Author: Sam Lawson
published: Nov 11, 2016 | last updated: Nov 11, 2016
We've all been at the movies watching the latest blockbuster and then dreamed of visiting some of the gorgeous beaches we've seen on the big screen. Often the beaches used on location when filming don't match those they are representing on screen. Read on to find out where those real beaches are and may be even visit them on your next beach holiday. We've also included a couple of notable TV series, with Lost and Game of Thrones, that just had to make the list.
Skyfall (2012)
Where? Koca Calis Beach, Fethiye, Turkey.
When to go? Visit Fethiye from June until September when it's perfect beach weather.
After being mistakenly shot by Money Penny (who shortly after decides on a desk job) we find Bond recuperating on a Turkish beach with MI5 none the wiser that he is infact still alive. By recuperating we mean downing one too many drinks with some tourists on Koca Calis Beach, Fethiye.
You won't find the exact beach bar there any more - it was constructed for the filming and destroyed shortly afterwards.
Tip: don't waste your day in a bar in Fethiye - take a boat tour to the many nearby islands or hop on a bus and head 45 minutes south to the gorgeous Belcekiz Beach at Oludeniz.
Blue Lagoon (1980)
Where? Nanuya Levu (Turtle Island) in Fiji.
When to go? Visit Fiji all year round, it's perfect beach weather.
A cast away story with Brooke Shields and Christopher Atkins as adolescents who fall in love at Devil’s Beach on Nanuya Levu (Turtle Island) in Fiji.
Turtle Island is a private island but the filming of the movie gave the owner the idea to build a luxury resort there. The resort caters for up to 14 couples - each with their own private beach on the island.
Tip: Stay on Turtle Island as a couple just like in the movie, albeit with one or two more luxuries than the original cast aways. Bring your own Loincloths to recreate some of the scenes from the movie!
Troy (2004)
Where? Malta and Mexico.
When to go? Visit Malta from June until September, visit Cabo San Lucas, Baja at any time of year.
Troy, although set in Greece and Turkey, was filmed at locations in Malta and Mexico. Much of the filming was done at multiple locations in Malta including construction of the city of Troy at Fort Ricasoli.
The famous Blue Lagoon on Comino island of Malta was the setting for a galleon rowed passed Achilles (Brad Pitt).
Tip: Blue Lagoon is one of the most popular spots for tourists to the island, you can take boat trips there from Sliema in Malta using Captain Morgan Cruises.
Odysseus (Sean Bean) looks down on a bay in Ithaca, Greece, the actual filming location was at Ghajn Tuffieha Bay in Malta.
Ghajn Tuffieha Beach and neighbouring Golden Bay Beach are some of the most popular beaches in Malta.
A temple scene was filmed at Mellieha Bay, a small town in the north of Malta.
Tip: The temple ruins were actually a set built for the movie, though Malta does have several ancient ruin sites. The Megalithic Temples of Malta are several prehistoric temples, some of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
The scenes of the beach attack at Troy were actually filmed at Cabo San Lucas, in Baja, Mexico.
Trivia: The Trojan horse made for the movie was gifted to the town of Canakkale in Turkey (the nearest major town to the site of ancient Troy).
The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
Where? St Croix in the US Virgin Islands.
When to go? Visit St Croix all year round.
While most of this movie is set behind bars, the dream that helps Andy persevere and eventually escape is the dream of escaping to a simple life on the Mexican beach of Zihuatanejo on the Pacific ocean. In reality the movie shots of the beach we see at the end of the film were shot in the Caribbean on Sandy Point National Wildlife Park on the south western tip of St Croix in the US Virgin Islands.
Tip: Sandy Point doesn't have beach facilities or even any shade, and is only open on weekends. The park closes entirely from April until August when it's turtle nesting season. Still there are plenty of other beaches on St Croix you can visit all year round.
Casino Royale (2006)
Where? Paradise Island, Bahamas.
When to go? Visit the Bahamas at any time of year, it's always beach weather.
