Sunset sessions in Carmel

Carmel, California

Sunset and golden hour times for planning your evening session.

After-work glass-offs in Carmel can rival dawn patrol on good days. Afternoon thermals die, the crowd thins, and these 1 west-facing breaks catch the last clean sets of the day.

Sunset

6:59 PM
Golden Hour: 5:59 PM – 6:59 PM

Day length: 11h 58m

-3 min vs yesterday

Sunrise

7:00 AM

First light: 6:30 AM

Sunset

6:59 PM

Last light: 7:29 PM

Data from Monastery Beach / San Jose Creek Beach · Updated daily

7-Day Sun Schedule

Today(Today)

Sunrise

7:00 AM

Sunset

6:59 PM

Day Length

11h 58m

Tomorrow

Sunrise

7:01 AM

Sunset

6:57 PM

Day Length

11h 56m

Wed, Sep 30

Sunrise

7:02 AM

Sunset

6:56 PM

Day Length

11h 54m

Thu, Oct 1

Sunrise

7:03 AM

Sunset

6:54 PM

Day Length

11h 51m

Fri, Oct 2

Sunrise

7:04 AM

Sunset

6:53 PM

Day Length

11h 49m

Sat, Oct 3

Sunrise

7:04 AM

Sunset

6:51 PM

Day Length

11h 47m

Best sunset surf spots in Carmel

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Featured Beaches(4)

Carmel Beach

Intermediate

Main Carmel-by-the-Sea surf zone with several shifting beach-break peaks along the white-sand beach. Better for research as the core local spot, but conditions can change quickly with sandbars, tide, and wind.

Carmel River State Beach

Intermediate

A hazardous Carmel-area rivermouth and sandbar zone at Carmel River State Beach. Include for research completeness, but this is not a casual surf recommendation.

Garrapata State Beach (southern coves)

Intermediate

Remote, exposed beach-break zone on the north Big Sur coast. Garrapata is a coastal state park surf zone with meaningful rips, undertow, rocks, and shark risk.

Monastery Beach / San Jose Creek Beach

Intermediate to expert

Monastery Beach is included only as an expert and hazard research entry. Reliable public sources emphasize scuba use and dangerous water conditions more than ordinary surf use.

Sunset session picks in Carmel

West-facing beaches with golden hour potential and evening access.

Monastery Beach / San Jose Creek Beach
beach
expert

Monastery Beach is included only as an expert and hazard research entry. Reliable public sources emphasize scuba use and dangerous water conditions more than ordinary surf use.

Beach facing
W-facing (250°)Golden hour
Evening access

Do not treat this as a normal beach-break access. Shorebreak and drop-off can make entry and exit dangerous.

Sunset session tips

  • West-facing beaches for stunning sunset views
  • Often cleaner afternoon conditions
  • Golden hour photography opportunities
  • After-work session favorites

Surf Guides for Carmel

Conditions

Dawn Patrol
Best early morning sessions
Sunset Sessions
You're here
Tide Windows
Optimal tidal conditions
Water Temperature
Conditions & wetsuit guide

Style

Less Crowded
Quieter lineups & backups

Frequently Asked Questions

About surfing in Carmel

The best sunset sessions in Carmel are at Carmel Beach, Carmel River State Beach, Garrapata State Beach (southern coves). These spots offer stunning golden hour views while you ride.
Yes! Afternoon often brings cleaner conditions as morning onshore winds die down. Plus, the golden hour light and fewer crowds make for magical sessions.

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