to watch: Bolen Bluff Trail Observation Tower

9. St Petersburg

Though on Florida’s Gulf Coast, St. Petersburg’s waterfront faces east. You might think you can’t capture a great sunset there. The beauty of a St. Petersburg’s sunset is catching it behind the city skyline, which is best done from the new St. Petersburg Pier. Stretching 3,065 feet into Tampa Bay, the 26 acre complex includes shops, restaurants, parks, art, and plenty of outdoor green space.

Best place to watch: St. Pete Pier

10. Harris Chain of Lakes

The Harris Chain of Lakes is a collection of lakes in Central Florida north of Orlando. The biggest lake is Lake Harris. Other lakes in the region are Little Lake Harris, Lake Dora, Lake Griffin, Lake Denham, and Lake Eustis. Lake Apopka to the south of Little Lake Harris was the second largest lake in Florida until the north shore was drained to create farmland. Water likely once flowed freely between all the lakes in a series of creeks, rivers, and streams. There are many places around these lakes to see the sunset. The hard part will be deciding from where to watch!

Best places to watch: Little Lake Harris Astatula Boat Ramp, Mt Dora, Eustis,

11. Everglades

The Florida Everglades covers 1.5 million acres. To say there are many locations to see sunsets in Florida here is probably an understatement. A sunset in the Everglades promises amazing colors, crystal clear reflections, and a feeling of untamed wilderness. If you’re lucky enough to spend the night in the Glades, be sure to get up early and to see one of the most breathtaking sunrises in a national park, too!

Best places to watch: Chokoloskee, Flamingo, Shark Valley

12. St. George Island

St. George Island took a beating in recent hurricanes that have hit the Florida panhandle. Barrier islands are meant to take the brunt of storms and protect the mainland. Sitting off shore in the Gulf of Mexico, St. George Island is both protector and one of the best places in Florida to watch the sunset.

Best places to watch: anywhere on the beach

13. Fernandina Beach

Another East Coast town, Fernandina Beach lies on the west side of Amelia Island in the Jacksonville area. The historic downtown region fronts the Amelia River and the marsh beyond. Sunset watchers have great views from the docks and restaurants along the waterfront.

Best places to watch: Fernandina Plaza, Front Street

14. Santa Rosa Beach

This whole part of the Panhandle offers stellar opportunities to see sunsets in Florida. Though Santa Rosa Beach is located on the north side of this peninsula, it faces open water of a bay. It’s also a bit less crowded and touristy than nearby places like Destin or Panama City Beach. For a Gulf front experience, head to nearby Grayton State Park or Topsail Preserve.

Best places to watch: Lion Park, Cessna Landing

15. Kissimmee Prairie Preserve

Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park is one of two Dark Sky Parks in Florida. It’s in an isolated area of central Florida south of Orlando and has only a small campground and several miles of trails in the park. If hiking or biking in nature is your thing, this is a park for you. Ideally, book a campground and spend the day hiking. Then watch a Florida sunset that many others will never see and stay out after dark for a star gazing session.

Best place to watch: anywhere in the park

Tips for Watching Sunsets in Florida

You could just show up and see the sun set. That’s what a lot of people do. If you’re looking for a great photographic experience, though, a little planning will go a long way. Here are a few tips to make your planning a little easier and your photos a little more wow-worthy.

• Arrive early and scope out where you want to photograph from. An hour gives you time to see what features the area offers which might make more interesting photos.
• If you’re new to the sunset spot you choose, make an afternoon of it. Arrive a few hours early to enjoy the area before sunset. In some places and at certain times of the year, finding parking might be difficult so plan accordingly.
• Stay late. The best colors often come after the sun sets. Called the Blue Hour, this time of day has a whole other range of colors you won’t find in the rest of the day.
• Find the perfect location with suncalc.org. I use this website a lot when I’m looking at new locations, especially small parks with buildings or other obstructions nearby. There’s nothing worse than arriving at a new spot only to see that the sun will set in a way that makes good photos impossible.
• Use a tripod. A good tripod will provide the stability your camera needs so that you can take better photos. My favorite tripod to use with my Canon camera is this 60″ lightweight tripod. This 51″ lightweight tripod works great with Androids and iPhones.
• Bring bug spray! There are only a couple months of the year when mosquitoes, gnats, and other biting insects will not be a problem. And even then, if the weather has been warm, they will likely be out looking for victims.

Closing: Best Florida Sunset

And there you have it, 15 amazing spots to enjoy the beauty of a Florida sunset. Whether you prefer a beach, a park, a pier, or a rooftop, you can find the perfect place to end your day with a stunning view. So grab your camera, your loved ones, and your sunscreen, and head out to one of these locations for a memorable sunset experience. You won’t regret it!

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