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| Where Was Above & Below Filmed? Discover All Shooting Locations of the 2026 Survival Thriller Film. (Photo: IMDb/Aura Entertainment) |
One of the biggest talking points surrounding Above & Below is not just its relentless survival story or nerve-racking underwater action, but also the spectacular locations that make every scene feel dangerously real. Although the film is set off the coast of Mexico, the production travelled elsewhere to recreate its tropical paradise and terrifying ocean nightmare. Some filming spots were intentionally kept under wraps while cameras were rolling to avoid unwanted interruptions from eager fans, meaning not every location has been publicly confirmed. Still, enough details have emerged to paint a fascinating picture of where this survival thriller came to life.
The 2026 action-horror film follows Tatiana and Kaley, whose dream diving holiday spirals into chaos after they discover a hidden cache belonging to a ruthless criminal group. Trapped beneath the sea while dangerous predators circle below and armed criminals wait above, every minute becomes a desperate fight for survival.
Director Jesse V. Johnson blends practical ocean photography with carefully controlled underwater filming, giving the movie an authentic edge that keeps audiences on the edge of their seats.
Fans have reacted enthusiastically to the film's visual style. Many praised the crystal-clear water, dramatic cliffs and endless ocean views, saying the scenery almost deserves top billing alongside the cast.
Others admitted they spent half the film wondering where these stunning beaches actually were before remembering that enormous sharks were probably not the best travel guides. Either way, curiosity about the filming locations has become almost as popular as discussions about the story itself.
The heart of Above & Below was filmed across Gran Canaria, one of Spain's famous Canary Islands. Located in the Atlantic Ocean, the island is known for its warm climate throughout the year, volcanic landscapes and beautiful coastline.
Although audiences are led to believe they are somewhere off Mexico's Pacific coast, Gran Canaria comfortably steps into the role thanks to its remarkably versatile scenery. The island has become an increasingly popular destination for international film productions because it offers sunshine, dramatic coastal views and reliable filming conditions without travelling halfway around the world.
A significant amount of production took place around Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria, a lively seaside resort on the island's southern coast. Known for its bustling marina, luxury yachts and calm waters, the town became the operational hub for many of the movie's boating sequences.
The peaceful holiday atmosphere seen during the film's opening moments was captured here before everything descends into complete chaos. It's almost amusing how quickly a destination that looks perfect for sipping fruit juice by the harbour suddenly becomes a place where absolutely nobody would want to book a diving trip.
One of the most recognisable filming locations is the real-life Afrikat69 Excursion Boat. Instead of constructing a fake tourist vessel inside a studio, the filmmakers transformed this popular catamaran into the movie's primary dive tour boat.
Large sections of the cast, including Antonio Banderas, filmed directly aboard the vessel while sailing around Gran Canaria's coastline. Using a genuine excursion boat adds a layer of authenticity to the holiday scenes before the suspense quickly takes over.
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| Aura Entertainment |
The surrounding Atlantic Ocean coastline also plays a starring role throughout the film. The production used the deep blue waters surrounding Gran Canaria for many of its practical ocean sequences, allowing wide shots, aerial photography and surface action to feel completely natural.
The endless horizon, rocky coastline and crystal-clear sea provide a convincing stand-in for the waters off Mexico. Viewers may leave the cinema wanting to book a beach holiday, although perhaps skipping the shark cage package sounds like the wiser decision.
While many scenes were filmed in open water, not every sequence could safely be captured at sea. For the film's most technically demanding underwater moments, production relocated to Nu Boyana Film Studios in Sofia, Bulgaria.
The studio is well known across Europe for accommodating ambitious international productions and offers specialised facilities capable of recreating complex aquatic environments under carefully controlled conditions.
Inside the studio, the production relied heavily on its advanced underwater stage tanks. These enormous water facilities allowed actors to perform intense underwater scenes safely while giving the crew complete control over lighting, visibility and camera movement.
The claustrophobic shark cage moments, desperate oxygen countdowns and many of the film's close-up survival sequences were achieved here before being seamlessly blended with footage captured in Spain. It's one of those filmmaking tricks audiences rarely notice—which usually means it worked exactly as intended.
The carefully managed environment inside Nu Boyana Film Studios also made it possible to coordinate highly choreographed underwater action that would have been nearly impossible to film in unpredictable ocean conditions.
Rather than battling changing tides, rough waves and weather, the filmmakers could focus entirely on performance and technical precision. Movie magic occasionally looks less glamorous than expected, especially when the terrifying ocean is actually an enormous indoor pool, but the final result is remarkably convincing.
Although the production has confirmed these major filming locations, industry practice often involves using additional undisclosed sites for logistical reasons. Temporary production bases, smaller coastal areas and support facilities are sometimes deliberately kept private to minimise disruptions during filming.
Given the popularity of Above & Below, keeping certain locations out of the spotlight while cameras were rolling was a sensible decision. After all, movie crews generally prefer enthusiastic fans cheering from a cinema seat rather than appearing unexpectedly beside the next camera setup.
Today, many of the confirmed filming locations remain open to visitors. Gran Canaria continues to welcome travellers from around the world with its beaches, marinas, coastal viewpoints and ocean excursions, making it an appealing destination for fans hoping to retrace some of the film's most memorable moments.
Meanwhile, Nu Boyana Film Studios remains one of Europe's busiest production facilities, although its specialised filming areas are naturally far less accessible than the sunny coastlines seen on screen.
As more production details become available, additional filming locations could eventually be confirmed, particularly if cast or crew members share behind-the-scenes stories in the future. Until then, these verified locations offer the clearest look at how Above & Below transformed Spain and Bulgaria into a gripping survival adventure set off the Mexican coast.
Would you add Gran Canaria to your travel bucket list after watching Above & Below, or are you happier enjoying the shark encounters safely from your sofa? Share your favourite filming location from the movie and let us know if you spotted any hidden places that deserve a closer look. Stay tuned to Tonboriday.com as we'll update this guide if more filming locations are officially revealed.