The 7 Most Beautiful Places You Need to Watch the Sunset in Key West

I spent a summer working and playing in Key West and while I was there, I watched my fair share of Key West sunsets. Because of my experiences, I say that watching the sunset in Key West is one of the top things you need to add to your Key West itinerary. Almost every night on the island you are bound to have a clear view of the sun going down looking like a flaming, orange ball falling behind the horizon.

Coincidentally, I worked right around the corner from the infamous Mallory Square where the nightly ‘Sunset Celebration’ takes place. Every evening I worked, I’d watch people make their way to Mallory Square 1-2 hours before sunset and walk back afterward to continue their night with dinner or head back to their hotel.

The island has many great places to watch the sunset with some more well-known than others. Based on my experience, I’ve compiled a list of places to watch the sunset in Key West that I highly recommend. Some of these spots are totally infamous and a few are for sure hidden gems. First you’ll find a quick rundown followed by a more detailed description of each of these Key West sunset spots.

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related post: The Ultimate Itinerary for a Day Trip to Key West

Quick Rundown of the Best Places to Watch Key West Sunsets

• Mallory Square Sunset Celebration
• From the Water on a Sunset Cruise
• Latitudes Restaurant on Sunset Key
• Fort Zachary Taylor State Park Beach
• Southernmost Beach Cafe
• Sunset Pier Restaurant
• Higgs Beach Pier

What Time are the Sunsets in Key West?

The time of year will definitely affect the sunset time in Key West. The earliest sunset in December happens around 5:40 PM and the latest sunset in July happens around 8:20 PM. You can check current sunset times here. Remember, if you are looking to attend the Sunset Celebration, festivities begin about two hours before sunset. And if you want to enjoy dinner at one of these locations you may need reservations long in advance (Latitudes on Sunset Key), or you may need to show up 1-2 hours before sunset to secure a great seat (Sunset Pier, Southernmost Beach Cafe etc).

*Use this interactive map to see the locations of the best places to watch the sunset in Key West*

Where to See a Key West Sunset

1. Mallory Square Sunset Celebration

Mallory Square is by far one of the best places to watch the sunset in Key West. It definitely is a touristy spot, but usually, touristy spots are touristy for a reason, right😌? Every single night of the year, Mallory Square is home to the ‘Sunset Celebration’. Starting about two hours before sunset, the square is filled with local artisans, food, street performers, and live music. The celebration is located right on the edge of the water with great sunset views. Many times, people will even clap once the sun has set.

I really enjoy the atmosphere at the Sunset Celebration and definitely recommend it as the best place to watch the sunset in Key West (if you only have one night/sunset to experience). Plus it’s conveniently located just a couple minute walk from the end of Duval Street making it an easy place to get to. If you have more than one night in Key West, definitely be sure to check out some of the other awesome places to watch the sunset below.

related post:The Ultimate Key West, Florida Bucket List | 98 Things to Do

2. Sailing on a Key West Sunset Cruise

Another way to see the best sunset in Key West is aboard a sunset cruise (or you may call it a sunset sail). There are so many different types of Key West sunset tours to choose from like a cruise on a large catamaran with live music and appetizers, a sail on a replica 1851 Schooner, a private cruise on an intimate boat (for a surprisingly good deal for a private group) or you can even combine snorkeling with your sunset sail!

I did my sunset cruise on a large catamaran and it was awesome. There was live music, drinks (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic) and appetizers. It was a chill, relaxing experience cruising on the water around the island and watching the sunset. That catamaran experience was definitely one of the best sunset cruises in Key West (but really I think you can’t go wrong with any of them).

You may think of a sunset cruise as something that is not very family friendly, however on most cruises, people of all ages are permitted (just be sure to check the description). Those aged 21+ will be given a wristband for alcoholic beverages but there are plenty of non-alcoholic beverages to choose from as well (coming from someone who doesn’t drink).

check out this post: 8 Key West Excursions Definitely Worth the Money

3. Latitudes Restaurant on Sunset Key

I don’t usually recommend posh restaurants and I try to stay in the budget-friendly range (check out my Ultimate Key West Food Guide if you are wondering), however, dining at Latitudes during the sunset (or really any time of day) is worth the price tag. Plus, if you think about buying dinner as paying for an experience (like you would with a sunset cruise) it equals out to be about the same.

