The allure of Lost, ABC’s captivating series that concluded in 2010, continues to draw fans to the breathtaking landscapes of Hawaii. While many of the show’s interior scenes, including the iconic cave sequences, were meticulously crafted on sound stages near Honolulu, the good news for avid viewers is that a wealth of exterior shots were filmed on location across the diverse terrain of Oahu. This article will guide you to some of the most recognizable Lost filming locations.
The most exciting part is that many of these spots are readily accessible to the public, offering a free and immersive experience. Others might require participation in a paid tour that ventures into the area where filming took place. This guide will help you pinpoint where Lost was filmed, promising an adventure free of Smoke Monsters, but full of nostalgic charm.
1. Crash Site of Oceanic Flight 815
The opening scene of Lost, a chaotic tableau of 48 survivors amidst the wreckage of Oceanic Flight 815, is etched in the minds of viewers. The plane, a symbol of unexpected disaster and new beginnings, lay strewn across a pristine beach, ostensibly somewhere between Sydney, Australia, and Los Angeles, California. This pivotal scene, along with the majority of beach sequences in Season 1, was filmed at Mokule’ia Beach, a stunning stretch of sand on Oahu’s North Shore.
To reach this iconic location, travel north from Central Oahu along Highway 99, also known as the Kamehameha Highway. As you approach the charming town of Hale’iwa, keep an eye out for signs indicating the Farrington Highway (Highway 930). Head west on Farrington Highway and watch for the Kawaihāpai Airfield on your left. Shortly after, Mokule’ia Beach Park will appear on your right. The beaches that follow this park were the primary settings for the Season 1 beach scenes. For Season 2 beach scenes, the production moved to Police Beach, situated closer to Haleiwa. This allows Lost fans to experience the same environment as their favorite characters.
2. Exploring the Valley of Lost
The verdant and dramatic Ka’a’awa Valley, nestled on Oahu’s Windward Coast, served as a versatile backdrop for numerous scenes throughout Lost. In Episode 3, this valley is where Sayid, Charlie, Kate, Shannon, Boone, and Sawyer established their camp for the night after intercepting the taped broadcast from the enigmatic French woman.
Beyond Lost, the Ka’a’awa Valley boasts an impressive filmography, having hosted productions like 50 First Dates, Godzilla, Mighty Joe Young, Pearl Harbor, Tears of the Sun, and Windtalkers. The valley’s dramatic landscape makes it perfect for various movie settings.
Access to the Ka’a’awa Valley is restricted and requires permission from the owners of Kualoa Ranch. The ranch offers various tours, including horseback riding excursions, that venture into the valley. These guided tours provide a unique opportunity to see the filming locations firsthand, with knowledgeable guides pointing out the specific spots where iconic scenes were filmed.
3. Home of the Monster
While Jack, Kate, and Charlie explored the valley in the early episodes, the remaining survivors huddled near the plane wreckage on the beach, seeking shelter from a torrential downpour. Suddenly, the ominous sound of the "monster" echoed from the valley, prompting Claire’s chilling observation, "There it is again."
The view Claire witnessed was actually the vista visible inland from Mokule’ia Beach, the very same beach where the plane wreckage set was constructed. This backdrop also features prominently in the second part of the series pilot when Jack performs emergency surgery on the Marshall who was escorting Kate to the United States.
4. Fleeing in the Rainforest
After discovering the plane’s cockpit, Jack, Kate, and Charlie were horrified to witness the pilot being violently pulled from the aircraft by the "monster." This terrifying encounter prompted them to flee into the dense jungle, desperately trying to find their way back to the relative safety of the beach.
The rainforest they traversed was a heavily wooded area situated near the Turtle Bay Resort, a location that served as a backdrop for numerous other scenes in Lost.
Located near Oahu’s northernmost point, Turtle Bay Resort can be reached by driving northeast from Haleiwa along the Kamehameha Highway, or from the opposite direction, about 10 minutes past the Polynesian Cultural Center in La’ie.
Even if you’re not a guest at the Turtle Bay Resort, access is still possible. While a parking fee may apply, all beaches in Hawaii are required to provide public access. After passing through the security gate and driving past the golf course and tennis courts on your left, you’ll notice the horse stables. Park in that area and follow the markers for the west/green trail, which winds through numerous filming locations from Lost.
5. The Banyan Tree
The same wooded area near the Turtle Bay Resort is also home to several banyan trees, which were featured prominently in several Lost episodes.
In Season 1, Episode 11, this location is where Charlie was found strung up by his neck by the enigmatic Ethan. Kate manages to cut Charlie down, and Jack successfully resuscitates him.
Furthermore, in Season 1, Episode 14, Walt is trapped inside a banyan tree with a polar bear lurking outside. With the help of Michael, his father, and Locke, Walt is eventually rescued. Michael then stabs the polar bear in the neck, injuring it and forcing it to flee.
6. Jin and Sun’s Engagement
One of the most visually stunning and emotionally resonant scenes in Lost unfolds in Season 1, Episode 6, which provides the first glimpse into the backstory of Jin and Sun. Sun is revealed to be the daughter of a wealthy and ruthless Korean businessman. Jin is introduced as a waiter at a party hosted by Sun’s father. The episode reveals their deep love and Jin’s intention to seek her father’s permission to marry her. Having secured permission, Jin formally proposes to Sun on a picturesque bridge outside her father’s grand home.
