Plan a Sunrise or Sunset Outing Safely
A sunrise or sunset outing needs a suitable viewing spot, the local time for your chosen date and a safe way home.
- Time:
- 60 min
- Cost:
- free
- Difficulty:
- easy
- Where:
- Outdoors
- Best:
- Solo
A sunrise or sunset outing needs a suitable viewing spot, the local time for your chosen date and a safe way home. Choose somewhere you know and check access hours. Cloud and terrain affect what you see, so treat the outing as time outdoors rather than a guaranteed photograph.
Prepare for changing light
Check the sunrise or sunset time for the location and date using a current weather or astronomy source. Arrive with enough time to settle without rushing. For sunset, plan the route back before darkness; for sunrise, think about the journey while it is still dark.
Take suitable clothing and a torch if the return route needs one. Use public paths and avoid cliff edges, exposed viewpoints or places with uncertain access. Never look directly at the sun, including through a camera or binoculars. A sheltered nearby viewpoint can be a better choice than a remote site.
Why watch the sunrise or sunset outdoors is worth an hour
When the sun is below the horizon its light passes through much more atmosphere and reaches clouds from underneath, which is what produces the intense color. That requires clouds: a completely clear sky gives a clean but muted result, while high broken cloud gives the spectacular version. Knowing this lets you predict whether an evening is worth the trip.
How to watch the sunrise or sunset outdoors step by step
- 1
Check the actual time
Sunrise and sunset shift by minutes daily. Look it up rather than estimating, particularly near the solstices.
- 2
Arrive thirty minutes early
For sunset, to see the light change. For sunrise, because the pre-dawn color is the best part.
- 3
Check the cloud forecast
High broken cloud produces the best color. A completely clear sky is pretty and comparatively dull.
- 4
Face away from the sun occasionally
The opposite horizon often has the better color, and almost nobody looks at it.
- 5
Stay twenty minutes after
This is the part people miss. The color usually peaks well after the sun has gone.
Tips to get more out of it
- Take more layers than you think you will need. Temperature drops surprisingly quickly at both ends of the day, particularly once the sun is down.
- For sunrise, prepare everything the night before. Decisions at five in the morning go badly.
- Never look directly at the sun, and be especially careful through any camera viewfinder or binoculars.
Ways to mix it up
If you want the photographic version, arrive an hour early and shoot through the whole transition rather than only at the peak. If you want the calm rather than the spectacle, sunrise is dramatically quieter than sunset almost everywhere.
For more ideas, browse outdoor activities.
Another activity to try is have a picnic in a scenic spot.
Watch the sunrise or sunset outdoors: frequently asked questions
Does a sunset outing need clear weather?
Clear weather is not essential for enjoying time outside, but cloud can obscure the sunset. Check the forecast and choose a safe nearby spot with an easy return route.
When is the best color, before or after sunset?
Usually about twenty minutes after, when light passes through more atmosphere and lights clouds from below.
Does a clear sky mean a better sunset?
No. High broken cloud produces far more color, because the cloud is what catches and scatters the light.
Is sunrise or sunset better?
Similar light, very different atmosphere. Sunrise is quieter and colder; sunset is warmer and considerably busier.
Related activities
Outdoor
Go stargazing in a dark area
Head somewhere with minimal light pollution, look up, and marvel at constellations, planets, and the Milky Way.
Outdoor
Try outdoor photography
Capture landscapes, wildlife, or street scenes outside—practice composition and lighting with nature as your studio.
Outdoor
Have a picnic in a scenic spot
Pack your favorite snacks and a blanket, find a beautiful outdoor setting, and enjoy a relaxing meal in the open air.