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I know who you are. You’re the kind of person that has to look up EVERYTHING about a TV show right after you finish it. The filming locations, the lead actors, their romances, childhood, the side characters, that film you vaguely remember seeing them in. Seriously, everything. Well, guess what? Same! And with a fourth season of Netflix’s Outer Banks just announced, you best believe we did the digging on ALL the Outer Banks filming locations to keep us sated.
Adventure. Mystery. Romance. Drama. Outer Banks has everything it takes to make a TV show absolutely addictive (and we haven’t even mentioned the characters who win you over with their charm!). While we love all of those things, what really caught our attention was the stunning scenery that makes up the backdrop for the story to unfold.
So, join me, fellow curious soul, as we explore some of the BEST coastal views along the Outer Banks filming locations.
Minor spoilers may lay ahead!
Are the Outer Banks a real place?
Yep. You can visit the Outer Banks in North Carolina, USA. They’re an incredible chain of barrier islands stretching over 100 miles! The real Outer Banks are made up of three main islands: Northern Beaches, Roanoke Island & Dare Mainland, and Hatteras Island. While this is the place that inspired Josh and Jonas Pate to write the thrilling story of Pogues vs. Kooks, it’s worth noting that these islands weren’t actually used as filming locations for the show. Crazy, I know!
Image source:Raymond Kotewicz / unsplash
So, where was Outer Banks filmed?
The story of Outer Banks takes place in North Carolina, but it’s mostly shot in Charleston, South Carolina. The reason for that? According to Wilmington Star News it was because of the anti-LGBTQIA+ laws in North Carolina. Since the showrunners wanted to be more inclusive, they finally decided to film the series in South Carolina instead.
Season 1
1. Shem Creek
The first Outer Banks filming location on our list is this charming little riverside in Charleston. From show-stopping sunsets to wonderful boat rides, Mount Pleasant’s Shem Creek is where all the magic happens. All the boating scenes in the show are usually filmed here. Plus, it’s a local-favourite hotspot too.
Mount Pleasant was also used as a filming location for Hawk’s Nest, specifically the Palmetto Park Islands Observation Tower which sits in this area. This is where Topper pushed John B. over the edge in a jealous rage, but for you it’s the perfect place to get a good view of the sprawling marshlands – unless you also have love-spurned jealousies coursing through you?
2. Lowndes Grove
Used as the setting for Tannyhill Plantation, aka Sarah Cameron’s gorgeous home, Lowndes Grove is a beautiful estate built along Charleston’s Ashley River. It also faces the water, so it’s surrounded by glittering waves – bliss! The estate was built in 1786, so it’s been in Charleston for an age, making it an icon of the town. When Lowndes Grove isn’t being used as an Outer Banks filming location, it can be hired as a dreamy wedding venue.
3. Morris Island Lighthouse
The Redfield Lighthouse in Outer Banks is the Morris Island Lighthouse in real life. And as it turns out, it’s quite the hidden gem because it can only be reached by those who get off the beaten track from the incredible Folly Beach. Perfect if you’re feeling a bit adventurous.
4. Hunting Island Lighthouse
You know we love island hopping here at Contiki, and this particular island is home to the Hunting Island Lighthouse which was used for the interior scenes of Redfield Lighthouse. Originally, it was built in 1859. But the Civil War did its thing and it had to be rebuilt in 1875. Ever since then, it’s been a popular tourist hotspot. So while the exterior of Redfield Lighthouse is filmed on Morris Island, everything you see from the inside was filmed here.
5. Hunting Island
Although Pogues and Kooks famously do not mix, there is one area in the fictional Outer Banks where both crowds come together and have a relatively good time in peace. In the show, this beach where parties are held is called the Boneyard, but in real life, it’s Hunting Island, which is a state park near Beaufort filled with sandy beaches and plenty of driftwood.
6. Charleston Gaillard Center
In an effort to gather more clues about the sunken treasure John B. and co. are after, the gang pays a visit to the UNC Law Library. This is where Sarah’s father has donated a few items that could be of help. In real life, these scenes were filmed in and out of the Charleston Gaillard Center which is a nonprofit art centre which often hosts music, dance, comedy, and theatre performances for the locals to enjoy and support their artistic communities.
7. Kiawah Island Golf Resort
Although we spend most of the show with John B. and the other Pogues, we do occasionally get a glimpse into the lavish lifestyle of the Kooks, especially when following Sarah, Topper, and Rafe’s plotlines. The Kook’s Midsummer soirée which takes place mid-way through the first season was filmed at the absolutely stunning Kiawah Island Golf Resort – where you can actually stay and enjoy the good weather! It’s right on the waterfront, so you can go for some putting while you listen to the waves crashing against the shore. Doesn’t that sound idyllic?
Season 2
In Season 2, the show takes us to the Bahamas. But actually, all the scenes are filmed in Barbados (both of which are equally beautiful Caribbean islands)!
