Hilton Head Island Sunset

What time is sunset at Hilton Head Island tonight?

Tonight, Wednesday, October 28, the sun sets at 6:38 PM at Hilton Head Island. Hilton Head Island faces east, so the sun goes down behind the beach, over land. Turn and face the water for the pink and purple afterglow in the half hour after. Golden hour starts at 6:03 PM, and the sky stays light until about 7:02 PM. Tonight's Sunset Score is 7 out of 10. Mostly clear (11% cloud): a good, dependable glow.

Sunrise today was at 7:38 AM, which gives Hilton Head Island 11 hr 1 min of daylight. It is fully dark by about 7:31 PM.

Hilton Head Island sunset times this week

The next seven evenings at Hilton Head Island: when the sun goes down, when golden hour starts and when the last light fades, plus the Sunset Score from each night's cloud forecast.

Where to watch the sunset at Hilton Head Island

Hilton Head Island faces east, away from the sunset. The sun goes down behind you, over land, so the view to catch is the afterglow: the band of pink above the dark blue shadow of the earth rising over the water, best from sunset to about 30 minutes after.

Tonight’s timeline for Harbour Town Sunset is at the top of this page.

Can’t make it to the beach? Watch the live Sea Pines cam at sunset.

Where the sun sets through the year

The spot where the sun sets moves along the horizon through the year. Around June 21 it goes down furthest north, in the west-north-west (298°); around December 21 it goes down furthest south, in the west-south-west (242°). In June it sets behind the beach. In December it sets behind the beach.

Golden hour and blue hour at Hilton Head Island

Golden hour tonight runs from 6:03 PM to sunset at 6:38 PM. The sun is low, the light is warm and soft, and shadows are long. It is the best time for photos of people on the beach.

Blue hour follows, from about 6:53 PM to 7:12 PM, when the sun is below the horizon and the sky turns deep blue. The first lights come on along the shore and the water holds the last of the color.

Hilton Head Island sunset times by month

Sunrise, sunset and daylight on the 15th of each month. Over the next year the earliest sunset is 5:19 PM (Fri Dec 4) and the latest is 8:35 PM (Wed Jun 30). Times are local and include daylight saving time where it applies.

Tips for a great sunset at Hilton Head Island

• Arrive 30 to 45 minutes early. The best spots fill up, and the light is often at its best in the last half hour before the sun goes down.
• Stay 20 minutes after. The clouds often light up brightest after the sun is gone, and most people have already left.
• Check the Sunset Score. Scattered clouds make the most color. A clear sky gives a clean sunset that fades fast, and a heavy overcast can hide it.
• Plan your parking. Sunset is a busy time at popular beaches. See Hilton Head Island parking for lots and rates.
• Look at the water too. Today’s wind, waves and water temperature are on the Hilton Head Island conditions page.
• Make a night of it. Find places to eat and sunset cruises and things to do at Hilton Head Island.

How we work out the sunset time

The official sunset time is when the top of the sun sinks below a flat sea horizon. We also check Hilton Head Island’s real horizon: the hills, headlands and islands you can see from the sand. When land is in the way, the sun disappears before the official time, and we show you that earlier time. The Sunset Score rates how colorful the sky should be from the cloud forecast at sunset. Buildings are not included, so a tall hotel beside you can still hide the last minute.

Hilton Head Island sunset FAQ

Sunset tonight at beaches near Hilton Head Island

See every beach on one map: sunset times tonight across the US →