SUNRISES/SUNSETS OF NW FLORIDA – THE TRAVELING SENIORS

Do you enjoy watching a gorgeous setting sun? Well, here in NW Florida along the Gulf Coast, it’s just about an everyday day opportunity. We have some of the most beautiful sunsets you will ever see. Even though I enjoy traveling around the country, I hate to miss an opportunity to photograph the sunsets here in NW Florida.

Depending on which way I head, in most cases it’s only a five minute drive or less for me to be able to capture that setting sun. Many times I will head to the beach, either Navarre Beach or over to Pensacola Beach. Sometimes I will even head out the Point which is located on the grounds of Fort Pickens. This place is located at the very far end of Santa Rosa Island. After parking it is about a half mile walk to the point. At that location you are able to capture some fantastic sunsets.

Now getting on to Navarre Beach is free, however if you head over to Pensacola Beach there is a $1.00 fee at the toll both. It could be higher depending of the number of axles on your vehicle.

To enter the grounds of Fort Pickens the fees are as follows (as of this posting):

Per person (pedestrian, cyclist, etc.)………………………..$10
Motorcycle…………………………………………………………..$15
Private vehicle (capacity <15)…………………………………$20
Private vehicle (capacity >15)……$7 per person; up to $25

Commercial Groups

Per vehicle (capacity 6 or less)….$25 plus; $10 per person
Per vehicle (capacity 7 to 25)………………………………….$40
Commercial Bus (capacity 26 or more)…………………..$100

For more information head over to Entrance Fees.

Check out the days the National Parks have FREE ENTRANCE.

Downtown Pensacola on the north end of Palafox Street also has some great sunrise and sunset opportunities.

Now you can also drive a little east of this area on HWY 98 to Fort Walton Beach or to Destin which is just East of Fort Walton Beach. Both places offer some great opportunities to capture the sunrise and setting sun.

Below I have posted some of the sunrise and sunsets I have photographed over the years living in NW Florida. Many posts explain how I captured the shot to help you capture some wonderful sunrises and sunsets in your area. If you have any questions, please feel free to post in the comment section. I will be happy to try to answer them.

Morning clouds over the Pensacola Beach Fishing Pier. This was photographed with the Sony A7R2 using the Sony FE 35mm F4 ZA OSS lens. Camera settings were 1/60 sec at f/8, ISO 100.

It was a golden hour time as the sun was setting along the shoreline near Pensacola Beach Florida.

It was a bright sun at Oriole Beach in Gulf Breeze Florida as the sun was setting. Captured with the Sony A9 using the Sony FE 16-35mm F4 ZA Lens.

Jet skier and fisherman enjoying an evening on the bay as the sun was setting. Location was on the bay between Navarre Beach Florida and Navarre. Captured with the Sony A7RIV using the Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM lens. This was a handheld shot at 1/800 sec at f/3.2 with IOS 50. Post processing with Adobel Lightroom Classic. Cheers!

It was a bright setting sun over the Palafox Pier & Yacht Harbor as I captured this evening sunset. Photographed with the Sony A7RIII using the Sony FE 16-35mm F4 ZA lens. Post processing with Lightroom Classic. Cheers!

It was a bright setting sun at the Palafox Pier during an evening sunset in Pensacola, Florida. Photographed with the Sony A7R3 using the Sony FE 16-35mm F4 ZA Lens handheld. Camera settings were 1/25 sec at f/22 with ISO 100. Post processing with Lightroom Classic. Cheers!

This HDR of the “Setting Sun Through The Sea Oats” was photographed along Fort Walton Beach Florida on the Emerald Coast.

This HDR photo of the “Setting Sun Over Fort Walton Beach” was photographed along Fort Walton Beach Florida on the Emerald Coast (Okaloosa Island).

HDR photo shot from acorss the Destim Pass looking toward HarborWalk Village ins Destin, Florida. Captured Canon EOS SD Mark III using the Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM lens. Handheld shot at 1/250 at f/8.0, ISO 100. Post processing with Lightroom and Photoshop.

Captured this evening sunburst at Battery 234 located near Fort Pickens on the west end of Pensacola Beach Florida as the sun was setting.

You may view more photos at the following sites:

SmugMug

500PX

Flickr