Best Places to Watch the Sunset in Palm Beach County

Where are the best places to watch the sunset in Palm Beach County?

The best sunset views in Palm Beach County come from west-facing spots over water and from open, elevated vantage points, because our beaches face east and give you the sunrise instead. Top spots include the waterfront restaurants around the Jupiter Inlet and its lighthouse, the rooftop at the Canopy by Hilton in downtown West Palm Beach, the Worth Avenue clock tower and Lake Trail in Palm Beach, the lakes and preserve at Avenir in Palm Beach Gardens, and the rooftop at the Opal Grand in Delray Beach. Look for a western view across the Intracoastal, a river, or an inland lake, and you will catch the color.

One of the things I love most about living and working in Palm Beach County is that it never stops being beautiful.

After 35-plus years here, I still slow down for a good sunset. The part that surprises people who move here is simple. Our beaches face east, so the ocean gives you the sunrise. For the sunset, you want a western view over water, an inland lake, or an open sky with room to breathe. Here are the spots I keep going back to, and the ones I point out to anyone still learning the lay of the land.

Jupiter: The Inlet, the Lighthouse, and a Ring of Waterfront Tables

Jupiter is one of the best sunset towns in South Florida, and the Jupiter Inlet is the reason.

• The red Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse stands right at the water, and a ring of open-air restaurants wraps around the inlet with the lighthouse in view. This is sunset over the water at its easiest. You just pick a table.
• Square Grouper Tiki Bar sits right on the inlet, open-air and casual, and regulars know to arrive about 30 minutes before sunset for the best spot as the sky shifts from blue to pink to orange.
• Just across the water, Charlie and Joe's at Love Street gives you three choices in one place: Lucky Shuck for oysters, Beacon for a nicer dinner, and Topside, the rooftop, for cocktails and panoramic water views.
• U-Tiki Beach and Jetty's both look straight at the lighthouse, and Guanabanas nearby on the Loxahatchee is a true open-air Jupiter institution with live music.

If you would rather watch for free, Sawfish Bay Park off Alternate A1A puts you right on the water with the lighthouse in view and no bill at the end. Bring a chair and get there before the sun drops. For the full list of where locals eat on the water, see our guide to waterfront dining in Palm Beach County.

Avenir and Palm Beach Gardens: Sunsets Without Leaving Home

This one is personal. Steve and I live in Avenir, on the western edge of Palm Beach Gardens, and the sunsets out here are some of the best I have seen in the county. Avenir sits against more than 2,400 acres of protected preserve to the west, with over 300 acres of lakes and waterways running through the community. That combination, open western sky and water to hold the color, is exactly what makes a sunset land.

You do not have to go anywhere for it. A lakefront street, one of the walking trails, or your own back patio can give you an unobstructed view as the sun drops behind the preserve. It is one of the quiet advantages of a home on the western side of the Gardens that buyers do not always think to ask about, and then never want to give up. If you want a fuller picture of a day out here, our post on a perfect Saturday in Palm Beach Gardens gets into it.

West Palm Beach: Rooftop Views Downtown

Downtown West Palm Beach has grown up, and the best way to take in a sunset here is from above. The rooftop bar at the Canopy by Hilton, called Treehouse, sits 13 floors up and faces west, so the downtown skyline, the Intracoastal, and the sky all light up together. It is one of the few spots in the county where you watch the sun go down over the water and the city at the same time. Come for a cocktail and stay through golden hour.

For a quieter option with no cover charge, Okeeheelee Park on the western side of West Palm Beach has big open lakes that hold the color of the sky. Arrive about 30 minutes early, find a spot along the shoreline with the water and open sky to your west, and settle in. After an afternoon storm clears, it is hard to beat.

Palm Beach: Worth Avenue and the Clock Tower

The clock tower at the ocean end of Worth Avenue is one of the most photographed landmarks in Palm Beach, and golden hour is when it shines. The sun sets to the west, behind the avenue and over the Intracoastal, so the sky down Worth Avenue colors up while the coral-stone tower and the row of coconut palms catch the last warm light. It is a beautiful, easy stop, and the beach is right across the street.

For the sun actually dropping over the water, walk a few minutes to the Lake Trail on the island's west side. The paved path runs along the Intracoastal with an open western view and some of the most famous addresses in the world behind you. Landmark first, then water, and you have the whole Palm Beach version of a sunset.

Delray Beach: Go Up to Catch the Light

Delray is an ocean town, which means the beach is a sunrise spot, not a sunset one. The local move here is to get some elevation. The rooftop bar at the Opal Grand, called Elevate, sits above Atlantic Avenue and clears the rooftops, so you get the open western sky with a cocktail in hand. From up there the light show works the way you want it to, and dinner on the Avenue is a few steps down.

