Sun path · Miami
Sunrise & sunset direction in Miami
See which way the sun rises and sets in Miami, 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 Miami on Wed, Sep 23
The sun rises at 90°, E and sets at 270°, W in Miami, reaching a peak elevation of 64° at solar noon. Day length is 12h 6m, 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 Miami
Bearings are measured clockwise from north and calculated from the sun path for this location.
| Date | Sun rises | Sun sets |
|---|---|---|
| Today | 90°, E | 270°, W |
| June solstice | 63°, ENE | 297°, WNW |
| Equinox | 90°, E | 271°, W |
| December solstice | 116°, ESE | 244°, WSW |
Shooting the light in Miami
Miami’s light is split cleanly by water: the Atlantic gives Miami Beach an open sunrise, while Biscayne Bay and the mainland-facing shorelines provide western sunset reflections. The low latitude keeps the sun high for much of the year, so the brief low-angle windows matter more than midday.
Summer moisture builds large afternoon clouds that can turn the western sky into the subject, especially after a shower clears. Winter is typically the cleaner season for skyline detail, with lower humidity and a sun that tracks farther across the southern sky.
Where photographers go
South Pointe Park
Dawn works toward the Atlantic; turn back later for low light on Government Cut and the Miami skyline.
Rickenbacker Causeway
The bay foreground opens a broad downtown view for sunset color and blue-hour reflections.
Venetian Causeway
Small bridge rises provide clear sightlines over Biscayne Bay in both directions.
Lummus Park
Early sun reaches the palms and Art Deco frontage before Ocean Drive becomes busy.
Frequently asked
- Which way does the sun rise in Miami?
- On Wed, Sep 23, the sun rises in Miami at 90°, E (east).
- Which direction does the sun set in Miami in December?
- At the December solstice, the sun sets in Miami at 244°, WSW (west-southwest).
- How high does the sun get in Miami?
- On Wed, Sep 23, the sun reaches about 64° above the horizon at its highest point in Miami.