Bond films are always known for their exotic and enticing locations and Casino Royale was no different. Here Daniel Craig as the new Bond got to show off his body as he emerged from the Caribbean sea at the Ocean Club on Cabbage Beach, Paradise Island in the Bahamas. Interestingly this is a reversal from the earlier films, some would say, sexist portrayal of ladies in bikinis emerging from the sea in Dr No. and Die Another Day.
Tip: The slightly oddly named Cabbage beach is the longest beach on Paradise Island with a number of hotels and beach clubs along it's 3km (2 mile) stretch of pristine white sand.
The Bourne identity (2002)
Where? Little Venice in Mykonos, Greece.
When to go? Visit Mykonos, Greece from June until September for the best beach weather.
Matt Damon stars as the amnesiac secret agent trying to uncover his own identity while escaping his former spy agency.
The ending scene was filmed in Little Venice, Mykonos, Greece
Little Venice is known for the quaint colourful houses and whitewashed windmills, which have been built right along the waters edge.
Tip: Visit before sunset for dinner and some wine at a local Greek taverna and watch the magical sunset across the bay.
The Bourne Legacy (2012)
Where? El Nido, Philippines.
When to go? Visit from January until May for the best beach weather.
The fourth of the Bourne movies moves to the gritty streets of Manila in the Philippines for some dramatic chase scenes towards it's climax. The closing shots though are of the rather more tranquil and beautiful islands of El Nido which is part of Palawan in the Philippines.
El Nido in Palawan is still relatively quiet and has some of the best beaches in the world.
Tip: Book your holiday to El Nido now while it's still "undiscovered".
The Bourne Supremacy (2004)
Where? Palolem Beach, Goa, India.
When to go? Visit Goa from January until April.
Matt Damon plays Jason Bourne, the amnesiac CIA operative who is suffering an identity crisis. Jason Bourne is living in India when he is framed by Russian agent Kirill (Karl Urban) for the theft of millions from the CIA. The beautiful state of Goa in India is the backdrop when Kirill goes after Bourne. Bourne’s hideaway is on the isolated white sand Palolem Beach in southern Goa.
Palolem Beach is lined with coconut palms, fishing boats and cheap backpacker beach huts. During peak season around December until April beach huts and restaurants are erected right on the sand.
Tip: Try one of the dolphin watching boat tours in the Arabian Sea.
Game of Thrones (TV Series 2011–Present)
Where? Croatia, Morroco and Malta.
When to go? Visit Croatia, Morroco and Malta from June until September for the best beach weather.
Game of Thrones, the extremely successful big budget TV production by HBO, has featured some gorgeous locations. Game of Thrones beach scenes have been filmed at Essaouira in Morroco, Dubrovnik in Croatia and on Gozo in Malta.
The Old City of Dubrovnik in Croatia was used for most shots of King’s Landing.
The Azure Window in Gozo, Malta was used for Daenerys and Drogo's Wedding scene and has been used by other productions including the original Clash of the Titans.
The Azure Window in Gozo, Malta is a popular tourist attraction.
Tip: Take a boat tour to Gozo (and the Azure Window) from Malta either very early or late in the afernoon to avoid crowds and get that perfect shot. The spot really does get crowded in the summer months, try either April/May or September/October for a more relaxing visit.
The Man with the Golden Gun (1974)
Where? Ko Tapu, Phang Nga Bay, Phuket in Thailand.
When to go? Visit Phuket from December until March.
The Man with the Golden Gun has one of it's most memorable scenes filmed at Ko Tapu, Phang Nga Bay in Thailand. Bond flies a small plane over Phang Nga Bay on his way to hitman Scaramanga's island hideaway on Ko Tapu.
Ko Tapu is a tiny rock pinacle (only 20m high and 4m in diameter) that sits between the two forest-covered islands of Khao Phing Kan. One of the most iconic Bond villain hideaways the island of Ko Tapu is now known as James Bond Island and has become a popular tourist destination.
Tip: Ko Tapu can be reached on a day tour using a long boat from Au Por (Po Bay) at the north east corner of Phuket.
