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Soul Surfer movie cover Movie Locations Guide

Where was Soul Surfer fimed?

2011

City Locations

Waialua, Honolulu (USA)

Location Types

Hotels/Motels

Location Styles

Beachfront, Hotel/Motel Style, Beach House, Exotic/Tropical

About Soul Surfer

Soul Surfer is an inspiring and heartwarming biopic about the incredible story of surfer Bethany Hamilton. After a devastating shark attack, she courageously overcomes all odds to become one of the top-ranked surfers in the world. Fueled by her unwavering faith and determination, Hamilton continues to challenge herself with new endeavors while inspiring others to do the same.

The movie follows Bethany's battle for recovery as she learns how to surf with only one arm and eventually rises through the ranks of competitive surfing despite her injury. Her story captivated audiences worldwide, showcasing her strength, resilience, and passion for life. The film also features a strong supporting cast that includes Helen Hunt, Dennis Quaid, and Lorraine Nicholson, who help support Bethany’s inspiring journey throughout the film.

Soul Surfer has been hailed as a universally relatable story about overcoming obstacles and living life to its fullest. It is full of action-packed surfing scenes that have been praised for their stunning cinematography. One unique fact about Soul Surfer is that it was shot on some of Hawaii's most beautiful beaches, like Oahu's Pipeline Beach, which was featured prominently in many scenes throughout the film. Overall, Soul Surfer serves as a powerful reminder that anything is possible when you put your faith first no matter how hard life can be at times. It stands out as an uplifting tale of courage and determination, ensuring that viewers leave with an unforgettable cinematic experience.

Critics have given mixed reviews to Soul Surfer. According to Rotten Tomatoes, a review aggregation website, the movie has a score of 46% based on 101 reviews from critics, with an average rating of 5.3/10. The consensus on the site is that Soul Surfer has an incredible true story at its core; however, its significance is lost under Hollywood's excessive cheesiness. On Metacritic, which assigns a weighted average score, the movie has scored 53 out of 100 based on 27 reviews from critics, which means that the reviews were "mixed or average."

Soul Surfer Locations

The making of the film Soul Surfer was an exciting journey for the production crew, taking them to some of the most beautiful regions of Hawaii. The majority of principal filming occurred on the islands of Oahu, Kauai, and the Big Island where stunning backdrops provided an ideal aesthetic environment for the story being told.

On Oahu specifically, crew members filmed in popular spots such as Waikiki Beach, Makaha Beach, and Lanikai Beach. Kauai was also a major filming location with many shots being captured at Hanalei Bay and Kalalau Valley. The Big Island provided a diverse range of landscapes, from black-sand beaches to lush green valleys that were perfect for capturing the natural beauty that Hawaii has to offer.

In addition to these locations, visitors can also view real-life landmarks that are featured in Soul Surfer, such as Turtle Bay Resort on Oahu's North Shore or Waimea Canyon on Kauai. Taking a trip along this route will provide travelers with an opportunity to learn more about Hawaiian culture and explore places made famous by this beloved movie. Whether you're a fan of Soul Surfer or just appreciate natural beauty, visiting these sites is sure to be an experience worth remembering.

Children learning to surf scene in Soul Surfer

North Shore, Waialua, HI, USA

When Bethany Hamilton (AnnaSophia Robb) was 13 years old in 2003, she lived with her family on the island of Kauai, Hawaii. Her parents, Tom (Dennis Quaid) and Cheri (Helen Hunt), as well as her two older brothers Noah (Ross Thomas) and Timmy (Chris Brochu), were all passionate surfers. Bethany and her closest ally, Alana Blanchard (Lorraine Nicholson), shared an exceptional love for the sport and frequently competed together since their childhood.

The Island of Oahu in Hawaii boasts the North Shore of Waialua, an aesthetically pleasing area that is a haven for beach-goers, surfers, and nature enthusiasts. The North Shore attracts countless visitors due to its diverse activities and attractions. The beaches in the North Shore are particularly remarkable, including Haleiwa Beach, Sunset Beach, and Waimea Bay. Renowned among surfers, these beaches host several global surfing competitions yearly. The North Shore waves are colossal, towering over 30 feet high, which is why it's a top destination for the world's most daring surfers seeking an adrenaline rush.

The North Shore of Waialua is located on the island of Oahu in Hawaii. Heading northwest from Honolulu, you’re looking at a journey of around 25 miles.

