7 Best Spots To Watch The Breathtaking Sunset In Sarasota

Sunset In Sarasota

Is your soul craving a Sarasota sunset? There’s nothing like watching the shapes and colors going off in the sky after a day of exploring the beautiful beaches, parks, and attractions in Sarasota, Florida. What makes a sunset in Sarasota so spectacular compared to the rest of the country?

According to Sarasota Magazine the magic comes down to the way sunsets here are viewed across the Gulf of Mexico. In most other places, dust particles can mute the full spectrum of visible light to prevent the glistening colors from showing through. The dust-free Gulf of Mexico allows for some of the most breathtaking sunsets on the globe!

Of course, it also helps that so many of the best viewing spots here just happen to be beautiful, relaxing places that are surrounded by sand, palm trees, and calm tides. Where will you find the best sunset in Sarasota? We’ve narrowed the choices down to seven incredible spots where the color spectrum is on full display. Here’s where to watch sunset in Sarasota during your upcoming visit!

 

1) Watch A Sarasota Sunset From The Water

Give yourself the gift of experiencing the once-in-a-lifetime pleasure of watching a sunset in Sarasota from a boat! There’s simply nothing like watching brushstrokes of yellow, orange, gold, and pink reflecting off the water as the ultimate celestial body exits in the sky for the evening.

Don’t worry if you’re not an experienced seafarer. You don’t have to know a thing about how to drop an anchor to enjoy sunset cruising if you book your trip with Sarasota Coastal Boat Tours.

Known for offering boat trips in Sarasota, we host two-hour sunset tours that take you out to the perfect spot to see a breathtaking sunset over the Gulf of Mexico. Relax during the ride as gentle breezes and stunning scenery take over your senses. Our guests are routinely lucky enough to spot dolphins during these magical tours.

We’re the top Gulf Coast sunset cruise operator because of our:

  • Friendly and experienced USCG-certified captain

  • Gorgeous 2024 Sea Hunt Ultra 24-foot vessel

  • All-ages cruising

  • Departures timed for current sunset times

While we hope to catch you boarding soon, we do warn you that tours book up quickly. Don’t miss your chance to see the best sunset in Sarasota aboard our comfortable boat with an oversized bow area and cushioned rear-bench seating.

Don’t miss this rare opportunity! Plan the sunset experience of a lifetime with Sarasota Coastal Boat Tours!

 

2) Watch The Sun Setting At Lido Beach

Beautiful Lido Beach offers a great way to catch a sunset in Sarasota, Florida in a very natural and serene setting. This is the perfect place to finish out a day with a sunset after taking advantage of the beach park’s nature trail, picnic areas, and canoe/kayak launch.

As the day ends, the bright colors of the setting sun fill the sky, making a beautiful sight that will amaze you. Lido Beach is a great place to finish your day with a calm and unforgettable sunset.

 

3) Love The Views On The Ringling Bridge Causeway

The 65-foot-tall John Ringling Causeway is a bridge extending past Sarasota Bay that allows you to get from Sarasota to St. Armands Key and Lido Key. If you like exercise, plan to time your walk on the bridge with the sun setting.

If you prefer to find a place to sit, the 12-acre beach park adjacent to the famous Ringling Bridge offers it all! In addition to showing off beautiful bay views, Ringling Bridge Causeway Park also offers inspiring city views. This is also a top spot for fishing in Sarasota!

Pro tip: If you’re more of an early bird who prefers to turn in early at the end of the day, the Ringling Bridge Causeway is also one of the best places to view a Sarasota sunrise! As you stand on the bridge, you’ll be treated to a breathtaking view of the city awakening to a new day.

 

4) Enjoy Rooftop Dining During A Sarasota Sunset

One of the best places to catch a sunset is a rooftop bar that places you high above the tops of palm trees! Various options for rooftop dining with great views include:

  • Perspective Rooftop Bar (North Palm Avenue)

  • Roof Bar & Eats (North Gulfstream Avenue)

  • Moose Lodge (Gulf Drive in Bradenton Beach)

Pro tip: If you find yourself at a fun rooftop bar at sunset, ask for a frozen cocktail called a Sarasota lemonade that’s made with pink lemonade concentrate and Moscato wine.

 

5) See A Playful Sunset At Bayfront Park

Sarasota’s Bayfront Park is a beautiful waterfront green space offering some of the best views of the city and surrounding bay. From the playground to the promenade, there’s no shortage of spots for viewing a vibrant and dramatic sunset.

Pro tip: You can even head over to O’Leary’s Tiki Bar & Grill to grab a bite right by the water when you’re done enjoying your Florida sunset!

 

6) Catch A Sunset By The Fishing Pier At Nora Patterson Bay Island Park

This pet-friendly park that is a favorite of local fishermen offers a beautiful spot with picnic tables and benches right at the water’s edge. In addition to being a wholesome and beautiful spot for catching a sunset, this Florida treasure also shows off incredible views of the Sarasota skyline.

