Hit or Miss
Florida is well-known for its unique and stunning light displays at dusk and dawn. Sometimes however, these lightshows aren’t always easy to find a good spot to enjoy them from and people are often left wondering if there is a better vantage point somewhere else that they missed. Sunsets colors and light are already a hit or miss based on weather conditions alone, so why waste your time at shady spots that won’t be all they’re cracked up to be?
Here’s your top 5 list (in no particular order) of Southern Florida sunset spots and shots to not miss out on while you’re out exploring The Sunshine State.
Hobe Sound
Hobe Sound is just down the 1 from Stuart, and is home to some of the most beautiful natural tree tunnels you could ever hope to find. A casual drive down Bridge Road will leave most mouth agape, especially if you manage to hit it during golden hour (hour either before sunset, or after sunrise). Usually you can spot amazing light rays shining through the tree gaps and if you go for sunrise, very few people will likely be present, hopefully leaving the whole road all to yourself!
To get there: Follow directions to Hobe Sound Nature Preserve -- Jupiter Island, Hobe Sound, FL and Bridge Road will lead you straight to Hobe Sound Beach.
Jonathan Dickinson State Park
Some of the best views to be had that aren’t directly on the coast can be found in Jonathan Dickinson State Park. Located between Hobe Sound and Tequesta, Jonathan Dickinson State Park sprawls across almost 18 square miles and contains everything from a mountain bike park plus miles of trails to cycle on, to acres and acres of unique pine flatwoods and sand pine scrub. If you’re lucky you might even spot a gator or two!
For the best views of sunset for miles, head to the observation tower and get up to the top for prime views of the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean. The spanning treeline seen below goes as far as the eye can see.
It’s a good idea to arrive here early, as there is much to see and do before sunset, so you don’t want to be rushing last minute to catch the rays.
Bahia Honda State Park
Located along US 1 rested smack dab in the middle of the Keys lies Bahia Honda State Park. This park has amenities such as campgrounds, marinas, gift shops and concessions and also has long natural beaches along its coastline. Visitors will find the beaches flush with seashells, washed up sea creatures and critters, and plenty of the Atlantic’s discarded seagrass and sea sponges. Look out for the bright purple and blue jellyfish that look like little inflated bubbles though, as these are likely Portuguese man o' war jellyfish— a species that is known to leave harmful and extremely painful stings to humans. If you’re really lucky, you’ll spot a manatee feeding on the seagrass along the edges of the marina and rail bridge.
But the best sights to be seen here are definitely along the backside of the rail bridge looking out west. If you line it up properly, you can watch the sun set perfectly between the gap in the rail bridge all while enjoying the sea right beside you and perhaps manatees feeding right below you.
Mallory Square
Would this even be a top sunset list if it didn’t include Key West’s Mallory Square and its daily sunset celebration? Up to 2 hours before sunset each day, you can find performers in the square lining up to do their act— everything from juggling, magicians and clowns and musicians, you can find it all right in Mallory Square. A unique experience to say the least. But the real magic starts to happen around 20 minutes to sundown. The colors of the sky that made Key West and its sunsets world famous usually starts to show, and you can typically expect a pretty great light show.
If you land a spot right against the stone retaining wall along the waters edge, you’ll score views and shots of the sail ships soaring back and forth in front of you, making for some pretty cool views of the sun beaming among the boats. For me, this was the star of the show here and worth showing up early to get a good spot for.
Aboard a Sailboat!
In my honest opinion, by far the best option for catching sunset anywhere in Southern Florida is aboard a boat— preferably a sailboat. Kicking back and relaxing while watching the captain and his shipmates do their thing and masterfully sail the ship across the waters during last light is something to be experienced in itself. But the views that can be seen from ships sailing across the waters offer unparalleled vantages of the dazzling sun and unobstructed photos as well as plenty of opportunities to align ships and the sun far better than on ground.
The relaxed nature and unique sights and views seen during these sail cruises make the experience worth it even if you don’t get a stellar sunset that day. Seeing the light cast across the sails and seeing the sailors do their work and adjust the sails constantly and control the ship and her speed by doing so is a fascinating practice and should certainly be marveled and appreciated by itself— the sunset is just an added bonus as far as I’m concerned!