1. Bridgetown
As John B. and Sarah make their way through Nassau, we’re actually watching them making their way through Bridgetown – the capital of Barbados. More specifically, in Careenage. This is the Outer Banks filming location for the scene where John B. and Sarah stay after escaping the clutches of Captain Terrance and his crew members.
Image source:Tom Jur / unsplash
2. Royal Westmoreland
While watching tense scenes set in the Cameron’s bougie looking Bahamas residence, you might have been thinking ‘wow this place is gorgeous’ – and it is! It’s lucky then that you can stay here at the Royal Westmoreland golf and beach resort for a very luxurious time in Barbados.
3. Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge
This sleek bridge appears multiple times in the series. Like in Season 1 when JJ boats from under it, and in Season 3 when they drive over it to head to the Charleston Museum (which is America’s first museum!). It appears again in Season 2 as John B. and Sarah travel back from their perilous trip in Nassau. So if you’re a history buff, or just love watching sunsets from a bridge, this Outer Banks filming location is definitely worth a visit.
Image source:David Martin / unsplash
4. Eternal Father of the Sea Chapel
So, this is where John B. is charged with first-degree murder of a police officer, which isn’t great, BUT the building which plays the fictional Kildare County Courthouse is actually gorgeous, and has an even more gorgeous name to match. The Eternal Father of the Sea Chapel is located in north Charleston and it was built during WW2 – so it’s very old. Today it’s often used as a very pretty wedding venue.
5. St. Thomas & St. Denis Parish
Things really come to a head in Season 2 when Rafe and Carla confront John B. and his crew as both scramble to locate the giant Cross of Santo Domingo. This confrontation happens in an old abandoned church which is definitely a unique Outer Banks filming location, but one you can totally visit if abandoned buildings are your vibe.
The scene was filmed outside the St. Thomas and St. Denis Parish church which still stands today. It’s unclear why it was abandoned, but the dark history behind the building may have something to do with it, as this church was the scene of an 1876 massacre.
6. Bathesheba Island
Remember that iconic mega rock on the beach when the crew finally wash up on shore in Season 2? You can visit that place in IRL! Bathsheba Beach is where Poguelandia comes to life. Apart from awesome palm-beach paradise vibes, this place is also a hotspot for surfing. While filming, the cast also visited the Animal Flower Cave – the perfect spot to catch some surreal beach sunset views. Plus, it’s just a hike away from the beach.
Season 3
Season 3 of Outer Banks returns with quite a bang, and the filming locations for this season include a few other beachy paradises, as well as the familiar views of South Carolina.
1. Port St. Charles
If you didn’t think a shipwreck was enough, Season 3 of Outer Banks starts with a plane crash which the Pogues survive! In universe, the plane crashes along the shores of the Bahamas, but in real life these scenes were filmed in and around Port St. Charles in Barbados. This pier point has some of the bluest water ever as well as pristine streets to walk along for a gorgeous day out.
2. Cattlewash Beach
Yet another Cameron estate (how rich ARE these guys?!) is located in Guadalupe where Rafe and Ward have escaped. This Outer Banks filming location is particularly stunning as it’s set at a house facing Cattlewash Beach which is flanked by large and lush palm trees and massive lawns, while having the ocean and sand right at the doorstep. This house is one of many vacation homes available to rent, so…
3. Charleston Museum
Want to visit the oldest museum in the US? Then you should head to this Outer Banks filming location where John B. ventures to find more clues and information about the coveted artefacts. Located in downtown Charleston, it’s an ideal spot if you want to learn more about the city, the state, and American history as a whole.
4. St. John Parish Church
A gorgeous church plays home to a particularly emotional moment which brings back childhood memories for John B. We won’t spoil anything, but when John B. comes chasing the sound of a bell, he arrives at the real life St. John Parish Church which stands out in the trees as a gorgeous gothic building. It’s believed to be one of the oldest churches in Barbados and it’s definitely worth a quick detour.
5. Welchman Hall Gully
Finally, the crew makes it to El Dorado, and though this is technically set in South America, we find ourselves still in the thick jungles of Barbados. This tropical park is open for the public and is home to some truly jaw-dropping sights, as well as some humid weather. You should 100% venture in for a hike while you’re checking out all the other Barbados filming locations.
Image source:Jacqui Osbourne / unsplash
Season 4
Freshly announced by Netflix, it seems that Season 4 of Outer Banks is in the works and we can’t wait to see what kind of trouble John B. and the gang get into this time. Filming locations are yet to be revealed, but we will keep our fingers on the pulse and update you treasure hunters soon!
USA on your bucket list?
So now that we’ve got a juicy list of all the Outer Banks filming locations where the Pogues vs. Kooks quest goes on – there’s one thing we can definitely conclude. The Southeastern coastlines of the US, and the sunny Caribbean beaches are nothing short of spectacular.
But those aren’t the only coasts worth a visit. If you’ve got visiting incredible places in the US on your bucket list, you’ll love our trips (especially the US Road Trip!). So, get that twangy accent sorted and put on your best boots, because it’s about to be a party in the USA.
