Where Was South Pacific Filmed?

The Short Answer

The 1958 film South Pacific was mainly filmed on the Hawaiian island of Kaua'i. Exteriors were shot at Hanalei Bay, Lumaha'i Beach, and Hanalei Pier, with Moorea in French Polynesia providing distant Bali Hai views. Interiors and some scenes were completed at 20th Century Fox Studios in Century City, Los Angeles.

The 1958 adaptation of South Pacific used Kaua'i's lush north shore as its primary stand in for a fictional World War II island. Principal location filming ran from August 12 to early October 1957, employing hundreds of local residents and schoolchildren as extras.

Color filters and lenses during musical sequences produced overly vibrant colors that could not be corrected before release. Matte paintings by Emil Kosa Jr. created distant views of the fictional Bali Hai island, while a second unit shot aerial views of Fijian islands for backgrounds.

Every Location At A Glance

Location	Where	What was filmed	Access
Hanalei Bay	Hanalei, United States	Beach scenes, Seabees sequences, arrival at pier, musical numbers including Bali Ha'i views	Free to see
Lumaha'i Beach	Wainiha, United States	Mitzi Gaynor's 'I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair' scene and other beach sequences	Free to see
Hanalei Pier	Hanalei, United States	Joe Cable arrival scene and Navy hospital area nearby	Free to see
Princeville Resort / Old Birkmyre Estate	Princeville, United States	Emile de Becque's plantation house and party scenes	Outside only
Moorea	Moorea-Maiao, France	Bali Ha'i mountain and distant island views	Free to see
Stage 8, 20th Century Fox Studios	Century City, United States	Studio interiors and some scenes	Studio set

Filming Locations Map

6 locations. The map loads when it scrolls into view.

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Location By Location

Beach scenes, Seabees sequences, arrival at pier, and musical numbers including Bali Hai views were filmed here. Today the public beach and bay remain a popular tourist spot with parking near the pier. Visitors can walk the shoreline and see the same crescent of sand and mountains. Strong currents exist in some areas, so swimming requires caution. The bay is free to access and easy to reach from Hanalei town.

The musical number where Mitzi Gaynor washes a man out of her hair and other beach sequences were shot here. The beach is remote, accessed via highway pullouts along Kuhio Highway. No facilities exist, and swimming is dangerous due to currents and undertow. Visitors can view the wide sand and surf from the roadside or walk carefully near the water's edge. The location remains largely undeveloped, preserving the look seen in the film.

Joe Cable's arrival scene and the Navy hospital area nearby were filmed at this historic pier. Today the pier sits at Black Pot Beach Park with free public access and parking. A plaque notes the film use. Visitors can walk the wooden pier, look across Hanalei Bay, and see the same vantage point used in the movie. The area is busy with beachgoers and offers views of the surrounding mountains.

Emile de Becque's plantation house and party scenes were filmed on this estate. The area is now part of Princeville Resort, with private estate views available from public roads or tours. Direct access is limited to exterior only. Visitors can drive nearby roads to glimpse the lush grounds and coastline that stood in for the plantation. The resort area includes hotels and golf courses, but the original house is not open to the public.

Bali Hai mountain and distant island views were filmed here. Moorea is a public island in French Polynesia, accessible by ferry from Tahiti. Visitors can see the jagged peaks that inspired the fictional Bali Hai, along with beaches and popular tourist sites. The island's dramatic silhouette appears in the film's distant shots. Today Moorea offers hiking, snorkeling, and scenic lookouts, though no specific film set remains.

Studio interiors and some scenes were filmed on Stage 8 at 20th Century Fox Studios in Century City, Los Angeles. The lot is a private studio and not open to public tours. Visitors cannot enter the soundstage, but the studio's history is documented in film archives. The interiors shot here included scenes requiring controlled lighting and sets, while exteriors were completed on Kaua'i.

Where It Is Set Versus Where It Was Filmed

The story is set on a fictional South Pacific island near the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and New Hebrides during World War II. Filming took place primarily on Kaua'i, Hawaii, with additional footage from Moorea and studio work in California. The lush Hawaiian landscapes substituted for the South Pacific setting, while matte paintings and second unit aerial shots of Fijian islands completed the illusion.

The Studio Side

20th Century Fox Studios in Century City, Los Angeles, handled interiors and some scenes. The studio lot is private and not open to public tours. Stage 8 was used for controlled interior work, while exteriors were shot on location in Hawaii and French Polynesia. The studio's involvement allowed for musical sequences and set pieces that could not be filmed outdoors.

Tours That Visit These Locations

Two bookable Kaua'i tours include stops tied to South Pacific filming locations. Both are general film location tours rather than dedicated South Pacific tours, and each includes Hanalei Pier among other movie sites.

Hanalei Pier Stop

Kauai: Hawaii Movie Tour

This Kaua'i tour rated 4.8 from 123 reviews includes Hanalei Pier and costs $189. It covers multiple movie locations across the island.

4.8 out of 5 · 123 reviews

From$189Check availability

Hanalei Town And Pier

Kauai: Movie Locations Tour

This Kaua'i tour rated 4.1 from 81 reviews includes Hanalei Town and Hanalei Pier and costs $172. It offers a lower priced option for seeing film sites.

4.1 out of 5 · 81 reviews

From$172Check availability

Frequently Asked Questions

Where was the 1958 South Pacific filmed?

Mainly on Kaua'i, Hawaii, at Hanalei Bay, Lumaha'i Beach, and Hanalei Pier, with Moorea for Bali Hai views and 20th Century Fox Studios for interiors.

Can you visit the filming locations on Kaua'i?

Yes, Hanalei Bay, Lumaha'i Beach, and Hanalei Pier are public. Princeville Resort offers exterior views only. Moorea is accessible by ferry from Tahiti.

What was filmed at Lumaha'i Beach?

The musical number where Mitzi Gaynor washes a man out of her hair, plus other beach sequences.

Is 20th Century Fox Studios open to the public?

No, the studio lot is private and not open to public tours.

How long did principal filming on Kaua'i last?

From August 12 to early October 1957.

What created the distant Bali Hai views?

Matte paintings by Emil Kosa Jr. and second unit aerial shots of Fijian islands.

Kaua'i's north shore remains the most accessible way to see where South Pacific was filmed. Public beaches and the historic pier let visitors stand in the same spots as the cast, while Moorea and the closed Fox Studios round out the production's geography.