Behind the Scenes: 10 Island Locations from Apple TV+ Shows

Set-Jetting: 10 Apple TV+ Islands You'll Want to Explore

Apple TV+ isn’t just redefining storytelling—it’s redefining scenery. From post-apocalyptic wastelands to sun-soaked Mediterranean hideouts, the streaming platform has filmed some of its most stunning shows on real-life islands you can actually explore. These locations aren’t just pretty backdrops—they’re immersive, atmospheric characters that elevate the drama, tension, and magic of each series. Whether it's a volcanic cliff in Madeira or a windswept fjord in the Faroe Islands, these island settings add a visceral depth that makes stories unforgettable. Ready to step out of your screen and into your next adventure? Here are 10 epic Apple TV+ island filming locations.

1. Skellig Michael, Ireland – Foundation

Skellig Michael, a UNESCO World Heritage site off Ireland’s southwest coast, brought a mystical energy to Foundation with its stark cliffs, beehive huts, and dramatic isolation. Its ancient monastic ruins, rising out of the Atlantic Ocean, doubled as sacred or ancient alien sites in the sci-fi epic. The island’s raw beauty, spiritual history, and dangerous access made it a perfect stand-in for distant, mysterious worlds. Though challenging to film on, the cast and crew embraced the remoteness, which added realism and atmosphere to scenes that demanded isolation, introspection, and intensity. Few locations can embody another planet quite like Skellig Michael.

Main Shooting Locations

• Skellig Monastery
  This 6th-century monastic site added historical gravitas and ancient mystique, standing in for relic-filled alien ruins pivotal to the plot’s deeper lore.
• Eastern Landing Cove
  Where characters arrived by spacecraft in the story—filmed using real boats and careful drone footage along crashing Atlantic waves.
• Summit Plateau
  Wind-lashed and panoramic, this location captured characters confronting cosmic truths, with a backdrop that feels both sacred and unearthly.

Behind the Scene

• Puffin Party
  Despite CGI replacing them with alien birds, puffins kept photobombing shots—eventually, the crew just embraced them as part of the world.
• Vertical Set Struggles
  All gear had to be hand-carried up 600 stone steps—meaning multiple takes sometimes needed full reset hikes back down and up.
• Sacred Silence
  The cast observed silent mornings before filming, inspired by monks who once lived there—leading to unexpectedly powerful performances.

2. Vancouver Island, Canada – See

In See, a brutal world where humans have lost sight, Vancouver Island became a vast, untamed backdrop. Covered in ancient forests, rugged coastlines, and mist-shrouded valleys, the island helped create a believable post-apocalyptic realm. The series, led by Jason Momoa, demanded intense physical scenes, and the wild terrain added authenticity to every sequence. Forests became battlegrounds, cliffs served as homes, and rivers became highways. Vancouver Island’s diverse ecosystem allowed for varied and dynamic settings within one island, giving the series a primal energy and raw naturalism that perfectly matched its feral, tribal aesthetic.

Main Shooting Locations

• Strathcona Provincial Park
  Ancient trees, fog-filled lakes, and alpine views created immersive forest settings where key battles and dramatic moments played out.
• Ucluelet Coastline
  Jagged rocks, crashing surf, and remote sea caves gave depth to the scenes of exiled characters surviving on the edges of civilization.
• Jordan River
  Used for river journeys, ambushes, and tribal migration scenes—visually rich and logistically complex due to currents and rain.

Behind the Scene

• Bear Encounter
  A black bear wandered into camp one morning and watched filming for hours before lumbering off—everyone froze, then laughed.
• Jason’s Jump
  Momoa performed a real 20-foot cliff jump—only to find out it wasn’t needed in the final edit (but kept for fun).
• Mudslide Madness
  Rain caused a set trail to become a slippery mess, and actors slid down it between scenes—accidentally bonding as castmates.

3. Gozo, Malta – Foundation

Gozo, the smaller sibling of Malta, was transformed into alien worlds in Foundation. With its ancient architecture, stark cliffs, and Mediterranean light, it became a go-to location for multiple planetary environments. Its layered geology and warm glow gave the series a tangible, lived-in feel—especially when filming scenes of empire, war, and mystery. Gozo’s timeless atmosphere made it a favorite among crew and cast alike. Between ancient temples and crashing seas, the island easily adapted to the show’s sweeping scale and emotional intensity.

Main Shooting Locations

• Dwejra Bay
  Used for wide landscape shots and ocean planet scenes. Its iconic rock formations added otherworldly grandeur without need for CGI.
• Ta’ Ċenċ Cliffs
  Soaring cliffs created dramatic tension and visual symbolism during key confrontations between characters grappling with fate and power.
• Mgarr ix-Xini Bay
  Secluded and cinematic, this bay allowed for private, reflective scenes and planetary surface explorations.

Behind the Scene

• Local Builders
  Traditional Maltese masons helped construct sci-fi structures, blending local materials with futuristic design for authenticity.
• Sunlight Chase
  Due to perfect golden-hour light, the team raced against time each day to capture scenes before the sun dipped below the cliffs.
• On-Set Wedding
  A production assistant and camera op fell in love on set—and got married on Gozo during a break in filming.

