The Waterfront was primarily filmed in North Carolina, specifically in the cities of Wilmington, Southport, and Wrightsville Beach. The fictional town of Havenport is depicted using various real locations in these areas. Key filming locations include:
- Wilmington, where significant scenes were shot at places like the Suites On Market motel, Cotton Exchange shopping complex by the Riverfront, North Front Street in the Historic district, Cape Fear Club, Little Drum Landing event venue, Chamber of Commerce (used as Havenport hospital), and others.
- Southport, featuring filming at spots such as Fishy Fishy Cafe (the exterior of Buckley Seafood), Potter’s Seafood, Morningstar Marina, Southport City Pier, and other local landmarks.
- Wrightsville Beach, used for aerial shots of Havenport and the Havenport High School swimming competition scene (filmed at the Wrightsville Beach Outrigger Canoe Club).
These locations are well-known and have been used in other TV shows and movies. The creator, Kevin Williamson, who grew up in North Carolina, specifically chose these familiar areas for filming since they align with the gritty coastal vibe of the show.