 

7) Savor The Sunset From A Hill At Celery Fields

Bordered by bucolic oaks and willows, Celery Fields is a 300-acre marshland park with canals and shallow pools. Visitors can enjoy beautiful walking trails. If you’re chasing a good Florida sunset, head to the park’s 75-foot hill that offers benches for viewing breathtaking colors in the western-facing skies!

 

Find The Best Sarasota Sunset Spot

From summer sun to slightly moodier winter skies, Sarasota offers incredible sunset views all year long! If your dream is to catch the best sunset around, let Sarasota Coastal Boat Tours help you cruise along as the sun goes down all around you in open water!

We’re the premier Florida Gulf Coast boat tour agency for guests who love to explore the waves and sandbars located just out of reach of popular beaches. We’ll make sure you’re in the perfect place for sunset times based on the sun’s location throughout the year.

Book your unforgettable sunset tour with us today!

Duration
2 hours
Group Size
1 to 6

2hr Sunset Boat Tour

Sunset tours are 2 hours in length. The embarkment time varies as the seasons change, the captain will contact you upon reservation to provide you the specific meeting time.

A sunset cruise is a Florida's must-do experience for anyone visiting the area. Taking in the breathtaking views of the sun setting over the beautiful Gulf of Mexico waters while leisurely cruising along is sure to calm your mind and leave you feeling renewed and inspired.

This tour offers the perfect combination of relaxation and adventure. As you embark on your sunset boat tour, you'll be able to relax and enjoy the gentle sway of the boat in the warm Florida breeze as you take in the stunning scenery. You might even get to see dolphins and other marine life while taking in the beauty of the Gulf of Mexico.

*Pricing is for the entire boat up to 6 guests, NOT per person.

Duration
4 hours
Group Size
1 to 6

Half-Day, 4hr Tiki Bar/Restaurant Crawl

Hop on for a day filled with fun, good drinks and good food! You will have a chance to explore local eateries right on the water, enjoy authentic seafood and craft drinks, and share great memories with your company. Pick your own few spots within the Sarasota Bay area, explore as you cruise or have your experienced captain take you on a true and tested route. Whichever you choose, you are sure to be entertained and not wanting the day to end!

The Old Salty Dog
Marina Jack
O'Leary's Tiki Bar & Grill
Dry Dock Waterfront Grill
Casey Key Fish House
Evie's Spanish Point
Boatyard Waterfront Bar and Grill

*Pricing is for the entire boat up to 6 guests, NOT per person.

Duration
4 hours
Group Size
1 to 6

Half-Day, 4hr Beach & Sandbar Boat Tour

Enjoy your day on the water watching playful dolphins up close, shelling on secluded barrier islands and sandbars, and swimming or snorkeling in beautiful Gulf waters. The boat is equipped with a canopy that provides plenty of shade if you desire it, and has a freshwater shower for rinsing off after swimming. There's nothing more relaxing than some fun in the sun!

*Pricing is for the entire boat up to 6 guests, NOT per person.

Duration
6 hours
Group Size
1 to 6

Full-Day, 6hr Boat Tour (you set the itinerary)

Enjoy the boat as yours. With this trip, you decide what the plan is for the day. Whether we head off to take a relaxing scenic tour watching for dolphins, head off to the beach to put our feet in the sand, do some swimming/snorkeling or stop at one of the local waterfront tiki style restaurants, it'll be up to you. Your captain, born and raised in Sarasota, will make sure to take you exactly where you want to be that day!

*Pricing is for the entire boat up to 6 guests, NOT per person.

Duration
4 hours
Group Size
1 to 6

Egmont Key State Park: Half-Day, 4hr Beach & Sandbar Boat Tour

Enjoy your day on Egmont Key State Park - a secluded island at the mouth of the Tampa Bay where you can tour the historic sites and trails in addition to swimming or snorkeling in the most turquoise waters in the region.

Accessible only by boat, Egmont Key has a unique natural and cultural history, including a lighthouse that has stood since 1858. During the 19th century, the island served as a camp for captured Seminoles at the end of the Third Seminole War and was later occupied by the Union Navy during the Civil War. In 1898, as the Spanish-American War threatened, Fort Dade was built on the island and remained active until 1923.

*Due to the remote nature of the island, no drinks are allowed on the island per the State's ordinance.

*Pricing is for the entire boat up to 6 guests, NOT per person.

Duration
Group Size
1 to 6

Gift Card

Give the gift of an awesome adventure. This gift card is perfect for the loved ones in your life. They'll be able to relax, swim in crystal-clear waters, snorkel the shallow waters, paddle around and more. No matter how you choose to spend your time with us, we'll make sure it's an adventure worth remembering!