Netflix’s Outer Banks Experiences in Beaufort, SC
Beaufort locals and fans of the hit Netflix series Outer Banks may know that the bulk of the show was actually filmed in Charleston, South Carolina, Beaufort, South Carolina, and the surrounding areas. Beaufort attracts a ton of visitors planning to see some of the filming locations and who plan to experience the laid-back coastal life featured in the Netflix show.
Whether you are hoping to spend some time on “Boneyard Beach,” climb “Redfield Lighthouse,” or learn about pirates in the area, you can have an “Outer Banks” style experience here in Beaufort, SC.
See filming locations from Season 1 at Hunting Island State Park
Several of the night time beach scenes were filmed on Hunting Island. On North Beach of Hunting Island there was once a driftwood boneyard. This beach has been cleared of the sunken driftwood trees since filming, but it was the original site where Pogues hosted a giant bonfire party in Season 1. You know the infamous bonfire where Topper almost drowns John B?
The North Beach Boneyard on Hunting Island was home to sunbleached, petrified trees creating an eerie and stunning backdrop, but now film buffs wanting to take pictures on the driftwood remains have to travel to the Hunting Island Nature Center (closer to Fripp Island) for the same effect.
When the Pogues head to “Redfield Lighthouse” to follow the lead on the back of John B’s compass, they end up at an old, black and white lighthouse. In this scene, the cast enters the lighthouse door to speak to the keeper about the Royal Merchant.
This historic structure is actually the Hunting Island Lighthouse. It was built pre-Civil War and then rebuilt in 1877. It’s the only publicly accessible lighthouse in South Carolina and in much better shape than the Netflix show depicts.
Visit a Shrimp Boat and enjoy delicious fresh-caught seafood.
Stop by Gay Fish Company on your way to Hunting Island and experience life alongside some of our towering, operational shrimp boats. This is rumored to be the location of several of the shrimp boats used in another locally filmed movie, Forrest Gump, and a favorite stop of actor Tom Hanks. Take home a fresh catch from Gay Fish Company to enjoy homemade local seafood or stop at one of the amazing seafood restaurants nearby like Johnson Creek Tavern or Foolish Frog to recreate a dining experience like the Pogues have at “The Wreck.”
Get adventurous on the water
Both Pogues and Kooks alike love spending time on the water. Whether you’d like to take a fishing tour and experience Pogue fishing life or you’d like to try your luck at water sports like surfing, there are tours and lessons for you! Get out on the water like John B, Kiara, JJ, or Pope and follow these links to take a stand up paddle board tour or surfing lessons.
Become a history buff like John B, and lean into the fascinating history of the area.
Visit the Beaufort History Museum. The museum contains a Main Exhibit Hall with artifacts, photos and documents which tell the story of the Beaufort District, and a Special Exhibits Gallery in which special temporary displays are created to focus on specific subjects of interest. You can also take a pirate tour on Hilton Head Island or go on a “historic name scavenger hunt” and look for roads and buildings named after the real Pope and Heyward.
Take a day trip to Charleston to visit more filming locations
While Beaufort is the primary backdrop for many of the beach scenes in season one, fans will recognize Charleston and surrounding areas throughout the rest of the show.
Many of the scenes were filmed on private property, but several locations are open to the public. Stop at the Charleston Maritime Center to reenact the ferry scenes from the Netflix drama. The ferry itself is the Carolina Belle, a harbor tour boat in Charleston. There are also water taxi services that run between downtown Charleston and Mount Pleasant.
Visitors to Shem Creek Marina in Charleston will recognize several key locations as sets in the series. Haddrell's Point or the “entrance to Kildare harbor” was filmed as a meeting point for the local Pogues. Charleston residents regularly gather here to enjoy the bars and restaurants and watch the sunset.
Pope’s family restaurant, Heyward's Seafood, is filmed at Geechie Seafood in Mount Pleasant, a real business with incredible fresh shrimp straight from Shem Creek.
Kook fans can experience the Midsummer Night’s soiree scene at Kiawah Island Golf Resort Enjoy an evening in style and dine oceanside at The Ocean Course Club House.
No matter whether you’re in Charleston, Beaufort or the real Outer Banks, you can have experiences similar to the characters in the Netflix show right here in the Lowcountry. If you fancy yourself a die-hard fan and you’re on the hunt for all of the filming locations, just remember to be mindful of private property!