Today in East London, South Africa, the sun rises at 6:41 AM and sets at 5:44 PM, giving the city exactly 11h 3m of daylight. That is 2 minutes longer than yesterday—approaching the solar plateau near the Winter Solstice. With 122 days until the Winter Solstice on December 21, East London is currently in its Winter season.
Golden Hour & Twilight Windows in East London
For photographers, filmmakers, and outdoor enthusiasts, the morning golden hour in East London runs from N/A to 7:15 AM. The evening golden hour begins at 5:10 PM and lasts until 5:44 PM.
Civil twilight—when there is still sufficient ambient light to see clearly outdoors—begins at N/A. East London sits in the subtropics, where the annual swing in daylight is moderate.
Solar Noon & UV Index
Solar noon in East London falls exactly at 12:13 PM, which is the moment the sun reaches its peak altitude of 37.98 above the horizon. At this specific time, the solar angle produces a moderate UV level. Light protective clothing is adequate for most outdoor activities in East London today.
Why Does Sunrise Shift in East London?
At East London's latitude of -33.0191604°, the sun currently rises at an azimuth of 145.72° (SE). Because of the Earth's axial tilt, this position shifts slightly every day. Sunrise and sunset times for East London are calculated using advanced solar algorithms (SunCalc) based on coordinates -33.0191604, 27.8998573. Times are mathematically accurate to ±30 seconds.
Historical Sunrise in East London (Past Years)
Due to the Earth's precise orbit, solar times remain highly consistent year over year. Here is a comparison of today's sunrise and sunset times in East London versus 1 year and 5 years ago:
| Year | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Today | 6:41 AM | 5:44 PM | 11h 3m |
| 2025 | 6:41 AM | 5:45 PM | 11h 4m |
| 2021 | 6:40 AM | 5:45 PM | 11h 4m |
Frequently Asked Questions
What time does the sun rise in East London today?
In East London, the sun rises at exactly 6:41 AM and sets at 5:44 PM today. This gives the city a total of 11h 3m of daylight.
When is golden hour in East London today?
Today, morning golden hour in East London runs from N/A to 7:15 AM. Evening golden hour begins at 5:10 PM and lasts until 5:42 PM.
Why does sunrise in East London shift every day?
At East London's latitude, the sun currently rises at an azimuth of 145.72° (SE). Because of Earth's tilt, the city is approaching the solar plateau near the Winter Solstice until the Winter Solstice on December 21.
What is the UV Index in East London at solar noon?
Solar noon occurs at 12:13 PM when the sun reaches 37.98. This produces a moderate UV level. Light protective clothing is adequate for most outdoor activities in East London today.
Has the sunrise time in East London changed compared to previous years?
Due to the Earth's precise orbit, solar times remain highly consistent year over year. Exactly one year ago in 2025, sunrise was at 6:41 AM, and five years ago in 2021, it was at 6:40 AM.