Latitudes Restaurant is located on Sunset Key which is a small, exclusive island known for its holiday cottages just a very short boat ride from Key West. Even though it is an exclusive island for those staying in the cottages, anyone is welcome to make reservations to eat at Latitudes. And speaking of reservations, they are required and many recommend that you book months in advance. Plus be sure to request a seat outside on the patio to ensure the best experience possible (not all of their seating is outside).

The ‘dress code’ for dinner is “country club casual.” Collared or dress V-neck shirts and dress shorts are acceptable, however, tank tops and/or cover-ups aren’t allowed for dinner. Once you have reservations, you get to Sunset Key on a complimentary Sunset Key ‘ferry’ that leaves from a dock on Key West that takes you the short, but nice, ride to the island.

4. The Beach at Fort Zachary Taylor State Park

Fort Zachary Taylor beach is definitely a local-favorite spot to watch the sunset. During the day, Fort Zach (as it’s called around the island) is known for great snorkeling and a Civil War-era fort you can tour. And in the evenings, it is known as a relaxed, quieter place to watch the sunset (compared to the Sunset Celebration on Mallory Square).

You could spend a whole day at Fort Zachary Taylor swimming and snorkeling, laying out on the beach, walking the paths, touring the fort, eating, and top it all off with a beautiful Key West sunset. Check out my 10 Best Things to do at Fort Zachary Taylor State Park article for more ideas!

related post: 10 Best Things to do at Fort Zachary Taylor State Park in Key West Florida

5. South Beach/Southernmost Beach Cafe

If you are looking for a beachy sunset experience but don’t want to walk far from Duval Street, South Beach is perfect for you. Located at the end of Duval Street and just a two-minute walk from the Southernmost Point buoy you will find a small, but nice beach with chairs and umbrellas for rent and a nice view of the sunset behind some palm trees.

You can also buy appetizers or dinner at Southernmost Beach Cafe which is located right on the beach with a lovely patio to eat and enjoy the sunset. For some strange reason, South Beach is not on Google Maps, but you can find it by searching for Southernmost Beach Cafe.

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6. Sunset Pier Restaurant

Sunset Pier Restaurant is located right on a pier near Mallory Square and the Sunset Celebration with a perfect view of the sunset (like you’d get at the Sunset Celebration) but instead, you can sit and enjoy dinner with live music and once the sun is down, you’ll be sitting under adorable twinkle lights.

In order to get a seat for the sunset, you may need to arrive about 1.5 hours before sunset as it can get quite busy!

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check out this post:Key West Food Guide | 19 Places You Must Try

7. Higgs Beach Pier

For a quiet sunset without a lot of fanfare and away from the crowds, head to Higgs Beach Pier. You don’t have the most direct view of the sunset in all of Key West, but the sky will light up all the same. I enjoyed a quiet picnic sunset on this pier with Chinese takeout and it was totally lovely.

This pier isn’t my top recommendation for where to watch the sunset in Key West, however, if you have a few nights in Key West, Higgs Beach Pier is a great, quiet spot to enjoy the sunset. If you spend the day at the beach you can rent chairs/umbrellas, eat at the waterfront restaurant ‘Salute! On the Beach’ and watch people catch fish off the pier.

Check out these other posts, I know you’ll love them:

• The Ultimate Itinerary for a Day Trip to Key West
• 8 Key West Excursions Definitely Worth the Money
• 10 Best Things to do at Fort Zachary Taylor State Park in Key West Florida
• The Ultimate Key West, Florida Bucket List | 98 Things to Do
• 17 Things You Need to Know Before Visiting Key West, Florida
• Ultimate Key West Food Guide | 19 Places You Must Try
• 8 Best Places to Try Key Lime Pie in Key West
• 5 Reasons You Need to Rent Jet Skis in Key West + How to Rent

And those are the top places to watch the sunset in Key West! Please let me know if you have any questions about these locations or any other Key West questions! I’m a real person that loves to talk travel and I’ll be sure to get back to you!

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