No visit to the Keys would be complete without participating in the wonderful celebration that takes place every night — the sunset. Whether the festivities occur in the carnival-like atmosphere of Mallory Square in Key West or in the quiet beauty of the beach at Bahia Honda state park, few natural sights match that of a tropical sunset.
    No one knows for sure how the sunset celebrations began in the Keys. Most people associate the image of a giant red ball dipping below the ocean’s horizon with beach living, coconut palms, and warm sultry evenings. Visitors and residents alike cluster on beaches and in the many waterfront restaurants up and down the island chain for that unforgettable view of the setting sun. While the winter in northern climes often means long gray days, that same season is dry and clear in the Keys – usually providing cloud free – and spectacular – sunsets.
    Real devotees of the celebration watch carefully for a special bonus - what’s known as the green flash. While some have claimed that this phenomenon – a bright green burst of color at the top of the sun just as it dips below the horizon – is just an optical illusion, scientists have shown it to be real.
    The Keys are an excellent place to observe this marvel because it can best be observed from low altitudes with an unobstructed view of the horizon. Lasting for just a couple of seconds, the green flash is caused by what scientists call atmospheric refraction or the bending of sunlight as it passes through the air so that it splits into a rainbow of colors. Only the lucky few take home the memory of the green flash – so watch for it.
    One of the best and best known places to watch the sunset occurs in Key West on Mallory Square and the Hilton Resort and Marina. Not only does the area provide one of the most beautiful views of the sunset, but it also is the home to a wild combination of performers, vendors, and the city’s eclectic mix of residents.

    The sunset celebration started in the 1960s. According to the Cultural Preservation Society – an organization dedicated to preserving the Mallory Square celebration - groups of carefree hippies descended upon Key West and Mallory Pier in search of paradise. Thirty or forty regulars began to gather a couple of hours before the sunsets and started selling their wares on tables or on blankets.
    Mallory Square isn’t the only prime spot to watch a Key West sunset. Many ocean-going vessels offer sunset cruises. These include the enchanted sunset sail on the 80-foot Schooner Liberty (292-0332), on a sailing catamaran with Fury Adventures – both of which leave from the Hilton Marina dock near Mallory Square, the Sunset Dinner Cruise, on Stock Island, Sunny Day Catamarans in the historic waterfront area, or on the champagne sunset sail with Sebago Watersports. All of these – and many more – provide the sunset view of a lifetime.
    Of course, Key West isn’t the only spot in the Keys where people can watch – and applaud – a tropical sunset. On Big Pine Key, Bahia Honda State Park (MM37) offers a magnificent panoramic view of the Atlantic Ocean on one of America’s most scenic beaches.
    Marathon has created a small park at the entrance to what’s known as the Old Seven Mile Bridge. There small crowds gather nightly for an unobstructed view of the sunset. Since that point faces both the Atlantic and the Florida Straits visitors and residents can watch the sun sink in all seasons. In addition, Smorgasboat Harbor Tours & Sunset Cruises and Starfish Swim and Snorkel offers daily sunset cruises and trips.
    If you’ve always dreamed about getting married at sunset in the Keys, you’re in luck. Snook’s Bayside Restaurant in Key Largo specializes in sunset weddings. Depending upon the time of the year (whether the sun is setting over the ocean or the Bay) some other terrific spots where people gather include the Marriott Key Largo Bay Beach Resort, Snapper’s Restaurant, or the Bayside Grill & Café Largo.
    So find a spot, grab your camera, and witness one of those truly special tropical moments in the Florida Keys – the sunset. It’s a moment you’ll never forget.