Twilight (2008)
Where? Indian Beach near Cannon Beach, Oregon
When to go? Visit Cannon Beach from June until September for the best beach weather
In the first Twilight movie, the film adaptation of Stephenie Meyer’s novel of the same name they used Indian Beach in Ecola State Park, Cannon Beach, Oregon to stand in for First Beach in La Push, Washington. They used Indian beach to film the scenes where Bella and friends go surfing and where she first discovers the truth about Edward Cullen.
Tip: Indian Beach is a 5km (3 mile) hike from Cannon beach, look out for deer, eagles and even gray whales migrating in winter and spring. Ecola State Park includes a beautiful 13km (8 mile) section of the Oregon Coast Trail.
Twilight Saga Breaking Dawn Part 1 (2011)
Where? Mamangua Bay, Brazil and Magen's Bay, St Thomas, US Virgin Islands.
When to go? Visit Mamangua Bay, Brazil from January until May; visit Magen's Bay, St Thomas all year round.
Not all of Twilight was filmed in chilly Northern America, the honey moon scenes following Edward and Bella's wedding were shot at Casa Em Paraty beach house in Mamangua Bay, Brazil. You can rent it yourself, price is on application (we hear it's over 4,000 USD per night) with a maid and staff included.
Tip: for the more budget conscious try the nearby and much more reasonable Mamangua Hostel.
Some of the extra beach scenes were also filmed at Magen's Bay, St Thomas, US Virgin Islands which was chosen for it's similarity with Mamangua Bay.
We see Edward and Bella playing in one of the many waterfalls near Mamangua, Paraty.
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (2008)
Where? Cathedral Cove in New Zealand.
When to go? December, January, February and March all have good beach weather.
The beautiful Cathedral Cove on the Coromandel Peninsula in New Zealand was used for the natural archway, the Pevensies pass through it on their way back to Cair Paravel.
Tip: The cove is only accessible on foot or by water taxi from Hahei Beach. You can also experience diving and snorkeling trips or kayak there to really appreciate the scenery.
The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)
Where? Positano on the Almafi coast and Procida Island near Naples, Italy
When to go? Visit Italy from June until September for the best beach weather.
Filmed in Positano on the Almafi coast of Italy and also Procida Island near Naples. Jude Law, Matt Damon and Gweneth Paltrow must have enjoyed the filming locations which included a private beach club of Bagno Antonio in Ischia Ponte, Italy.
Tip: Ischia Ponte is a charming small Italian town on Ischia island, famous for Castello Aragonese, a medieval castle which sits out in a small island connected only by a causeway.
Cast Away (2000)
Where? Monuriki, Fiji.
When to go? Visit Fiji all year round.
Tom Hanks plays an airfreight executive Chuck Noland, who survives a plane crash only to get cast away on a remote island in the Pacific ocean. The filming was done on the uninhabitated island of Monuriki, part of the Mamanuca archipelago off Viti Levu in Fiji.
Monuriki is now a tourist attraction itself, and is not as isolated as depicted in the film.
Tip: Stay at nearby island resorts on Tokoriki Island or Matamanoa Island or take a boat from the main island of Fiji which is 37km (23mi) away.
Mamma Mia (2008)
Where? Skopelos island, Greece.
When to go? Visit Skopelos from June until September for the best beach weather.
Mamma Mia is a musical of a bride-to-be trying to find her real father told using hit songs by 1970s pop group Abba.
Some of the famous scenes were filmed on Kastani Beach on the Greek island of Skopelos. Kastani beach is where Tanya sings "Does Your Mother Know", where Sophie and Sky sing "Lay All Your Love on Me" and "I Have a dream".
Kastani beach is still unspoilt by development, it's accessed by foot down short a dirt road from the bus route.
Tip: In the summer months you'll find sun beds to relax on and a bar - so down a few cocktails before belting out your favorite Abba song from the movie.
Apocalypse Now (1979)
Where? Baler, Luzon, Philippines.
When to go? Visit Baler from January until May for the best beach weather.
Francis Ford Coppola chose the Philippines as the back drop for this classic Vietnam war movie starring Martin Sheen, Marlon Brando, Harrison Ford and Robert Duvall.
