Miami, Florida, is located on the southeastern coast of the USA, sharing the majestic ocean with the Caribbean neighbors, The Bahamas, and the popular vacation spot Haiti. Common things that come to mind about Miami, Florida, are the beach life, parties, and palm trees, but the stunning Miami sunsets are highly underappreciated.
This article details sunset spots in Miami and many other fun things to do while hanging out with friends on the beaches of Miami, Florida.
1. Can You See Sunsets in Miami?
Of course, Miami, Florida, is one of the best places in the country and the world to visit and enjoy the sunrise, sunsets, and panoramic views of the beaches. There are several beaches in Miami to select from and immerse yourself in the vibrant horizon the beach offers.
Suppose you’re looking for a place to post your beach photos; look no further than the Instagram page Miami Beach. This popular photo-sharing site is full of beautiful shots of the sun, sand, and waves. And if you’re lucky, you might even spot a celebrity or two.
Not just for Instagram, but recently, Miami Shores have been gaining popularity as a popular destination for date nights and engagement events and a tourist attraction spot.
In addition, the Miami Beach marina is a hot spot to explore and share activities like boating, kayaking, and renting yachts.
2. What Makes Miami’s Sunsets Special?
One of the reasons the sunset in Miami is so stunning is the location of Miami. Miami is located in the far Southern part of the USA, bordering closer to The Bahamas and on the Atlantic Ocean coast.
The breeze and winds from the Ocean and the neighboring Gulf are free from pollution, making the sky crystal clear for the sun to spread its light for a beautiful sunrise and reflecting sunlight during the evenings for a stunning sunset at the Miami horizon.
3. List of Beautiful Beaches in Miami:
Most beaches are dotted on Miami Island, separated from mainland Miami, Florida, by Biscayne Bay. For the best sunset in Miami, one should be aware of all the beaches spread over the East coast of Miami Island, Florida, as the best beaches are spread from Key Biscayne in the South to North Beach-Miami Beach.
3.1 Miami Beach:
Miami Beach is one of the major attraction centers in the USA and worldwide. Due to the length of the beach, Miami Beach is separated into North Beach, Mid Beach, and South Beach.
North Beach is generally calm and quiet with the local population, while Mid Beach is a mix of tourists and locals.
South Beach is located south of the mid-beach of Miami Island. It is the prime attraction point, filled with tourists and suited with spots for clicking photos for Instagram posts.
A major prime spot here is the Sunset Harbour, close to Lincoln Road. Sunset Harbour is known for its fine dining restaurants and is the best place for tourists to shop.
3.2 Virginia Beach:
This beautiful place is located south of the Biscayne Bay area. Just a little shy away from the downtown Miami financial center. This is the perfect place to spend a day off from the city’s hustle.
3.3 Darwin Beach:
This is located a little South of Virginia Beach and is a beautiful place to spend a day in Miami. Also, once this was part of the University of Miami, it became a separate marine school.
This is perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and fishing and is also a great place to enjoy a picnic.
3.4 South Pointe Beach:
South Pointe is known for its lively nightlife and many restaurants and bars. With such a culture, it is home to various attractions, including a beachfront amusement park, a dolphinarium, and a harbor for yachts.
3.5 Crandon Beach:
Another beautiful place to go for a day of swimming and sunbathing. This is one of the popular spots flanked by cliffs and is widely popular within the Instagram app community.
Plenty of restaurants and shops are nearby if you need a break from the sand.
4. Miami Sunset: 11 Best Spots
Miami has so many good sunsets, but if we had to narrow it down to just a few, here are our top picks!
4.1. Biscayne Bay Sunset at Lofts @ Fisher Island
Regarding sunset views, it’s hard to beat Biscayne Bay. And there’s no better place to see the sun sink into the horizon than at these luxury waterfront lofts in the heart of Fisher Island. And what better way to enjoy a warm Miami evening than with a glass of wine while watching the dolphins play below?
Fisher Island is just a 10-minute ferry ride from Miami Beach. The bay views from this island are stunning! Fisher Island is home to the largest mangrove estuary in Florida, so you can spend the day exploring all the local wildlife.
The island is also noted for its pristine white beaches and is home to some of the most expensive real estate in the country. Once you’ve spent your day exploring the island, return to the lofts for a glass of wine and the most stunning sunset in Miami.
4.2. Sunset at the South Beach Yacht Club
This is hands down our favorite sunset in Miami. It’s located at the South Beach Yacht Club, and the ocean views are simply stunning. You’ll see the Atlantic Ocean and the downtown Miami skyline in the distance. Plus, the sunset is always gorgeous.
4.3. Sunset at the MacArthur Causeway
MacArthur Causeway is worth checking out if you want a more secluded sunset location. You’ll have the entire causeway, and the ocean views are stunning. Plus, the sunset is always beautiful, apt for snapping stunning photos of the purple horizon.
4.4. Sunset at the Biscayne Bayfront Par
Biscayne Bay is the perfect place to catch the pink sunset in Miami. You can enjoy a cruise or walk along the bay to see the stunning phenomenon. Sunset at Biscayne Bayfront Park is a great option if you’re looking for a more tranquil sunset.
You’ll have to be quick because the phenomenon lasts only about 10 minutes. After catching the pink sunset, you can head to one of the many bars or restaurants in the area for a drink to celebrate.
