Are you chasing the best sunset in Key West? As the southernmost point in the United States, Key West certainly knows how to dazzle visitors with its magical sunsets. The best part about this incredible island is that there are so many different places to catch magical sunsets!
When it comes to deciding where to watch the sunset in Key West, the first order of business is deciding if you prefer to relish the hazy sky of purple-and-tangerine hues with a crowd or soak up the ethereal views on your own!
For those who want to catch a Key West sunset with their closest companions, a secluded beach or private boat charter is the way to go. For those who feed off the energy of a crowd, a popular beach or pier is the way to go.
You don’t have to know your way around the Florida Keys to know where to go for amazing sunset views. This list of seven top picks will help you choose the best place to watch the sunset in Key West during your upcoming visit!
1) Watch A Sunset From The Ocean In Key West
Why settle for ordinary views of the sun setting over the water when you could watch the sunset from the perspective of the marine life and birds that call the tropical waters off of Key West home instead? One of the best-kept secrets about visiting Key West is that anyone can book sunset cruises!
Perfect for a romantic evening or unforgettable getaway with friends, a Key West Sunset Cruise from Key West Boat Trips brings you out on the water to feel connected to the natural beauty and ecology of the Florida Keys. What makes our private guided sunset cruises so special is that we bring you to the sandbar to have a rare encounter with the local ecosystem of the island.
Unlike passengers on the crowded boats floating around the island’s main harbors, our guests enjoy private boat cruises in backcountry water. Your captain will even drop an anchor over the sandbar to let you watch the sun go down!
Once docked at the sandbar, you and your companions can jump into the knee-deep to waist-deep water to splash away in the fading sunlight of the day. This experience creates the sensation that you are standing in the middle of the ocean at golden hour! Following this two-hour sunset adventure, you’ll arrive back at the marina in time to resume a celestial night out in Key West!
Don’t miss an opportunity to watch a sunset from a sandbar in the ocean. Book your elite voyage with Key West Boat Trips today!
2) Take Part In Key West’s Nightly Sunset Celebration
The nightly sunset celebration at Mallory Square in Key West needs no introduction. This fun, spiritual event brings together the best food vendors, local artists, live music acts, and street performers on the island to bid farewell to the tropical sun every single night of the year.
While the sunset celebration at Mallory Square in Key West has been taking place like clockwork an hour before sunset every evening since the 1960s, people have actually been admiring the remarkable sunsets for generations. In fact, notable figures ranging from Mark Twain to Tennessee Williams have taken part in early iterations of Mallory Square’s sunset celebration!
3) Catch A Key West Sunset At The Historic Sea Port
The Key West Historic Seaport is a charming spot for catching one of the island’s famous sunsets. The best part is that you can incorporate one of those fabulous Key West sunsets with a day of shopping and dining at the port area’s shops, galleries, restaurants, and spots for live music.
Experience the breathtaking sunset while dining at one of the finest bars and restaurants in Key West’s Historic Seaport:
- Harpoon Harry’s – American restaurant
- Boat House Bar & Grill
- B.O.’s Fish Wagon – Seafood restaurant
- Schooner Wharf Bar
As you admire a sunset, you’re also likely to see sailboats and yachts scooting by on the water!
4) Spend All Day At Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park In Key West
Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park is a Civil War-era fort that attracts history buffs from around the globe! This Florida State Park and National Historic Landmark is located on the southern edge of Key West.
While the fort closes nightly at 5 p.m. to visitors, the accompanying Fort Zachary Taylor Beach area allows visitors to stay until sundown. In fact, locals consider this beach one of the best spots to watch a beautiful Key West sunset.
The insider tip here is to show up with some chairs or beach blankets to get comfortable as nature’s splendor unfolds in the sky all around you.
5) Enjoy A Stunning Sunset At Higgs Beach Pier In Key West
Clarence S. Higgs Memorial Beach Park offers 16.5 acres of oceanfront vista on the Atlantic Ocean in Key West. The crown of this beach is the 400-foot pier that was simply made for dreamy sunsets.
There’s no need to rush to get here just before the sun goes down to enjoy a little Key West sunset celebration. In addition to being one of the best places to watch a sunset in Key West, Higgs Beach is also an incredible spot for:
- Swimming
- Snorkeling
- Sunbathing
- Playing a little bit of beach volleyball
While the sunset pier is where you’ll want to be about an hour before the sun begins its descent, you can spend hours enjoying the tennis and pickleball courts or children’s playground before the sun sets.
6) Have An Elite Sunset Celebration At Sunset Pier At Ocean Key Resort & Spa
If you want to spot the sun setting over Key West with a chilled drink in your hand in the company of friends, look no further than Sunset Pier at Ocean Key Resort & Spa.
Sunset Pier is a relaxed dockside seafood eatery that is part of the acclaimed Ocean Key Resort & Spa. The best part about coming here for a Key West sunset is that you’ll be just in time for the amazing “happy hour” menu full of cocktails and nibbles. This bar also boasts live music, water views, and a more private vibe compared to something like the Mallory Square sunset celebration.
7) Have Fun Meeting New Faces At The Sunset Tiki Bar & Grill
The Sunset Tiki Bar & Grill is a well-known establishment that’s part of Key West’s Galleon Resort. It’s also one of the best places to watch the sunset here in Key West if you love mingling.
As the sun sets, guests enjoy tropical cocktails and live music in a pampered poolside setting.
Don’t miss the evening happy hour taking place from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. nightly. There’s no need to worry about getting kicked out once the sun sets! Sunset Tiki Bar & Grill is open nightly until 10 p.m.
Make Plans To Experience An Amazing Sunset In Key West
What makes this spot so special is that the public can watch the sunset everywhere from Mallory Square to the historic seaport without paying any special fees or dealing with gatekeepers.
However, the fact that crowds can be everywhere may inspire you to plan a more personal sunset celebration while in Key West. That’s where a sunset cruise comes into the picture!
At Key West Boat Trips, our mission is to give you the best sunset in Key West! Let us help you plan a one-of-a-kind sunset cruise that gives you views that are better than anything you’ll find at Mallory Square, Key West Harbor, or the other famous sunset spots around Key West.
A sandbar is one of the best Key West sunset spots that the average visitor to Key West has no idea about! When you book your spot with us, we’ll show you many more secrets of the island that will make your time in the Florida Keys more memorable. Make a plan to watch the sunset from the water when you book your amazing two-hour sunset cruise with the experienced team at Key West Boat Trips!
