Everyone loves to see their favourite movie stars, frolicking on the beach in skimpy swimsuits – even if the beach itself steals the scene! Although the stars themselves my look better in the movies then they do in real life, the beaches are often equally as impressive in person. This blog will take a look at a number of beaches that have gained fame through the film industry and are available on a variety of cruise itineraries with the lines at Cruise118.com.
The Beach – Maya Bay, Phi Phi Leh Island, Thailand
The Beach – starring Leonardo DiCaprio – focused on a young backpackers search for the perfect, unspoilt beach whilst on holiday in Thailand. The actual beach used for filming was the impossibly idyllic Maya Bay on Phi Phi Leh Island, a remote land mass accessible from the nearby picturesque Thai island of Phuket. Although an extra cliffside was added to the scene in post-production, the beach is no less inspiring in real life and remains uninhabited, despite its raise to fame after the movie.
A short boat trip from Phuket or Krabi is the best way to visit the island and marvel at its beauty for yourself, and although there is no rental accommodation available there, intrepid visitors are welcome to camp out – just like in the movie!
Casino Royale – Paradise Island, Bahamas
Casino Royale saw the dawn of Daniel Craig’s era as 007 back in 2006, when James Bond was tasked with foiling the dastardly plans of supervillain and international terrorist financer Le Chiffre. The stunning beach of Paradise Island in the Bahamas is featured in the scene where Bond intercepts Le Chiffre’s henchman’ lovers whilst she is horse-riding along the coast.
The small strip of white sand featured in the movie actually belongs to the exclusive One & Only Ocean Club – whose members include Martha Stewart and Michael Jordan – but don’t let this put you of as the beach is open to the public, located around 15 minutes drive to the north of Nassau.
Castaway – Monuriki, Fiji
To truly capture the essence of the movie, the makers of Castaway – starring Tom Hanks – had to find an utterly and believably remote island. They found the Fijian island of Monuriki and never looked back. This tiny island is characterised by its secluded ambience and tropical environment, which made it the perfect choice for the Castaway film.
The island is accessible from the main island of Fiji, situated just off shore of Viti Levu – one of Fiji’s most populous and tourist-centric destinations. Fans of the movie should attempt to make the trip to Monuriki, if only to sit on the beach and shout WILSON!!!
Pirates of the Caribbean – Petit Tabac, St Vincent and the Grenadines
In the Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, two of the film’s main protagonists – played by Johnny Depp and Kiera Knightley – are left marooned on a deserted island to starve. The beach they are stranded on is actually a small strip of white sand named Petit Tabac, part of St Vincent and the Grenadines’ Tobago Cays Marine Park. The beach is both uninhabited and highly protected due to its natural beauty and is located truly off the grid, away from the Caribbean’s more touristy areas.
The beach is reachable via a short boat trip from St Vincent and the Grenadine’s nearby Union Island. A trip here is a great way to see a remote side of the Caribbean, rarely incorporated within mainstream excursions.
The Karate Kid – Leo Carillo Beach, Malibu, California
A truly iconic 80s movie, the Karate Kid tells the story of a young teenager attempting to master karate, win the big tournament and come out the other end richer for the experience. It may be cheesy and dated but we love it! Leo Carillo Beach in Malibu, California is featured in perhaps the film’s most famous scene, when Daniel LaRusso – portrayed by Ralph Maccio – practises his ‘crane’ move facing the Pacific Ocean. Interestingly, the same beach is featured in a number of other famous movies, without playing a prominent role, including Point Break, Inception and The Usual Suspects.
This beach is a great place to visit if you arrive in Los Angeles with some spare time and want to recreate the famous scene. Just 28 miles from Santa Monica, this stretch of coastline is very easy to find.
Image Credits:
Cropbot – wikipedia.org
Shutterbuggery – wikimedia.org
Eliot Phillips – flickr.com
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