4.5. Rusty Pelican
The iconic restaurant is known for its ambiance, especially due to the floor-to-ceiling windows. It is also a perfect place for planning a dinner date to feel the vibe and view the Biscayne Bay and downtown Miami.
If you’re in Miami and ignore Rusty Pelican, you’re surely missing out on a pleasant sunset.
4.6. South Pointe Park
The park is one of the best places, with a playground and a sunset view. The park offers panoramic views of Port Miami and the Downtown Miami skyline, and during the day, one can watch the cruise ships enter and exit the Miami harbor.
Close by South Pointe Park is the Miami Beach marina; if you love boating and sailing in yachts, you should check out this place. You get to meet fellow boat lovers and hang around with friends.
4.7. Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park
The park is the best place to catch the sun directly sinking into the ocean with hues of red.
4.8. Sunset Stopping Point: Miami Art Museum’s Skyline Roof Deck
Take the stunning Miami skyline from the top of the Miami Art Museum. The museum offers a gorgeous rooftop deck with a view of the entire city. You can see the cruise ships coming and going from the Port of Miami, Biscayne Bay, and the Miami Beach skyline.
After enjoying a cocktail on the roof deck, you can stroll along Biscayne Boulevard and admire the views from the waterfront.
4.9. Orchid Garden in The Julio Mario M. Romeu
The Julio Mario M. Romeu, also known as the Miami Beach Botanical Garden, offers one of the most beautiful views of the Miami skyline and Biscayne Bay. The orchid garden at the center of the garden is breathtaking, and you can also enjoy a view of the city from the top of the garden.
You can visit the garden daily and walk along a winding path to the orchid garden. The garden also offers a monthly Moonlight Garden Tour. For more information, visit their website.
4.10. Sunset Boat Cruise with Jumping Dolphins
Sit on the water and watch Miami Beach fade as you cruise along Biscayne Bay. Dolphin Cruise is a unique experience where you can see dolphins jumping in the distance. It is a magical experience to watch the dolphins up close while they jump and splash around.
You can also see the Miami skyline from the water. After the cruise, you can stay at the dock, where many bars and food options exist. It is a perfect place to enjoy the sunset with a cocktail and a few friends. This cruise is a one-of-a-kind experience, and it is one of the best places to watch the sunset in Miami.
4.11. The Shops at Merrick Park: Sunset Yoga and Cocktails
Enjoy a sunset cocktail at this upscale outdoor shopping center on Miami Beach. The shopping center offers classes from salsa dancing to yoga under the stars! Their Sunset Yoga class is perfect for unwinding after a long workweek.
After the yoga class, you and your friends can explore the center, grab a drink and a bite to eat, and then relax on the beach while you wait for the sunset. You can also finish the evening with a cocktail in their exclusive Cabana Bar and Lounge. The shopping center also offers Sunset Crawls.
Honorary Mentions
For a better view, navigate yourself to the rooftop terrace building. Some of the best places for such a scenic view are Standard Spa Miami Hotel, Sunset Marina Harbor in Maurice Gibb Memorial Park, and Matheson Hammock Park.
5. Why does Miami have a Pink Sunset?
Pink is one of the hues of red that appear primarily during sunset. The pink sunset phenomenon happens once a year near the end of October when the water temperature rises above 71 degrees. The major reason for bright, colorful sunsets in Miami is the location, which is naturally prone to hurricanes.
It boils down to sunlight scattering during sunset, and the shades of color please our eyes. However, the trick is that aerosols and particles influence the different color formations. The sun’s rays can then penetrate the water, which causes the water to appear pink.
The pink sunset is a phenomenon that can only be seen in South Florida, and it happens during a very short period – usually only a few days during October.
Based on the sun’s position from the horizon during sunrise or sunset (twilight), you can watch the color formation differently during the sunset/sunrise.
Being with the Nautical twilight implies that you can watch more shades of grey, and the civil twilight paints the sky with hues of red-orange and pink. The astronomical twilight is generally perceived as dark; you see shades of purple and dark blue tones.
6. What is the Longest Day in Miami?
Sunset times vary according to the season, as does the sunset in Miami. The days are the longest in Miami, during March, April, and May, making it the best time of the year to catch the artworks of nature.
Miami visit during the spring season, the peak of April, is just the beginning of a fun, with the right mix of sandy shores, parties, driving through a neon-lit street with palm trees, and sunset in Miami.
7. How do you reach the Miami Beaches?
If you’re driving to Miami, you can take I-95 South to get to the city. The I-195 takes you across Biscayne Bay from the mainland city and reaches the Mid-Miami beach. From there, on either side (North and South), you can get to the remaining tourist spots and attractions.
If you’re flying into Miami, you’ll land at Miami International Airport (MIA). You can take a taxi or the Miami Airport Express (MetroRail) to get to South Beach. From Miami Beach, you can also take the Miami Beach Ferry to get to different parts of South Beach. If you’re staying in mid-Beach, you can walk to the Ferry. If you stay in North Beach, you can drive to the Ferry.
If you prefer using the Metrorail or trolleys, you can check the official website for the correct timings, area coverage, and availability.
I hope you get to experience the best sunset views in Miami.
Last Updated on by Sathi Chakraborty, MSc Biology
