Quick answer
Watch sunrise from the beach, since Flagler Beach faces east and the sun comes up over the Atlantic. For sunset, head west to the Intracoastal Waterway, where the sun goes down over the water and the mainland, or stay on the sand and watch the sky over the ocean turn pink after sundown.
Get the direction right
Flagler Beach sits on Florida's Atlantic coast, with the ocean to the east. That sets up the whole day:
- Sunrise comes up over the ocean, right off the beach.
- Sunset goes down to the west, over the Intracoastal Waterway and the mainland.
If you are used to Gulf Coast sunsets over the water, this is the reverse. Here the early risers get the ocean show. The sunrise point also moves with the seasons, coming up north of due east in summer and south of it in winter, so the light lands on the beach a little differently depending on when you visit.
Sunrise spots on the beach
Any public beach access along A1A works for sunrise, so pick one close to where you are staying. A few ways to choose:
- Downtown: the new concrete pier is still under construction, but the beach nearby gives you a sunrise with the town waking up behind you. Stay clear of fenced work areas.
- North or south of downtown: the beach gets quieter away from the center of town, which makes for a calm sunrise.
- From a dune walkover: a little height gives you a wider look at the horizon before you head down to the sand.
Plan to be in place about 20 minutes before sunrise, when the sky starts to color. Sunrise times shift through the year, so check the time the night before.
Sunset spots on the Intracoastal side
For a sunset over water, you want the east bank of the Intracoastal Waterway, looking west. The Moody Boat Launch, a Flagler County park at 825 Moody Lane just south of State Road 100, sits right on that bank. It has a fishing pier, a picnic area and restrooms, and it is open from dawn to 11 p.m.
It is a working boat launch, so park out of the way of trailers and give boaters room. Then settle in by the water and watch the color spread across the Intracoastal as the sun drops behind the mainland.
Why the beach is still worth it at sunset
Staying on the sand at dusk has its own payoff. As the sun sinks behind town, the sky over the ocean often turns soft pink and lavender, and the wet sand picks up the color. It is a cooler, quieter time to walk, and the light is easy on photos.
From May 1 through October 31, sea turtles nest on Flagler County beaches. During those months beach fires are not allowed, and it helps to keep flashlights and other bright lights off the sand after dark.
Riding at dawn and dusk
A street-legal cart has headlights, taillights and turn signals, so early and late rides are no problem. Florida's sunrise-to-sunset limit applies to regular golf carts, not to street-legal low-speed vehicles. A few habits help in low light:
- Turn the headlights on before sunrise and after sunset
- Watch for walkers, cyclists and dogs, which are harder to see in dim light
- Stick to roads posted 35 mph or less
Planning a whole day around the light? Try our one-day Flagler Beach plan, see the Flagler Beach area page, then book your cart online.
Ready to cruise?
Street-legal 6-seaters, delivered clean and fully charged in Flagler Beach, Palm Coast, St. Augustine and Ormond Beach. Repairs and builds: call or text (386) 225-7765.