Baler bay in Luzon, Philippines is the setting for the famous helicopter attack led by Colonel Kilgore (Robert Duvall) an avid surfing fan. Colonel Kilgore says "Charlie don't surf" when persuading surfers in his platoon to surf during the ongoing beach assault. Empire magazine chose the helicopter attack scene, with the Ride of the Valkyries soundtrack, as the most memorable film scene ever.
As it turns out Baler has some great surf conditions and the film crew left behind the surfboards used in the filming, which kick started surfing in the area and the Philippines as a whole.
Tip: Learn to surf at Baler, a number of surf schools have sprung up along beach.
Fool’s Gold (2008)
Where? Gold Coast, Hamilton Island, Lizard Island, Airlie Beach, Hervey Bay Australia
When to go? Visit Queensland from November until April for the best beach weather.
Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey are treasure hunters diving for treasures on Key West in Port Douglas. They then move to Lizard Island in the Great Barrier Reef, Australia. Filming took place in Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Hamilton Island, Lizard Island, Airlie Beach, Hervey Bay and Batt Reef.
Tip: Hamilton Island is a short plane ride from Sydney, Brisbane or Airlie beach. The largest inhabitated island in the Whitsundays, Hamilton Island and has some beautiful resorts and makes the perfect base for exploring the Great Barrier reef.
The Island (2005)
Where? Archway Islands off Wharariki Beach, South Island, New Zealand.
When to go? Visit New Zealand from November until February for the best beach weather.
Ewan McGregor and Scarlett Johansson star in this futuristic science fiction film directed by Michael Bay. In the opening scenes we see a dream sequence of a coastline and rocky archway, these were filmed near Wharariki Beach, in the Archway Islands at the rugged northern tip of New Zealand South Island.
Tip: Visit Wharariki and the Archway islands on a day trip or camp at Wharariki Beach Holiday Park.
The Beach (2000)
Where? Maya Bay on Kho Phi Phi Le, Phuket, Thailand.
When to go? Visit Phuket from December until March for the best beach weather.
The Beach was shot at Maya Bay on Kho Phi Phi Le, a tiny island just off Phuket. Leonardo de Caprio stars as a young backpacker who discovers a hidden island away from the hoards of tourists.
The dream of a desert island existence proves to be just that, when drug runners discover the commune of travelers are living in their backyard.
The Beach movie single handedly put the islands of Thailand onto the tourist map, inspiring millions of visitors from around the globe.
Tip: Take the boat tour from Phuket extremely early to avoid the crowds.
Clash of the Titans (2010)
Where? Los Gigantes in Teide National Park, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain.
When to go? Visit Tenerife from June until September for the best beach weather.
Clash of the Titans is based on Greek mythology - but wasn't filmed in Greece. Many of the beach and coastline scenes were filmed at Los Gigantes (Giants) cliffs in Teide National Park, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain.
The Los Gigantes rock formations rise 500-800 meters out of the sea, and are a popular tourist attraction. The local beach is made from black volcanic sand.
Wrath of the Titans (2012)
Where? La Gomera and Tenerife in the Canary Islands, Spain.
When to go? Visit Tenerife from June until September for the best beach weather.
The sequel to Clash of the Titans was filmed in La Gomera and Tenerife in the Canary Islands, Spain. La Gomera is one of the quieter Canary Islands and boasts some rocky and dramatic terrain, that made it ideal as the backdrop for the movie.
Tip: the surrounding waters are a habitat for both dolphins and whales, try a whale watching boat tour from Valle Gran Rey, a 45 minute drive from Playa de Santiago.
The Piano (1993)
Where? Karekare beach, New Zealand.
When to go? Visit New Zealand from November until February for the best beach weather.
In this period drama set in New Zealand Holly Hunter plays a mute lady trapped in an arranged marriage. The well known beach scenes used in much of the promotional material were shot on Karekare Beach. One of the most stunning beaches in New Zealand, with volcanic sand and waves popular with surfers.
Karekare Beach is just 45 minutes from downtown Auckland and nestled in the Waitakere rainforest nature reserve.
Tip: Don't miss the Waitakere waterfall - Karekare falls, just a short walk from the road.
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003)
Where? Galapagos Islands.
