Sunset at Hurricane Pass — August 1, 2025 | Tim Driskell’s Adventures

A weather map, warm Gulf water for swimming, a playful puppydog, a few distant silhouettes—and one of those evenings when the entire western sky seems to catch fire.

(All photographs are clickable for a full-size view.)

The perfect way to close out a summer day in Florida!

High thin clouds spreading across the sky before sunset — High, thin clouds overhead—the kind of setup that can catch the late sunlight and fill the sky with color.

Combined radar and satellite forecast

Reading the Sky

Same as every day, I checked the combined radar and satellite image in the afternoon. From the looks of it, there appeared to be the potential for an excellent sunset that night! Some clearing to the west!!! The setting sun was marked by the yellow dot, and the clouds were positioned just right—especially the high, thin clouds directly overhead, along with lower clouds and a few small, scattered thunderstorms moving out over the Gulf. Buddyboy is always ready for an afternoon this nice! Lots of swimming and toys on the Honeymoon Island Pet Beach, and maybe some of his doggie friends here too.

Distant people silhouetted against the sunset on the sandbar — Distant figures on the sandbar made perfect silhouettes against the brightening western sky.

Kayaks and Buddyboy on Honeymoon Island Pet Beach

Across to Caladesi

We headed up to Caladesi–Honeymoon Pass from Dunedin Causeway and followed our usual route toward Caladesi Island. We played in the surf and on the sandbars for a while and watched the wildlife: shorebirds, fish, mullet jumping, and a few dolphins moving through the pass. The sky was looking PERFECT for a great sunset!

People gathered in the distance beneath a colorful Gulf Coast sunset — Only a few people were out, gathered far away beneath the changing sunset colors.

Bird on a channel marker

Hurricane Pass is our favorite "ride"

Afterward, we played around in the current in Hurricane Pass. The sky was already beginning to light up, and it was clear that we were going to get a beautiful sunset. There are almost always a few birds perched on the channel markers. We love to stop and watch them, and they often seem just as interested in watching us.

Orange sunset glowing along the shoreline — The shoreline turned orange as the sun dropped toward the Gulf.

Buddyboy walking along the beach at sunset

Buddyboy at sunset

Buddyboy’s Sunset Beach

For the final sunset show, we moved over beside Honeymoon Island Pet Beach so Buddyboy could get out, run, swim, and explore—something he is not allowed to do at Caladesi Island. We are always looking for a good sandbar or quiet stretch of beach where he can play, and this evening we found an excellent setup. Lots of toy time!

Kayak bow pointing into the brilliant afterglow over Hurricane Pass — The kayak bow pointing toward the brilliant afterglow over Hurricane Pass.

Brilliant afterglow across Hurricane Pass

Brilliant Hurricane Pass afterglow

A Gulf Coast Light Show

There were very few people nearby, though a handful appeared far off in the distance. Their silhouettes made the sunset photographs even better. Every so often, everything comes together and we get an exceptional light show. Many evenings are less dramatic, but it is always wonderful to be out there. By August the water is wonderfully warm, and for Buddyboy, the conditions could hardly be better.

Returning toward Dunedin Causeway beneath the lingering sunset colors — The colors lingered as we paddled back toward our launch at the High&Dry Grill at Dunedin Causeway.

“Every so often, everything comes together and we get an excellent light show.”

Complete Photo Gallery