You're standing on the edge of the Gulf of Mexico, a lukewarm Margarita in your hand, and the sky is turning a shade of bruised purple and electric orange that looks almost fake. It's beautiful. But honestly, if you didn't check the sunset time Key West today, you’re probably just standing in a crowded line at Mallory Square wondering why everyone is blocking your view.
Timing is everything.
The sun doesn't just "go down" in the Florida Keys; it performs. For January 14, 2026, the sun is scheduled to slip below the horizon at 5:56 PM EST. But if you show up at 5:55 PM, you've already missed the best part. The real show starts about forty-five minutes before that official timestamp when the light hits the atmosphere at an angle that turns the turquoise water into a sheet of hammered gold.
Why the sunset time Key West today is more than just a number
Most tourists treat the sunset like a movie start time. It isn't. It’s a progression. The "Golden Hour" in Key West is particularly intense because of the lack of high-rise buildings and the unique humidity levels that scatter light differently than in, say, Arizona or California.
In Key West, the atmosphere acts like a prism. You have the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Gulf of Mexico on the other. This massive amount of surrounding water keeps the air heavy with salt spray and moisture. When the sun hangs low, the light has to travel through more of that dense, moist air. This filters out the shorter blue wavelengths and leaves you with the long-wave reds and pinks. It’s science, but it feels like magic when you’re there.
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The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) tracks these timings with surgical precision, but they don't account for the "Cloud Factor." A few clouds on the horizon aren't a bad thing. In fact, a perfectly clear sky is actually kind of boring. You want those high cirrus clouds to catch the light from underneath after the sun has technically set. That's when the sky "pops."
The "Green Flash" myth and reality
Have you heard of the green flash? People talk about it at Captain Tony’s Saloon like it’s a religious experience. Some folks think it’s just the result of too many rum runners.
It’s real.
Basically, as the sun disappears, the atmosphere acts as a lens, refracting the light. For a split second—literally a fraction of a second—the very last sliver of the sun can turn a brilliant, neon green. You need a perfectly flat horizon and zero haze. Today’s conditions look decent, but you have to keep your eyes peeled. Don't blink at 5:56 PM or you’ll miss the only reason some locals even bother looking up anymore.
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Where to go once you know the timing
Mallory Square is the default. It’s loud. There are fire breathers, cats jumping through hoops, and people selling conch fritters. It’s a circus. If you like that energy, great. But if you want to actually see the sunset without someone’s selfie stick in your peripheral vision, you’ve got to get creative.
Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park is the local secret that isn't really a secret anymore. It’s the southernmost point of the island (the real one, not the buoy where tourists wait in line for an hour). The beach faces west-southwest. Because it's a state park, it closes shortly after sunset, so the rangers will eventually shoo you out, but the view is unobstructed by piers or cruise ships.
- The Southernmost Mansion: Great for a porch view.
- The Perry Hotel Marina: If you’re staying on Stock Island, the sunset hits the masts of the sailboats in a way that feels very "old Florida."
- A Sunset Sail: This is the high-effort, high-reward move. Being on the water removes the land-based horizon line issues. Just make sure the boat isn't a "booze cruise" if you actually care about the photography.
The logistics of a Key West evening
Parking in Key West is a nightmare. It's a tiny island. If the sunset time Key West today is 5:56 PM, you should be parked and walking by 4:45 PM. If you try to find a spot near Duval Street at 5:30 PM, you are going to spend the sunset looking at the back of a parked Ford F-150.
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Take the Duval Loop bus. It’s free. It runs frequently. Or better yet, rent a bicycle. Key West is a bicycle town. You can zip past the traffic, lock your bike to a palm tree, and be sitting on a pier while the drivers are still cursing at one-way signs.
What happens after the sun goes down?
The period after the sun dips is called civil twilight. This lasts about 24 minutes. This is actually my favorite time. The "official" sunset marks the end for most people—they pack up and head to dinner. Big mistake.
The colors often intensify after the sun is gone. The sky turns a deep, velvety indigo, and the horizon stays orange for a long time. This is also when the temperature drops about five degrees and the island breeze finally kicks in. It’s the most comfortable ten minutes of the day.
Today's specific weather outlook
Checking the cloud cover is as important as the time. Currently, the forecast shows scattered clouds at 15,000 feet. This is peak sunset territory. Low-level thick clouds (the gray, heavy ones) will block the sun and ruin the effect. But high, thin clouds reflect the light from below the horizon. If you see those wispy "mare's tails" in the sky around 4:00 PM, you’re in for a spectacular show.
The humidity is sitting at around 72%. That’s standard for January. It means the air is clear enough for a sharp horizon but moist enough to hold onto those red tones. Wind is coming from the Northeast at 10 mph, which will keep the bugs away. Trust me, you don't want to be at a sunset viewpoint when the wind dies down and the "no-see-ums" come out to feast.
Planning your sunset strategy
- Check the tide: Low tide can expose some of the sulfurous smells of the mangroves in certain areas. Today, the tide is coming in, which is good. It keeps the water looking blue and smelling fresh.
- Pick your vibe: Do you want a DJ and a cocktail (Sunset Pier) or silence and nature (Fort Zach)?
- Charge your phone, but then put it away: Take two photos. Then stop. The human eye has a dynamic range that your iPhone 15 Pro Max can’t even touch. You’ll remember the color better if you actually look at it with your own retinas.
- Dinner reservations: Don't book dinner for 6:00 PM. You'll be rushing. Aim for 7:00 PM or 7:30 PM. Give yourself time to walk off the pier and soak in the twilight.
Key West is one of the few places in the continental U.S. where the sunset is a community event. It’s a ritual. Whether you’re at the top of the lighthouse or sitting on a concrete pylon at the end of Simonton Street, there's a collective sigh that happens when that light finally fades.
It’s a reminder that the day is over, the work is done, and the night—which is where Key West really earns its reputation—is just beginning.
Actionable Next Steps
- Finalize your location by 5:00 PM: Use the extra time to grab a slice of Key Lime pie (on a stick, dipped in chocolate is the way to go) and claim your patch of ground.
- Monitor the horizon: If you see a heavy bank of gray clouds on the water, the "Green Flash" is a no-go, so focus your camera on the clouds above instead.
- Post-sunset transit: Avoid Duval Street immediately after the sun sets. It’s a bottleneck. Walk a block over to Whitehead Street or Simonton Street to find a quicker path to your next destination.
- Check the moonrise: Tonight the moon rises later, meaning the transition from sunset to starlight will be particularly dark and dramatic. Perfect for stargazing at the White Street Pier later tonight.