When to go? Visit the Galapagos from January until April for the best beach weather.
Russell Crowe stars as Captain Jack Aubrey and Paul Bettany as Dr. Stephen Maturin in this nautical tale set during the height of the Napoleonic Wars. Epic warship battles included filming in the Galapagos islands of Ecuador, known for their remote location and unique fauna.
Tourism has picked up in the Galapagos in recent years with a number of live-aboard boat cruises available to take you around the islands. When you go will not only depend on the weather but what wildlife you want to see. From January until May it's a good time to see Green turtles and seabirds mating. From June until November the colder nutrient filled currents bring more sealife including Penguins, Humpback whales and Sea Lions.
Tip: Skip breakfast on your live-aboard and get onto the islands early to avoid the crowds.
Snow White and the Huntsman (2012)
Where? Marloes Sands beach, Pembrokeshire, Wales.
When to go? Visit Pembrokeshire from June until September for the best beach weather.
The beach scenes were predominantly filmed in Pembrokeshire, on the Marloes Sands beach near the village of Marloes. A computer graphics generated castle was set on nearby Gateholm island.
Tip: Visit Marloes Sands at low tide to enjoy the beach which gets much smaller during high tides.
Fast Five (2011)
Where? Copacabana beach, Rio de Janeiro, in Brazil and Puerto Rico.
When to go? Visit Rio from January until May and Puerto Rico all year round.
Set in Rio but scenes were shot both in Rio de Janeiro and Puerto Rico. The Rio film unit captured aerial shots of the city including Sugarloaf Mountain, Fort Copacabana, Ipanema Beach, the Dona Marta lookout point and the Christ the Redeemer statue.
Gisele and Han hang out at a bar on a beach in Rio.
The promotional scene from the Fast Five trailer of the complete heist team walking down a beach was filmed on Copacabana Beach.
The final beach scene filmed in Puerto Rico.
Fast and Furious 7 (2015)
Where? Leo Carrillo State Beach, Malibu.
When to go? Visit Malibu from June until September for the best beach weather.
After Paul Walker's untimely death in 2013 his brothers Cody and Caleb (plus some very clever CGI) helped to complete the movie as a tribute to Paul.
The final scenes of Paul Walker's emotional good bye were filmed at Sequia Point in Malibu at Leo Carrillo State Beach.
The Shallows (2016)
Where? Lord Howe Island, off New South Wales, Australia.
When to go? Visit from November until March for the best beach weather.
The film is about a young surfer (Blake Lively) who becomes stranded 200 yards away from shore after an enormous great white shark attacks her.
Mostly shot at Lord Howe Island which is 600 km (370 mi) directly east of mainland Port Macquarie. Along the west coast of Lord Howe Island there is a sandy semi-enclosed sheltered coral reef lagoon.
The Lord Howe Island has a Permanent Park Preserve covering about 70 per cent of the island. The surrounding waters are a protected region designated the Lord Howe Island Marine Park. Lord Howe Island is known for its geology, birds, plants, and marine life.
To relieve pressure on the small island environment only 400 tourists are permitted at any one time. Popular tourist activities include scuba diving, birdwatching, snorkelling, surfing, kayaking, and fishing. The island is reached by plane from Sydney or Brisbane in less than two hours.
Tip: Plan your trip now before the movie is released and booking becomes much harder!
The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004)
Where? Florence, Naples and Ponza Island, Ponziane Islands in Italy.
When to go? Visit Italy from June until September for the best beach weather.
Bill Murray plays Steve Zissou, an American oceanographer and explorer modelled after French marine conservationist and filmmaker Jacques Cousteau. The film follows Steve Zissou as he plans a revenge attack on the mythical Jaguar shark that killed his brother.
This eccentric classic may have been too quirky for audiences at the time of release and received mixed reactions, failing to impress at the box office.
Filming included some beautiful coastline near Rome and Naples including Ponza Island.
The Descendants (2011)
Where? Oahu and Kauai.
When to go? Hawaii has beach weather all year round.