One honest local tip. A lot of first-timers head to Veterans Park expecting the sun to set over the water. It is a lovely park right on the Intracoastal, but it sits on the west bank, so the water and the view face east. That makes it wonderful for morning coffee and watching the boats, not for the sunset. Save Veterans Park for the daytime, take the rooftop for the evening, then walk down to Atlantic Avenue for dinner.

A Few Local Tips Before You Go

In late summer, sunset in Palm Beach County lands around 7:45 to 8:00 PM ET. Across the year it ranges from about 5:30 PM in December to just past 8:00 PM in June, so check the day's time if you are planning around it. The sky usually starts showing color about 30 minutes before the sun drops, and the richest color comes right at and just after sunset. Do not leave early.

Afternoon summer storms that clear before evening leave behind the most dramatic skies. After a stormy day, make the drive. You will not regret it.

Bring bug spray if you are at a park or on the river, especially near the Loxahatchee. The no-see-ums show up at dusk in the warm months, and nothing ends a beautiful moment faster than forgetting the repellent.

If you are still figuring out which part of the county feels most like home, the spots above are a good introduction. Jupiter has the laid-back, outdoors-on-the-water feel. Avenir and the western Gardens give you open sky and new construction. West Palm Beach is more urban. Palm Beach is old-world and iconic. Delray is lively and walkable. Where you love watching the sun go down often says something about where you would love to wake up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the best place to watch the sunset in Palm Beach County?

The best sunset views come from west-facing spots over water and from open or elevated vantage points, since the beaches here face east. Local favorites include the waterfront restaurants around the Jupiter Inlet and its lighthouse, the rooftop at the Canopy by Hilton in downtown West Palm Beach, the Worth Avenue clock tower and Lake Trail in Palm Beach, the lakes and preserve at Avenir in Palm Beach Gardens, and the rooftop at the Opal Grand in Delray Beach.

Where can you watch the sunset over the water in Jupiter?

The Jupiter Inlet is the spot. Waterfront restaurants ring the inlet with the lighthouse in view, including Square Grouper, U-Tiki Beach, Jetty's, and the three venues at Charlie and Joe's at Love Street (Lucky Shuck, Beacon, and the rooftop Topside). For a free option, Sawfish Bay Park off Alternate A1A puts you right on the water. Arrive about 30 minutes before sunset for the best spot.

What time does the sun set in Palm Beach County?

In late summer, sunset falls around 7:45 to 8:00 PM ET. Across the year it ranges from about 5:30 PM in December to just past 8:00 PM in June. The sky starts showing color roughly 30 minutes before the sun drops, so arriving 20 to 30 minutes early gives you the best light.

Can you watch the sunset from Palm Beach County beaches?

Most Palm Beach County beaches face east, so they show the sunrise, not the sunset. For evening color, head to a west-facing spot over the Intracoastal or a river, an inland lake like Okeeheelee Park, or an elevated rooftop such as the Canopy by Hilton in West Palm Beach or the Opal Grand in Delray Beach.

Are there waterfront restaurants in Palm Beach County for sunset?

Yes. Palm Beach County has a strong waterfront dining scene, with west-facing decks and rooftops along the Intracoastal, the Jupiter Inlet, and downtown West Palm Beach. For a full list of where locals eat on the water, see our guide to waterfront dining in Palm Beach County.

Does Avenir in Palm Beach Gardens have good sunset views?

Yes. Avenir sits on the western edge of Palm Beach Gardens against more than 2,400 acres of preserve, with over 300 acres of lakes throughout the community. Homes and streets with western or lake exposure get open, unobstructed sunset skies over the water and preserve.

This Is the Kind of Place You Move To

If you are thinking about making Palm Beach County home, or moving to the neighborhood that finally fits your life, let's talk. The sunset is just one of the reasons people love it here. Connect with the Treu Group team at treugroup.com/connect and let's find your next front-row seat. Call or text Lisa Treu at 561-352-3056.

About Lisa Treu

Lisa Treu is CEO of Treu Group Real Estate and has been helping buyers and sellers in Palm Beach County since 1989, with a focus on Jupiter, Palm Beach Gardens, Delray Beach, and the Avenir community. She specializes in luxury homes, waterfront properties, and new construction, and is known for the marketing and negotiation that get results for her clients. Lisa Treu is a trusted real estate expert heard on 1290 WJNO and a featured host on American Dream TV.