This scene was filmed at the Byodo-In Temple, nestled in the Valley of the Temples off the Kahekili Highway (83) in Kane’ohe. The Kahekili Highway (83) acts as a bypass road that allows you to travel north to the shoreline of East Oahu. If traveling from Honolulu via the Likelike Highway, follow the signs for the Kahekili Highway (83) north.
7. Sydney Airport
The Sydney Airport serves as a crucial location in several scenes during the first season of Lost. It is, of course, the departure point for Flight 815 on its ill-fated journey to Los Angeles.
However, instead of traveling to Sydney, Australia, the Lost production team utilized the modern and visually striking Hawaii Convention Center as a stand-in for the Sydney Airport.
The glass-fronted center, which opened in 1998, features a rooftop tropical garden, glass-encased meeting rooms, and outdoor function spaces lined with towering palm trees. The architects thoughtfully designed the building to reflect its Waikiki surroundings and Hawaii’s rich history and culture.
The Hawaii Convention Center is located at 1801 Kalakaua Avenue in Honolulu, near the border of Honolulu and Waikiki.
8. Jack’s Wedding
Season 1, Episode 20 of Lost presents a flashback episode focusing on Jack, raising more questions than answers. We learn that Jack saved the life of a woman named Sara in a car accident. During her recovery, they fall in love and plan to get married. However, whether Jack and Sara actually get married remains unclear. Furthermore, Sara’s fate is unknown, as Jack never mentions her on the island, nor does he wear a wedding ring.
The wedding scene was filmed at the renowned Kahala Hotel & Resort, situated just east of Diamond Head. The ceremony took place at the wedding gazebo on the east end of the property, near the shoreline.
9. House That Hurley Bought for His Mother
Hurley (Hugo Reyes) is a beloved character on Lost. In Season 1, Episode 18, after winning the lottery, Hurley decides to surprise his mother with a new house. He blindfolds her and drives her to the new home, only to witness it burst into flames right before their eyes.
The house used for this scene is located in the affluent Kahala neighborhood of Oahu, east of Diamond Head, home to some of the island’s most luxurious residences.
10. Hurley’s Golf Course
Hurley’s golf course is situated within the Ka’a’awa Valley, near the location where Dr. Alan Grant (Sam Neill) and the two children encounter a herd of duckbills and hadrosaurs fleeing from a ferocious T-Rex in Steven Spielberg’s Jurassic Park.
11. Waterfall Where Hurley and Kate Land From Ajira Flight 316
The Oceanic 6, initially eager to leave the island, are persuaded or forced to return. They board Ajira Airlines flight 316 to Guam, only to once again pass through the anomaly that transports several of them back to 1977.
In Lost Season 5, Episode 6, Hurley and Kate arrive back on the island in the pond near the waterfall first seen in Season 1, Episode 12. Jack arrives nearby in the jungle and rushes to their aid, diving into the water from the top of the waterfall.
This waterfall and pond are located in Waimea Valley, a 1,875-acre site that has been a sacred place for over 700 years of Native Hawaiian history.
12. The Beach Camp
From the end of Season 1 onwards, the second beach camp of Lost has been the setting for many of the series’ most exciting moments.
After Lost became an instant hit in 2004, the original beach set at Mokule’ia suddenly became a popular spot for Lost fans, necessitating the move to a more remote location.
The chosen location was Police Beach, or Papa’iloa Beach, just east of Haleiwa off of the Kamehameha Highway. To reach the beach camp, park at the small parking area at the end of Papa’iloa Road and take the narrow public access path to the beach. Then, turn left on the beach and hike for about 15-20 minutes to the set location.
13. Mr. Eko’s Nigerian Village
Mr. Eko joined the cast of Lost in the show’s second season.
Mr. Eko grew up in Nigeria in a small village. He looked after his younger brother Yemi. When a gang of guerrillas raided their village, Eko came to his brother’s rescue when his brother was ordered to shoot an old man. Eko took the gun and shot the man himself, sparing his brother from the task. The guerrillas took Eko under their wing and soon he became their leader and the drug lord. His brother grew up to become a priest.
Featured in Season 2, Episode 10, the Nigerian village was actually located near Oahu’s North Shore in the town of Waialua at the site of the former Waialua Sugar Mill.
14. Dharma Initiative Processing Center
Of all the Lost filming locations, none is more iconic than the Barracks (or the village of the Others). It is here where the Dharma Initiative made its home on the island and where, after the Purge, Ben and the Others lived.
Season 5 of Lost made extensive use of this site for most of the episodes featuring the Dharma Initiative. The Processing Center is where the new Dharma recruits receive their work assignments and uniforms.
The Dharma Processing Center is actually the assembly hall for YMCA Camp Erdman, located near Mokule’ia Beach on Oahu’s North Shore. If you visit this Lost filming location, remember that it is private property. You must stop by the camp office and ask permission. A small donation to the camp will usually help ease your way.