Many scenes from The Descendants were filmed in the stunning Hanalei Bay area. “Hanalei Bay is unique just by the enormous size of it, very raw and mostly untouched,” says the movie’s co-producer George Parra.
The opening scene of the movie “The Descendants” depicts a woman riding in a speeding boat just off the shores of famous Waikiki Beach.
The Na Pali Coast of Kauai is featured in some sweeping helicopter shots.
Tip: There are no roads in this 6,175 acre state park - so take a boat tour down the Na Pali Coast and include beaches such as Honopu cove or hike the coast on the Kalalau Trail, which is about 15km (11 miles) long.
Lost (TV Series 2004–2010)
Where? Oahu, Hawaii.
When to go? Hawaii has beach weather all year round.
One of the most successful and addictive TV series in recent years - Lost depicts a plane crash on a remote island where many passengers survive and hope for escape. Strange events start to take place and it becomes clear this is no ordinary island. Most of the filming was in Hawaii on the island of Oahu.
The plane crash survivors base camp was filmed at Papailoa beach (aka Police Beach) near Haleiwa on the North coast of Oahu.
The base camp of the "Others" was filmed at YMCA Camp Erdman which is on the North Western tip of Oahu. Nearby you can also see the Mokuleia Beach Park where the plane crash scenes were filmed.
Dr No (1962)
Where? Ocho Rios, Jamaica.
When to go? Jamaica has beach weather all year round.
In the first James Bond film we find Bond (Sean Connery) on a Jamaican beach with Honey Ryder (Ursula Andress). In one of the most iconic Bond girl scenes Ursula Andress emerges from the sea at Laughing Waters Beach infront of Dunn's River Falls at Ocho Rios.
Trivia: The famous white bikini worn by Ursula was later auctioned off for $60,000.
Six Days, Seven Nights (1998)
Where? Kauai in Hawaii.
When to go? Hawaii has beach weather all year round.
This Harrison Ford film set on South Pacific island of Makatea and neighboring Tahiti was actually filmed on the island of Kauai in Hawaii. Filming locations included Papa'a Bay and on the rugged Na Pali Coast and Kipu Kai Beach.
Tip: Na Pali Coast can be visited by boat tours or by hiking only, there are no roads. Kipu Kai is even harder to get to, again it has no road access and the land is privately owned, boats can enter the bay but don't land. If you're a pro at kayaking though it's possible, as with all beaches the sand up to the high tide line is public.
The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)
Where? Sardinia, Italy and the Bahamas.
When to go? Visit Sardinia from June until September for the best beach weather. Visit Bahamas at any time of year.
Filmed on Sardinia the road chase with Bond in a Lotus Esprit is on a stretch of coast road at Vista Point and on the small piazza of San Pantaleone, to the southwest.
Bond’s submersible Lotus Esprit finally comes ashore on Romazzino Beach, on the coast east of the Cala di Volpe.
Trivia: The underwater scenes of the Lotus were actually filmed in the Bahamas using a specially made Lotus Esprit look-a-like submarine which was recently bought by Elon Musk in 2013 for 1 million dollars.
Point break (1991)
Where? Oahu, Malibu, Indian beach, Oregon.
When to go? Hawaii has beach weather all year round.
Many of the beach scenes were filmed at Leo Carrillo State Beach, in Malibu. More serious waves for the surfing sequences were shot at Pipeline Beach, Sunset Beach and Waimea Bay, on the north shore of Oahu in Hawaii.
In the stormy finally Utah (Keanu Reeves) catches up with Bodhi (Patrick Swayze) at Bell’s Beach in Australia, actually the scenes were filmed at a rainy Indian Beach, Ecola State Park, north of Cannon Beach, Oregon (also used in Twilight). The beach sequence where Bodhi surfs for one last time, in a bid to escape the authorities, is edited with footage of huge waves that were filmed back on Oahu at Waimea.
Point Break (2015)
Where? Teahupoo, Tahiti.
When to go? Tahiti has beach weather all year round.
Following a similar but updated storyline as the 1991 original, Point Break again has agent Utah tracking down a gang of "extreme sport enthusiast" thiefs. Teahupoo in Tahiti was used to shoot the surfing sequences which required spectacular tube waves for the "rare sea wave phenomenom" that supposedly occurs in France.
