Sun path · Auckland
Sunrise & sunset direction in Auckland
See which way the sun rises and sets in Auckland, with the full arc showing elevation against compass direction. Dashed curves show the June solstice, equinox and December solstice for comparison.
Drag the timeline to see where the sun will be in the sky.
Sun path in Auckland on Fri, Sep 25
The sun rises at 91°, E and sets at 269°, W in Auckland, reaching a peak elevation of 54° at solar noon. Day length is 12h 10m, measured from sunrise to sunset.
The chart above plots the full arc of the sun across the sky. The horizontal axis is compass direction, the vertical axis is elevation. Dashed reference curves show the June solstice, equinox and December solstice so you can see how the arc shifts through the year.
Use the scrubber to walk through the day and read the sun's compass bearing and elevation at any moment. For photography, check which direction light will come from at your planned shoot time and whether your subject will be front-lit, side-lit or backlit.
Sunrise and sunset direction in Auckland
Bearings are measured clockwise from north and calculated from the sun path for this location.
| Date | Sun rises | Sun sets |
|---|---|---|
| Today | 91°, E | 269°, W |
| June solstice | 61°, ENE | 299°, WNW |
| Equinox | 91°, E | 269°, W |
| December solstice | 121°, ESE | 240°, WSW |
Shooting the light in Auckland
Auckland occupies a narrow isthmus between the Waitematā and Manukau harbours, so water is available on both sides of the sun’s daily path. East-coast bays open toward dawn; western beaches and the Manukau side look into sunset.
Volcanic cones break the otherwise low urban horizon and make elevation easy to find. The maritime sky changes quickly, and passing showers can leave clear air, dark retreating cloud and reflective foregrounds within the same golden hour.
Where photographers go
Mount Eden / Maungawhau
The summit gives a full compass view over the isthmus, useful for reading both harbours and the moving light.
Devonport and Mount Victoria
Look south across the Waitematā for late light on the central skyline and a blue-hour harbour.
Mission Bay
The east-facing waterfront receives early light across the Hauraki Gulf, with Rangitoto on the horizon.
Piha Beach
A rugged west-coast sunset with Lion Rock dividing the open Tasman horizon.
Frequently asked
- Which way does the sun rise in Auckland?
- On Fri, Sep 25, the sun rises in Auckland at 91°, E (east).
- Which direction does the sun set in Auckland in December?
- At the December solstice, the sun sets in Auckland at 240°, WSW (west-southwest).
- How high does the sun get in Auckland?
- On Fri, Sep 25, the sun reaches about 54° above the horizon at its highest point in Auckland.