4. Lanai, Hawaii – The Mosquito Coast

Lanai, one of Hawaii’s lesser-known islands, was the exotic yet isolating refuge in The Mosquito Coast. With its stark red dirt landscapes, volcanic ridges, and remote beaches, Lanai gave the story of escape and danger a real-world edge. Unlike busy tourist hotspots, Lanai’s lack of commercialism and limited population allowed the cast and crew to transform the island into a character itself—quiet, unpredictable, and wild. Justin Theroux’s character’s descent into obsession and survival instincts mirrored the island’s untamed energy. From high cliffs to wind-beaten coasts, Lanai delivered a surreal, cinematic escape into madness.

Main Shooting Locations

• Shipwreck Beach
  Remote, rugged, and wind-whipped—perfect for scenes of isolation, survival, and secret hideouts with high visual drama.
• Garden of the Gods (Keahiakawelo)
  Martian-like terrain with rock towers, used for surreal, reflective sequences as characters struggled with identity and fear.
• Hulopoe Bay
  Provided the contrast of paradise with chaos—lush beauty framed moments of tense reprieve for the fleeing family.

Behind the Scene

• No Signal Zone
  Cast and crew had no phone service for miles—leading to old-school walkie-talkie communication and deep immersion.
• Windstorm Wipeout
  One intense gust sent props flying into the ocean mid-scene; they were later retrieved by a snorkel-wearing grip.
• The Feral Cat Gang
  A colony of curious cats kept wandering into frame and were eventually named and given cameo roles.

5. Corsica, France – Liaison

In Liaison, espionage and emotion collide—and Corsica’s dramatic terrain elevated every twist. This Mediterranean island offered rugged coastlines, fortress towns, and mysterious mountain trails perfect for a thriller steeped in danger and intimacy. The island’s cinematic palette—from turquoise bays to medieval villages—added mood, elegance, and tension to the show’s high-stakes storyline. With Eva Green in the lead, scenes filmed here exuded intensity and seduction. Corsica, wild and historic, was the perfect double agent: both beautiful and treacherous.

Main Shooting Locations

• Bonifacio Citadel
  A medieval fortress turned into a heavily guarded embassy, capturing the paranoia and political tension of the show.
• Capo Pertusato Cliffs
  These stunning, wind-battered cliffs served as perfect backdrops for pivotal face-offs and secretive exchanges.
• Calvi Bay
  Used for sleek getaway scenes and oceanic suspense sequences—fast boats, faster plot twists.

Behind the Scene

• Eva’s Rooftop Stunts
  Green performed her own rooftop runs, despite crew concern—earning her the nickname “007 of Corsica.”
• Drone Rescue
  A drone went rogue over the ocean and was retrieved by a cliff-diving stuntman with a GoPro strapped to his chest.
• Seafood Surprise
  Locals frequently interrupted filming to offer seafood platters—one even made it into a dinner scene on the fly.

6. Madeira, Portugal – Extrapolations

Madeira, the volcanic island gem of the Atlantic, served as a hauntingly beautiful location in Extrapolations, Apple TV+’s climate-focused anthology. The island’s dramatic cliffs, ancient forests, and eerie fog provided the ideal setting for a dystopian future where humanity faces environmental collapse. Its isolation and rugged terrain visually echoed themes of resilience, rebirth, and reckoning. The crew used natural light, unpredictable weather, and the raw landscape to emphasize the emotional and environmental weight of the series. Madeira was not just a backdrop—it embodied a climate-altered world in poetic, often unsettling ways.

Main Shooting Locations

• Fanal Forest
  A high-altitude, fog-drenched laurel forest that set the stage for surreal moments of ecological memory and mystic confrontation.
• Ponta de São Lourenço
  Jagged cliffs and windswept trails were used for aerial scenes, offering a feeling of both finality and expansive possibility.
• Cabo Girão Skywalk
  This glass-floored cliff overlook provided vertiginous drone shots symbolizing humanity’s teetering relationship with nature.

Behind the Scene

• Fog Factory Fail
  The crew brought fog machines—but nature’s real fog was so dense they abandoned them after Day 1.
• Goat Cameo
  A mountain goat wandered into a key emotional scene, stole the spotlight, and was worked into the storyline.
• Zero-Waste Set
  Production adhered to strict sustainability rules: no plastic bottles, locally sourced props, and composting toilets on location.

7. Ischia, Italy – The Morning Show

For season interludes and character retreats, The Morning Show turned to Ischia, Italy’s lush volcanic island. With its thermal springs, pastel towns, and cliffside views, it offered contrast to the intense, fast-paced world of broadcast journalism. Here, characters reflected, clashed, and reconnected against romantic backdrops. The slow rhythm of island life allowed the series to soften and deepen, offering a meditative pause in an otherwise frantic storyline. Ischia’s warm colors and coastal elegance added visual luxury, while its off-season tranquility made it perfect for filming.

