Sunset Time in Reunion Island Today
Reunion Island, France
Forecast updated:
Cloud on the horizon does not move the astronomical sunset time — it can hide the sun a few minutes early, but it often produces the most dramatic colors.
Conditions can shift — arrive 30 minutes early for the best experience.
Pair with golden hour or moon visibility for complete planning.
Forecast accuracy is highest within the next 1–3 days.
Sunset & Daylight Patterns Specific to Reunion Island
Reunion Island sits at 21.1° S in the tropical zone. It is spring there now, and the sun currently spends 12.4 hours above the horizon each day.
Being in the southern hemisphere, Reunion Island's longest days fall in December and shortest in June — the opposite of cities in North America or Europe. Solstice sunsets in December can be 13 hours after sunrise. Reunion Island runs from 10.8 to 13.4 hours of daylight across the year, a 2.6-hour swing. Today's 12.4 hours set how much room you have to move plans around.
Golden hour in Reunion Island lasts about 43 minutes today, with civil twilight adding a further 22 minutes of usable blue-hour light after sunset.
The most photogenic sunset conditions in Reunion Island come in June, July, August, September, when the atmosphere is clearest and high-pressure systems push cloud layers away from the western horizon. Reunion Island holds the world record for most rainfall in 24 hours (1,825mm) — yet the west coast averages 300+ sunny days per year, creating a photographer's paradise of dramatic weather contrasts visible across the island.
Civil twilight at Reunion Island's latitude lasts approximately 22 minutes after the sun drops below the horizon — this is the "blue hour" window of soft, diffused light that photographers prize above all others. At 21.1°, this window is brief, making precise timing critical — the sky transitions from golden to dark in under half an hour.
City-specific facts for Reunion Island
- •Latitude: 21.1° S — longest days in December, shortest in June
- •Summer daylight: ~13.4h | Winter daylight: ~10.8h — a 2.6-hour annual swing
- •Civil twilight (blue hour) duration: ~22 minutes post-sunset
- •Prime sunset colour months: June, July, August, September
- •Hemisphere: southern — sunset moves southward in summer, altering composition angles significantly
- •Local season right now: spring (southern hemisphere)
- •Daylight today: 12.4 h — annual range 10.8–13.4 h
- •Solar regime today: normal sunrise/sunset cycle
Sun & Moon Times in Reunion Island
Sunset timing in Reunion Island is driven by latitude and season. We apply atmospheric refraction corrections for accuracy within one minute. Golden hour begins roughly 60 minutes before sunset — the most valuable window for photography, outdoor dining, and evening walks.
Sunset in Reunion Island shifts by several minutes each week. Summer evenings are longest, winter sunsets arrive earliest. Cloud cover near the horizon does not change the sunset time itself, though it can hide the sun a few minutes early and often produces the most dramatic color displays.
For the best sunset experience, arrive at your viewing spot 30 minutes before the listed time. Conditions can shift — check again on the day itself.
Sunrise & Sunset Guide for Reunion Island in October
Reunion Island is one of the wettest places on Earth on its east side, while the west coast remains sunny and dry. The Piton de la Fournaise volcano is one of the world's most active, and lava flows create surreal landscapes. The Cirques (volcanic amphitheaters) fill with clouds that burn off in morning golden hour, revealing dramatic green peaks.
October offers moderate day lengths in Reunion Island, with sunset times that are comfortable for both early risers and evening planners. Temperatures range between 18-25°C and 25-30°C, making outdoor activities pleasant throughout the day. The mix of clear and partly cloudy skies during this transitional period creates varied and often spectacular sunset conditions.
☀️ Daylight & Day Length
Day length during October in Reunion Island provides a balanced schedule — not too long, not too short. This means sunrise and sunset occur at convenient times for most schedules. The sun's angle during transitional months creates particularly long golden hour windows, with warm light that rakes across the landscape and reveals texture in buildings and natural features.
📋 Planning Around Sunset
The moderate temperatures during October make Reunion Island ideal for all-day outdoor activities without the extremes of summer heat or winter cold. You can comfortably be outside from sunrise to sunset without needing to retreat during midday. Layer your clothing — mornings and evenings are cooler, while midday warms up considerably.
Photography at Sunrise & Sunset
Transitional weather in Reunion Island is a photographer's dream. The mix of sun and clouds creates constantly changing light conditions, offering multiple different looks within a single golden hour. The lower sun angle compared to midsummer produces longer shadows and more dramatic compositions. This is often considered the best time for landscape and cityscape photography.
