Today, Friday, October 30, 2026, golden hour in South Africa runs from 05:19 to 05:51 in the morning (31 min) and from 17:51 to 18:23 in the evening (31 min), in local time (based on Johannesburg). Blue hour follows, from 18:38 to 18:56.
Golden hour and blue hour today
It's night now
Today's timeline
| Event | Time | Sun elevation |
|---|---|---|
| Morning blue hour begins | 04:46 | −8° |
| Morning blue hour ends | 05:05 | −4° |
| Sunrise: morning golden hour begins | 05:19 | −0.8° |
| Morning golden hour ends | 05:51 | +6° |
| Solar noon | 11:51 | highest of the day |
| Evening golden hour begins | 17:51 | +6° |
| Sunset: evening golden hour ends | 18:23 | −0.8° |
| Evening blue hour begins | 18:38 | −4° |
| Evening blue hour ends | 18:56 | −8° |
Next 7 days
| Date | Golden morning | Golden evening | Blue morning | Blue evening | Golden (evening) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fri, Oct 30 | 05:19 – 05:51 | 17:51 – 18:23 | 04:46 – 05:05 | 18:38 – 18:56 | 31 min |
| Sat, Oct 31 | 05:19 – 05:50 | 17:52 – 18:23 | 04:45 – 05:04 | 18:38 – 18:57 | 31 min |
| Sun, Nov 1 | 05:18 – 05:49 | 17:53 – 18:24 | 04:44 – 05:03 | 18:39 – 18:58 | 32 min |
| Mon, Nov 2 | 05:17 – 05:49 | 17:53 – 18:25 | 04:43 – 05:02 | 18:40 – 18:59 | 32 min |
| Tue, Nov 3 | 05:17 – 05:48 | 17:54 – 18:25 | 04:43 – 05:02 | 18:40 – 18:59 | 32 min |
| Wed, Nov 4 | 05:16 – 05:48 | 17:54 – 18:26 | 04:42 – 05:01 | 18:41 – 19:00 | 32 min |
| Thu, Nov 5 | 05:15 – 05:47 | 17:55 – 18:27 | 04:41 – 05:00 | 18:42 – 19:01 | 32 min |
How long golden hour lasts in South Africa through the year
At 26.20° S, 28.05° E, the evening golden hour is longest in June (34 minutes around the 15th) and shortest in March (30 minutes). Today the Sun climbs from the horizon to 6° in 31 minutes, which is about 13.2° of elevation per hour; on the equator at an equinox that rate is close to 15° per hour. The farther the rate falls below 15°, the longer the soft light lasts.
| Month | Sunrise | Golden morning | Golden evening | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 05:29 | 33 min | 33 min | 19:04 |
| February | 05:52 | 31 min | 31 min | 18:50 |
| March | 06:08 | 30 min | 30 min | 18:24 |
| April | 06:23 | 31 min | 31 min | 17:51 |
| May | 06:38 | 33 min | 33 min | 17:29 |
| June | 06:53 | 34 min | 34 min | 17:23 |
| July | 06:54 | 34 min | 34 min | 17:33 |
| August | 06:36 | 32 min | 32 min | 17:48 |
| September | 06:05 | 30 min | 31 min | 18:01 |
| October | 05:33 | 31 min | 31 min | 18:14 |
| November | 05:10 | 32 min | 32 min | 18:34 |
| December | 05:09 | 34 min | 34 min | 18:56 |
Making the most of golden hour in South Africa today
- Evening: be in position by 17:26, 25 minutes before the window opens at 17:51. Sunset is at 18:23, and blue hour keeps going until 18:56.
- Morning: the light is cooler and the air usually cleaner. The window opens at sunrise (05:19) and lasts until 05:51.
- Avoid solar noon (11:51), when the Sun is highest, shadows are short and contrast is harsh.
- Shoot with the Sun behind or beside the subject for a glow, and expose for the highlights. More tips are on the golden hour guide.
Time zone and coordinates
All times are calculated astronomically for Johannesburg (26.20° S, 28.05° E) and shown in the local time zone (Africa/Johannesburg, UTC+2). Golden hour is defined here as the period from sunrise until the Sun is 6° above the horizon and from 6° until sunset, and blue hour as the Sun between 4° and 8° below the horizon. Other cities in South Africa differ by about 4 minutes per degree of longitude and by their latitude. In countries that span several time zones, the clock time also depends on the zone. Values are accurate to within about a minute and do not account for mountains, buildings or clouds.
See also
- Sunrise and sunset in South Africa
- Current time in South Africa
- Golden hour in every state and country
- Moon phase today · Longest day of the year · Shortest day of the year
Other places
Coordinates used: 26.20° S, 28.05° E