Main Shooting Locations

• Castello Aragonese
  A medieval fortress-turned-hotel, perfect for intimate, stormy conversations in candlelit rooms overlooking the sea.
• Maronti Beach
  Long stretches of sand with geothermal springs beneath—used for sunrise scenes of self-reflection and reconnection.
• Sant’Angelo Village
  A no-car town of winding paths and hidden courtyards—ideal for secret meetings and sunset strolls.

Behind the Scene

• Pasta Lessons
  Jennifer Aniston learned to hand-roll ravioli with a local nonna—then insisted the crew eat her first batch (they did, bravely).
• Boat Breakdown
  A charter boat used in filming stalled mid-scene—leaving cast adrift and laughing while drones kept rolling overhead.
• Vespa Chaos
  A Vespa chase scene ended in a comedy of crashes on cobbled roads—eventually rewritten as a walking sequence.

8. Réunion Island – Drops of God

This visually rich series about wine, legacy, and identity brought its characters—and viewers—to Réunion Island, a French territory in the Indian Ocean. With volcanic peaks, black-sand beaches, and lush forests, Réunion offered a visually striking backdrop for episodes exploring memory and transformation. The island’s isolation underscored characters seeking clarity away from Europe and Japan. Réunion’s spiritual energy and untamed landscape brought a cinematic depth that grounded the emotional stakes of Drops of God, making the island feel sacred, mysterious, and transformative.

Main Shooting Locations

• Piton de la Fournaise
  One of the world’s most active volcanoes, used to represent inner turmoil and the explosive power of buried emotions.
• Cilaos Village
  A highland town nestled in a caldera, perfect for quiet scenes of family reflection and generational reconnection.
• Étang-Salé Black Sand Beach
  Striking and moody, this beach set the stage for dramatic turning points and emotional farewells.

Behind the Scene

• Volcano Vibration
  A mild volcanic tremor occurred during shooting—everyone paused, looked around, and then calmly resumed.
• Real Wine, Real Buzz
  Actors were accidentally served actual wine during a scene—and had to reshoot multiple takes after getting too relaxed.
• Local Feast Scene
  An unscripted local celebration made it into the episode, complete with traditional drums, dancing, and fresh-caught fish.

9. Tasmania, Australia – The Changeling

Tasmania’s eerie forests and isolated landscapes were the perfect setting for the mythic horror of The Changeling. The island’s haunting natural beauty gave the show’s supernatural themes a grounded, primal edge. Towering trees, misty glades, and rugged coastlines allowed for seamless shifts between reality and fantasy. As a story rooted in parenthood, folklore, and fear, Tasmania's landscapes deepened the sense of unease and mystery. Remote and wild, Tasmania added authenticity to a world where legends blur with real-life trauma and transformation.

Main Shooting Locations

• Cradle Mountain
  Fog-wrapped forests and alpine lakes provided haunting visuals for the dreamlike and psychological moments.
• Bay of Fires
  A surreal landscape of orange-lichen rocks and crashing waves used in pivotal otherworldly sequences.
• Franklin River Wilderness
  Dense and dangerous-looking, it doubled as a mythical realm where the line between real and unreal dissolves.

Behind the Scene

• Night Shoot Shivers
  Even with layers, actors said Tasmania’s forest chills felt like “a ghost hugging your spine.”
• Dream Log
  LaKeith Stanfield began journaling vivid dreams during production, some of which influenced rewritten monologues.
• Spiritual Blessing
  An Aboriginal elder blessed the land before filming began—creating a powerful atmosphere that cast and crew said was “palpable.”

10. Faroe Islands – Slow Horses

For secret meetings, mysterious disappearances, and isolated tension, Slow Horses headed to the Faroe Islands. With dramatic fjords, turf-roofed cottages, and ever-present fog, the islands offered cinematic suspense wrapped in raw natural splendor. The isolation fit perfectly with the espionage vibe, where characters grappled with past sins and political shadows. Shooting here was logistically tough but visually spectacular—every shot looked like a movie poster. The islands became an extension of the characters: enigmatic, exposed, and hard to read.

Main Shooting Locations

• Tórshavn Harbor
  Used for nighttime drop-offs, rendezvous, and covert surveillance with a Nordic noir edge.
• Saksun Lagoon
  A remote valley surrounded by cliffs—ideal for emotional confessions and hidden motives.
• Gasadalur Cliff Path
  A windswept trail above a roaring ocean, used for final confrontations and revelations.

Behind the Scene

• Weather Roulette
  Sun, fog, and hail all hit the set in one afternoon—forcing real-time script changes and spontaneous brilliance.
• Oldman’s Cottage
  Gary Oldman insisted on staying in a turf-roofed guesthouse, saying it helped him “get into grumpy genius mode.”
• Sheep in Frame
  Sheep constantly wandered into scenes. The crew gave up chasing them out and wrote them in as “local security.”

From Stream to Shoreline: Make the Scene Your Next Destination

From the misty peaks of Tasmania to the sun-drenched coastlines of Corsica, these islands have set the scene for unforgettable Apple TV+ moments. Each destination offers more than just cinematic beauty—they invite you to explore worlds filled with mystery, emotion, and epic storytelling. So why just binge when you can book a ticket? Whether you're chasing drama, serenity, or secrets, these islands are calling.