Seasonal Sun Patterns in Reunion Island
☀️ Longest Days
June, July, August, September — these months bring the latest sunsets and longest daylight hours in Reunion Island. Expect extended evenings perfect for outdoor dining, sunset walks, and golden hour photography. The warmest temperatures (25-30°C) coincide with the longest days.
🌙 Shortest Days
January, February, March, December — earlier sunsets and shorter daylight hours define this period in Reunion Island. Temperatures drop to around 18-25°C. Plan outdoor activities around midday when the sun is highest. The dramatic low-angle light creates stunning photography opportunities despite the shorter window.
📍 Local Weather Insight
Reunion Island holds the world record for most rainfall in 24 hours (1,825mm) — yet the west coast averages 300+ sunny days per year, creating a photographer's paradise of dramatic weather contrasts visible across the island.
Local Tips for Reunion Island
Piton Maïdo viewpoint over the Cirque de Mafate is best at sunrise before clouds form below
The Piton de la Fournaise lava fields glow differently in golden hour — silver pahoehoe vs. rough aa lava
West coast beaches (Saint-Leu, L'Ermitage) face west for reliable Indian Ocean sunsets
More Weather Tools for Reunion Island
Golden Hour in Reunion Island
Photography forecast and sun angles
Moon Visibility in Reunion Island
Moon phase, illumination, and moonrise
Best Day to Visit Reunion Island
Compare weather across upcoming days
Will It Rain in Reunion Island?
Rain forecast and umbrella guide
UV Index in Reunion Island
Sun protection and UV forecast
Weekend Weather Reunion Island
Saturday & Sunday outlook
Moon Photography Reunion Island
Lunar photography conditions
Best Month to Visit Reunion Island
Climate guide by month
Wedding Weather Reunion Island
Plan your perfect outdoor wedding
When Sunset Viewing Is Not Worth It in Reunion Island
- •Fully overcast skies — thick cloud cover blocks the sun entirely, producing a flat grey horizon with no color variation.
- •Heavy rain or thunderstorms — unsafe conditions and zero visibility of the sun. Check the rain forecast for Reunion Island.
- •Dense smog or haze — obscures the horizon line and reduces color saturation, making sunset appear washed out.
- •West-blocked viewpoints — buildings, mountains, or trees blocking the western horizon will cut off sunset 10–30 minutes early.
What Determines Sunset Time?
Sunset time in Reunion Island is determined by the city's latitude, longitude, and the time of year. During summer, the Earth's axial tilt causes the sun to take a longer path across the sky, resulting in later sunsets. In winter, the opposite occurs — shorter days mean earlier sunsets. Near the equinoxes (March and September), sunset times change most rapidly, shifting by 2–3 minutes per day. At Reunion Island's latitude, the difference between the earliest and latest sunset can be several hours across the year. Our daily calculations use precise astronomical data to give you the exact sunset time accurate to the minute.
Did you know? Sunset in Reunion Island shifts by up to 3 minutes per day near the equinoxes — timing matters more than you think.
Planning to watch the sunset in Reunion Island?
Local Astronomy Profile · Reunion Island
Tropical latitude (21.1°) — sun passes nearly overhead twice a year.
- Longest day
- 10 h 43 min
- Shortest day
- 13 h 17 min
- Sunset shifts by
- -0.4 min/day on average
- Civil twilight extends
- roughly 25–35 min after sunset
Latest possible sunset of the year (June solstice).
Earliest possible sunset of the year (December solstice).
Average daily sunset drift between the two solstices — peaks near the equinoxes.
Civil twilight is the usable shooting window after the sun is gone.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time is sunset in Reunion Island today?
Today's sunset time for Reunion Island is shown above and updates daily. Sunset times shift throughout the year based on Reunion Island's latitude and the Earth's axial tilt. Summer sunsets are later, winter sunsets are earlier.
When is golden hour in Reunion Island?
Golden hour in Reunion Island begins approximately 1 hour before sunset and ends at sunset. The exact timing is displayed above. Morning golden hour starts at sunrise and lasts about 1 hour.
How long is the day in Reunion Island?
Day length in Reunion Island varies by season. Today's exact day length is shown above. At mid-latitudes, this ranges from about 8 hours in winter to 16+ hours in summer.
Is the moon visible tonight in Reunion Island?
Moon visibility depends on the current phase and cloud cover. Tonight's moon phase and illumination percentage for Reunion Island are shown above. A higher illumination percentage means a brighter, more visible moon.
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