You probably remember the red swimsuits. Maybe the slow-motion running, which, honestly, remains the most iconic thing about the entire franchise. When the 2017 Baywatch movie reboot hit theaters starring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and Zac Efron, everyone just assumed they were looking at the sun-drenched shores of California. It makes sense, right? The original 90s show was practically a love letter to Santa Monica and Malibu.
But here is the kicker.
If you go looking for the specific beaches from the movie in Los Angeles, you’re going to be walking for a very long time. Where was the Baywatch movie filmed? Surprisingly, the production ditched the Pacific Coast entirely for the Atlantic. Most of the movie was shot in Florida and Georgia. It’s a classic Hollywood bait-and-switch driven by tax incentives and the search for a specific "Emerald Coast" aesthetic that California just doesn't have.
The Florida Connection: Deerfield Beach and Beyond
Florida did the heavy lifting for the "Emerald Bay" setting. While the movie tries to convince you it’s a fictionalized version of California, the water is too clear and the sand is too white. That’s the dead giveaway.
The production spent a massive chunk of time in Deerfield Beach.
Located just south of Boca Raton, Deerfield Beach provided the primary backdrop for those expansive shorelines. The crew took over the International Fishing Pier, which you can see in several wide shots. It wasn't just a quick weekend shoot, either. They moved in. They re-branded local spots. They made the area look like a high-stakes lifeguard hub. Interestingly, the locals weren't always thrilled with the traffic, but having The Rock around tends to smooth things over.
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South Beach in Miami also got some screen time. You can’t film a movie about attractive people on a beach and not stop by Ocean Drive. The vibrant, Art Deco colors of Miami Beach provided that high-energy, neon-soaked vibe that director Seth Gordon wanted for the film’s opening act. If you've ever been to Miami, you recognized those pastel lifeguard towers immediately. They are world-famous for a reason.
Savannah and Tybee Island: The Georgia Secret
Georgia is the "Hollywood of the South" now. Because of the state's aggressive film tax credits, big-budget movies flock there. Baywatch was no exception.
A lot of the "beach" action that people assume is Florida was actually filmed on Tybee Island, near Savannah. Tybee has a much more laid-back, rugged feel than Miami. It worked perfectly for the scenes that required a bit more grit or seclusion.
Why Georgia?
- Tax Breaks: This is the boring but true answer. Georgia offers up to a 30% tax credit. On a movie with a $69 million budget, that is tens of millions of dollars saved.
- Versatility: You can make Tybee Island look like almost any coastline in the US if you angle the camera right and use enough color grading in post-production.
- Infrastructure: Savannah has become a massive hub for film crews. It’s easy to get equipment there.
The Estill Hammock Marina in Savannah served as the backdrop for several of the water-based stunts. When you see the jet ski chases or the moments involving the larger boats, there is a high probability you are looking at the brackish waters of the Georgia coast rather than the open ocean.
The Mystery of the "California" Scenes
Okay, so was any of it filmed in California?
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Technically, yes. A few pick-up shots and some very specific iconic imagery were captured in Los Angeles. The production did spend a tiny bit of time in San Pedro and Long Beach. This was mostly to maintain a sense of continuity with the original series’ DNA.
But it’s funny.
The movie spent millions trying to make the East Coast look like the West Coast. They even used CGI to tweak the horizons in some shots. The Pacific Ocean has a darker, deeper blue hue, while the Atlantic—especially around Florida—is more turquoise. Digital colorists had to work overtime to ensure the "Emerald Bay" felt like a cohesive place rather than a patchwork of two different coastlines.
Real Locations You Can Actually Visit
If you’re a superfan and want to do a Baywatch pilgrimage, you don't need a pass to a movie studio. These are public spaces.
- Deerfield Beach International Fishing Pier: This is the big one. You can walk exactly where Zac Efron’s character, Matt Brody, had his ego checked.
- Tybee Island Pier and Pavilion: A beautiful spot in Georgia that looks almost identical to how it appeared on screen.
- Boca Raton: Several of the "luxury" backdrops, including high-end beach clubs, were filmed in this wealthy Florida enclave.
The Production Reality
Filming on water is a nightmare. Ask anyone who worked on Jaws or Waterworld. It is slow, expensive, and dangerous.
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For the Baywatch movie, the crew had to deal with unpredictable tides in Georgia and the blistering heat of Florida. Saltwater ruins equipment. Sand gets into everything. There’s a reason why so much of the movie feels "bright"—they were shooting in the harshest possible midday sun to capture that summer blockbuster glow.
Nuance matters here. While the movie was a comedic reboot, the physical demands on the cast were real. Training didn't just happen in a gym; they were actually out in the surf at Tybee Island and Deerfield. Zac Efron famously did a grueling obstacle course on set that wasn't all movie magic—the guy was actually doing the work.
Final Take on the Locations
The 2017 Baywatch movie is a fascinating example of how modern cinema works. Geography doesn't matter as much as the bottom line. By moving the production to Florida and Georgia, the studio saved enough money to afford the massive star power of its leads.
It’s a bit of a bummer for California purists, but it gave the film a much more vibrant, tropical look than the original series ever had. The original show was often overcast or hazy—that classic "marine layer" that hits the SoCal coast. The movie, by contrast, is a neon-blue explosion of East Coast sunshine.
If you’re planning a trip to see where it happened, head to the Atlantic side. Pack some sunscreen. Maybe leave the slow-motion running for the professionals.
Practical Next Steps for Your Baywatch Tour
If you actually want to visit these spots, start in Miami. Rent a car and drive north to Deerfield Beach—it's only about an hour away. Spend a day at the pier, then fly up to Savannah. Tybee Island is a 20-minute drive from downtown Savannah. It’s a much better vacation than trying to find "Emerald Bay" in Malibu, because, quite frankly, it isn't there.
Check the local weather before you go. Georgia and Florida beaches are best visited in late spring. By mid-summer, the humidity is so thick you’ll feel like you’re breathing underwater, and that’s a lifeguard emergency nobody wants to deal with.