Tip: Teahupoo has some dangerous waves even for Pro surfers. Surfer Laurie Towner, who stood in as stunt double for Johnny Utah, was actually hospitalised during filming when a wave smashed him on to the ocean floor.
Die Another Day (2002)
Where? Cadiz, Spain.
When to go? Visit Cadiz, Spain from June until September for the best beach weather.
Makers of Die Another Day chose Cadiz in Spain to film one of the most iconic scenes. Actress Halle Berry emerges from the ocean at Playa de la Caleta in a bikini. The scene is reminiscent of the famous Ursula Andress scene in Dr No. The scenes were set in Cuba but the Cadiz was chosen as the back drop.
Quantum of Solace (2008)
Where? Talomone, Grosseto, Tuscany, Italy.
When to go? Visit Tuscany, Italy from June until September for the best beach weather.
Bond arrives in Talamone in Southern Tuscany after his car chase around Lake Garda. Talamone is a charming fishing village, with ancient fortress of Aldobrandeschi, on the shores of the Tyrrhenian Sea.
Bond is brought to Villa Le Torre located 6km (4 miles) from Talamone on a vintage Sunseeker Sovereign 17 motorboat.
Tip: Villa Le Torre is a real house and is available for rent, it sleeps 8 people.
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)
Where? St. Vincent and the Grenandines, and Dominica.
When to go? St. Vincent and the Grenandines has beach weather all year round.
In the opening scenes Wallilabou Bay, St. Vincent, is the setting for Port Royal. Three piers and a backlot for Port Royal and Tortuga were constructed on St. Vincent. Although somewhat worse for wear, much of the Port Royal set is still there at Wallilabou Bay and makes a popular tourist attraction.
As Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) first enters Port Royal he passes three pirate corpses hanging on the inside of a rocky arch, which is at the entrance to Wallilabou Bay.
The scenes where Captain Jack Sparrow is marooned on an island with Elizabeth were filmed at (Rum Runners Island) Petit Tabac, Tobago Cays, the Grenadines, Caribbean.
Earlier in the film Jack tells a tale of how he once escaped the very same island by lashing together two sea turtles with hair from his back and riding them to freedom.
After getting fed up with Jack's tales and advances, Elizabeth sets fire to the stash of rum left by the rum runners, much to Jack's dismay.
Tip: The Tobago Cays are uninhabited, the nearest resorts are found on Union, Canouan, Mayreau and Palm islands. Also visit Petit Tabac on an island tour operated from St. Vincent, Bequia or Mustique. Once on the island explore, swim and snorkel and don't forget to bring some rum!
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (2006)
Where? St. Vincent and the Grenandines, Bahamas and Dominica.
When to go? St. Vincent and the Grenandines has beach weather all year round.
St. Vincent was used again to shoot the scenes in Port Royal and Tortuga. Sets from the previous film at Wallilabou Bay were reused, having survived three hurricanes, although the main pier had to be rebuilt having collapsed recently.
Scenes from Cannibal Island were mostly filmed on the island of Dominica.
Hampstead Beach on the northeast coast of Dominica is the setting where the Black Pearl is found beached and where later we see Jack Sparrow narrowly escaping a group of cannibals.
The cannibals chase Jack on Hampstead Beach, Dominica. Thankfully Cannibals have never existed on the Caribbean islands in real life!
Scenes on Isla Cruces where Jack Sparrow, William Turner and James Norrington all fight over the chest containing Davy Jone's heart were shot at two locations.
The chest is discovered and dug up on White Cay (also known as Sandy Cay) in the Exumas, Bahamas.
Tip: White Cay is a short boat ride to the east of Little Exuma Island.
When Davy Jones' men arrive the fight moves to a ruined church and graveyard on Isla Cruces which was shot on Dominica. The old mill from which the huge wheel breaks free was constructed at Vieille Case, a village on the north coast of Dominica.
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (2007)
Where? Exuma in the Bahamas.
When to go? The Bahamas has beach weather all year round.
