Today, Saturday, October 3, 2026, golden hour in South Africa runs from 05:45 to 06:15 in the morning (30 min) and from 17:38 to 18:08 in the evening (30 min), in local time (based on Johannesburg). Blue hour follows, from 18:22 to 18:40.
Golden hour and blue hour today
It's night now
Today's timeline
| Event | Time | Sun elevation |
|---|---|---|
| Morning blue hour begins | 05:13 | −8° |
| Morning blue hour ends | 05:31 | −4° |
| Sunrise: morning golden hour begins | 05:45 | −0.8° |
| Morning golden hour ends | 06:15 | +6° |
| Solar noon | 11:56 | highest of the day |
| Evening golden hour begins | 17:38 | +6° |
| Sunset: evening golden hour ends | 18:08 | −0.8° |
| Evening blue hour begins | 18:22 | −4° |
| Evening blue hour ends | 18:40 | −8° |
Next 7 days
| Date | Golden morning | Golden evening | Blue morning | Blue evening | Golden (evening) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat, Oct 3 | 05:45 – 06:15 | 17:38 – 18:08 | 05:13 – 05:31 | 18:22 – 18:40 | 30 min |
| Sun, Oct 4 | 05:44 – 06:14 | 17:38 – 18:09 | 05:12 – 05:30 | 18:23 – 18:41 | 30 min |
| Mon, Oct 5 | 05:43 – 06:13 | 17:39 – 18:09 | 05:11 – 05:29 | 18:23 – 18:41 | 31 min |
| Tue, Oct 6 | 05:42 – 06:12 | 17:39 – 18:10 | 05:09 – 05:27 | 18:24 – 18:42 | 31 min |
| Wed, Oct 7 | 05:41 – 06:11 | 17:40 – 18:10 | 05:08 – 05:26 | 18:24 – 18:42 | 31 min |
| Thu, Oct 8 | 05:40 – 06:10 | 17:40 – 18:11 | 05:07 – 05:25 | 18:25 – 18:43 | 31 min |
| Fri, Oct 9 | 05:39 – 06:09 | 17:40 – 18:11 | 05:06 – 05:24 | 18:25 – 18:44 | 31 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 30 minutes, which is about 13.7° 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 17:13, 25 minutes before the window opens at 17:38. Sunset is at 18:08, and blue hour keeps going until 18:40.
- Morning: the light is cooler and the air usually cleaner. The window opens at sunrise (05:45) and lasts until 06:15.
- Avoid solar noon (11:56), 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