The way to the beach scene in Soul Surfer

Kalalau Trail, Hawaii 96746, USA

On Halloween day, Tom has an appointment for knee surgery at the hospital, and as he is unable to join them, the girls decide to go surfing with Alana's family, including her father Holt (Kevin Sorbo) and brother Byron (Jeremy Sumpter). The group heads to Tunnels Beach, a popular surf spot on the north shore of Kauai, Hawaii.

The Kalalau Trail is a legendary hiking trail located on the island of Kauai. The trail winds through lush valleys, towering cliffs, and breathtaking vistas, offering hikers an unforgettable adventure through one of the most beautiful natural environments in the world. The highlight of the Kalalau Trail is undoubtedly the Na Pali Coast, which features towering cliffs that rise up to 4,000 feet above the ocean. As hikers approach the coast, they are greeted with breathtaking panoramic views of the coastline from above. To get to the Kalalau Trail on the island of Kauai in Hawaii, fly into Lihue Airport. Drive north and then west along the coastline to get there, with a total journey length of almost 40 miles.

Shark attack scene in Soul Surfer

Tunnels Beach, Hawaii 96746, United States

While out surfing with Alana, Bethany has her left arm in the water when she is unexpectedly attacked and has her left arm bitten off just below the shoulder by a tiger shark. Holt, Alana, and Byron get her out of the water, where Holt makes a tourniquet out of his swimshirt while Byron calls 911.

Tunnels Beach is a popular attraction located on the north shore of Kauai. Known for its turquoise waters and scenic views, the beach is a favorite among snorkelers, divers, and beachgoers. The name Tunnels Beach comes from the underwater lava tubes that run beneath the waves and create a unique underwater landscape. These tunnels provide shelter for a wide variety of marine life, including colorful tropical fish, sea turtles, and even small sharks.

Located near the Kalalau Trail, Tunnels Beach is a little over an hour’s drive from Lihue Airport.

Surfing with one arm scene in Soul Surfer

Waikiki Beach, Honolulu, HI 96815, United States

Despite the challenges she faces, Bethany shows her determination and eventually returns to surfing even with one arm. During her recovery period, Inside Edition extends an offer to provide her with a prosthetic arm that looks realistic and has flexible joints, but she declines the offer after discovering that it won't aid her surfing efforts as it is not weight-bearing.

Bethany’s return to surfing scenes were filmed at Waikiki Beach, which is renowned as one of the world's most famous beaches. This beautiful strip of sand and surf has been a popular destination for tourists and locals alike for over a century. One of the most iconic landmarks at Waikiki Beach is the statue of Duke Kahanamoku, a legendary Hawaiian surfer and Olympic gold medalist. The statue stands at the entrance to the beach, welcoming visitors from around the world.

Waikiki Beach is located in Honolulu, on the island of Oahu in Hawaii. Here are some directions on how to get there: From Honolulu International Airport, Waikiki Beach is a 10-mile drive to the southeast.

Championship scene in Soul Surfer

Turtle Bay Resort, 57-091 Kamehameha Hwy, Kahuku, HI 96731, United States

As Bethany prepares for an upcoming competition, she reconnects with Alana and puts in the necessary hard work to enhance her skills. Eventually, Bethany participates in the national championships, where she puts on a decent performance, although she is still struggling to clinch third position. Suddenly, with only a few minutes left until the end of the event, the waves begin to recede, forcing all surfers to wait for the tides to pick up once again.

This scene was filmed at Turtle Bay Resort, which is nestled on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii. Turtle Bay Resort is an esteemed luxury resort that has earned various accolades. The resort spans 850 acres of immaculate beachfront property, boasting breathtaking vistas of the Pacific Ocean, verdant tropical forests, and tranquil countryside.

You can get there by heading north from Honolulu International Airport, and there’s an expected driving time of approximately one hour and 15 minutes.

Conclusion

The movie Soul Surfer takes viewers on an exciting journey that showcases the beauty of the Hawaiian Islands. Filmed primarily in Oahu, Kauai, and the Big Island, the movie captures the essence of these islands, from white sandy beaches to lush green mountainscapes. The film follows the story of teenage surfer Bethany Hamilton as she overcomes her fears and loss of her left arm in a shark attack to become one of the best surfers in the world.

The stunning visuals of Hawaii's incredible beaches and waves provided an ideal backdrop for this inspiring drama. The magnificent beauty and diverse culture of Hawaii were essential ingredients in creating this amazing story that continues to inspire others today. Soul Surfer is an uplifting movie that will leave you with a lasting impression of how determination can lead to success against all odds.

And if you want to see where some of Soul Surfer’s most iconic scenes were filmed, start planning your Hawaiian vacation today.