The scene of the Parley between the pirate captains were shot at White Cay near Little Exuma Island in the Exumas, in eastern Bahamas.
Trivia: Johnny Depp actually owns a Cay in the Bahamas himself. He reportedly paid $3.6 million for the Little Hall's Pond Cay in 2004, it lies at the northern end of the Exumas. In 2015 he celebrated his marriage there, the beaches are named after his children and ex.
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011)
Where? Puerto Rico, Oahu and Kauai in Hawaii and California.
When to go? Visit the Puerto Rico and Hawaii at any time of year
Whitecap Bay was filmed in three locations for On Stranger Tides. The scene where Hector Barbossa and his crew are ashore was filmed in Halona Cove in Oahu, Hawaii. Currents made filming at Halona Cove problematic and further shots were completed at Long Beach, California and back at Universal Studios.
When Jack is sent off alone to investigate the island, he comes across the magnificent Honopu Arch, on Honopu Beach, Na Pali state park on Kauai.
Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) maroons Angelica (Penelope Cruz) on Sola Fide Beach at the end of the movie.
The scene at Sola Fide Beach was filmed on the tiny island of Palominito off the east coast of Puerto Rico.
Tip: Palominito can be visited on day trips from Fajardo or from the nearby island of Palomino. Palominito is a tiny island, take some snorkeling gear to make your trip worth while.
Into the Blue (2005)
Where? New Providence island in the Bahamas.
When to go? Visit the Bahamas at any time of year.
Paul Walker and Jessica Alba hunt for sunken treasures around New Providence island in the Bahamas. Things get complicated when they get mixed up with some drug smugglers, after diving on a recent plane crash and find the cargo of cocaine.
Tip: They filmed live action shots in the sea off the Bahamas, with wild sharks. Shark tourism has taken off in the Bahamas where you can dive with Reef Sharks and and occasionally Tiger Sharks while they are hand-fed.
The Count of Monte Cristo (2002)
Where? The islands of Malta including Gozo and Comino.
When to go? Visit Malta from June until September for the best beach weather.
The film has many scenes filmed on both Gozo and Comino. You'll see a couple kissing at the Azure Window on Gozo, St Mary's Tower at Comino is in some of the final scenes.
Tip: Visit Blue Lagoon and St Mary's Tower on Comino and the Azure Window on Gozo with a day boat tour from Malta.
King Kong (1976)
Where? Kauai, Hawaii.
When to go? Visit Kauai, Hawaii at any time of year.
Honopu beach on the Na Pali Coast of Kauai, Hawaii was again used as movie location to shoot "Skull Island" in this Jessica Lange and Jeff Bridges remake of King Kong. Honopu Beach and Arch are clearly scene when they land on "Skull Island". The fog bank they approach before landing at Honopu beach was created by smoke machines on Hanalei bay.
Tip: The Na Pali Coast of Kauai has been featured in our list more than any other location, something that highlights just how special this place really is - a must visit if you get the chance.
For Your Eyes Only (1981)
Where? St Georges beach, Corfu, Greece.
When to go? Visit Corfu, Greece from June until September for the best beach weather.
Bond and Countess Lisl von Schlaf meet at the Corfu casino and spend a night at her beach house. The next morning they are attacked by Loque on Agios Georgios beach.
Tip: These days the beach is much more developed and is popular as a cheap get-away.
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)
Where? Monsul Beach in Almeria.
When to go? Visit Almeria, Spain from June until September for the best beach weather.
Indiana Jones' father, played by Sean Connery, single handedly takes down a fighter plane by scaring seaguls into the air using his umbrella on Monsul Beach in Almeria.
Monsul Beach, in the Cabo de Gata national park, is famed for it's rugged unspoilt beauty, you won't find any facilities here, it's a must see beach for nature lovers. To get there ride a bus from nearby San Jose or use a hire car.
Tip: Be prepared, there's hardly any shade provided by the rocky coastline and no refreshments!
There you go - we've reached the end of our stunning beach locations, from the familiar and accessible to the remote and exotic, take your pick of these beaches from the movies for your next beach holiday. We hope you enjoyed this article, thanks for reading and be sure to share with friends.
