Car Tour From Charleston
Outer Banks Film Locations Tour
Driving tour from Charleston hitting multiple filming locations in one outing, ideal for wider coverage.
PriceLive on listingCheck availability
The Short Answer
Outer Banks, set in North Carolina, was filmed around Charleston, South Carolina for seasons 1 through 5. Guided tours run by boat, eBike and car from the Charleston and Mount Pleasant area, visiting Shem Creek, Morris Island Lighthouse, the Folly Beach Boneyard and other Pogues locations. Boat tours start around $47 per adult and typically last 90 minutes to 3 hours.
Netflix's Outer Banks may be set on the North Carolina coast, but nearly every scene across seasons 1 through 5 was shot in the South Carolina Lowcountry around Charleston. Production landed here instead of North Carolina owing to practical and tax incentive reasons, and the region's creeks, marshes and beaches became the Pogues' world.
The good news for fans is that a surprising amount of that world is real and visitable. Shem Creek in Mount Pleasant served as the main waterfront for the Pogues' boat scenes, and several businesses that appeared on screen, including Geechie Seafood and The Wreck restaurant, still operate today. Guided tours, especially by boat, reach spots that are otherwise private or only visible from the water.
Compare The Tours
The tours below cover the same general territory by different means. A boat tour reaches the locations that sit on or across the water, including the Chateau and Poguelandia sites. An eBike tour out of Mount Pleasant covers the Shem Creek area on land, while a car-based film locations tour from Charleston covers a wider set of stops at a relaxed pace.
eBike Tour, 3 Hours
Outer Banks Film Location eBike Tour in Charleston
eBike tour from Mount Pleasant covering Shem Creek area sites at a fun, active pace.
PriceLive on listingCheck availability
Small-Group Car Tour
Charleston: Outer Banks Film Locations Tour
Highly rated small-group tour, rated 4.9 from 12 reviews, priced at $250.
From$250Check availability
What You Will See
Shem Creek Waterfront
The boardwalk and waterfront in Mount Pleasant stood in for the Pogues' home port across all seasons. It is free and public, with restaurants and parking, making it an easy stop before or after a tour. Geechie Seafood appeared as Heyward's Seafood, and The Wreck restaurant played Kiara's family business.
Morris Island Lighthouse
This decommissioned lighthouse off Folly Beach served as the Redfield Lighthouse exterior and appears in the show's opening credits. It is best viewed from the beach at Lighthouse Inlet Heritage Preserve, which offers free public access.
Folly Beach Boneyard
The driftwood strewn beach scenes were shot on this stretch of Folly Beach. Boat tours typically pass it en route to Morris Island, giving passengers a look at one of the show's most visually distinctive settings.
John B's House, The Chateau
John B's home can be viewed across the water from a boat in the Secessionville area. The structure itself sits on private property, so viewing from the water is the practical and respectful way to see it.
Poguelandia 2.0, Maybank Property
Season 4 introduced a new Poguelandia, the Maybank Property, and boat tours include it among their stops. It is among the newer additions to the filming location circuit as later seasons shifted some action to fresh sites.
Block Island Creek Marshes
The surrounding creeks and marshes hosted boat chases and the sunken Grady White scenes. A boat tour is the only practical way to appreciate this maze of waterways, which forms the backdrop for much of the show's action.
Planning Your Visit
Getting There
Most tours depart from the Bowens Island and Folly Creek area at 1871 Bowens Island Road, or from the Shem Creek public dock in Mount Pleasant. Both are roughly a 15 to 20 minute drive from downtown Charleston and reachable by car, with parking available at the departure points. Shem Creek itself is easy to visit independently at any time.
Tickets, Hours And Timing
Charleston Outdoor Adventures, whose official Outer Banks boat tour departs from Bowens Island, charges from $47 per adult as of 2026, with private tours from $360 for up to 6 people. One operator's tour sold over 10,000 tickets in its first year. Hours vary by season, with Charleston Outdoor Adventures operating 8AM to 8PM daily. Boat tours run 90 minutes to 3 hours, while car and eBike tours run about 3 hours.
Booking Tips
- Book 1 to 2 weeks ahead, as private and small-group boat tours can sell out in peak summer season.
- Children's rates are available and the tours suit most ages.
- Respect private property: many filming sites, including John B's house and Lowndes Grove, are view-only from the street or water, with no trespassing.
- Shem Creek, Geechie Seafood and Morris Island are free to visit independently if you want a self-guided day.
- Arrive early to park, especially at Shem Creek where lots fill with diners and tour passengers.
On The Map
5 locations. The map loads when it scrolls into view.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Frequently Asked Questions
Was Outer Banks actually filmed in the Outer Banks?
No. Although the show is set on North Carolina's Outer Banks, seasons 1 through 5 were filmed around Charleston, South Carolina, owing to production logistics and tax incentives. The Lowcountry's creeks, beaches and marshes double for the North Carolina coast throughout the series.
Can I visit Tannyhill Plantation?
Only from the outside. Lowndes Grove, built in 1786, served as the Cameron family home and its pool party scenes, but it is a private wedding and event venue. Fans can view the exterior from the street, though there is no public entry to the property.
Is a boat tour or a land tour better?
Boat tours reach locations invisible from land, such as John B's house, the Poguelandia site and the creek marshes used in boat chases. Land tours by car or eBike cover Shem Creek, Geechie Seafood and other street-level stops. Many fans combine a Shem Creek visit with a boat departure.
How much do Outer Banks tours in Charleston cost?
Charleston Outdoor Adventures' official boat tour starts at $47 per adult as of 2026, with private charters from $360 for up to 6 people. Other guided tours, such as a highly rated small-group option, run around $250. Children's rates are available on most departures.
How long do the tours last?
Boat tours typically run 90 minutes to 3 hours depending on the operator and route. Car and eBike tours generally take about 3 hours. Operators such as Charleston Outdoor Adventures run daily from 8AM to 8PM, though schedules shift with the seasons.
Is Geechie Seafood from the show a real place?
Yes. Geechie Seafood on Shem Creek is an operating seafood market that appeared as Heyward's Seafood, Pope's family business in the show. It is free to visit and browse, and The Wreck restaurant nearby, which played Kiara's workplace, is open for meals.
For fans of the show, Charleston offers one of the more satisfying filming location experiences anywhere, because so many sites are genuinely visitable rather than locked behind studio gates. A boat tour covers the water-only locations, Shem Creek handles the free public stops, and a respectful distance from private properties keeps access open for future visitors. Book ahead in summer and the Pogues' Lowcountry will be waiting.
