Where Is ‘Outer Banks’ Filmed? 10 Filming Locations from the Netflix Series You Can Visit!

Fans of Outer Banks have probably wondered where the hit Netflix show was filmed and if they could visit the filming locations from the series. The show takes place on the titular barrier islands off the coast of North Carolina. All the drama and action take place in the fictional town of Kildare, which is split into two: the wealthy Figure Eight, where the Kooks reside, and the not-so-wealthy district called The Cut, where the Pogues live.

Even though Outer Banks takes place in North Carolina, the show was actually filmed in and around Charleston, South Carolina. Some of the scenes were also filmed in Barbados instead of the Bahamas.

A Little Bit of Background…

The story centers on a group of Pogue teenagers led by John B. They get involved in the hunt for the sunken treasure of the Royal Merchant. It was a boat filled with gold that disappeared in the Atlantic Ocean in 1929. When a hurricane washes the coast, John B’s father also mysteriously vanishes.

With Seasons 1 – 3 available for streaming on Netflix, and Season 4 set to resume production as soon as the SAG-AFTRA strike resolves, there’s no better way to await the new season that planning a little trip to South Carolina. Interested? If so, here are some of the filming locations used in Outer Banks.

Outer Banks Filming Locations

Shem Creek

A lot of the sunny scenes in Outer Banks are filmed in Shem Creek in Mount Pleasant, such as the boating and water sequences. Shem Creek is a local favorite spot in South Carolina, for people to hang around by the marina.

Inside Shem Creek is Geechie Seafood, which was used to film scenes in Pope’s father’s restaurant, Heyward’s Seafood. It’s especially known for its fresh shrimp.

There’s a lot to do in Shem Creek, from water sports to boating, just like the characters in Outer Banks do.

Old Village District, Mount Pleasant

Another filming location for Outer Banks was in the Old Village District in Mount Pleasant. Specifically, Pitt Street. A lot of scenes were filmed in this location, especially the Downtown Kildare sequences. In Pitt Street, the Sheriff’s Station was filmed inside a local condominium building. The Kildare Island Surfboard Store was filmed inside The Green Shutter antique shop.

The Pitt Street Pharmacy was also featured on the show. Also on Pitt Street is its namesake bridge, where JJ Maybank is seen driving his dirt bike over in Season 3. The bridge was built in 1898 and once served as a trolley bridge that connected Mount Pleasant to Sullivan’s Island.

Lowdes Grove, Charleston

The family estate of Sarah Cameron in Outer Banks is known as the Tannyhill Plantation. In the narrative of the show, it once belonged to Denmark Tanny, a former slave who was the sole survivor of the Royal Merchant shipwreck.

It was actually filmed in Lowndes Grove, a mansion built in 1786. The estate is mostly used for weddings and other events.

Hunting Island Lighthouse & Morris Island Lighthouse

One of the places the Pogues visit after finding clues about the lost treasure is the Redfield Lighthouse. Outer Banks used two lighthouses in South Carolina: The Morris Island Lighthouse and the Hunting Island Lighthouse. The Hunting Island Lighthouse was used as an interior shot, while the exterior shots were filmed in Morris Island Lighthouse.

The Morris Island Lighthouse is considered a must-see during a trip to Lowcountry, South Carolina. It was built in 1872 and its tower has leaned a little northeast following an earthquake in 1886. It’s also the tallest lighthouse in South Carolina.

The Hunting Island Lighthouse was built in 1859 but was destroyed during the Civil War. It was rebuilt in 1875 and is another popular tourist attraction. It’s currently undergoing repairs so it’s not open to the public. But Hunting Island is also where another Outer Banks location was filmed.

The Boneyard, where the two districts of Kildare connect, is a beach hangout where everyone comes together. It’s also where John B. and Topper get into a drunken fight. It’s actually known as the Hunting Island State Park.

Kiawah Island Golf Resort

The Kiawah Island Golf Resort is on Kiawah Island in South Carolina, south of Charleston. This was used to film the Island Club, where the Kooks host the Midsummer Night Ball. The Pogues, on the other hand, are made to work shifts at the event.

It’s the place to be for golfers and for those who are looking to enjoy a staycation by the beach, play tennis, or relax in its villas.

Ben Silver

The rich kids of Kildare all get their fits from The Ben Silver Collection flagship store in Charleston. John B. and Sarah also stop by the store during their day trip from UNC Law to get clues about Denmark Tanny.

The brand is known for its Southern styles that suit both men and women. The district is also a popular shopping and dining spot.

Charleston Gaillard Center

In Outer Banks, John B., and Sarah visit UNC at Chapel Hill. Ward Cameron donated the diary, almanac, and other records belonging to Denmark Tanny to the UNC Law Library. John B. and Sarah look through the archives for the records.

The show used the Gaillard Center in Charleston. The center hosts many arts-related events, from performers, artists, scholars, and the Charleston Symphony.

During their visit, John B. and Sarah also walked through a park near Washington Square. The park is four minutes away from the corner of the Gaillard Center.

Welchman Hall Gully

In Outer Banks Season 3, the Pogues travel to El Dorado and explore the South American jungle. They find the El Dorado cave on the way. Big B, John B, and Sarah go into the jungle, trying to reach El Dorado before Singh arrives.

Although it looks like they really traveled to South America, the cave was actually filmed in the Welchman Hall Gully in Barbados. It’s a tropical park that is open to the public with hiking trails and cave tours. The interior of the cave looks similar to the Animal Flower Cave, which was discovered back in 1780.

Some other parts of the cave were likely filmed at Harrison’s Cave near the Welchman Hall Gully.

The Wreck

Also located inside Shem Creek is The Wreck, the restaurant owned by Kiara’s family. Outer Banks used the shortened version of the restaurant’s actual name as the name of the popular Pogue hangout. It’s known as The Wreck of Richard and Charlene. It takes its name from when a boat wrecked in the area in 1989 during Hurricane Hugo.

Dunes West Golf and River Club

The place where the outdoor cinema was held was filmed at the Dunes West Golf and River Club. It’s located at 3535 Wando Plantation Way in Mount Pleasant.

The charm of Outer Banks lies not just in its characters but also in its stunning filming locations. These locales, which spread from South Carolina to Barbados, are a testament to the series’ commitment to authenticity and visual appeal.

Visiting these places offers fans a unique opportunity to step into the world of the Pogues and Kooks and experience it first-hand (but a little more safely than they do on the show). So why wait? Happy traveling!